D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 18, r. 18-1201

Current through Register 71, No. 45, November 7, 2024
Rule 18-1201 - SAFE OPERATION OF BICYCLES, AND MOTORIZED BICYCLES
1201.1

Every person who propels a vehicle by human power or rides a bicycle on a highway shall have the same duties as any other vehicle operator under this title, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, and except for those duties imposed by this title which, by their nature or wording, can have no reasonable application to a bicycle operator.

1201.2

A person shall operate a bicycle, sidewalk bicycle, motorized bicycle, or personal mobility device in a safe and non-hazardous manner so as not to endanger themself or any other person.

1201.3
(a) A person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle may overtake and pass another vehicle only under conditions which permit the movement to be made with safety.
(b) A person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle may overtake and pass other vehicles on the left or right side, staying in the same lane as the overtaken vehicle, or changing to a different lane, or riding off the roadway, as necessary to pass with safety.
(c) If a lane is partially occupied by vehicles that are stopped, standing, or parked in that lane, a person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle may ride in that or in the next adjacent lane used by vehicles proceedings in the same direction.
1201.4

No person shall operate or ride a bicycle or motorized bicycle other than upon or astride a regular seat attached to the bicycle.

1201.5

No person shall operate or ride on a bicycle or motorized bicycle with more persons on it at any one time than the vehicle is equipped to carry.

1201.6

No person shall operate or ride a bicycle or motorized bicycle while carrying any package, bundle, or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand on the handle bars.

1201.7

Persons riding upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or part of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a lane roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

1201.8

No person shall operate or ride a bicycle or motorized bicycle at a speed in excess of any posted limit or at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

1201.9

A person may ride a bicycle, motorized bicycle, or personal mobility device upon a sidewalk within the District, so long as the rider does not create a hazard; provided, that no person shall ride a bicycle or motorized bicycle or operate a personal mobility device upon a sidewalk within the Central Business District except on those sidewalks expressly designated by Order of the Mayor, nor shall any person ride a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a sidewalk in any area outside of the Central Business District if it is expressly prohibited by Order of the Mayor and appropriate signs to such effect are posted.

1201.10

Any person riding a bicycle, motorized bicycle or personal mobility device upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and shall travel at a speed no greater than the posted speed limit of the adjacent roadway; provided, that such speed is safe for the conditions then existing on the sidewalk.

1201.11

A person propelling a bicycle or motorized bicycle or operating a personal mobility device upon and along a sidewalk or while crossing a roadway in a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, except that the bicyclist or personal mobility device operator must yield to pedestrians in the sidewalk or crosswalk.

1201.12

The operator of a bicycle, motorized bicycle, or personal mobility device emerging from, or entering an alley, driveway, or building, shall upon approaching a sidewalk, or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said roadway, to the extent necessary to safely enter the flow of traffic.

1201.13

No person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle shall ride into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is not possible for the driver to yield.

1201.14

No person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle shall sound any warning device at any intersection so as to interfere with the obedience to the instructions of official traffic control signals or to the direction by a police officer or other person authorized to direct and control traffic.

1201.15

No person shall operate a bicycle or motorized bicycle except in obedience to the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer or other person authorized to direct and control traffic.

1201.16

No person riding upon a bicycle or motorized bicycle shall attach themselves or the device upon which they are riding to any vehicle upon a highway, roadway, or in an alley.

1201.17

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to limit the applicability of Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 with respect to the licensing, registration, inspection, or equipment of motorized bicycles or motorcycles.

1201.18

Repealed.

1201.19

A motorized bicycle may be operated on any part of a roadway designated for the use of bicycles.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 18, r. 18-1201

Regulation No. 72-13 effective June 30, 1972, 32 DCRR § 11.201, 11.203, Special Edition; as amended by Regulation No. 74-5 effective April 21, 1974; by §2(z) of the District of Columbia Motorized Bicycle Act, D.C. Law 1 110, 23 DCR 4954 (January 21, 1977); by Final Rulemaking published at 27 DCR 4930 (November 7, 1980) incorporating text of Proposed Rulemaking at 27 DCR 4153 (September 19, 1990);as amended by D.C. Act published at 52 DCR 1446 (February 18, 2005); as amended by D.C. Act published at 53 DCR 10225 (December 29, 2006); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 14965 (12/9/2022)