According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hampton Roads experienced a 43% increase in workers commuting to work by bicycle and a 23% increase in workers walking to work between 2000 and 2014.

Safety

Crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians have decreased over the last decade.  The number of fatalities involving bicyclists and pedestrians has fluctuated throughout the decade with the highest number occurring in 2014 (30 fatalities).  

Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws

State

VDOT provides a paraphrased version of Laws and Safety Tips affecting bicycling and walking in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Code of Virginia references and links are available with each section.  These laws include sections on:

• Traffic Controls
• Where to Ride
• Changing Directions
• Passing
• Safety Considerations
• Equipment
• Registration
• Accidents

Local

In addition to Commonwealth law, several local jurisdictions have additional regulations regarding helmet usage.  The following localities “require that every person fourteen years of age or younger shall wear a protective helmet whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway, sidewalk, or public bicycle path”:

• City of Hampton
• James City County
• City of Norfolk
• York County

Consult your locality for additional information about codes that regulate Active Transportation in your area.

Biking and Transit

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT)

HRT serves as public transit agency for Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.  Their services include bus routes, light rail and ferry service among others.  All of HRT’s buses are equipped with bike racks on the front.  Passengers are permitted to bring only fold-up bicycles on the buses.  Light rail cars are equipped with bicycle hooks on the interior that allow passengers to hang their bicycles while riding the Tide.    The Elizabeth River Ferry also is equipped with bicycle hooks. 

Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA)

WATA serves as public transit agency for James City County, Williamsburg and York County.  Their bus service is open to cyclists.  All of their buses are equipped with bike racks in the front of the bus.  Passengers may also bring bicycles onboard if space is available.

Regional Active Transportation Groups

Active Transportation Facilities in Hampton Roads

The HRTPO used their project prioritization tool to prioritize 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan Active Transportation candidate projects.  This required the adoption designations to differentiate facility types across the region.   The following nine facility types were designated: