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Comments Document

Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB645, HB657, HB1266 Reasons to SUPPORT HB645 - (Reaser) Electric vehicles; signs for parking spaces reserved for charging vehicles. Currently, signs reserving space for electric vehicle charging are required to read "Penalty, up to $25”--prescribed by the Code of Virginia (§ 46.2-1219.3). This is unnecessarily specific and could result in costly updates to signage for public EV charging space operators or localities. The simple and clear language proposed by HB645 would prevent confusion and future-proofs against costly sign replacement. SUPPORT HB657 (Sullivan) Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices. Extends safety benefits of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to people biking in bike lanes and travel lanes. Improves safety for people biking by allowing them to get ahead of and be more visible to drivers. Current law allows a person biking in the crosswalk to proceed on a walk signal; this legislation extends applicability to a person biking using a bike lane or travel lane. SUPPORT HB1266 (Willet) Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. This legislation would improve the safety of people bicycling by allowing them to treat stop signs as yield signs in limited circumstances (Safety Stop), permitting two-abreast bicycling without restriction except on two-lane roads with a speed limit greater than 30 MPH, and clarifying the rules for narrow travel lanes.

Comments Document

The intent of the original bill is to protect access to charging infrastructure that is growing substantially in Virginia as the result of millions of dollars in public and private investment. Protecting access to this infrastructure will be essential as the demand for electric vehicles grows, especially from those who cannot install a charger at home because they rent an apartment or live in a house with no driveway or garage. Access is also important for those who own less expensive EVs with smaller batteries and need to travel long distances. However, the bill as written does not protect a single charging station in Virginia from someone who parks their car with no intention of charging. That’s because a sign has to be posted in the parking space in front of the charger with the amount of the fine for violating this parking regulation. Counties in Maryland have faced the same enforcement issue (see attachment). HB 645 would rectify this issue by removing the sign requirement. The space would still need to be marked for charging only, which almost every charging station already has. That is why Drive Electric RVA supports HB 645.

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Comments Document

Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB645, HB657, HB1266 Reasons to SUPPORT HB645 - (Reaser) Electric vehicles; signs for parking spaces reserved for charging vehicles. Currently, signs reserving space for electric vehicle charging are required to read "Penalty, up to $25”--prescribed by the Code of Virginia (§ 46.2-1219.3). This is unnecessarily specific and could result in costly updates to signage for public EV charging space operators or localities. The simple and clear language proposed by HB645 would prevent confusion and future-proofs against costly sign replacement. SUPPORT HB657 (Sullivan) Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices. Extends safety benefits of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to people biking in bike lanes and travel lanes. Improves safety for people biking by allowing them to get ahead of and be more visible to drivers. Current law allows a person biking in the crosswalk to proceed on a walk signal; this legislation extends applicability to a person biking using a bike lane or travel lane. SUPPORT HB1266 (Willet) Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. This legislation would improve the safety of people bicycling by allowing them to treat stop signs as yield signs in limited circumstances (Safety Stop), permitting two-abreast bicycling without restriction except on two-lane roads with a speed limit greater than 30 MPH, and clarifying the rules for narrow travel lanes.

I am in support of HB657 and HB20 to improve the pedestrian crosswalks in Old Town Fairfax City. I would like to see each intersection to have a traffic light cycle where all cars are stopped so pedestrians can walk any direction in the crosswalk; corner to corner and diagonal. This will eliminate pedestrian accidents by cars turning into a crosswalk with pedestrians and provide additional safe walkways for all pedestrians strolling in the Old Town area for shopping and restaurants. In addition, install speed cameras on select roads in Fairfax City that are main pedestrian walking and biking roads and where drivers continually exceed the speed limit. Specifically George Mason Blvd and Chain Bridge Road have heavy pedestrian use through active residential and downtown business areas. More often than not drivers are exceeding the speed limits by over 20 mph endangering pedestrians and bicyclists.

