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HB812 • 2026

Traffic regulation; bicycles, and certain other devices, bicycle signals.

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-833.2, relating to regulation of traffic; bicycles and certain other devices; bicycle signals.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Carr
Last action
2026-04-06
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on penalties beyond a fine of no more than $350 for violations.

Traffic Rules for Bicycles and Other Devices

This law adds rules about obeying bicycle signals at intersections and sets fines for not following them.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires people riding bicycles or other devices in bike lanes to follow bicycle signals when they are near an intersection.
  • Sets specific meanings for different colors of bicycle signals, such as green means go, red means stop, amber means be cautious, and flashing red means a complete stop before proceeding with caution.
  • Establishes rules for what to do if traffic lights, including bicycle signals, don't work because there's no power or another reason.
  • Makes it a traffic infraction not to follow the new rules about bicycle signals.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who ride bicycles or other devices in bike lanes and shared-use paths near intersections with bicycle signals.

Terms To Know

Bicycle signal
A special traffic light for bicycles that tells riders when to stop, go, or be cautious at an intersection.
Shared-use path
A road or pathway where people can ride bikes and walk without cars.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not specify what happens if a bicycle signal is broken or malfunctioning.
  • It doesn't explain how to handle situations when there are no bicycle signals at an intersection.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 223 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 223 (effective 7/1/2026)

  3. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0223)

  4. 2026-03-14 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

  5. 2026-03-14 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  6. 2026-03-11 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB812)

  7. 2026-03-10 House

    Signed by Speaker

  8. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Signed by President

  9. 2026-03-10 House

    Enrolled

  10. 2026-03-10 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB812ER)

  11. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Read third time

  12. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  13. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Rules suspended

  14. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Rules suspended

  15. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  16. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  17. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  18. 2026-02-26 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation (14-Y 0-N)

  19. 2026-02-26 Transportation

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB812)

  20. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  21. 2026-02-10 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

  22. 2026-02-09 House

    Read third time and passed House (84-Y 13-N 0-A)

  23. 2026-02-06 House

    Read second time

  24. 2026-02-06 House

    committee substitute agreed to

  25. 2026-02-06 House

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  26. 2026-02-05 House

    Read first time

  27. 2026-02-03 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation with substitute (20-Y 1-N)

  28. 2026-02-03 Transportation

    Committee substitute printed 26106255D-H1

  29. 2026-01-28 Highway Safety and Policy

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)

  30. 2026-01-28 Highway Safety and Policy

    House subcommittee offered

  31. 2026-01-22 Highway Safety and Policy

    Assigned HTRAN sub: Highway Safety and Policy

  32. 2026-01-13 House

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102256D

  33. 2026-01-13 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

Official Summary Text

Regulation of traffic; bicycles and certain other devices; bicycle signals.
Requires a person operating a bicycle or other device lawfully permitted in a bicycle lane or on a shared-use path in or approaching an intersection with a bicycle signal to obey such bicycle signal. The bill also sets requirements for signals that are displayed by bicycle signals and requirements for situations in which traffic lights, including bicycle signals, are out of service. The bill provides that a violation constitutes a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
46.2-833.2
, relating to regulation of traffic; bicycles and certain other devices; bicycle signals.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
46.2-833.2
as follows:
§
46.2-833.2
. Bicycle signals.
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of §
46.2-833
and §
46.2-904
, any person operating a bicycle or other device lawfully permitted in a bicycle lane or on a shared-use path in or approaching an intersection with a bicycle signal, shall obey such bicycle signal.
B. The following meanings shall be given to bicycle signals:
1. A steady green bicycle indication means that a person is permitted to enter the intersection and may move in the direction of the signal, unless otherwise directed by another traffic control device, and remain in motion as long as the steady green bicycle signal is given, except that such person shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
2. A steady amber bicycle indication means that a change is about to be made in the direction of traffic. When the steady amber bicycle signal is shown, a person who has not entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but a person who has already entered the intersection shall continue to move in the appropriate direction of travel until the intersection has been cleared.
3. A steady red bicycle indication means that a person shall stop and remain stopped as long as the steady red bicycle signal is shown. Except where a traffic control device is placed prohibiting turns on a steady red bicycle signal, a person facing a steady red bicycle signal, after coming to a full stop, may cautiously enter the intersection if it is reasonably safe to make a right turn.
4. A flashing amber bicycle indication means that a person is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection or move past such signal with reasonable care, except that such person shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
5. A flashing red bicycle indication means that a person shall stop before entering the intersection. Such person may then proceed through the intersection in the direction of the signal, unless otherwise directed by another traffic control device, except that such person shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
C. If the traffic lights controlling an intersection, including bicycle signals, are out of service due to a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights, a person shall proceed as provided in subsection C of §
46.2-833
.
D. Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.