Contributed by Rebecca Johnson

Beginning February 28, the D.C. Department of Public Works will begin issuing tickets to any driver seen “improperly parking, stopping or leaving a bike lane.”

The bike lane enforcement program is a part of the “DC Vision Zero” law enforcement program to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in The District to zero by 2024.

In November, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she was increasing the number of Parking Enforcement Officials (PEOs) to enhance bike lane safety. Since then, 26 new PEOs were added to the existing 272. In each area, there is at least one person dedicated to monitoring the bike lanes.

“In building safer bike lanes we can keep our roads and sidewalks safe for all who use them, encourage residents and visitors to explore alternate modes of transportation, and work toward our Vision Zero goals,” she said in a statement.

The PEOs will photograph vehicles blocking bike lanes and mail citations to the vehicle owners if the ticket is not presented to the owner in person.

“The new law will give us an opportunity to take a photo and mail it to the resident—even if they drive off before we can give it to them—and, hopefully, change the behavior,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart in the same statement.