Commuting to Work
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.
Active Transportation Commuting in Hampton Roads |
||
Year |
Biked |
Walked |
2000 |
2,385 |
20,213 |
2010 |
3,062 |
23,474 |
2014 |
3,419 |
24,915 |
Reference: US Census data compiled by HRTPO staff |
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
Group |
Location |
Website |
Bike Norfolk |
Norfolk |
|
Active Williamsburg Alliance |
Williamsburg |
|
Bike Virginia |
Statewide |
|
Williamsburg Area Bicyclists |
Williamsburg |
|
Tidewater Bicycle Association |
Hampton Roads |
|
Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association |
Southeastern Virginia |
|
James River Velo Sport |
Peninsula |
|
Tripower Cycling |
Hampton Roads |
|
Virginia Volkssport Association |
Hampton |
|
Gator Volksmarsch Club |
Virginia Beach |
|
Peninsula Bicycling Association |
Peninsula |
|
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation |
Richmond |
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:
Facility Type & |
Description |
Shared Use Path |
Asphalt or concrete paths physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space (buffer) or barrier; designated for use by both pedestrians and bicycles. |
Sidewalk |
A portion of public right-of-way between the curb line of a roadway and the adjacent property line which includes less than 8' of sidewalk designated for use by both pedestrians and bicycles. |
Wide Sidewalk |
A portion of public right-of-way between the curb line of a roadway and the adjacent property line which includes approximately 8' or wider sidewalk designated for use by both pedestrians and bicycles. |
Shared Roadway |
Roadways designated as preferred bicycle routes in an adopted locality transportation plan or bicycle master plan/map. |
Signed Shared Roadway |
Roadways designated as preferred bicycle route signage |
Bike Lane |
A portion of the roadway designated by striping, signing, and/or placement markings for preferential or exclusive use of bicycles. |
Paved Shoulder |
A paved portion of the roadway to the right of the edge stripe on which bicyclists may ride, that are not marked or signed as 'bike lanes'. |
Mountain Bike Trail |
A route designed primarily for mountain bike recreational purposes. A mountain bike trail is not developed to connect elements, spaces or facilities. |
Trail |
Routes developed primarily for outdoor recreational purposes. A trail is not a pedestrian route developed to connect elements, spaces or facilities. |
Resources
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