In response to the Sterling Road and W&OD Trail bike crash post, Bruce Wright of the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling. Mr. Wright sagely notes, “Another lesson is that Virginia’s crosswalk law needs to be strengthened. Currently motorists are only required to “yield” to pedestrians (and bicyclists) in a crosswalk. Also, in some states motorists on multi-lane roads are required to “stop and remain stopped if a pedestrian (or bicyclist) is in their half of the roadway.” For example, see New Jersey’s new crosswalk law.

Here in Virginia there have been several recent attempts to strengthen the law, and each year proposed changes get closer to passing. Cyclists can follow this year’s legislative session at the Virginia Bike website. Hopefully, through education, advocacy and cooperation, the laws protecting cyclists in the Commonwealth can be improved and enforced.