RICHMOND,Va. (WTVR) – The Virginia General Assembly will consider a bill designed to protect cyclists from slamming into open car doors. Senate Bill 736would require drivers to wait and make sure there are no bicycles headed their way before opening their car door.
The bill was introduced as Sen. Chap Petersen (D – Fairfax).
In an interview with rvanews.com reporter Nathan Cushing, Sen. Petersen said his political analyst hit an open car door while riding a bicycle near the Village Cafe in Richmond. He said other states have similar laws on the books.
“We’re trying to condition people’s behavior in terms of getting people aware of bicyclists,” Petersen said told rvanews.com. “It’s an awareness issue.”
If passed, people caught breaking this law would face a fine up to $100.
