Given the generally unfriendly reception most DC residents give to their local constabulary, I figure it’s time to reflect on a positive aspect of their law enforcement duties.

In particular, a DCPD officer enforced the double-yellow line on R Street NW last night as I was riding home, groceries in tow. I had taken up the middle of the eastbound lane, as I was aware of people getting into and out of cars parked along the curb. As it is my legal right to take the lane if it would be a risk to ride close to the parked cars (and it certainly was), I rode in the center of the lane, going the speed limit for the road (25 mph).

Meanwhile, a person driving a pearl-white Lexus SUV decided that he just had to pass me, to race to the next stop sign. He started his non-signaled pass…

… when a DCPD officer emerged from a driveway and flagged the guy down with a stern point and a toot of a whistle. The guy in the Lexus emitted some kind of profanity and reluctantly pulled over into another driveway. I slowed down to witness the interaction between the officer and the driver, and the driver was presented with a ticket for illegal overtaking on a two-lane road.

How do I know it was a ticket? Because I spoke briefly with the officer’s partner, who was stationed down the road to enforce the jaywalking rules. He commended me for signaling my turns and braking, and for riding assertively.

So a word of warning to any drivers who think it’s fine to barge by cyclists who have legally taken a lane to ensure safe travel: you can be caught.