Chincoteague Police Department

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. As folks walk and roll to enjoy the comfortable fall weather, and daylight gets shorter, drivers and pedestrians alike need to stay alert and follow the best safety practices. Educating our communities on pedestrian safety can help to prevent tragedies. Below are a few tips to share. Remember, safety is a shared responsibility; we must do our part and work together to make our roads safer for everyone.

Drivers:
-Slow down and follow the speed limit
-Focus on the road and put all distractions away
-Always yield to pedestrians
-Use extra caution at night or in bad weather

Pedestrians:
-Stay alert and avoid distractions when walking
-Use crosswalks where available
-Wear bright/reflective clothing or visibility devices at night
-Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the roadway

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. October is Pedestrian Safety Month, a good opportunity to increase pedestrian safety messaging across all platforms.

09/22/2026

5 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE

E-bikes and electric scooters are becoming increasingly common around Chincoteague. Whether you ride one yourself or have a child who does, here are a few important Virginia laws to know:

E-BIKES ARE GENERALLY TREATED LIKE BICYCLES

Qualifying electric power-assisted bicycles generally have the same rights, privileges, and duties as traditional bicycles.
They do not require a driver’s license, DMV registration, title, license plate, or motor vehicle liability insurance.
Virginia Code § 46.2-904.1

KNOW THE CLASS & WATCH YOUR SPEED

Virginia recognizes three classes of electric power-assisted bicycles:
• Class 1: Pedal assist up to 20 mph
• Class 2: May propel the bicycle without pedaling, up to 20 mph
• Class 3: Pedal assist up to 28 mph
Qualifying motorized skateboards and scooters may not be operated faster than 20 mph.
Virginia Code §§ 46.2-100 & 46.2-908.1

AGE MATTERS

A person under 14 years old may not operate a Class 3 e-bike or qualifying motorized skateboard/scooter unless under the immediate supervision of a person at least 18 years old.
Virginia Code § 46.2-908.1

KNOW THE HELMET RULES

Every operator and passenger of a Class 3 electric power-assisted bicycle is required to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting the applicable safety standard, regardless of age.
Virginia Code § 46.2-904.1(G)

Virginia law also allows localities to adopt ordinances requiring riders age 14 or younger to wear an approved helmet when riding bicycles, e-bikes, motorized scooters/skateboards, and certain similar devices on highways, sidewalks, and public bicycle paths.
Virginia Code § 46.2-906.1

WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS

When riding on shared-use path, or through a crosswalk, riders must:
• Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
• Give an audible warning before passing a pedestrian
• Avoid parking an e-bike or scooter where it interferes with pedestrian or other traffic
Virginia Code § 46.2-904

No e-bikes, scooters, bicycles, skateboards on sidewalks.
Town Code 58-17

RIDING AFTER DARK?

Required lighting must be used between sunset and sunrise. This generally includes a white headlight visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from at least 600 feet.
Virginia Code § 46.2-1015

ONE MORE IMPORTANT THING

Just because a product is advertised or sold as an “e-bike” or “electric scooter” does not necessarily mean it meets Virginia’s legal definition.
Virginia law defines an electric power-assisted bicycle as having, among other requirements, an electric motor input of no more than 750 watts. Qualifying motorized skateboards and scooters also have specific legal requirements regarding their weight, construction, and motor-powered speed.
Virginia Code § 46.2-100
Before you ride, know what you have and know the rules that apply to it.
Ride smart. Watch your speed. Look out for pedestrians. Stay safe.

– Chincoteague Police Department

09/14/2026

Fi***rm Safety & Awareness Class for Local High School Students

The Chincoteague Police Department will be hosting a Fi***rm Safety & Awareness Class for local high school students ages 13–17 on Saturday, November 28th, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Chincoteague Community Center.

This class will be taught by our CPD School Resource Officers and will focus on four key stages:

LEARN • THINK • UNDERSTAND • PREVENT

Students will receive instruction on fi***rm safety and participate in virtual reality scenarios designed to simulate real-world situations juveniles may encounter. These scenarios are intended to help students think through difficult fi***rm-related situations and better understand how to respond safely and responsibly.

Parents and students interested in registering should contact the Chincoteague Police Department office at (757) 336-3155 before Friday, November 27th.

08/18/2026

Resolved! thank you!

08/12/2026

Send a message to learn more

08/05/2026

National Night Out was a huge success, and we had an absolute blast!

Approximately 500 people joined us for an evening filled with great food, music, activities, conversations, and community connection. We cannot thank everyone enough for coming out and making the event so memorable.

A special thank-you to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Church Street Produce, Sons of the American Legion and Brian Tyndall, Adams Auto for providing the DJ, the Town of Chincoteague, and Eastern Shore Rural Health.

We are also incredibly grateful to every volunteer and community member who donated their time, helped behind the scenes, or stepped in wherever they were needed. Events like this are only possible because of people who care deeply about this community.

We are already talking about next year and exploring ways to make National Night Out even bigger and more memorable!

Thank you again to everyone who attended, participated, volunteered, and supported the event.