An overview of Virginia's bicycle laws, reviewed and cited to primary sources. Use the sections below to jump to a specific rule, or the Sources block at the end for the full citation list.
This 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.
Helmet rules
Required under age
No statewide age requirement
Applies to passengers
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Standard
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Penalty
No statewide bicycle helmet law for minors. State code authorises counties and cities to require helmets for riders under 14 by local ordinance — many Northern Virginia jurisdictions (including Fairfax County, Arlington, and Alexandria) have done so.
Va. Code § 46.2-904 sets a statewide baseline: a person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk or shared-use path must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and must give an audible signal before overtaking and passing. The same section authorises any local governing body to prohibit sidewalk riding by ordinance, including on specific sidewalks of churches, schools, recreation centres, public buildings, and similar locations. Many Northern Virginia jurisdictions, plus Richmond and Virginia Beach, have used that authority to restrict downtown sidewalk riding.
Virginia's DUI statute (Va. Code § 18.2-266) applies to operators of a 'motor vehicle, engine or train.' Va. Code § 46.2-100 defines motor vehicle to exclude bicycles, so a cyclist cannot be charged with DUI under § 18.2-266. Public-intoxication or reckless-handling charges may still apply to an impaired rider.
Headlight on the front emitting a white light visible in clear weather from at least 500 feet.
Rear requirement
Rear reflector or light
Rear spec
Red rear reflector of a State-Police-approved type, visible from 50 to 600 feet when directly in front of low-beam headlamps, **or** a red taillight visible from 500 feet in lieu of (or in addition to) the reflector.
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.
Va. Code § 46.2-808 and VDOT regulations prohibit bicycles, pedestrians and other non-motorized traffic on Interstate highways in Virginia. I-64, I-66, I-77, I-81, I-85, I-95 and I-295 are all signed closed; cyclists must route on parallel US and state routes (the US Bicycle Route 1 corridor parallels much of I-95).