Virginia State Capitol

Delegate Willett’s Bicyclist Safety Bill (HB661) Failed To Advance

Delegate Willett’s Bicyclist Safety Bill (HB661) failed in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Friday, March 6. While this outcome is disappointing, we’ll learn from this experience and keep Safety Yield, Proceed on Walk Signal, and Riding Two Abreast on the top of VBF’s legislative agenda for bicyclist safety in 2027.

Thank you to all for your calls and letters in support of HB661. Your advocacy led to unanimous support in the House and 13-1 bi-partisan support in the Senate Transportation Committee. That foundation gives us optimism for future success.

If your senator is one of the 13 who voted for HB661 in the Senate Transportation Committee on February 26 (i.e., Senators Bagby (Chair), Marsden,  Boysko, Hackworth, Sturtevant, Aird, Roem, Diggs, Mulchi, Srinivasan, Cifers, Jones, and Bennett-Parker), be sure to thank them.

Updates on Other Bills of Interest

Two bills have successfully passed both Houses and will be sent to the Governor to sign, veto, or amend: 

  • Delegate Carr’s HB812, Bicycle Signal Faces, is a VBF-led bill that will enable VDOT to use Bicycle Signal Faces where appropriate.
  • Delegate Singh’s HB1120 creates a DMV-led workgroup to develop recommendations for improving e-bike and e-moto safety.

One Traffic Camera Bill has passed the Senate, reported from House Transportation unanimously (21Y 0N) and has been sent to the House floor for a vote

Two very different Traffic Camera bills are still alive in their respective General Assembly chambers, while Delegate Seibold’s two traffic camera bills have been killed.

  • Delegate Delaney’s HB1220 Speed Safety Camera bill to increase transparency was modified in a SFAC subcommittee to conform it to the Senate version of Senator Williams Graves’ SB84. HB1220 is now a more onerous guardrails bill than the bill Delegate Delaney had workshopped with stakeholders.
  • Senator Williams Graves’ SB84 reported from House Transportation with a substitute (17‑Y 4‑N) The SB84 substitute is a stop sign and pedestrian camera bill with Delaney’s transparency and guardrail provisions.
  • Delegate Seibold’s HB994 and HB1330 reported from Senate Transportation but failed in the SFAC. HB994 would have expanded allowed uses of speed cameras to include high risk corridors, while HB1330 would have allowed localities to use cameras for stop sign and pedestrian crossing violation monitoring.

Senator Srinivasan’s SB832, advances to the House floor. SB832 directs VDOT to develop criteria and recommendations for vulnerable road user safety zones. 

  • SB832 passed the Senate (27Y 13N 0A) on March 6 and was reported by the House Rules Committee on March 6.
  • If the bill passes and the Governor signs it, it will require a report to applicable committee chairs by November 1, 2026.

Thanks again to all for your engagement with legislators. Your advocacy made a difference. We have work ahead before the next General Assembly, primarily continuing to educate legislators about proven safety measures and working within a DMV-led workgroup to help shape practical recommendations for improving e-bike and e-moto safety in a way that supports responsible riders and avoids unnecessary bureaucracy.

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