Virginia Rules of the Road

Currently existing traffic laws for bicyclists and motorists.

1) Bicyclists Can Lawfully Take A Full Lane Whenever
Necessary. The law says all drivers need a full lane to
operate safely.
Cyclists also get a full traffic lane to themselves
whenever reasonably necessary to operate safely.

Virginia State Law says so.
.
(Va. Motor Vehicle Code 46.2-800, 46.2-905)Every person riding a bicycle.. shall have all of the rightsapplicable to the driver of a vehicle...Any person operating a bicycle shall ride as close aspracticable to the right...except !! when passing,. .. turning,... to avoid conditions not limited to fixed or moving objects, moving or parked vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, orsubstandard width lanes too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to pass safely side by side within the lane.

Lawful, Vehicular Cyclists will merge and take the full
lane when approaching narrow lanes or any possible
hazard. This rarely slows motorists more than 20-30
seconds.

Traffic law never requires cyclists to "squeeze" over.
It is unlawful for motorists to "squeeze" past,
threaten or endanger cyclists in any way. "Squeezing"
Causes Accidents.
Share the lane only if there's safe space.
Wait Your Turn.

2) Bicyclists Must Obey Lawful, Vehicular Rules For Their
Own Safety.
As a group, Lawful, Vehicular Cyclists have very few
accidents with motorists - 95%! fewer than others.
Lawful, Vehicular Cyclists operate by the same lawful,
predictable, vehicular rules of the road as motorists.
"The rules of the road follow easily understood
principles and provide equal protection for all.
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated
as lawful drivers of vehicles. Nobody can operate
safely without the ability to obey these principles."
(John Forester, Effective Cycling)

Equal rights means equal punishments for reckless
cyclists. Sidewalks have pedestrian rules, public roads
have vehicular rules. All users must obey appropriate
rules.

3) Bicyclists Do Have Equal Rights
Public roads have been shared by everyone for
thousands of years. In the US, road paving was begun for
bicyclists back when cars were still experimental. Later,
traffic laws and licenses were created to prevent
motorists from endangering other road users.
Attempts to ban cyclists from public roads have never
been upheld. Public roads are shared, public facilities.

The Virginia State DMV says so.
( Va. State Drivers Manual)"Look for bicycles on all public roads... Bicycles areconsidered vehicles and have the same rights-of-way...The rider will use the entire lane as traffic situations androad conditions change.""In rural areas (Garth, Reservoir Rd., Rt. 20, 53) watch for curves, hills, bicyclists, and other slow-moving vehicles. By law, you must drive slower if these conditions make theposted speed unsafe. Adjust your speed for hills, curves ...anywhere that visibility may be limited. Driving becomeshazardous when visibility is reduced. Reducing your speedshould be your first response to decreased visibility. If you cannot see more than 100 ft. ahead, you cannot drivesafely at any speed.

In other words, Slow Down. It is your responsibility to adjustyour driving to assure everyone's safety."