WASHINGTON — The introduction of dockless bikes and Capital Bikeshare has put even more wheels on the pavement, making biking an increasingly popular mode of transportation in the district.
But while D.C. is trying to make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians, there is still a lot of confusion about which laws bikers need to follow. Here's a breakdown of what you can and can't do in the D.C. streets.
DO obey traffic laws.
Cyclists are required to obey traffic signals, signs and other controls applicable to vehicles. Unless otherwise stated (we'll get to that), bicycles should act like all other vehicles on the road.
DON'T ride on the sidewalk in restricted areas.
Within the central business district (CBD), biking is only allowed on lands under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Service like Lafayette Park and the National Mall.
DO ride in bike lanes when available.
While there are no laws in D.C. that say you are required to use the bike lanes, it is always safest to use them if you can.
DON'T park your car in bike lanes.
It's illegal to stop, stand or park in designated bike lanes. You should avoid it for safety reasons, but if that's not enough motivation, you could get a $150 ticket.
Here's where it gets a bit confusing.
In a crosswalk, bicyclists have the same rights and restrictions as pedestrians. It is perfectly legal for a cyclist to pass other vehicles, on the right or left, in the same lane. If a lane is occupied by stopped vehicles, a biker can still use that lane to continue in the same direction.
To be as safe as possible on the road, drivers and cyclists alike need to be aware of each other's rights. Check out the D.C. Department of Transportation and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's pocket guides below.
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