So, this morning I was going south along the Parkway, the beginning of my usual Saturday ride, when a couple of DC's finest pulled me over and informed me that I was not allowed to ride on the road and would have to move over to the trail. (As you all know, this is a horrible option given the condition of the trail and all the walker/jogger traffic on it. Plus, maybe 1/4 mile or so further down from where they stopped me, construction made the trail completely impassable, anyway.) Have any of you had a similar experience (I never have, and I'm sure I've been passed by cops before on my rides), or heard of such a rule in place here? I skimmed DC's bike regs on-line and didn't see anything about this.

bicycles are allowed on all DC streets unless it is posted otherwise (says the official DC bike map and the WABA website) and i've never seen a sign saying you can't ride a bike on RCP.

Sorry to be dense, as I live close to DC but not in the exact area, but what is the RC parkway?

Rock Creek

I don't remember any signs prohibiting bikes.
But given the traffic on the RCP when I usually ride, I try to stay off of it. And since the trail is a mess near the zoo, I often avoid the whole thing by riding up Porter or Tilden. Good hill practice, too. :D

But isn't Rock Creek under the jurisdiction of the NPS? Do the DC police have any jurisdiction there?

ah that makes more sense. I have biked RC Parkway numerous times during the week. I stay off the trails as well since they really do suck. In fact I blew past a big speed trap just south of the police station one day. I was actually exceeding the speed limit by a couple MPH. There had to be at least 5 cops and they didn't bother saying anything to me.

-D