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2 Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.
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10 A BILL
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15 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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19 To require the Mayor to establish standards that promote public safety, ensure
20 accountability, and provide financial protection for all road users by requiring
21 adult bicyclists who share public streets to carry liability insurance.
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23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
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25 act may be cited as the “Adult Bicyclist Safety, Liability and Insurance Act of 2024”.
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27 Sec. 2. Definitions.
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29 (a) "Bicycle" means a human-powered vehicle with two wheels, designed to
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31 transport one or more people, or an electric bicycle as defined by applicable law.
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33 (b) "Adult bicyclist" means any individual 18 years of age or older operating a
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35 bicycle on public streets.
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37 (c) "Liability insurance" means a policy issued by an authorized insurer that
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39 provides coverage for damages or injuries caused to others by the insured.
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41 (d) "Public streets" means any road, highway, or thoroughfare open to the public
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43 and maintained by a governmental entity.
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45 Sec. 3. Insurance Requirement.
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47 (a) All adult bicyclists operating a bicycle on public streets shall be required
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49 to carry liability insurance.
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51 (b) The insurance policy must provide at least the minimum liability coverage
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53 required for motor vehicles under state law.
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55 (c) Adult bicyclists must carry proof of liability insurance while operating a
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57 bicycle on public streets.
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59 (d) Proof of insurance may be presented in physical or electronic form.
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61 Sec. 4. Enforcement and Penalties.
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63 (a) Law enforcement officers may request proof of insurance during traffic
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65 stops or when investigating accidents involving a bicycle.
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67 (b) Failure to provide proof of insurance shall result in a civil penalty of up to
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69 $100 for a first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses.
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71 (c) Bicyclists found operating without required insurance after a third offense
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73 may be prohibited from using public streets for up to six months.
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75 Section 5. Exemptions
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77 The following individuals shall be exempt from the requirements of this Act:
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79 (a) Bicyclists under 18 years of age.
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81 (b) Individuals riding bicycles exclusively on private property or designated
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83 bicycle paths that are not open to motor vehicle traffic.
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85 (d) Participants in organized bicycle events where liability coverage is provided
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87 by the event organizers.
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89 Sec. 6. Fiscal impact statement.
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91 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the
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 93 fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act
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95 of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D. C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
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97 Sec. 7. Effective date.
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99 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto
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101 by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of
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103 congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home
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105 Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-
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107 206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the district of Columbia Register.
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