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Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety


Addressing common concerns about DDOT's efforts to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety.


 

 

What is DDOT doing to educate people about pedestrian/bike safety?

    • Street Smart Campaign Exteranl Website
      • Promotes safe behaviors by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists through radio, newspaper and transit advertising, as well as added law enforcement in conjunction with increased law enforcement.
    • Bicycle Ambassador Exteranl Website
      • Travels the city by bike to spread the word about bicycle safety with the help of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association Exteranl Website (WABA).
      • Attends workplace events on the topic and manages a crew of volunteer ambassadors.
    • Safe Routes to School Exteranl Website
      • Educates the next generation of walkers and rollers through this federally funded program.
      • Teaches safety and provides planning assistance to interested schools.
    • Adult Bicycle Education Exteranl Website
      • DDOT funds Funding WABA’s adult bicycle education safety classes.
 

How many bicycle and pedestrians crashes occur each year in the District?

    • Despite DDOT’s commitment to safety, pedestrian and bicycle crashes still occur.  
    • Over the past five years, there has been an average of 653 crashes involving pedestrians and 334 crashes involving bicyclists each year in the District.
    • See DC Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Data (2005-2010) [PDF] for more detailed information.
 

What about walking rules?

    • Cross the street at a crosswalk, or if no crosswalk exists, at the intersection.
    • Wait for the “Walk” signal before crossing.
    • Yield to motor vehicles when crossing mid block.
    • Do not walk in the street if a sidewalk is provided.
 

What are the most important traffic laws I should know when bicycling in DC?

    • Bicyclists traveling on roadways have all the general rights and duties of vehicle drivers.
    • Helmet use is mandatory for cyclists under the age of 16. Helmet use is strongly recommended for all others.
    • Cycling on sidewalks is permitted outside of the Central Business District. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.
    • A white headlight that is visible for 500 feet and a red reflector or taillight visible from 300 feet are required by law when riding at night. Here is a safety illustration illustration showing how to make yourself more visible to motorists.
    • For more information, see our Pocket Guide to DC Bike Laws [PDF].
 

As a driver, what should I know about bicycling and walking in DC?

    • Unless signage indicates otherwise, bicyclists are allowed on all streets and sidewalks outside the Central Business District.
    • Bikes lanes are reserved for bicyclists. Do not park or drive in bike lanes.
    • When turning left or right, check for pedestrians and bicyclists.
    • When turning right across a bike lane, check for cyclists, merge into the bike lane, and then execute your turn.
    • Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
    • Vehicles turning right on red must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
    • Additional resources: 
      • See a summarized listing of rules [PDF] regarding bicycles and pedestrians.
      • See Chapter 18-12 Exteranl Website of the DC Municipal Regulations on Bicycles, Motorized Bicycles, and Miscellaneous Vehicles for a complete list of DC traffic regulations.
 

What are the most common crashes and how can I avoid it happening to me?

    • One of the most common bicycle crashes is known as the right hook, when a right-turning motorist hits a bicyclist traveling straight through the intersection. In this case, the bicyclist has the right of way. Motorists should let bicyclists clear the intersection before beginning their turn. As a precaution, bicyclists can look over their left shoulder to check for cars before traveling through an intersection.
    • A less common but potentially harmful crash is known as dooring, whereby a motorist in a parked car opens the door and hits a bicyclist. Here too, the motorist is at fault. Motorists must check for all traffic before opening the door.
    • WABA produced bicycle safety videos External Website that offer tips on avoiding both crash types.
    • More details and diagrams External Website of six crash types and 10 essential cycling skills.
    • Just in case something does happen, make sure to read and become familiar with these steps for what to do [PDF] if you’re in a bicycle crash.
 

I’m nervous about riding a bike through the busy streets of DC. How can I become more comfortable with riding in the city?

    • One way to get acclimated with riding is to practice during less-busy times. Weekends are great for trying out routes and gaining confidence on the road. 
    • Additionally, WABA offers free “Confident City Cycling” External Website classes to help improve and enhance biking skills.
 

I don’t know how to ride a bike, but would love to learn. Are there any learn to ride programs?

    • Yes! WABA offers free classes External Website to teach adults how to safely and confidently ride bikes.
 

What is DDOT doing to enforce pedestrian and bike laws and reduce aggressive driving?

    • The Metropolitan Police Department is responsible for enforcing traffic rules. DDOT funds special MPD enforcement initiatives such as the Street Smart External Website and Smooth Operator External Website campaigns where officers focus on specific violations for a specific time period.
 

Do you have any tips for bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians to coexist peacefully on the road?