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E-bike rider seriously injured in Dunn Loring crash, as county shares safety tips

Cedar Lane is closed at Electric Avenue in Dunn Loring after a crash involving an e-bike and a vehicle (via Google Maps)

An electric bicycle rider was critically injured in a crash on Cedar Lane in Dunn Loring earlier this afternoon (Thursday).

Fairfax County police and fire units were dispatched to Cedar Lane at Electric Avenue at around 3:35 p.m. for a crash involving a cyclist and a vehicle, according to scanner traffic.

The bicyclist was found in the middle of the roadway, a responding officer said on the scanner.

“The adult male cyclist was taken to a local hospital in life-threatening condition,” the Fairfax County Police Department said, adding that the vehicle driver remained at the scene.

The intersection was closed so Crash Reconstruction Unit detectives could investigate the scene.

Initial reports suggest the e-bike rider might not have been wearing a helmet, but that was not confirmed by police.

“Detectives are still on scene investigating,” the FCPD said in response to an inquiry from FFXnow. “No available information at this time.”

The crash coincidentally occurred on the same day that Fairfax County released tips for sharing the road with e-bikes, which are becoming more common around the county. Electric bicycles now account for nearly half of all Capital Bikeshare trips taken in the county, for instance.

“As e‑bikes become more common, drivers are encountering them more frequently, sometimes in ways that feel sudden or unpredictable,” the county said in a press release. “Many e‑bikes can accelerate quickly, and younger or newer riders may not always be experienced in road traffic.”

Faster e-bikes that can reach up to 28 mph can be used in Virginia by riders 14 years and older, but all users are required to wear a helmet.

The county advises drivers to keep in mind the same rules of the road that they should follow for traditional bicycles and pedestrians:

Crosswalk rules 
Drivers must stop for cyclists in crosswalks, just as they would for pedestrians.

Expect higher speeds 
E‑bikes can travel faster than traditional bikes, especially downhill or on straightaways. Give more space when turning, merging or passing.

Check blind spots carefully
Because e‑bikes can appear faster than expected, an extra glance before changing lanes or opening a car door can prevent close calls.

Follow the three‑foot passing law
Virginia requires drivers to give at least three feet of space when passing any bicycle or e‑bike.

Be especially cautious around teens
While teens 14 and older can operate certain e‑bikes, they may still be learning safe riding habits. Patience helps keep everyone safe.

About the Author

  • Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.