Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for May 2017

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in May:

The council held its regular bimonthly meeting on May 3, setting the stage for an action-packed National Bike Month.

As always, the main event is Bike to Work Day in the Washington metropolitan area. BAC members were among the 18,700+ participants in the May 19 celebration. Three BAC members visited the Freedom Plaza pit stop, along with Councilmembers David Grosso, Brandon Todd and other elected and appointed officials.

Councilmember David Grosso with his BAC appointee, Bob Summersgill

BAC member Randall Myers, representing Councilmember Robert White, Jr.

BAC member David Alexander, representing Ward 2

Mayor Muriel Bowser rolled in to address the bicyclists. Click here for a short video of her remarks.

In other news, the BAC congratulates Ward 8 representative Jay Stewart on his reappointment. Council chair Mendelson administered the oath of office on May 10.

Photo by @ChmnMendelson

This month: June activities

BAC committees are meeting this month as follows:

Facilities Committee Rolling Meeting
Sat., June 10
9:30 a.m.
Barney Circle, Hill East
This "rolling" (on-bike) field meeting will survey Capitol Hill infrastructure and connectivity.

Planning Committee Meeting
Thurs., June 15
6 p.m.
The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Rd NW

The committee will finalize its proposed amendments to the D.C. Comprehensive Plan. It will also review and prioritize upcoming planning projects.

Legislative Committee Meeting
Wed., June 21
6 p.m.
Teaism
400 8th St NW

BAC committee meetings are open to the public. Save the date for the next full BAC meeting on July 12 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW.

BAC May 2017 meeting

The BAC meets on May 3 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, Room 1112. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below.

Bicycle Advisory Council
5/3/17 Meeting Agenda 

1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes

2. K and Water Street improvements in Georgetown

3. Vision Zero reports
• Summit (3/31/17 conference)
• Major Crash Review Task Force

4. MPD report

5. Planning Committee report
• Discussion and vote on proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments

6. Legislative Committee report
• Vote on letter supporting Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2017 (B22-0175)

7. Facilities Committee report
• April rolling meeting
• MBT NoMa Green
• New York Avenue NE
• Dave Thomas Circle
• Other projects

8. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting report

9. Motion to move July and January meetings to second Wednesday to avoid conflicts with holidays

10. Adjournment

Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for March 2017

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in March:

The BAC held its bimonthly meeting on March 1. In addition to routine business, members heard an Office of Planning presentation about the current Comprehensive Plan amendment process.

BAC chair David Cranor testified at the annual performance oversight hearing on March 13. Cranor's testimony discussed BAC achievements and challenges in fiscal year 2016. The BAC also testified at the Metropolitan Police Department oversight hearing.

BAC members Bob Summersgill and Jeff Johnson at the Vision Zero Summit

BAC members attended the Vision Zero Summit on March 31. Concurrently, DDOT released its one-year report on the District's Vision Zero plan. The Washington Post and WAMU covered these overlapping events. The WAMU story focuses on the Vision Zero progress report.

This month: April activities

Florida Avenue NE Virtual Circle Multimodal Transportation Project Public Meeting
Tues., April 4
6:30 p.m.
1200 First St NE
The BAC will attend this meeting as part of its ongoing work to help improve bicyclist and pedestrian travel through the virtual circle in NoMa.

Planning Committee Meeting
Wed., April 12
6 p.m.
The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Rd NW

The committee will continue to analyze the D.C. Comprehensive Plan and identify ways it could better serve bicyclists. The Office of Planning is undertaking a Comprehensive Plan amendment process and is accepting proposed amendments from individuals and organizations now through May.

MPD Community Bike Ride
Sat., April 15
9 a.m.
Riggs La Salle Recreation Center
501 Riggs Rd NE
(Meet on the Nicholson Street side)

Led by the Metropolitan Police Department, bicyclists will visit the communities of Lamond-Riggs, Manor Park, Brightwood Park, Petworth, Shaw, Logan Circle, Georgetown and the West End. Participants can join all or part of the ride. Scroll to the second page of the announcement for the route (cue sheet).

Ward 8 Vision Zero Workshop
Sat., April 15
9:30 a.m.
Anacostia Library
1800 Good Hope Rd SE

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association continues its series of traffic safety workshops throughout D.C. This one will survey the intersection of MLK and Good Hope Road to examine ways to make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Legislative Committee Meeting
Wed., April 19
6 p.m.
Teaism
400 8th St NW

The committee will discuss the Vision Zero progress report, the Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2017 (bill | Washington Post story) and other agenda items to be determined.

Facilities Committee Rolling Meeting
Sat., April 22
10 a.m.
This "rolling" (on-bike) field meeting will survey the area of the Far Southeast III Livability Study. Meeting point and route TBD.

Ward 3 Vision Zero Workshop
Thurs., April 27
6:30 p.m.
Tenley-Friendship Library
4450 Wisconsin Av NW

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association continues its series of traffic safety workshops throughout D.C. This one will survey the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Albermarle Street to examine ways to make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Please check back for the date of our Safety Committee meeting.