As a Henrico citizen, and a traffic engineer that serves on the Bicycle Technical Committee of the National Committee of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, I have major concerns about including legislation in VA Code (HB657 and HB1077) that conflicts with engineering guidance provided in the FHWA Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that governs the use of traffic control devices. These two laws directly conflict with the guidance and standards in the MUTCD, which is federal law. In addition, I don't believe legislators should be permitted to pass laws that guide licensed engineering decisions related to traffic signs, signals, or any other traffic control devices.

Please support Delegate Sullivan's HB657. The City of Alexandria (and elsewhere in Virginia are increasingly installing Leading Pedestrian Intervals to save live. As a person who rides a bicycle, I would greatly appreciate your extending these safety benefits to people like me. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) found up to 60% safety improvement and specifically recommended this safety countermeasure for bicyclists. Thanks so much for your service, Jim Durham

I submitted comments earlier.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

I have ridden my bike all over the US, and in the places where this is permitted (including DC), cyclists are definitely safer. The practical effect of being able to proceed on walk signal is that I get out ahead of the traffic which makes me more visible. I was hit by a car in March 2023 by someone who said, "I just didn't see her." There are many reasons a motorist might not see a cyclist, but this is at least one way to make us visible. Thank you for helping make all citizens safer.

I live and bicycle in Winchester. In the downtown area, the streets are relatively narrow and there is usually parking on both sides of the street. Since there are no bike lanes I am riding in the same lane as traffic. If I was able to start a little bit ahead of the cars on the walk signal I could get out in front and past the parked cars in the next block and avoid a dangerous pinch point.

We SUPPORT HB 657. It would give bicycle riders stopped at a red light on a roadway a 3- to 7-second head start over turning vehicles at intersections operating with a Leading Pedestrian Interval. This simple safety measure is already lawful in California, the District of Columbia, and New York City.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

I encourage you to support HB657, Bike May Proceed on Walk Signal. I am a long-time bicyclist and commuted regularly back and forth from my home at 2 Twin Lake Lane and the Monroe Park campus of VCU. I regularly proceeded to ride across Belvidere Street when the walk signal appeared because I felt that it increased my safety. (I did not know that the signal did not apply to me.) Since pedestrians were often walking with me then, I worried less about a car not seeing me or a red light. Starting to ride when the walk signal appeared let me get a little ahead of the cars that would soon pass me on my left. The extra time meant that when cars passed me, they were spaced out. The extra spacing increased my visibility and often gave the drivers an opportunity to move slightly to their left to increase the distance between us when they passed. I hope that you make what I think is a common-sense way to increase the safety of riding bikes in urban settings.

RE: Delegate Sullivan’s HB657. As Co-Chair of Bike Loudoun, we strong support this bill. Giving pedestrians and bicyclists a head start at signalized intersections puts us in the view of drivers. Especially drivers waiting for a moment go for right turn on red. There is an intersection at One Loudoun and Loudoun County Parkway that has put this in use. I feel safer getting out there ahead of everyone. I have had numerous near misses while bicycling or walking my dog, especially those waiting to turn. Thank you!

I regularly bike commute between Alexandria and Navy Yard in DC - bike may proceed on LPI is legal in DC, and I have never encountered a safety problem there when proceeding on LPI, nor have I witnessed one. I feel that I am safer by being able to proceed before turning cars . I think I have seen fewer bikes using crosswalks since DC implemented that. I have biked through all ped phases (there is one near the Eisenhower memorial) and have not had a problem, nor witnessed one. I feel that having the law be consistent between Virginia and DC would be especially helpful in northern Virginia, as we could more easily explain the law to new riders. I strongly support this change.

I am in favor of HB657, which would allow people biking to proceed during a leading pedestrian interval phase at a traffic light-controlled intersection. Leading pedestrian intervals have been found to improve safety for people walking by providing them time to begin crossing a roadway, improving their visibility to motor vehicles and improving the likelihood that a motor vehicle will properly yield to the person in the crosswalk. People who bike would receive similar benefits of improved visibility and reduced conflicts with people driving if they were allowed to proceed during the leading pedestrian interval. In the city of Roanoke this change would be particularly helpful downtown where there are numerous one-way streets controlled by traffic lights with leading pedestrian intervals. In particular, there is one street that goes from one lane on one side of the intersection to three lanes on the other side. A leading interval would allow me to establish myself in the appropriate lane for my destination rather than worry that a driver might attempt to cut around me as the road widens. I worked in Washington, DC for several years after they allowed people biking to proceed on leading pedestrian intervals in 2013. My experience during that time was positive and the law seemed to work well, including at signals with an "all-walk" phase. It felt intuitive and common sense to proceed when pedestrians did and yield to them if needed.

