Congratulations, Safe Street Superstars,
Thanks to you, our petition has crossed the 400 mark and we are on our way to 500. Snow is coming this weekend. It is the perfect time to grow while everyone is homebound. If everyone gets one more to sign, we have 800. We all know someone we can ask. ANC's and civic organizations can join the conversation and pass resolutions supporting our bill. Ask your councilmember.
What the e-bike bill will do:
DC Safe Streets Coalition e-bike bill would make it possible to identify bikers by registering e-bikes and tagging them. It would require insurance. Until now the focus has been to require drivers to carry insurance in the event of a crash, but what if no car is involved in the crash. While DC subsidizes and promotes e-bikes, you know we will see more accidents. Our bill requires licensing, certification and protective gear. It would limit speeds.
Here is our proposal:
DC E-Bike Bill based on Priscilla’s Law Introduced in NY State
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, requiring that bicycles, scooters and all other wheeled vehicles with electric assist be registered with the District Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
The People of DC, represented in DC Council, do enact as follows:
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section to read as follows:
Every wheeled vehicle with electric assist, not limited to bicycles and scooters, shall be registered and issued a numbered license plate by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). No person shall operate a bicycle or scooter with electric assist unless it has a distinctive number assigned to it by the DMV.
Every rider of a bicycle or scooter with electric assist shall be at least 18 years of age, licensed and certified to ride on the streets of DC having passed a training period administered by the DMV.
Every operator of a bicycle and scooter with electric assist shall be insured for injury and property liability.
Every rider of a bicycle and scooter with electric assist shall be equipped with protective gear such as a helmet and reflective clothing at night as determined by the DMV.
Bikes and scooters with electric assist will be barred from sidewalks.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), through its licensing procedures with Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) companies like Lime, will limit speeds to 15 mph.