Virginia Bicycle Helmet Law

The stats are clear: helmet laws save lives and help prevent catastrophic injury. Our brain injury accident attorneys outline the statistics below and detail the legal actions you can take after a bicycle accident to improve your future.

Helmets reduce serious head injuries in bicyclists by 60%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nearly 80% of fatal cycling injuries occur in instances where helmets were not worn.

The laws that mandate bicycle helmet usage in children and adults are the most effective countermeasures against these grievous injuries. The laws themselves can increase helmet usage by as much as 84%, saving lives.

The Brain Injury Law Center is headquartered in Virginia, where we represent clients who have been injured in car, motorcycle, and workplace accidents, among others. We have a unique focus on litigating brain and spinal cord injuries due to our extensive understanding of the long-term costs such conditions require. Our top priority is achieving support for the health, dignity, and future well-being of our clients and their families.

If you need to speak with an attorney right away, reach out to our offices by calling (757) 244-7000 or by scheduling an appointment through our online contact form. For more information on Virginia helmet laws and how a lawsuit can help cover the cost of bicycle accident injuries, read on.

Bike Accidents on the Rise in Virginia, Highlighting the Importance of a Bike Helmet Law in Virginia

More people are biking these days for fun, fitness, or to get around. But with more bicycles on the road, the number of accidents has also gone up.

Recent data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) shows some important numbers:

• In 2023, there were 590 bicycle-related crashes in Virginia
• 15 of those crashes were fatal
• 535 involved injuries
• 40 caused only property damage
• 540 bicycle riders were injured, and 121 were seriously hurt
• 15 bicyclists were killed, which was 1.7% of all traffic deaths
• Compared to the same time the year before, bicyclist deaths rose by 125%

Do You Legally Have to Wear a Helmet When Cycling Under the Virginia Bike Helmet Law?

Under Virginia state law, adults are not required to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle. However, helmet laws are often local laws, and may exist for your town or city, or differ between counties.

For example, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia bicycle helmet law, all bicyclists riding class 3 electric power-assisted bikes must wear a helmet.

Meanwhile, in some jurisdictions, all individuals aged 14 and younger must wear a helmet on a bicycle if they are on a sidewalk, highway, or public bicycle path. These laws may also apply to mopeds, motorcycles, and other motorized vehicles, skateboards, or scooters, depending on the location.

The localities that have reported helmet laws to the VDOT include:

CountiesIndependent CitiesIncorporated TownsAlbemarle

Amherst

Arlington

Clarke

Fairfax

Floyd

Orange

James City

Prince William

York

Alexandria

Buena Vista

Charlottesville

Fairfax

Falls Church

Hampton

Harrisonburg

Manassas

Manassas Park

Newport News

Norfolk

Petersburg

Radford

Roanoke

Salem

Virginia Beach

Waynesboro

Williamsburg

Berryville

Blacksburg

Christiansburg

Colonial Beach

Culpeper

Farmville

Front Royal

Gordonsville

Kilmarnock

Leesburg

Luray

Purcellville

Quantico

Vienna

The Right Way to Wear a Bike Helmet According to the Bicycle Helmet Law in Virginia

No matter what the law says in your area, wearing a helmet is one of the smartest things you can do to stay safe. But not just any helmet will do because it needs to fit properly and meet safety standards.

Here is what to look for in a good bike helmet:

• It should fit snugly and feel comfortable
• The helmet should sit level on your head, about two finger widths above your eyebrows
• The side straps should form a "V" just below each earlobe
• The chin strap should be buckled so that only two fingers can fit between the strap and your chin
• Look for a sticker showing the helmet meets CPSC standards (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• Check the inside of the helmet for the date it was made. If it is more than five years old, it should be replaced
• Always replace your helmet after a crash. Even if it looks fine, it may not protect your head the same way again

While it might seem trivial, taking a minute to check your helmet before every ride can make a big difference and could even save your life. But it's also important to remember that even the best helmet can't fully protect you if you're struck by a vehicle. Bicycle accidents involving cars can lead to serious injuries, especially to the head and brain.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash, the Brain Injury Law Center is here to help. Our team understands the lasting impact a brain injury can have, and we're committed to standing up for cyclists who have been hurt on Virginia’s roads. Schedule a complimentary case review today online or by calling (757) 244-7000.

