A cyclist expresses his frustration with cab drivers blocking streets as they protest regulations. Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes

D.C. is the most Uber friendly big city in America, according to a think tank that “promotes free markets and limited, effective government.”

R Street ranked the 50 biggest cities in the U.S. by their regulatory “friendliness” to transportation network companies, like Uber and Lyft, taxis and limos. From a base score of 90, D.C. received a 100 in the Uber category, an 85 in limo regulations and a 95 for taxis. (We’re sure they would disagree.)

Washington, D.C. boasts a healthy vehicle-for-hire market with a mostly favorable regulatory regime, and is the highest scoring city in our survey.

Unlike many other cities, competition in the Washington, D.C. taxi market is unrestricted by a regulatory limit on supply and is thus more responsive to consumer demand.

Limos in Washington, D.C. operate relatively freely, but still face common legacy regulations that undermine their ability to innovate and be competitive.

Washington, D.C. is very friendly to transportation network companies thanks to a legislative framework passed by the city council that allows them to operate freely.

Indeed, the Council just passed a bill to regulate so-called “ridesharing services” by impsong new commercial insurance requirements on private vehicles-for-hire and requiring criminal background checks that go back seven years. Taxi drivers say the regulations unfairly allow Uber to operate.