Press Release: DPW Announces Next Phase of Bike Lane Enforcement Program: $150 Tickets Beginning February 28

News Release — DC Department of Public Works

Friday, January 31, 2020

The agency will issue $150 tickets to any motorist the agency photographs improperly parking, stopping, or leaving a bike lane.

The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) is announcing that beginning February 28, 2020, the agency will issue $150 tickets to any motorist the agency photographs improperly parking, stopping, or leaving a bike lane.

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced in November that DPW was beefing up its bike lane enforcement program by mobilizing 26 new parking enforcement officers (PEO) and giving the entire PEO team—now nearly 300 strong—the ability to photograph vehicles blocking bike lanes.

“The District’s nearly 90 miles of bike lanes help to expand transportation options and boost connectivity to the city’s vibrant neighborhoods and commercial corridors,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart. “As we enter into the next stage of our bike lane enforcement program, the issuance of tickets will incentivize motorists to help keep lanes clear of obstructions so that bikers can safely share the road with vehicles.”

Since November, DPW has mailed to motorists an image of the violation along with a written citation labeled “Warning.” However, beginning February 28, violators will begin receiving a $150 ticket along with the image showing the bike lane violation. Motorists can appeal a ticket through the normal adjudication process with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

DPW’s bike lane enforcement program supports Mayor Bowser’s Vision Zero initiative to end all traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries for road users by 2024. DPW is one of more than 20 District government agencies engaged in Vision Zero.

This post has been updated with the DC Department of Public Works’ revised press release, which corrects the amount of the fine to $150; the original version had said the fine would be $65.