Pulled over on Beach Drive?

[Pat Coleman]

Last Saturday morning I was pulled over by the Park Police on Beach drive north of the Zoo and told that “bikes were prohibited on the parkway” and ordered onto the narrow trail with all the joggers.

I later checked the Rock Creek Park website (http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/things2do.htm) which clearly states:

Bicycling:
All roads and paved trails in Rock Creek Park are open to bicyclists. A popular paved path begins just north of Peirce Mill and follows the creek all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. On weekends, much of Beach Drive between Broad Branch Road and the Maryland boundary is closed to vehicular traffic.

Starting to plan my weekend rides. What should I do? Carry a printout from the website?

Topic

[dasgeh]

@Pat Coleman 95832 wrote:

What should I do? Carry a printout from the website?

Did you happen to get the officer’s information?

If I were you, I’d carry a copy of the printout, and I’d report the incident to Park Police today, with whatever info you have (time, date, place).

[DCAKen]

Definitely report this to the Park Police. The officer must have been thinking of the rules for the Mt Vernon Parkway. What’s even more egregious is that you were on Beach Drive, not the parkway.

[Pat Coleman]

Just spoke with the desk sergeant at the Rock Creek station. Cycling on Beach Drive is perfectly legal but they can ask you to leave the road if you are holding up traffic (not sure if DC traffic laws state this but this is Fed land). I explained it was early in the morning (to avoid traffic) and that I was doing about 20 mph on my road bike. He then asked for the officer’s name, etc. When I told him I didn’t get it he said he would pass my concern on to his team.

[rcannon100]

@Pat Coleman 95874 wrote:

but they can ask you to leave the road if you are holding up traffic

I would not be too sure about that one either.

[jrenaut]

So, something he made up, plus blowing you off. Sounds like a productive conversation.

[Pat Coleman]

Yep. But I did get him to admit I was not breaking the law. Will have to try it again tomorrow.

[Author]

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