Street Smart 2012

DC police and transportation departments will conduct a special enforcement effort for biking laws and regulations during the morning commuting hours on March 26th. Consider yourself warned.

Comments

[antibozo]

DCist story:
http://dcist.com/2012/03/walk_bike_and_drive_carefully_dc_po.php

Useful summary of applicable laws:
http://bestreetsmart.net/laws.php

[contrarian]

In the summary that antibozo cites there is an error. It says: "Every person riding a bicycle on a highway shall be subjects to all duties applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. (1201.1)"

Actually, 1201.1 says: "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."

Cyclists are subject to the law for vehicles, not motor vehicles.

[5555624]

"morning commuting hours"? When do those start? I'm sure I'm at work by whatever time it is, but I'm curious.

[antibozo]

contrarian, a useful distinction, but i can also see why they would go with more straightforward wording.

Also, i've seen people make the distinction in these discussions between "vehicles" and "motor vehicles", but in the context of this regulation, what do you think the difference is? Like, what is a practical example of the difference?

[DaveS]

There are three "E"'s, and enforcement is the last. Where is the education? Where is the engineering?

This is PR, not service, and while advocates work on getting MPD etc. on board please remember - if you have a conversation with the constabulary - that this just a show and our part is to say "thank you I promise I'll try to do better".

[contrarian]

Also, i've seen people make the distinction in these discussions between "vehicles" and "motor vehicles", but in the context of this regulation, what do you think the difference is? Like, what is a practical example of the difference?

Examples: The cell phone ban only applies to motor vehicles. As does the seat belt law. You can't lose your privilege to operate a motor vehicle for an infraction on a bicycle.

[Kolohe]

Per the dcist article, Arlington supposed to getting into it too. But not this evening, as a car turned in front of me at the 4th mile run/Columbia Pike/W&OD intersection without a turn signal and with a mark Arlington cop car right behind him