Title 50 — Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic.

The Council of the District of Columbia finds that: (1) Increased use of bicycles for transportation and recreation will result in improved air quality, reduced levels of noise and traffic congestion, greater energy conservation, lower transportation costs, fewer parking problems…

(a) There shall be established in the District of Columbia a Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation and Safety Program to promote the safe and convenient use of the bicycle as a means of transportation and recreation. (b) The scope of the program shall include, but not be limited t…

There shall be established within the Office of the Director of the District Department of Transportation an Office of Bicycle Transportation and Safety to promote the safe and convenient use of the bicycle as a means of transportation and recreation. (1) The Office shall be head…

(a) There is established a District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council (the “Council”). (b)(1) The Council shall be composed of 17 members appointed as follows: (A) The bicycle coordinator of the Office of Bicycle Transportation and Safety of the District Department of Transpor…

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person under 16 years of age to operate or to be a passenger on a bicycle or any attachment to a bicycle on a public roadway, public bicycle path or other right-of-way, unless that person wears a protective helmet of good fit, fastened securely up…

Failure to wear a helmet as described in this subchapter shall not be considered as evidence of either negligence per se, contributory negligence, or assumption of the risk in any civil suit arising out of any accident in which a person under 16 years of age is injured. Failure t…

(a) Within 60 days of May 23, 2000, the District Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police Department and District of Columbia Public Schools, shall develop and implement a public education program to educate adults and children under 16 years of a…

The District Department of Transportation shall adopt a helmet assistance program which shall include grants and discount programs to assist indigent parents and guardians of children under 16 years of age in obtaining safety helmets.

For the purposes of this subchapter the term: (1) “Bicycle” means a human-powered vehicle with wheels designed to transport, by pedaling, one or more persons seated on one or more saddle seats on its frame. “Bicycle” also includes a human-powered vehicle, and any attachment to th…

(a)(1) No person shall be required to register a bicycle in the District of Columbia. (2) A person wishing to register a bicycle to permit the Metropolitan Police Department to track or locate the bicycle if it becomes lost or stolen may do so through the National Bike Registry o…

(a) As of June 1, 2008, a person regularly engaged in the business of renting bicycles shall require each person seeking to rent a bicycle to provide his or her signature on the rental form, or on a separate form, containing each of the following: (1) A statement of rental bearin…

(a) An individual who, while riding a bicycle, is the victim of an assault or battery by a motorist, and prevails in a civil action for such assault or battery, shall be entitled to: (1) Statutory damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; (2) Reasonable attorney’…

For purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Commercial bicycle operator” means an individual at least 16 years of age who receives financial compensation for the delivery or pick-up of goods or services by bicycle as a substantial part of his or her business or earnings, as d…

(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, no commercial bicycle operator shall operate within the District of Columbia without a license issued by the Mayor. A commercial bicycle operator shall pass a bicycle safety test developed by the Mayor in order to receive …

No courier company shall employ, compensate, utilize, or contract with a commercial bicycle operator who does not have a valid commercial bicycle operator’s permit and a properly registered bicycle.

(a) The Mayor shall promulgate a schedule of civil fines not to exceed $50 for violations of the provisions of this subchapter and rules promulgated pursuant to § 50-1632(d)(3). (b) The proposed schedule of fines shall be submitted to the Council of the District of Columbia withi…

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “bicycle parking space” means a device or enclosure, located within a building or installation, or conveniently adjacent thereto, for securing a bicycle that is easily accessible, clearly visible and so located as to be reasonably sec…

(a) A bicycle parking space shall conform to the bike parking rack standard established by the District Department of Transportation, or be of such design that will enable the frame to be supported in 2 places, and allow for both wheels of a bicycle to be secured with ease by use…

(a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, the Council shall increase the number of public bicycle parking spaces at the John A. Wilson Building. (b) The total number of public bicycle parking spaces provided at the John A. Wilson Building shall be no less than 16; provided…

(a) Within 180 days of February 2, 2008, the Mayor shall prepare and make public a report on the availability of bicycle parking spaces at buildings occupied by the District government, including office buildings occupied by District government agencies, public school buildings, …

(a)(1) A residential building owner shall provide secure bicycle parking spaces for all existing residential buildings with 8 or more units. (2)(A) A residential building owner shall provide a reasonable number of bicycle parking spaces, as determined by the Mayor, for all existi…

(a) An owner of a building with office, retail, or service use shall provide a minimum number of bicycle parking spaces at least equal to 5% of the number of automobile parking spaces provided for the building. (b) If the utilization of the minimum number of bicycle parking space…

(a) Within 90 days of April 8, 2011, the Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 [§ 2-501 et seq.], shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter. (b) All rules promulgated under this subchapter shall be submitted to the Council for review and a…

(a) A violation of this subchapter or the rules issued under authority of this subchapter shall be a civil infraction for the purposes of Chapter 18 of Title 2 [§ 2-1801.01 et seq.]. (b) Civil fines, penalties, and fees may be imposed as sanctions for an infraction of § 50-1641.0…

Rules promulgated pursuant to this subchapter shall apply to existing, substantially rehabilitated, and new residential, retail, office, and service buildings 6 months after February 2, 2008.

Nothing in this subchapter shall supplant any requirements of the Zoning Regulations.