***

As always, we look forward to National Bike Month in May. Mark your calendar for our May 3 general meeting and Bike to Work Day on May 19. Register to claim your free t-shirt and be counted as a bike commuter.

BAC March 2017 meeting

The BAC meets on March 1 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, Room 1112. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below.

Bicycle Advisory Council
3/1/17 Meeting Agenda 

1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes

2. Planning Committee report
• Office of Planning report on Comprehensive Plan
• Committee report on February meeting; BAC Comp Plan amendment research

3. Legislative Committee report
Reports
• February meeting report

Upcoming legislative matters
-- Vision Zero rulemaking roundtable March 3 and possible BAC comment
-- Oversight hearings
• BAC and DDOT March 13
• Other agencies: MPD March 2, OP March 6, DPW March 16

4. Facilities Committee report
Reports
• February meeting

Projects
• Florida Avenue NE
• NY Avenue NE
• Far SE III Livability Study
• Foundry Branch Bridge

5. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting report

6. Adjournment

Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for February 2017

BAC committees are meeting in February. Committee meetings are open to the public, so why not show your bike♥ and attend one or more?

Planning Committee
Wed., Feb. 8
6 p.m.
The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Rd NW

This newly formed committee will review the D.C. Comprehensive Plan and identify ways it could better serve bicyclists' interests. The Office of Planning is undertaking a Comprehensive Plan amendment process and will solicit proposed amendments from individuals and organizations this spring.

Legislative Committee
Wed., Feb. 15
6 p.m.
Teaism
400 8th St NW

The committee will review the proposed system of Vision Zero infractions and fines, as well as other agenda items to be determined.

Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee
Wed., Feb. 22
6 p.m.
Bakers & Baristas
501 7th St NW

Agenda TBD

Facilities Committee
Thurs., Feb. 23
6 p.m.
Gallaudet University
Student Academic Center
800 Florida Av NE

The first order of business is to attend part of the New York Avenue NE Streetscape and Trail Project meeting. Afterwards, the committee will hold its regular business meeting at Granville Moore's, 1238 H St NE.

To locate the committee meetings at the venues, please look for signage and/or a pile of helmets and panniers. You can also email dcbicyclecouncil at gmail com or tweet @DCBAC.

Save the date for the full BAC meeting on March 1.

BAC January meeting

The BAC meets on Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, Room 1117. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below.

Bicycle Advisory Council
1/4/17 Meeting Agenda 

1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes

2. Presentation by Renee Moore, WABA Vision Zero Community Organizer

3. Facilities Committee report
∙ December meeting
∙ Far SE III Livability Study
∙ Union Station Expansion Plan
∙ Anacostia River Trail Kenilworth Section Phase II
∙ Buzzard Point Park redesign
∙ Other projects (time permitting)

4. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting report

5. Legislative Committee meeting report

6. Planning Committee report
Office of Planning comprehensive plan amendment. In the spring, OP will accept proposed amendments from the public. See background information at plandc.dc.gov/page/amendment-process.

7. Adjournment

Merry midweek meetings!

Like elves toiling behind the scenes, the BAC is laying the groundwork for 2017 by meeting merrily this midweek.

Legislative Affairs Committee meeting
Wed., Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
Teaism, 400 8th St NW

Agenda

Information Items

1. Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2015 Update
 Now official law L21-0167, Effective from Nov 26, 2016

2. B21-0759 - Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016 Update
Signed by Mayor this month and awaiting Congressional approval

3. B21-0923 - Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Technical Amendment Act of 2016 Update
 Dec. 12 hearing cancelled. To be reintroduced in the next session beginning Jan. 3.

4. D.C. Council committee structure and chairs

Action Items

5. Approval of testimony for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Technical Amendment Act

6. Discussion of legislation ideas

 ***

Facilities Committee meeting
Thurs., Dec. 22 at 6 p.m.
Pizzeria Paradiso, 2003 P St NW

Agenda

1. Snow and leaf removal from cycletracks, bike lanes, and trails

2. DDOT priority projects for 2017

3. Eastern downtown bike lane update


BAC meetings are open to the public.

Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for November 2016

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in November:

The BAC spent November in meetings and more meetings.

The council held its regular bimonthly meeting on Nov. 2. It attended meetings concerning the Capital Trails Coalition, the proposed K Street streetcar route from Union Station to Georgetown, redesign of Ward Circle at American University, DDOT's Far SE III Livability Study and the Kenilworth section of the Anacostia River Trail.

The BAC submitted public comment about the Union Station expansion, outlining the need for improved bicycle facilities, access and connectivity.

The BAC recognized the Nov. 15 passage of the Specialty License Plate Amendment Act of 2016, which includes a bicycle awareness license plate measure authored by Councilmember Charles Allen. The license plate will display an image and language emphasizing the three-foot passing rule.

