August 6, 2026
Mr. Van Orden introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To prohibit the District of Columbia from requiring a person to wear a protective helmet to operate, or ride on, a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Ride in Freedom Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on requiring helmet requirement to operate motorcycle in District of Columbia
(a) In general
The Council of the District of Columbia may not enact, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia may not enforce, any act, resolution, or other requirement which prohibits a person from operating, or riding on, a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless wearing a protective helmet.
(b) Repeal of existing requirement
Section 2215.3 title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, as added by Section 7(o)(2) of the Motorized Bicycle Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Law 19–290), is hereby repealed.
(c) Conforming amendment to Home Rule Act
Section 602(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1–206.02(a), D.C. Official Code) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (9), by striking office; or
and inserting office;
;
(2)
in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(11)
enact any act, resolution, regulation or other requirement which prohibits a person from operating, or riding on, a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless wearing a protective helmet (as such terms are defined in the Ride in Freedom Act).
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Helmet
The term helmet means a helmet which meets the standards set forth in 741 of title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
(2) Motorcycle; motor-driven cycle
The terms motorcycle and motor-driven cycle have the meanings given such terms in section 9901 of title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.