{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-50-1601","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 50-1601","heading":"Findings.","body":"The Council of the District of Columbia finds that:\n\n(1)\nIncreased 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, and increased physical fitness.\n\n(2)\nBicycle fatalities and accidents can be reduced through broad-based education and facilities improvements.\n\n(3)\nThe promotion of bicycle transportation and safety in the District of Columbia (“District”) requires the implementation of a comprehensive bicycle transportation and safety program.\n\n(4)\nA bicycle office is required to coordinate the comprehensive program.\n\n(5)\nDisability and death from injuries sustained in bicycling accidents are a serious threat to the health, welfare and safety of District children.\n\n(6)\nEach year approximately 290 children are involved in fatal accidents, and nearly 400,000 are injured with varying degrees of severity in bicycle related injuries or crashes.\n\n(7)\nHead injuries account for over 60% of bicycle related fatalities and 1/3 of bicycle related emergency room visits.\n\n(8)\nUse of a bicycle helmet is the single, most effective preventive measure of reducing head injuries 85%, and brain injuries or serious disabilities by 88% from bicycle accidents.\n\n(9)\nOnly 15% of bicyclists use proper head protective equipment, and some studies show that bicycle helmet usage for children under 16 years of age ranges from 5% to 15%.","path":["Title 50. Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic.","Chapter 16. Regulation of Bicycles.","Subchapter I. General Provisions.","Part A. Bicycle Safety."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-1601","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"3d2b2ca98b2adb3af11d519a0d74db4bbeaf4e64eb8a3962c3212e744db89ecc","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-50-1555","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-50-1602"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}