![]() Does a bike need lights when being ridden at night?.Does a bike with a fixed gear need a brake?.Is it legal to talk on a cell phone while riding?.Are cars allowed in shared bus/bike lanes?.Is it legal for bicyclists to ride two abreast?.How much space are drivers required to give when passing?.Does a bicyclist have to ride in a bike lane?.Does a bicyclist always have to ride to the right?.Does a bicyclist have to stop at red lights?.Who has the right-of-way in a crosswalk?.Does a bicyclist have to ride with traffic?.Does a bicyclist have to obey traffic laws?.This is good! Be aware of how your riding affects other people on bikes, and exercise patience and kindness in your interactions with them. Lots of different people ride bicycles for lots of different reasons. It is up to you to negotiate space in a way that is comfortable and safe for people walking.īe polite to other bicyclists. It’s not their responsibility to stay of your way. Like bicyclists, pedestrians are vulnerable on and around our roads. It’s not your job to stay out of the way. When you ride, it’s your responsibility to obey the law and keep yourself and the people around you safe. Bicycling is an important part of our city’s transportation system. Thanks for picking up a copy of the Pocket Guide to Bike Laws in The District of Columbia! Unless otherwise noted, all quoted regulations are taken from the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), Title 18 “Vehicles and Traffic”, Chapter 12 “ Bicycles, Motorized Bicycles, and Miscellaneous Vehicles”, and Chapter 22 “ Moving Violations”. This guide, which is produced by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, and the Metropolitan Police Department, is designed to help inform both bicyclists and law enforcement officers of the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists on DC streets. Drivers are looking for gaps in traffic and may not be paying attention to anything other than other motor vehicles.You can pick up a print version of this Pocket Guide to Bike Laws in the District of Columbia at WABA’s Office, 2599 Ontario Road NW, or at your local bike shop. Also, look for motorists turning left across your path. At every intersection and driveway, keep a careful eye out for motorists turning right in front of you- you may be going faster than they think.Most car/bike collisions happen at intersections and driveways when motorists or bicyclists are turning.Also watch for parked cars, doors opening, and cars pulling in and out of driveways.Rocks, trash, storm grates, wet leaves, potholes, gravel, railroad tracks, and even wet pavement markings can all send you flying.Watch for Stuff on the Road or Trail that Might Make you Fall or Swerve: Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while bicycling.If riding in the dark, use headlights, taillights, and reflectors and wear reflective materials and brightly colored clothing.Make sure everyone can see you and knows where you are and where you are going.Try not to be hesitant or do things that motorists and other travelers may not be expecting.Ride to the right, signal your turns, obey traffic signs and signals. You still need to follow the rules of the road and watch out for your fellow travelers. ![]() Ride on the trail, paved shoulder, bike lane, or bike route.Pedestrians will thank you for riding on the road as well.At every driveway and intersection, you are at greater risk of being hit by a motorist than if you were riding on the road with traffic.Although you might think it's a safer option, motorists are simply not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk, especially those riding against the direction of traffic.Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings and yield to traffic when appropriate, including pedestrians.Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars, and use hand signals when turning and stopping.You are more predictable and visible to motorists, especially at intersections and driveways.Crash data tells us that getting hit from behind is extremely unlikely. You are better off riding with the flow of traffic, not against it.Always Ride with Traffic and Follow the Rules of the Road:
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