Bikeways

Bicycling is both a recreational activity and a mode of transportation. Benefits of bicycle use include energy conservation, reduced noise and air pollution, traffic reduction, and health and fitness improvement. York County's mild weather, relatively flat terrain, and many tourist attractions offer ideal opportunities for bicycling.     

Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee

Bikeway Development

In 1993 York County joined with Williamsburg and James City County in developing and adopting a Regional Bikeway Plan for the 3 localities. The Plan was updated in 1997 to include recreational-oriented facilities. The 3 governing bodies also formed the Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee (HTBAC) comprised of citizen appointees and staff from each locality as well as the National Park Service, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and the College of William and Mary. The HTBAC is responsible for recommending bikeway projects for implementation; recommending amendments to the bikeway plan; and developing and implementing promotional, informational, and safety initiatives related to bicycling.
A bike sign on the side of the road.
Since the adoption of the 1997 plan, shoulder bike lanes have been built along Amory Lane, East Rochambeau Drive, Goodwin Neck Road, Mooretown Road, and Old York-Hampton Highway, and the Waller Mill Rail Trail was constructed as a multi-use trail running through the City of Williamsburg's Waller Mill Park from Mooretown Road to East Rochambeau Drive.

Funding

Funding for bikeways comes from a number of sources, including the federal Transportation Enhancements and CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) programs, which allow 50% to 100% of the project costs to be paid with federal and/or state funds. In cases where a local match is required, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds may be used. There are also other avenues by which bikeways can be provided without significant County investment.

For example, bikeways are less costly to construct when built as part of a road construction or widening project. In addition, requiring developers to install bike facilities along designated bike routes as a condition of development approval requires no County expenditures and lessens the ultimate cost of a continuous bikeway network.

Code of the County of York, Chapter 16, Offenses-Miscellaneous

Section 16-39. Bicycle Helmets

Every person 14 years of age or younger shall wear a protective helmet that meets the standards promulgated by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway as defined in § 46.2-100, Code of Virginia, sidewalk or public bicycle path.

Violation of this ordinance shall be punishable by a fine of $25 However, such fine shall be suspended (i) for first-time violators and (ii) for violators who, subsequent to the violation but prior to imposition of the fine, purchase helmets of the type required by this section.
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