Alexandria, VA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Title 10, Chapter 7 of the Alexandria City Code governs how bicycles and micromobility devices (e-scooters and similar) may be operated in the roadway and on sidewalks. Section 10-7-6, "Manner of operating on roadway," gives a cyclist all the rights and subjects them to all the duties of a motor-vehicle driver, except where the chapter or state law imposes different rules, meaning riders generally must use travel lanes or marked bike lanes rather than riding against traffic.

Section 10-7-9, "Riding abreast," allows cyclists to ride two abreast on the roadway as long as they do not impede traffic, but bars riding more than two abreast under any circumstance. Section 10-7-10, "Parking," makes it unlawful to park a bicycle or micromobility device in a manner that unreasonably impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public roadway, shared-use path or sidewalk, the provision the city cites when a bike is locked across a bike lane or curb ramp.

On sidewalks, § 10-7-4 permits bicycle and micromobility riding unless signage prohibits it, but riding a micromobility device on any city sidewalk is flatly prohibited, and both must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing. Bicycling on the sidewalk is separately banned in the King Street/Union Street Commercial Zone, from West Street to the Potomac River on King and between Prince and Cameron on Union. Section 10-7-11 requires a front white light and rear red reflector after sunset, and § 10-7-12 requires helmets for riders 14 and younger, backed by a $25 civil penalty against a parent, suspended on a first offense or on proof a helmet was later purchased.