District of Columbia - Bicycle Regulations - Commercial Bicycle Operators

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICIAL CODE 2001 EDITION

DIVISION VIII. GENERAL LAWS.

TITLE 50. MOTOR AND NON-MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.

SUBTITLE V. NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES.

CHAPTER 16. REGULATION OF BICYCLES.

SUBCHAPTER II. COMMERCIAL BICYCLE OPERATORS.

S 50-1631. Definitions.

For purposes of this subchapter, the term:

1. “Commercial bicycle operator” means an individual at least 16 years of age who receives financial compensation for the delivery or pick-up of goods or services by bicycle as a substantial part of his or her business or earnings, as defined by the Mayor in rules developed pursuant to S 50- 1632(d)(3).

2. “Courier company” means any firm, partnership, company, corporation, or organization operating within the District of Columbia that employs, compensates, utilizes, or contracts with a commercial bicycle operator.

3. “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

S 50-1632. Licensing; violations; identification numbers.

1. Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, no commercial bicycle operator shall operate within the District of Columbia without a license issued by the Mayor. A commercial bicycle operator shall pass a bicycle safety test developed by the Mayor in order to receive a commercial bicycle operator’s license.

2. It shall be a violation of this subchapter for a commercial bicycle operator licensed under this section to:

   1. Fail to pay a license fee not to exceed $50 per year;

   2. Fail to carry a valid commercial bicycle operator’s permit that shall include a photo identification listing the commercial bicycle operator’s name, address, permit number, and any other information required by the Mayor pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of this section;

   3. Fail to display, in a manner visible from the rear, a valid commercial bicycle operator identification number issued by the Mayor pursuant to subsection (d)(2) of this section and, if employed by, compensated by, utilized by, or under contract to a courier company, the name and telephone number of the courier company, or if not employed by, compensated by, utilized by, or under contract to a courier company, the commercial bicycle operator’s telephone number and address;

   4. Use a commercial bicycle operator’s permit or identification number assigned to someone other than the commercial bicycle operator; or

   5. Violate any other requirement created by rule related to commercial bicycle operators.

3. After notice and an opportunity to be heard, the commercial bicycle license shall not be renewed or shall be suspended or revoked upon the accumulation of a substantial number of bicycle traffic law violations and unpaid fines as determined by rules promulgated by the Mayor.

4. The Mayor shall:

   1. Issue a commercial bicycle operator’s permit to each commercial bicycle operator who has passed the required bicycle safety test and paid the license fee required under S 50-1632(b)(1);

   2. Issue commercial bicycle operator identification numbers upon request to courier companies and to commercial bicycle operators not employed by, compensated by, utilized by, or under contract to a courier company;

   3. Issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, within 120 days of March 29, 1988; and

   4. Develop a public education program to inform the public of the requirements of this subchapter. (e) Commercial bicycle operators operating in the District of Columbia as of March 29, 1988 shall obtain a license from the Mayor within 180 days of March 29, 1988.

S 50-1633. Courier company responsibility.

No courier company shall employ, compensate, utilize, or contract with a commercial bicycle operator who does not have a valid commercial bicycle operator’s permit and a properly registered bicycle.

S 50-1634. Enforcement.

1. The Mayor shall promulgate a schedule of civil fines not to exceed $50 for violations of the provisions of this subchapter and rules promulgated pursuant to S 50-1632(d)(3).

2. The proposed schedule of fines shall be submitted to the Council of the District of Columbia within 60 days of March 29, 1988 for approval, in whole or in part, by resolution. Nothing in this subchapter shall affect any requirements imposed upon the Mayor by subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2