Group Riding Laws in Virginia
Last reviewed by BikeSize EditorialThis guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change - verify current rules with your state DOT or a licensed attorney before relying on this for any legal matter. Read full disclaimer.
The rule
Virginia permits cyclists to ride two abreast on the roadway. Va. Code § 46.2-905 permits persons riding bicycles two abreast on the roadway. The 2021 amendment removed the prior single-file-when-overtaken trigger; cyclists may continue to ride two abreast even when being overtaken, provided they do not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. See Va. Code § 46.2-905 (Riding bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards or scooters, and motor-driven cycles on roadways and bicycle paths). Read the national group riding laws guide for comparison. For low-light road and group visibility, compare bike lights for commuting and unlit roads.
Statute
What this means in practice
Group rides in Virginia can ride two abreast on most roads. Keep an eye on traffic behind — if a faster vehicle can't safely pass, single up.
Bigger roads, longer rides
Size a road bike for shoulders, group rides, and rural highways
Highway-access and group-riding rules favour riders who can hold a straight line at speed. Start with a frame that fits.
See the road sizing guide