Important Laws and Safety Rules for Bicyclists in Addition to the Virginia Bike Helmet Law

In Virginia, a bicycle is considered a vehicle. That means bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as drivers. Whether you're riding in a neighborhood, on a city street, or along a highway, it's important to know and follow these laws to stay safe and avoid fines.

Equipment Requirements

Before hitting the road, make sure your bike has the following safety equipment:

• A white headlamp if riding between sunset and sunrise
• A red reflector on the rear of the bicycle
• A red taillight if you're riding on roads with a speed limit of 35 MPH or higher
• Working brakes that can make the wheels skid on dry, clean, and level pavement

General Road Rules for Bicyclists

In Virginia, you must follow certain road laws, even as a bicyclist. While riding a bike, you must:

• Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic
• Use hand signals to show when you're turning or stopping
• Obey all traffic signs and signals, just like a car
• Stop completely at stop signs
• Always look left, right, and left again before entering a street or crossing

Where to Ride Your Bike on the Road in Virginia

Ride as close to the right edge or curb as is safe, especially if you're moving slower than traffic. You may move left when:

• Passing another vehicle
• Preparing for a left turn
• Avoiding hazards or unsafe conditions
• Avoiding a turn-only lane
• Riding on a one-way street (you may ride on the left side)
• The lane is too narrow to safely share with a car

Bicycles can be ridden on highway shoulders, but must stay off interstates and certain controlled access highways, unless there's a special bike or pedestrian path separated from car traffic.

“A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.”

– The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Is It Illegal to Ride Your Bike on the Sidewalk in Virginia?

Bicycles are generally allowed to be ridden on sidewalks in Virginia, unless a local ordinance bans it or a traffic control device regulates it (like at a crosswalk).

However, when sharing sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, bicyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal (like ringing a bell or honking a horn) before passing them. ​​Bicyclists must not wear earphones or headsets on both ears while operating their bikes.

Motorized or electrically-propelled bicycles may be considered vehicles when used on highways. For example, a moped may not be ridden on sidewalks or bike paths, and is considered a vehicle on the highway, where it is regulated by the laws laid out for cars and other automobiles.

What Is the Cost of a Bicycle Accident?

If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident, a personal injury lawsuit may help cover costs like:

• Medical bills and lost wages, including follow-up care and extended unemployment
• Pain and suffering damages, such as physical agony or psychological anguish
• Wrongful death damages, like loss of income and loss of the person’s unique companionship and guidance
• Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries require long-term financial and medical support.

According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, bicycle accidents are the leading recreational cause of head injuries that end up in the ER (nearly double the amount of the second-leading cause, which is football injuries).

In particular, young children are more likely to die from head injuries than adult cyclists, and more than three times as likely to require hospitalization for head injuries. Almost three-quarters of all fatal bicycle crashes involved a head injury.

A brain injury settlement or damages award could help improve your healthcare options, protect the financial well-being of your family, and afford a life of dignity for those with permanent brain damage.

Head, brain, neck, and spine injuries are often devastating, causing life-altering or life-ending harm. Contact the Brain Injury Law Center at (757) 244-7000 for help seeking the compensation you need to recover.

Contact Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys

Helmet laws, like seatbelt laws, are ways to encourage safe biking habits. Wearing a bicycle helmet can be the difference between a fatal accident and a survivable one, or the difference between an incapacitating injury and a recoverable one. The stakes are literally life-and-death.

One of the defining characteristics of the Brain Injury Law Center is our concentrated experience in brain, neurological, and spinal injuries. Founding attorney Stephen M. Smith has an extensive background in neuroanatomical study and a profound understanding of what brain injuries mean for individuals, children, and families.

If you’re in need of experienced legal services, contact our Hampton, Virginia, offices directly at (757) 244-7000, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free appointment where you’ll learn how we can protect your rights as a cyclist. Our case results include multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for individuals and families, and we are ready to help you secure the justice you deserve.