OPPOSE. I disagree with allowing bicyclists -- who are operating a VEHICLE, as defined in the Code of Virginia -- from proceeding into an intersection on a WALK signal from a travel lane. (It should be allowed in a crosswalk, since bicyclists in a crosswalk are legally pedestrians per the Code.) I am a bicyclist who believes that bicyclists benefit most when they follow the same rules as motorists, with few exceptions, and this does not seem to me to be a valid case for such an exception. If I am stopped on my bicycle at a red signal and am waiting with motor vehicles for the green, a head start isn't going to buy me much peace and quiet. As it is, I prefer to wait in the lane behind the cars ahead of me; they have already passed me once, and I'd just as soon not be passed by them again.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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OPPOSE: I oppose the proposal to increase the duration of Virginia's safety inspection beyond 12 months. There are plenty of people driving around with dead brake lights (sometimes all of them) even with a duration of 12 months, and it stands to reason that if you double the length of inspection validity, you will double the number of vehicles on the road with defective equipment.

I strongly OPPOSE HB1047. Annual vehicle inspections can and do save lives and are a small inconvenience to ensure your car (and those around you) are safe for the road. This affected me personally. A few years ago, my previous car failed inspection because the tube that carries brake fluid had a bulge in it. Apparently, that bulge could've burst at any time and I would've lost all brake pressure immediately. There was no way for me to know I had this bulge in the tube until it burst. So the inspection quite likely saved my life because I never would've known until it was too late that the brake tube was nearly nonfunctional. Thank you for your time. This is a top priority for me.

I support this bill as the vehicle inspection process in the Commonwealth is broken. It requires way too much time to find a shop that can do it without an hours-long wait because they can't accept appointments. Capping what they can charge makes it the lowest priority service for them. Additionally, studies show the inspections provide no impact on vehicle safety, reduction in accidents, etc. The whole system needs reform or abolishment, but HB1047 is a good first start.

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I strongly support HB 1077. I commute to DC by bike and would personally benefit from this legislation. Many cyclists are already operating with Idaho stops and many motorists expect it. I have occasionally seen motorists confused when cyclists do stop at stop signs. Putting this rule on the books would better reflect the behavior that already exists and has been shown to improve safety.

I support HB 1077. Similar legislation has been enacted in nine other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more efficiently through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility. As a transportation safety advocate, I know the "Idaho Stop" can seem weird at first blush. The goal of the Idaho Stop is keeping bikes moving at safe, predictable speeds to improve the safety of everyone at an intersection. Importantly, the bill notes that "operator slows to a reasonable speed" and "yields the right-of-way to any pedestrian."

As a Henrico citizen, and a traffic engineer that serves on the Bicycle Technical Committee of the National Committee of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, I have major concerns about including legislation in VA Code (HB657 and HB1077) that conflicts with engineering guidance provided in the FHWA Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that governs the use of traffic control devices. These two laws directly conflict with the guidance and standards in the MUTCD, which is federal law. In addition, I don't believe legislators should be permitted to pass laws that guide licensed engineering decisions related to traffic signs, signals, or any other traffic control devices.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

We SUPPORT HB 1077, the "bicyclist safety stop" or "Delaware Yield", to allow bike riders to treat Stop signs as Yield signs under limited circumstances. As unenclosed, much slower, and human-powered devices, bicycles differ fundamentally from motor vehicles. Current Virginia law requires a full stop at up to 3 different places--before a Stop line, before a marked crosswalk, and where one has a clear view of cross traffic--and subjects bike riders to selective and discriminatory law enforcement, even while yielding appropriately to vehicles and pedestrians with the right-of-way. HB 1077 would simply conform Virginia law to real-world, safe bicycling practices. The "Delaware Yield" is already lawful in 10 states and Washington, DC.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

