Fixies Law Changed

Shortly after this article ran in the Post,

Fixed gears have boomed in popularity over the past few years, according to Euan Fisk of City Bikes in Adams Morgan. The coolness factor comes from two sources. First, experienced cyclists seek out fixies because riding takes a more-advanced set of cycling skills, so it's a new challenge to master. Second, much of the cachet of a fixed gear comes from building it yourself like a cash-strapped messenger, slapping on some anti-car stickers and ending up with a bike unique to you.

the law regarding fixies and handbrakes in D.C. was changed, as was reported by bikeportland (I know I got scooped by an out of town blog, thanks to Graham for the link). Thanks to WABA, fixed gear bikes no longer require separate handbrakes. It's a small thing, but it's a good change.

Comments

[gwadzilla]

interesting
thanks for sharing

this is a law that I do not expect to be enforced

speeding cars
red light running cars
cars with paper tags

it is my understanding that DC Cops feel that being a traffic cop is low on the totem pole
my guess
that being told to monitor bicycle behavior would be like having them demoted to crossing guard

[Fritz]

How cool. I totally missed the BIke Portland post.

[iconoclasst]

Very cool. WABA deserves a huge pat on the back for reclaiming that little freedom.

[Mike]

of course there shouldnt be a LAW against fixies with no brakes...but anyone who rides a fixie without a brake on a city street is a fool. ask Marty Nothstein...

And yes, cops in DC and maryland and northern Virginia dont care about traffic laws in general, much less bicycles and traffic laws!