District of Columbia Bicycle Laws

Required under age

Required under age 16

Applies to passengers

Yes

Standard

ANSI, Snell or ASTM F1447 (a CPSC-certified helmet satisfies all three).

Penalty

Civil violation. The Mayor may impose a fine of up to $25 for a first offense; the fine is waived on proof that the minor has obtained a conforming helmet and completed a bicycle-safety course.

Statute

¹

See our find your helmet size and kids bike sizing guide.

Statewide rule

Allowed with conditions

Notes

18 DCMR § 1201.9 prohibits riding a bicycle on a sidewalk within the Central Business District (broadly bounded by Massachusetts Avenue NW, 23rd Street NW, Constitution Avenue NW and 2nd Street NE). Outside that zone, sidewalk cycling is permitted; riders must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing under § 1201.10.

Statute

¹

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

Yes

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

0.08

Penalty

D.C. Code § 50-2206.11 makes it unlawful to operate or be in physical control of any 'vehicle' while under the influence, and § 50-2201.02 defines vehicle to include bicycles. A bicycle DUI carries the same statutory penalties as an auto DUI - a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail on a first offense - although the mandatory driver-licence revocation only attaches if the rider holds a D.C. licence.

Statute

¹²

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

White lamp on the front, visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector or light

Rear spec

Red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Director of the Department of Transportation, visible from a distance of 50 to 300 feet. A red rear lamp visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to the reflector.

Side reflectors

No

Pedal reflectors

No

When required

Darkness

Statute

¹

See our bike lights that meet the law and winter and low-light cycling setup.

— Not yet researched.

Two abreast allowed

Yes

Conditions

18 DCMR § 1201.6 permits riding two abreast where it does not impede traffic.

Statute

¹

Rule

—

Statute

—

— Not yet researched.

Bicycle registration required

No

Operator license required

No

Interstates

Prohibited

Notes

Bicycles are prohibited on all freeway segments in the District (the I-66, I-295, I-395, and I-695 segments). The District has no rural Interstate mileage; all Interstate segments are urban controlled-access roadways signed prohibited at every on-ramp.