Please support HB1077. According to the NHTSB, "based upon the current research and data available, these stop-as-yield (safety stop) laws showed added safety benefits for bicyclists in States where they were evaluated, and may positively affect the environment, traffic, and transportation." We need to work together to reduce risks to vulnerable road users and encourage people to use modes of transportation that have significant benefits for health and the environment relative to cars. "In 2017, Delaware adopted a similar, stop-as-yield law, known as the 'Delaware Yield.' Traffic crashes involving bicyclists at stop sign intersections fell by 23% in the 30 months after the law’s passage, compared to the previous 30 months. Eight States (Arkansas,Delaware, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) have similar laws. Colorado passed a law in 2018 that allowed local municipalities to adopt standard language on safe bicycle yielding at stops." Please listen to the NHTSB and make this safe behavior legal for cyclists in Virginia. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/202 3-03/Bicyclist-Yield-As-Stop-Fact-Sheet_032123_v5_tag.pdf

Comments Document

In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluated current research and data and found that laws like the one being proposed "showed added safety benefits for bicyclists in States where they were evaluated, and may positively affect the environment, traffic, and transportation." There is no rational justification for opposing HB1077. Reference: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2023-03/Bicyclist-Yield-As-Stop-Fact-Sheet_032123_v5_tag.pdf

I support HB 1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

I support HB 1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

FAVOR. I favor the proposal to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs in certain situations as yield signs so long as the intersecting highway has no more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction, and so long as the bicyclist does not exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour. At this reduced speed, a cyclist should be able to come to a full stop if he suddenly sees that the intersection is not clear, as he believed when making the decision to proceed. I favor the clarification of the definition of a "substandard lane". I favor the proposal to allow cyclists to ride two abreast when riding on a multi-lane highway. I feel very strongly that in the absence of a smooth, paved shoulder of at least three (3) feet in width, cyclists in a group are safer when riding two-abreast than they are when riding single file. I have witnessed numerous incidents in which a motorist, when faced with a long line of cyclists riding single file, has misjudged the distance and time needed to pass them and has cut back in too soon, putting people at risk. When cyclists are two-abreast, it is more apparent to the motorist that he will need to move into the left lane, and this seems to make him more cautious because he perceives his own safety is involved. I have been bicycling for 59 years and driving for 50 years, so I know a thing or two about doing both things safely.

I support HB1266 as it improves bicyclist safety and visibility, and clarifies driving laws. I also support HB1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

I support HB 1077. Safety Stop legislation has been shown to improve safety outcomes and I strongly support allowing local jurisdictions to determine their own restrictions on this topic.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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Comments Document

Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB645, HB657, HB1266 Reasons to SUPPORT HB645 - (Reaser) Electric vehicles; signs for parking spaces reserved for charging vehicles. Currently, signs reserving space for electric vehicle charging are required to read "Penalty, up to $25”--prescribed by the Code of Virginia (§ 46.2-1219.3). This is unnecessarily specific and could result in costly updates to signage for public EV charging space operators or localities. The simple and clear language proposed by HB645 would prevent confusion and future-proofs against costly sign replacement. SUPPORT HB657 (Sullivan) Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices. Extends safety benefits of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to people biking in bike lanes and travel lanes. Improves safety for people biking by allowing them to get ahead of and be more visible to drivers. Current law allows a person biking in the crosswalk to proceed on a walk signal; this legislation extends applicability to a person biking using a bike lane or travel lane. SUPPORT HB1266 (Willet) Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. This legislation would improve the safety of people bicycling by allowing them to treat stop signs as yield signs in limited circumstances (Safety Stop), permitting two-abreast bicycling without restriction except on two-lane roads with a speed limit greater than 30 MPH, and clarifying the rules for narrow travel lanes.

This is a common sense tool that will help protect people riding bikes, scooters, and other personal mobility devices. Please pass this.