The BAC joined Councilmember Elissa Silverman and other officials on a Veteran's Day ride on the new section of the Anacostia River Trail.

This month: December activities

The BAC is monitoring the Council's Dec. 12 Transportation and the Environment Committee meeting, which includes a hearing about the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Technical Amendment Act of 2016.

The BAC committees are meeting as follows:

Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting
Wed., Dec. 7
6 p.m.
Laughing Man Tavern
1306 G St NW
(street level table)

Legislative Committee meeting
Wed., Dec. 21
6 p.m.
Teaism
400 8th St NW

Facilities Committee meeting
Thurs., Dec. 22
6 p.m.
Pizzeria Paradiso
2003 P St NW

Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for October 2016

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in October:

The BAC welcomed a new member, as Casey Studhalter was appointed to represent Ward 7. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson swore in Casey at an Oct. 12 ceremony, pictured above. By day, Casey is a project manager for the U.S. Green Building Council.

With Councilmember Mary Cheh by her side, Mayor Muriel Bowser signs the comparative negligence bill

On Oct. 13, the BAC attended the launch of the Capital Trails Coalition. That evening, the BAC joined Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Cheh at the signing ceremony for the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, commonly known as the comparative negligence bill.

Studying plans to redesign Dave Thomas Circle in NoMa 

All three BAC committees met the week of Oct. 17. The Facilities Committee held a "rolling" meeting to survey infrastructure in NE at Dave Thomas Circle and Trinidad, pictured above.

The BAC attended an Oct. 19 public meeting on the Union Station Expansion Project to view the design proposals and prepare to submit formal comment in November.

Ward 2 representative David Alexander

David Alexander, in blue Bike to Work Day shirt, studies the drawings along with former BAC member Randall Myers, right

Ward 3 representative Ellen Jones

Pictured above, the BAC commented on the Downtown West Transportation Planning Study proposals to redesign H and I Streets near Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to Washington Circle. BAC members David Alexander and Ellen Jones participated in the daylong feedback session. Online feedback can be submitted at downtownwestdc.com/engage-online.

The BAC noted the mid-October completion of the Crosstown Multimodal Transportation Study, which recommends new facilities to improve bicycle and bus travel between Columbia Heights and Brookland.

BAC member David Alexander is seated at right end of the witness table. To his left are representatives of the Pedestrian Advisory Council and All Walks D.C. Listening at right are Del. Holmes-Norton, DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo and National Park Service Regional Director Bob Vogel.

On Oct. 27, the BAC attended a Capital Trails Coalition meeting, then testified at a federal roundtable on D.C. bicycle and pedestrian safety. Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton convened the roundtable to hear input from public officials and community organizations. David Alexander testified for the BAC alongside representatives of the Pedestrian Advisory Council, All Walks DC and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. In personal followup to the BAC, Del. Holmes-Norton said the BAC's comments were "particularly helpful to me as we implement the surface transportation reauthorization bill and see federal funds flow to the District."

Together with other members of the Capital Trails Coalition, the BAC attended the Oct. 31 opening ceremony for the Kenilworth section of the Anacostia River Trail. DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo joined other public officials from D.C., Maryland and the federal government to cut the ribbon and celebrate the connection that now links 70 miles of multiuse trails in D.C. and Maryland.

This month: November activities

The BAC meets tonight, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor.

Though members have an obvious scheduling conflict, the BAC is mindful tonight is also the Far Southeast III Livability Study meeting. A second public meeting is on the horizon for Nov. 19.

The BAC salutes Councilmember Todd for leading a Nov. 6 community ride to look at Ward 4 infrastructure projects.

The BAC is attending and/or monitoring these meetings:

• Nov. 17 meeting concerning the proposed crosstown streetcar route from Union Station to Georgetown
• Redesign of Ward Circle at American University (Nov. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. in Ward Circle Building, Room 2)
• Nov. 19 Far SE III Livability Study meeting, previously cited

BAC November 2016 meeting

The BAC meets on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below.

Bicycle Advisory Council
11/2/16 Meeting Agenda 

1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes

2. Administration and communications

• Appointments and nominations for FY17 chair
• Committee chairs
• Committee members
• Capital Trails Coalition: formal vote to join
• BAC financial report
• Outreach/partnership with ANC office to educate newly elected commissioners about BAC

3. Facilities Committee report
Reports

• October rolling meeting
• Councilmember Todd's 11/6 ride with WABA

Meetings and projects

• Union Station expansion and comments
• Far SE III study: 11/2 community advisory group meeting and 11/19 public workshop 
• Downtown West 
• AU Ward Circle meeting 11/17

DDOT report

• DC's League of American Bicyclists rating - what did LAB say we need to work on, and how is DDOT approaching that?

4. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting report

5. Legislative Committee meeting report

6. Walk-on topics (time permitting)

• Bike facilities on the rehabbed East Capitol and Roosevelt Bridges
• Crosstown multimodal: preferred alternative released
• Cleveland Park Streetscape and Drainage Improvement Project

7. Adjournment