WFCN – The D.C. police are implementing a new road safety program that includes a crackdown on motorized scooters and mopeds.
Why this matters In response to safety concerns raised by an increase in scooter usage, MPD is stationing officers in areas throughout the city as part of Operation Ride Right, which was introduced on Wednesday.
The big picture: Due to a high demand for delivery services and an inflow of immigrant workers seeking a quick and affordable form of transportation, moped use is significantly increasing in areas like D.C. and New York.
The D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles reports that in the last two years, the number of motor-driven cycle registrations has increased by almost 165%.
Recently, authorities in New York stepped up their crackdown on unlicensed cars, seizing over 7,000 mopeds that weren’t registered this year. Deadly battery fires are becoming a growing worry in both cities.
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Enlarge: Axios is informed by an MPD spokesman that Pamela Smith, the police chief, came up with the initiative in response to community complaints regarding traffic safety. Police will monitor the area and ensure that motorized bicycles abide by D.C. laws.
Scooter drivers are required by law to possess a driver’s license, insurance, and registration. Helmets are necessary. Bus lanes and sidewalks are off-limits to moped users. They have to abide by the same traffic laws as vehicles when they are on the road.
What’s being observed: A new bill that was presented in April by members of the D.C. Council would impose additional accountability on the use of mopeds by requiring fleet registration for both sellers and rentals.
Committee is debating it before a vote.