Arlington County, VA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Motor vehicle bike-lane parking
- Prohibited
- Permitted crossing reasons
- Turn, park, enter/exit property
- Wrong-way riding in lane
- Not authorized
- Governing section
- § 14.2-65(E)
- Default penalty
- $250 (§ 14.2-66)
Summary
Arlington County bars motor vehicles from stopping, standing, parking or driving in a marked bicycle lane under County Code § 14.2-65.E, though a driver may briefly cross one to enter or exit adjacent property, turn, or reach a parking space. Bicycles, e-bikes, motorized scooters and skateboards may use the lane only when traveling in the marked direction.
E. Bicycle lane. Where a bicycle lane is present, a motor vehicle may cross a bicycle lane for the purpose of entering or exiting adjacent property, for making a turn, or for the purpose of parking, but no person shall stop, stand or park a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane, nor shall any person drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane. Bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards and motorized scooters may use bicycle lanes when operating in the intended direction of travel.
Full Breakdown
E of the County Code governs every marked bicycle lane in Arlington. A motor vehicle is permitted to cross a bicycle lane only for three specific purposes: to enter or exit property adjacent to the lane, to make a turn, or to park, and even then only by crossing rather than traveling along it. Outside those three exceptions, no person may stop, stand or park a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane, nor may any person drive a motor vehicle in one. The same subsection affirmatively opens the lane to non-motor traffic: bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards and motorized scooters may all use a bicycle lane, but only when operating in the intended direction of travel, meaning wrong-way riding in the lane is not authorized by this provision.
1, which strips sidewalk-riding privileges from bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards and scooters on any street that has a protected bicycle lane running the same direction, pushing that traffic into the lane instead. 2-66.
Violations & Fines
Section 14.2-65 does not list a lane-specific dollar figure separate from its general schedule; any violation of Article II's riding and parking regulations defaults to the $250 general penalty set in § 14.2-66 unless a subsection states its own fine, and several sibling subsections in § 14.2-65, covering sidewalk and trail conduct, instead carry a $50 civil penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park in a bicycle lane in Arlington County?
Can cyclists ride against traffic in an Arlington bike lane?
What happens if a driver blocks a protected bike lane in Arlington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
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