Cue the bike-bashing in D.C.

[7rider]

By the way, 7...don't we ride on the C B Parkway during the shop ride?? If it was illegal, wouldn't Mike know about it? You know how he is about following rules. (And yes, I have to ask since I still don't know where the heck we are during that ride. )

Yes, we ride on Clara Barton Parkway (CBP), and actually, the rules regarding that are very vague. Please take the following analysis with a grain of salt, as I am NOT an attorney, and don't presume to have the final say in interpretting the regulations of the National Park Service, the State of Maryland, or Montgomery County. But here's my take (for what it's worth):

As part of the National Park Service, it falls under Title 36 of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulation) part 1. Chapter 4.30 refers to bicycles in that part. (John cited a "compendium" for the George Washington Parkway (of which CBP is a part, renamed to avoid confusion with the Virginia parkway), which stated that it is illegal to ride on the CBP, citing that under 4.30(a), bicycling is prohibited on CBP.)

However, that section cited in 4.30(a) says this:
§ 4.30 Bicycles. (a) The use of a bicycle is prohibited except on park roads, in parking areas and on routes designated for bicycle use; provided, however, the superintendent may close any park road or parking area to bicycle use pursuant to the criteria and procedures of §§ 1.5 and 1.7 of this chapter. Routes may only be designated for bicycle use based on a written determination that such use is consistent with the protection of a park area’s natural, scenic and aesthetic values, safety considerations and management objectives and will not disturb wildlife or park resources.

It doesn't specifically prohibit biking on the CBP. And paragraph 4.20(a) says this:
§ 4.2 State law applicable. (a) Unless specifically addressed by regulations in this chapter, traffic and the use of vehicles within a park area are governed by State law. State law that is now or may later be in effect is adopted and made a part of the regulations in this part.
(b) Violating a provision of State law is prohibited.

Since 4.30(a) doesn't specifically state that bicycling is prohibited on the CBP, it falls under state law (remember, I am only talking about Glen Echo to MacArthur Blvd, all of which is in the state of Maryland). Maryland vehicular code states:
21-1205.1 Bicycles, motor scooters, and EPAMD’s prohibited on certain roadways and highways; speed limit.
(a) In general -Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person may not ride a bicycle or motor scooter;
(1) On any roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is more than 50 miles per hour [Cyclists may operate on the shoulder of a roadway where the posted speed limit exceeds 50 mph unless otherwise prohibited.]; or
(2) On any expressway, except on an adjacent bicycle path or way approved by the State Highway Administration, or on any other controlled access highway signed in accordance with 21-313 of this title.

Recall: the posted speed limit on CBP is 50 mph.
And 21-313 states:
Subtitle 3. Driving on Right Side of Roadway; Overtaking and Passing; Use of Roadway. 21-313 Restrictions on Use of Controlled Access Highways
(a) State Highway Administration and local authorities may prohibit certain uses. – The State Highway Administration, by order, or any local authority, by ordinance, may prohibit the use of any controlled access highway in its jurisdiction by parades, low speed vehicles, funeral processions, bicycles, or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a motorcycle.
(b) Sign Required – The State Highway Administration or the local authority adopting any prohibition under this section shall place and maintain signs on the controlled access highway to which the prohibition is applicable. If the signs are so placed, a person may not disobey the restrictions stated on them.

Recall, there IS no sign prohibiting bicycles on the onramps to CBP in Glen Echo.

Maryland basically summarizes it thusly:
Maryland State Highways Where Bicycles are ProhibitedThe Maryland State Highway Administration has the authority to prohibit cyclists on any highway where they feel is not compatible to those activities.
The following highways are prohibited to cyclists.
I-68, I-70, I-81, I-83, I-95, I-97, I-195, I-270, I-370, I-395, I-495, I-695, I-795, I-895, MD 10, MD 90, MD 100
The following highways are open to bicycles except for the segments as listed below.
MD 4 from I-95 east to US 301
MD 26 from Market Street to US 15
MD 32 from I-97 west to MD 108
MD 295 from the Russell Street/Haines Street intersection in Baltimore City south to Washington, DC
MD 702 from south of I-95 to MD 150 (Eastern Ave)
US 13 from Business 13 south of Salisbury to Business 13 north of Salisbury
US 15 from the US 15/US 340 interchange north to MD 355 (north of Frederick)
US 50 from the Washington DC line east to the US 50/US 301 split
US 301 from the US 50/US 301 interchange at Bowie east to the Delaware state line
US 340 from Valley Road/Keep Tryst Road north to Jefferson Street in Frederick

Again, take all of this as my unoffical read of a myriad of regulations. State and/or Federal interpretation may differ. The big kicker, of course, is whether CBP in MD falls under Federal or State jurisdiction....