Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, there were more than 1,000 traffic fatalities in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2022; and

WHEREAS, of the more than 1,000 traffic fatalities that occurred in 2022, one hundred seventy-one pedestrians and 11 bicyclists died as the result of traffic accidents in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the 171 pedestrians who were killed in collisions with motor vehicles last year comprised 17 percent of all traffic fatalities in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the 11 bicyclists killed last year comprised just over 1 percent of all traffic fatalities in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians have reciprocal rights and responsibilities and should afford one another mutual respect while traveling on the roadways of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, pedestrians are urged to wear reflective clothing and walk, jog, or run on the side of the road facing traffic, and bicyclists should use lights, reflectors, and wear bright clothing to be more visible; and

WHEREAS, motorists shall pass bicyclists at a reasonable speed at least three feet to the left of the overtaken bicycle or change lanes if there is not three feet of clearance; and

WHEREAS, all road users should avoid distraction so that they may safely share the road with one another; and

WHEREAS, Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month brings attention to the importance of sharing the road to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities in the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 2023, as BICYCLIST AND PEDESTRIAN AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations