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).
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