Bicyclist Proceed on Walk Signal: A Proven Safety Fix for Virginia’s Dangerous Intersections

A Leading Pedestrian Interval at 9th and Marshall Streets in Richmond, VA. Image courtesy of the City of Richmond.

Current bill status as of February 26, 2026:  HB661 was filed by Delegate Rodney Willett (D, HD-58) on January 13, and the House of Delegates passed it unanimously (98Y-0N-0A) on February 9.  On February 26, HB661 was reported 13Y-1N by the Senate Transportation Committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. 

Nearly two-thirds of bicycle-vehicle crashes happen at intersections [1]. For many people who bike, this is the most stressful part of the ride: waiting at red lights next to turning cars and hoping drivers notice them.

A simple, proven change—letting people on bikes go when the pedestrian walk signal appears—can greatly reduce these crashes, by getting riders out front and through an intersection before any stopped cars begin moving.

Right now, Virginia law lets people biking in a crosswalk go on a walk signal, but it’s illegal for those in a bike lane or travel lane to do so. The Proceed on Walk Signal legislation would fix this and bring the safety benefit to where most people actually ride.

This policy is one of three measures in the Omnibus Bicyclist Safety bill that the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) is preparing for the 2026 General Assembly session, which starts on January 14.

What’s the Problem?

Virginia law creates an extra risk at intersections for people biking in bike lanes or travel lanes, especially when turning cars are present.

At intersections with a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI), pedestrians get a 3 to 7 second head start before turning cars get a green light. This extra time makes them more visible and encourages drivers to yield.

People biking in a crosswalk can legally use this safety benefit, but those in bike lanes or travel lanes cannot, even though they face similar conflicts with turning cars.

Most people who bike in Virginia aren’t thrill-seekers or rule-breakers. They’re neighbors going to work, parents riding with their kids, or people choosing a healthy, affordable way to get around. Intersections are where they’re most at risk.

How Does Proceed on Walk Signal Improve Safety?

Crossing the intersection a few seconds before turning cars gives people on bikes:

•     Better visibility
•     Increased yielding from drivers
•     Reduced risk of right-hook and left-cross crashes with turning vehicles

Anyone who has waited at an intersection next to a turning car knows how vulnerable those first few seconds can feel.

These benefits are well documented. The National Association of City Transportation Officials reports up to 60% better safety for pedestrians at intersections with LPIs and recommends extending this safety measure to bicyclists.[2]

Why This Matters to Drivers 

Proceed on Walk Signal isn’t just safer for people biking; it’s safer for everyone. It also makes intersections safer and more predictable for drivers.

•     Letting bicyclists start a few seconds early reduces last-second conflicts for turning drivers.
•     When bicyclists are easier to see, drivers have more time to react and yield safely.
•     Fewer crashes mean less congestion, fewer sudden stops, and fewer stressful close calls for everyone at the intersection.

In jurisdictions where this policy is already in use, it has reduced bicycle-vehicle crashes. Intersections are calmer and easier to navigate for both drivers and people biking.

Safer intersections help everyone.

Are There Other Benefits?

Yes. Proceed on Walk Signal also does the following:

•     It makes walking more comfortable by removing one reason that people on bikes use sidewalks or crosswalks– to get a head start before the traffic light turns green.
•     It encourages safer, more predictable movements by keeping bicyclists in bike lanes and travel lanes where they should be.

What Has the Research Shown?

Research and real-world tests strongly support this approach:

•     A New York City pilot study at 50 intersections recorded fewer bicycle-involved crashes than in any of the prior three years. [3]
•     The NYC pilot report recommended allowing cyclists to follow the pedestrian walk signal citywide, provided they yield to pedestrians.[4]
•     National best-practice guidance supports giving LPI benefits to bicyclists to make intersections safer. [5]

Has Proceed on Walk Signal Been Adopted Elsewhere?

Yes. Proceed on Walk Signal is already legal in:

•     Washington, DC (since 2013)
•     New York City (since 2019, following a successful 2018 pilot)
•     California (2024)
•     Vermont (effective July 1, 2026)

Virginia would be following proven, mainstream safety policy, not trying something untested.

Shouldn’t Bicyclists Always Follow Motor Vehicle Rules?

Virginia law already recognizes that treating all road users exactly like motor vehicles does not always produce the best outcomes. Existing exceptions, such as Virginia’s “dead-red law” (Code of Virginia § 46.2-833, Subsection B), allow certain road users to proceed through a red signal under specific conditions.

Proceed on Walk Signal would create a second, specific exception for people biking, based on:

•     Proven pedestrian safety benefits of LPIs
•     More than a decade of successful implementation in Washington, DC
•     Clear evidence of reduced intersection crashes

These safety benefits make this targeted update to the Code of Virginia worthwhile.

What Special Situations Are Addressed?

In short, Proceed on Walk Signal applies only when a bicyclist is going straight or turning right, and always requires yielding to pedestrians.

More specifically:

•     At intersections with an all-walk phase, a person riding a bicycle must yield to pedestrians in all crosswalks and to vehicles (including other bicycles) approaching from the right.
•     Proceed on Walk Signal does not apply to left turns.

The Takeaway

The Proceed on Walk Signal provision in the Omnibus Bicyclist Safety bill is a safety-focused update that will do the following:

•     Reduce crashes involving bicyclists
•     Improve intersection safety for everyone
•     Align Virginia law with proven national best practices

This legislation improves safety while keeping clear protections for both pedestrians and drivers.

Take Action

Safer intersections don’t happen by accident. They happen because people speak up.

•     Share this article to help build understanding and support for Proceed on Walk Signal
•     Talk with friends, neighbors, and local leaders about safer intersections
•     Help build momentum ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session

Questions or comments?

Contact the VBF Advocacy Committee at 703-508-0762 or vbfadvocacycommittee@gmail.com.

Footnotes:

[1] Safety Research Report: Bicyclist Safety on US Roadways: Crash Risks and Countermeasures, National Transportation Safety Board, Adopted November 5, 2019, Page 27.

[2] National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Street Design Guide, Accessed 11/19/2025.

[3] New York City Pilot Study Results.

[4] Ibid

[5]  National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Street Design Guide, Accessed 11/19/2025.