Bike laws

WABA's new Pocket Guide to DC Bike Laws

WABA and the DC Department of Transportation want you to ride safely! This guide is designed to inform both cyclists and law enforcement officers of the rights and responsibilites of cycling on DC streets. Get your copy at the WABA store for only $1. >>go to store

Links to Bike Laws

District of Columbia DOT or DC Council (Title 50, subtitle V)
Maryland - search for "bike way" or State Highway Administration site
Virginia DOT

Selected Bicycle Guidelines for the Washington Area

(please refer to links above for specific wording of laws)

	District of Columbia	Maryland	Virginia
General	Bicyclists traveling on roadways have all the general rights and duties of drivers of vehicles.
Where to Ride	Ride with the flow of traffic as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway.	Ride with the flow of traffic as closely as practicable to the right side of roadway.	Same as DC.
Where to Ride	Full lane use allowed when traveling at the normal speed of traffic, passing, preparing for a turn, avoiding hazards, traveling in a lane 11 feet wide or less, avoiding a mandatory turn lane and when necessary for the bicyclist's safety.	Full lane use allowed when traveling at the normal speed of traffic, passing, preparing for a turn, avoiding hazards, traveling in a lane too narrow to share and avoiding a mandatory turn lane.	Same as MD.
One-way roads	May travel on the left or right side of one-way roads.
Passing Cars	Allowed to pass on left or right, in the same lane or changing lanes, or pass off road.	Exercise due care when passing.	Same as DC.
Dooring	No person shall open any door of a vehicle unless it is safe to do so and can be done without interfering with moving traffic.	A person may not open the door of any motor vehicle with intent to strike, injure or interfere with any bicyclist.	Not mentioned.
Bicycling Two Abreast	Allowed when it does not impede traffic. May not ride more than two abreast.
Mandatory Use of Bike Lanes and Paths	Not required.	Use of bike lanes required when available except when passing, preparing for a turn or avoiding hazards. No required use of separated paths.	Not required.
Cycling on Sidewalks	Yield right of way to pedestrians.
Cycling on Sidewalks	Prohibited in the central business district (bounded by Massachusetts Ave. NW, 2nd St NE-SE, D St SE/SW, 14th St NW, Constitution Ave and 23rd St NW). Allowed where posted in this area, and prohibited where posted outside this area. View Map>>	Allowed where permitted by local ordinance (such as in Montgomery County).	Allowed except where prohibited by local ordinance, such as Prince William County and Alexandria. Must give audible signal before passing pedestrian.
Audible Warning Devices	Bell or other device required, sirens prohibited.	Bells allowed (not required), sirens and whistles prohibited.	Bell not required.
Helmets	Required for any operator or passenger under 16 years of age.	Same as DC.	Required by local ordinance for any operator or passenger 14 years of age or younger in Alexandria, Arlington Co., Fairfax Co. Falls Church, Vienna and other jurisdictions.
Lights at Night	Front white light and rear red reflector (or rear red light) required when dark, may be attached to operator.	Front white light and rear red reflector (or rear red light) required when dark.	Front white light and rear red reflector required when dark, may be attached to operator; rear red light required on roads 35 mph and up.