Cyclists getting ticketed in DC

[7rider]

If you go as far to the right as possible, which in DC makes you practically a curb rider- our lanes get so narrow, you get doored and blamed for it. Also, what is with the cars that have to drive 2 feet more to the right of everyone else? you aren't passing, you aren't turning. What are you doing? I know what the legal rules are for riding in DC, but I would like a little space and respect as a bicyclist/ person.

According to the summary of laws WABA posts - http://www.waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php - it is illegal to "door" in DC and MD (VA is silent on the issue). WABA doesn't cite the section of the code, but I'm sure it's there if you looked.

[Geonz]

I went by a radar cop in a school zone and he shouted out with faux-military sharpness "That's 12 miles per hour, Ma'm!!" and grinned. Next day I got it to 14

[Eden]

According to the summary of laws WABA posts - http://www.waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php - it is illegal to "door" in DC and MD (VA is silent on the issue). WABA doesn't cite the section of the code, but I'm sure it's there if you looked.

It is also illegal to door (or more precisely negligently open your door into traffic) here in WA state. If the rider had been here it would have been the driver who was cited not the cyclist. I still *never* ride in the door zone - I won't even ride in a bike lane if it is within the door zone. WA state law says we are not required to use bike lanes and only to ride as far right as is safe....

[madscot13]

may I say that it is a lot easier to watch for traffic/ bikes coming from behind before you open your door then for a bicyclist to see when a car might open its door. Sometimes I have no idea that there is a person in a car until I pass it. this is most likely in SUVs. there are a lot of SUV's in DC.

[Flur]

I've been looking and can't figure out if it's illegal to door here in MN. It definitely was illegal in 2003, but I can't find anything in the newer versions of the statues. I can't imagine they decided to do away with that statute and make it legal here, but then, you never know...

Oops. nevermind. I found it, it's still there.