Prince William County, VA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 13-214(c)
- Rule
- No crossing solid bike-lane line to pass
- Exceptions
- Police direction, weather, accident, emergency
- Cyclist passing clearance
- 3 feet under § 13-212(g)
- Default fine
- Up to $250 (§ 13-8)
Summary
Prince William County bars drivers from crossing a solid line marking a bicycle lane to get around another vehicle. County Code § 13-214(c) closes off that maneuver except for a handful of named emergencies, replacing any general passing latitude drivers might assume applies once a lane is striped for bikes.
Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), nothing in this section shall permit a driver of a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except as provided in Code of Virginia, §§ 46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, or 46.2-1212.1, and sections 13-6.1 and 13-450 of this article, as directed by a law-enforcement officer, or where the roadway is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an accident, or an emergency situation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 46 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
1 and 13-450, a direction from a law-enforcement officer, or a roadway made impassable by weather, an accident, or another emergency. This sits alongside § 13-212(g), which requires any driver overtaking a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped or animal-drawn vehicle to leave at least three feet of clearance and stay clear until safely past, and § 13-212(f), which lets a cyclist legally pass a slower vehicle on either side within the same lane. Prince William's authority to write these rules traces to Virginia's Dillon Rule structure: the ordinance is adopted under, and must track, state passing statutes at Va. 2-907, so the county cannot loosen or tighten the core passing standard, only implement it locally.
Violations & Fines
Crossing a solid bicycle-lane line to pass is a traffic infraction under Chapter 13's default penalty at § 13-8: a fine capped at the amount set for a Class 4 misdemeanor under Virginia Code § 18.2-11, currently $250, since § 13-214 sets no separate penalty of its own. Police can cite the maneuver on sight, and a resulting collision with a cyclist can support a separate careless-driving charge under § 13-228.1 if it causes serious injury or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ever cross a solid bike lane line to pass in Prince William County?
How much room must I give a cyclist when passing on a normal lane?
What happens if I'm cited for illegally crossing a bike lane's solid line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince William County
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