Bicycle Safety and West Virginia’s “Share the Road” Policy

The state of West Virginia is absolutely one of the most beautiful places in the world.  As a result, there are people who enjoy mountain biking that come to tour our state.  Nationally, more than 12 pedestrian riders are killed in vehicle accidents, usually at the fault of the motorist.

In West Virginia, Drivers are required to give cyclists a minimum space of three feet when passing.   This is known as the “Three feet rule”, and if you don’t follow it you could end up with a $500 fine.   Cyclists are also not required to ride as far to the right as possible, but encouraged to move over when a car is approaching.

Of course, cyclists should be wearing protective gear, like helmets, and reflective clothing while on the road.  The bicycle rider is just as responsible for keeping our roads safe as the drivers are, and following state safety laws is the best way to ensure everyone gets to their destinations incident free.