I write to urge you to support HB 1266 Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. It would make several common-sense changes that would increase the ability to ride bicycles safely. It allows people riding bikes to yield instead of stop at intersections when doing so is safe. I admit to "rolling" through stop signs and stop lights when riding through the Fan in RVA. I feel safer rolling than stopping when I can easily see that no traffic is approaching. Rolling reduces the time I must spend in the intersection and often allows cars bunched at an intersection to pass me more safely than if I left the intersection with them. It also defines clearly when riders are not required to ride to the right. The current language is ambiguous and confusing. It requires drivers to move left and allows them to cross the center line when passing riders on narrow roads. Giving riders space on narrow roads is essential to reducing collisions when cars overtake bicyclists. Finally, it allows bicyclists to ride two abreast as long as they don't impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic on roadways with only one travel lane per direction and a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or more. It also allow bicyclists to impede traffic by riding two abreast when the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less. Most adults "shepherding" a child on a narrow road in a neighborhood protect the child by riding to the left of the child. Here, two abreast is safer than single file. Riding two abreast increases the visibility of both riders and prevents the child from swerving in the path of a car as it overtakes the riders.

I am writing in support of HB1266 and specifically the provisions that would remove the requirement for persons riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, or motorized skateboards or scooters on a highway two abreast to move into a single-file formation. Riding next to my partner, a friend, or a fellow cyclist while riding with a group can make riding more enjoyable by enabling conversation, can make riding safer by preventing vehicles from overtaking on blind corners or constrained roadways, and can make overtaking easier for drivers where a single-file formation would double the length of overtaking for an otherwise compact group of cyclists riding two abreast. The current requirement to "move into a single-file formation as quickly as is practicable when being overtaken" introduces uncertainty into the overtaking maneuver as it requires bicyclists to move during the overtaking maneuver. Bicyclists may move to a single-file formation by speeding up or slowing down and the overtaking driver may be caught off guard or be unable to complete their maneuver as the length of a cycling group increases during the maneuver. Removing this requirement may allow drivers to rely on the current formation of a cycling group when planning their overtaking maneuver, resulting in more consistent and safer interactions. Most states do not have any similar requirement regarding moving to a single-file when being overtaken. For example, states such as Texas (§ 551.103(c)) and Oklahoma (§ 11-1205(b)) have less restrictive laws regarding bicyclists riding two abreast without any requirement related to moving to a single-file formation.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

My understanding is that one of the objections to this bill is that allowing cyclists to ride two abreast on roads less than 35 mph might cause road rage. As a cyclist, I ride where it's safest for me on every road, and yes, motorists can be impatient. But the solution for that isn't to make cyclists less safe. The solution is to address a culture that currently prioritizes the motorist getting to his destination faster by risking the safety of other users. The solution lies in educating motorists and police enforcement against driver actions that are dangerous. Speed kills, and any driver on a road less than 35mph who can't wait for 30 seconds for a cyclist to get to a place where it is safe to past is not just risking that cyclist, but the child ahead who might be crossing the street. Allowing cyclist to ride two-abreast on these roads increases their visual signature so that the drivers are more likely to travel at a speed which gives them time to react if something unexpected occurs (i.e., that child in the crosswalk). I was hit by a car in March 2023. I was extremely fortunate that the driver was inattentive but NOT speeding. But if there had been two of us riding abreast, the driver might well have seen us and stopped before hitting us. Please choose safety.

Motorists convenience! I am seen by motorists. Be seen. SHARE THE ROAD. Drive responsibly.

As a grandparent cycling with young grandchildren the provisions in this bill allowing riding two abreast will help keep us safer and able to enjoy a healthy activity. As a recreational cyclist with thousands of miles experience I can confirm that allowing riding two abreast keeps the cyclists more visible and everyone safer. Cyclist are safer when vehicles are able to pass at lower speeds in shorter distances. I have witnessed too many situations where drivers speed up too fast into blind curves to pass a line of single file cyclists resulting in near misses. On these same roads the driver could have passed at a lower speed in a safer manner if the cyclists were allowed to ride two abreast creating a more compact group. Please pass this bill to help make our roads safer for all users.

