RULES & SAFETY

Bicyclist Education

One of the best ways to learn how to be safe and confident while cycling in traffic is to take an Bicyclist Education Course, administered by the League of American Bicyclists. There is a three-hour class designed specifically for bicycle commuting. Call WABA, (202) 518-0524, or the League of American Bicyclists, (202) 822-1333, for more information on Effective Cycling in the Washington area.

Bicycle Rules in the Washington Area

	District Of Columbia	Maryland	Virginia
Bicycle Position	Bicycle in the right most lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway of the roadway except when turning left or passing, avoiding pedestrians or road hazards, or on a one -way street. Does not apply in lanes 11 feet wide or less, or when necessary to comply with lane use restrictions.	When slower than other traffic, bicycle as close to the right as safely practicable, except when turning left, passing , avoiding pedestrians or road hazards, when the right turn lane is right turn only, or on a one way street. Does not apply in lanes too narrow to share with a motor vehicle.	When slower than other traffic , bike as close to the right as safely practicable, except when turning left, passing avoiding hazards or traffic in mandatory turn lane, or traveling on a one-way street. Does not apply in lanes too narrow to share with motor vehicle.
Passing Cars	Pass on the left; may pass on right when auotmoblie is turning left or when street is of sufficient widht for two lines of moving vehicles.	Pass on left; not required to pass on left on one -way street or when passing vehicle turning left.	Pass on left; allow at least two feet of clearance.
Bicycling Two Abreast	Permitted when it does not endanger bicyclists or impede traffic.	Permitted when it does not endanger bicyclist or impede traffic.	Permitted when it does not impede traffic.
Turning Left	From two-way to two-way streets; enter and leave intersection near center line of road-way. One-way to one -way; keep as close aas practicable to left curb.	From two-way to two-way streets; enter and leave intersection near center line of roadway.One-way to one-way; keep as close as practicable to left curb.	A cyclist may turn like a motorist, or use the crosswalk like a pedestrain.
Turning Right	Stay as close as practicable to right-hand curb.	Stay as close as practicable to right-hand curb.	Stay as close as practicable to right-hand curb.
Restircted Roads	No restricted roads. Bicyclists allowed in bus lanes.	Prohibited from expressways, toll bridges, toll tunnels, and other marked roads.	Prohibited from interstate and controlled access highways, as marked.
Cycling on Sidewalks	Allowed except in the central business district, which is bounded by 23rd St. NW, Massachusetts Ave, 2nd St. NE-SE, D Street SE to 14th Ave NW, and Constitution Ave NW to 23rd St.	Banned except where allowed by local ordinance (allowed in Montgomery County).	Allowed except where prohibited by local jurisdictions, such as Prince William County and Alexandria.
Mandatory Use of Bike Paths and lanes	Not required	Use of bike lanes required when available. No required use of separated paths. Must use paved shoulder when speed limit is over 50 mph.	None. Localities can no longer require use of bike paths adjacent to a road as of 7/1/04.
Helmets	Not required.	Required for cyclists aged 15 and under.	Required for cyclists age 14 and under in Arlington County, Fairfax County and Cityt of Alexandria.
Lights	Front light required when dark.	Front light required when dark.	White front light required when dark. Red rear light & reflector required when dark on roads posted for 35 MPH or higher.

 

Riding in Traffic —Safely Riding in traffic is not as hard as it looks if you follow the suggestions below. In Effective Cycling, John Forester writes, Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

Be Predictable
Ride so drivers can see you and predict your movements.

	Obey all regulatory signs and traffic lights Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as drivers of the road as drivers of other vehicles.		Choose the best way to turn left There are two ways to make a left turn: (1)Like an auto. Look behind, signal, move into the left lane and turn left. (2)Like a pedestrian. Ride straight to the far-side crosswalk. Walk your bike across.
	Never ride against traffic Motorists aren t looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road or on the sidewalk. Ride with traffic.		Take the lane in slow traffic Ride in the middle of the lane whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic.
	Use hand signals Hand signals tell motorists what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, courtesy and self protection.		Ride in straight line Whenever possible, ride in a straight line to the right of traffic and about a car door width away from parked cars.
	Don't weave between parked cars Don’t ride out to the curb between parked cars unless they are far apart. Motorists may not see you when you try to move back into traffic.		Avoid or go slow on sidewalks Pedestrians have the right of way on walkways. Bicyclists should always give pedestrians audible warnings when passing. In some cases local ordinances do not permit bicyclists on sidewalks.
Be Alert Ride defensively,watch the traffic, and be prepared to react
	Watch for cars pulling out Make eye contact with drivers. Assume they don't see you until you are sure they do.		Scan the road behind you Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving left. Some riders use rear-view mirrors.
	Avoid road hazards Watch out for parallel-slatted sewer grates, slippery manhole covers, oily pavement, gravel, pot holes, and ice. Cross railroad tracks carefully at right angles. For better control as you move across bumps and other hazards, stand up on your pedals.		Keep both hands ready to brake You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra distance for stopping in the rain, since brakes are less efficient when wet.
	Wear a helmet Always wear a helmet whenever you ride a bicycle. Helmets dramatically reduce the risk of head injury in a bicycle accident.		Use lights at night Always use a strong head light and tail light at night and when visibility is poor.

 

Trail Etiquette

• Stay to the right except when passing.
• Travel at a reasonable speed in a consistent and predictable manner.
• Always look ahead and behind before passing.
• Pass slower traffic on the left; yield to oncoming traffic when passing.
• Give a clear warning signal before passing (ring bell and say “passing on the left”).
• Move off the trail when stopped to allow others room to pass.
• Yield to other users when entering and crossing the trail.
• Use a light and reflectors after dusk and before dawn; most trails are not lit.
• Stop for traffic where the trail crosses a road.

For more bicycle safety information, see Street Smarts: Bicycling Traffic Survival Guide by Bicycling Magazine. Call WABA for a copy: (202) 518-0524.

Safety icons courtesy of Metro Regional Services, Portland, Oregon. Reproduced by permission.