We SUPPORT HB 1266. In addition to the "bicyclist safety stop" provision of HB 1077, HB 1266 appropriately removes Virginia's current limitations on groups of people bicycling two abreast on multi-lane roadways and on two-lane roadways with a post speed limit of 30 MPH or less. On two-lane roadways with a posted speed limit of 35 MPH or higher, two-abreast riders would still be required to not unreasonably impede following traffic. Nearly half of all U.S. states impose NO limitations on two-abreast bicycling within a single travel lane, so HB 1266 is a reasonable compromise to minimize delays to motorists when it matters most--on fast, two-lane roadways with frequent on-coming traffic. Two-abreast bicycling improves the visibility of bicycling groups and facilitates safe overtaking by motorists.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

I'm writing to show my support for HB1266. Virginia's rural 2 lane roadways are incredible cycling resources, especially on roadways with light traffic. Most of these roads are without a shoulder and in many cases the roadway ends and the unpaved area adjoining the roadway is unsafe for either a bicycle or vehicle. These lanes are also almost always less than 15 feet in width (I understand the standard width is 12 feet) making it unsafe for both a vehicle and bicycle to share the lane. I support the changes in HB1266 that give cyclists on these roads the legal authority to control such lanes of traffic by riding in the center of the lane while riding solo or two abreast while riding in a group. Riding in the center of the lane or two abreast will prevent drivers from making unsafe passes within the lane. Additionally, riding two abreast shortens the passing zone for the passing automobile, making it easier for drivers to pass cyclists in groups safely. I also believe these changes should not only apply to roadways with only one traffic lane in each direction or with speed limits above 35MPH. There is no condition where it is safe for a bicycle and a motorized vehicle to share a lane that is not wide enough for both safely. I believe a standard-width lane on most Virginia roads is 12 feet. A cyclist needs 3 feet from the edge of the road to be able to safely dodge debris, then there are 3 feet between the cyclist and the car. That leaves only 6' for the car, even at 25MPH That is not safe. Another item that should be included in HB1266 is defining standards for bicycle lanes. Bicycle lanes can be safe if they are properly implemented. I frequently ride my bike thru the town of Haymarket where they have dangerously drawn the bicycle lanes. They have bicycle lanes that are to the right of the right turn lanes. I recently completed the League of American Bicyclists "Smart Cycling" class where they teach best practices for cycling on roads. In that class, they present that most vehicle/bicycle collisions happen when a driver turns into a cyclist and not hitting a cyclist from behind. If the cyclist is heading straight and they are in the marked bike lane and the marked bike lane is to the right of a right turn lane, there's no safe way for the cyclist to continue straight. Thank you for considering my feedback on this important topic. I will be following up with my local representatives once I see this Bill move out of committee. If there is anything else I should be doing to advocate for this Bill, please let me know. Sincerly George Argodale 805-312-2408 gargodale@gmail.com

FAVOR. I favor the proposal to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs in certain situations as yield signs so long as the intersecting highway has no more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction, and so long as the bicyclist does not exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour. At this reduced speed, a cyclist should be able to come to a full stop if he suddenly sees that the intersection is not clear, as he believed when making the decision to proceed. I favor the clarification of the definition of a "substandard lane". I favor the proposal to allow cyclists to ride two abreast when riding on a multi-lane highway. I feel very strongly that in the absence of a smooth, paved shoulder of at least three (3) feet in width, cyclists in a group are safer when riding two-abreast than they are when riding single file. I have witnessed numerous incidents in which a motorist, when faced with a long line of cyclists riding single file, has misjudged the distance and time needed to pass them and has cut back in too soon, putting people at risk. When cyclists are two-abreast, it is more apparent to the motorist that he will need to move into the left lane, and this seems to make him more cautious because he perceives his own safety is involved. I have been bicycling for 59 years and driving for 50 years, so I know a thing or two about doing both things safely.

I support HB1266 as it improves bicyclist safety and visibility, and clarifies driving laws. I also support HB1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

I support HB1266 as it improves bicyclist visibility and safety, and clarifies driving laws.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.