Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for March 2018

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in March:

The BAC held its bimonthly meeting on March 7.

Chair David Cranor attended the Vision Zero Summit on March 15, standing to ask the first question during the concluding panel discussion.

BAC chair David Cranor, center in blue sweater, at the Vision Zero Summit

Ward 4 member Rachel Maisler joined other stakeholders at a March 29 meeting to increase road safety in Petworth.

What do safer streets in Petworth look like? Spending time with @WABADC - chatting about @DCVisionZero, traffic calming & more. #bikedc pic.twitter.com/gP5GJTRauq

— HandlebarsDC 🚴 (@HandlebarsDC) March 29, 2018

Maisler, pictured at right, also joined Councilmember Brandon Todd’s staff to test the route for the Ward 4 community ride on April 22.

.@HandlebarsDC & neighbors are out testing the route for the Annual Ward 4 Bike Ride! You’re invited to join us on #EarthDay, April 22, 10:30 AM at the Upshur St. & 9th St. @bikeshare station. RSVP & learn more at: https://t.co/Ant4VHQpFZ #Ward4Proud pic.twitter.com/Fj9JFhRQoX

— Brandon T. Todd (@CMBrandonTodd) March 28, 2018

Member Jeff Johnson drew the BAC’s attention to a March 22 public meeting about Union Station expansion, emphasizing the need to express support for bicycle facilities within redevelopment plans.

This month: April activities

Legislative Committee Meeting
Thurs., April 19
6 p.m.
The Potter’s House
1658 Columbia Rd NW

Ward 4 Community Ride
Sun., April 22
10:30 a.m.
Capital Bikeshare station at Upshur and 9th Streets NW

Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee Meeting
Tues., April 24
6 p.m.
The Coupe
3415 11th St NW

Facilities Committee Rolling Meeting
Sat., April 28
11 a.m.
Route and meeting point to be determined

BAC committee meetings are open to the public.

May preview:

The next full BAC meeting is May 2 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW.

Bike to Work Day is May 18.

Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for February 2018

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in February:

The three BAC committees met in February. The Facilities Committee took a first look at DDOT’s 2018 work plan for bike lanes. The committee will brief the full BAC at this month’s meeting.

The Facilities Committee at work 

Chair David Cranor testified at the BAC’s performance oversight hearing, which the Committee on Transportation and the Environment held on Feb. 27. The testimony and pre-hearing questions summarize the BAC’s accomplishments in fiscal year 2017.

BAC chair David Cranor

This month: March activities

The BAC holds its bimonthly meeting on March 7 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW. BAC meetings are open to the public. The agenda can be viewed here.

BAC March 2018 meeting

The BAC meets on March 7 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor.

Bicycle Advisory Council
3/7/18 Meeting Agenda

1. Call to order; introductions

2. Public comment

3. MPD report

4. DDOT report

5. Facilities Committee report
• 2018 bikeways projects
• Report on dockless bikeshare
• Location/route suggestions for April rolling meeting

6. Legislative Committee report
• Report on February meeting
• Nomination of Alejandro Schwedhelm to serve on Legislative Committee

7. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee report
• Report on February meeting
• Nomination of Rachel Maisler to serve on SEE Committee

8. Ward 4 ride with Councilmember Todd, BAC member Rachel Maisler and community members on 4/15/18 at 2 p.m. Starting point and route to be determined.

9. Election of BAC officers

10. Approval of September, November and January minutes

11. Adjournment

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BAC meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building.

Rolling forward: D.C. bicycling report for January 2018

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in January:

The BAC held its bimonthly meeting on Jan. 10. It also submitted official comment on the Long Bridge Project.

Ward 4 member Rachel Maisler attended a marathon ANC 4B meeting about the Metropolitan Branch Trail. After almost five hours of debate, ANC members took a late-night vote to support routing along Blair Road NE in accordance with the DDOT consensus proposal.

This month: February activities

BAC committees are meeting this month as follows:

Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee Meeting
Thurs., Feb. 15
6 p.m.
Busboys & Poets
2021 14th St NW

Legislative Committee Meeting
Tues., Feb. 20
6 p.m.
The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Rd NW

Facilities Committee Meeting
Sat., Feb. 24
1 p.m.
Made in D.C. Cafe
1330 19th St NW

BAC committee meetings are open to the public. Save the date for the March 7 general meeting at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW.

BAC January 2018 meeting

The BAC meets on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW.
Room update: Old Council Chamber, ground floor, south side.

Bicycle Advisory Council
1/10/18 Meeting Agenda

1. Call to order; introductions

2. Public comment

3. MPD report

4. DDOT report

5. Facilities Committee report
• Discussion and vote on public comment for the Long Bridge Project
• Discussion of dockless bikeshare
• Metropolitan Branch Trail Ward 4 update

6. Legislative Committee report
• Nomination of Alejandro Schwedhelm to serve on Legislative Committee

7. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee report
• Nomination of Rachel Maisler to serve on SEE Committee

8. Election of BAC officers

9. Approval of September and November minutes

10. Adjournment

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BAC meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building.

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

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in December:

BAC members attended a Dec. 13 Major Crash Review Task Force meeting with the Metropolitan Police Department, DDOT and other stakeholders. The district’s Vision Zero program and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Amendment Act of 2016 call for the creation of this task force. Its purpose is to study major crashes and identify preventative measures and infrastructure changes that could be implemented.

Committees held virtual or in-person meetings to formulate their 2018 agendas. New members have joined the committees, bringing new perspectives and ideas to the table.

This month: January activities

The BAC holds its bimonthly meeting on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW. The agenda will be posted under separate cover.

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

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in November:

Members attended a Nov. 9 meeting with Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie regarding the Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2017. Members answered the Councilmember’s questions and explained why the BAC supports the legislation.

Ward 5 member Tom Bridge, At-large member Randall Myers and Facilities Committee co-chair Jeanie Osburn joined other bicyclists and pedestrian and transit advocates to voice support for the Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2017.

Rachel Maisler joined the BAC as the Ward 4 representative. Councilmember Brandon Todd administered the oath of office on Nov. 14.

Photo: @CMBrandonTodd

BAC members joined Councilmember Elissa Silverman on a Nov. 18 ride along the Anacostia River Trail.

Front row: Ward 4 member Rachel Maisler. Back row: Legislative Committee chair John Serrao, At-large member Jeff Johnson (representing Silverman), Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Ward 5 member Tom Bridge, BAC staff Andrea Adleman. Photo: @CM_Silverman.

This month: December activities

BAC committees will meet on dates to be determined. Please check the Calendar or social media for updates.

The BAC will attend a Major Crash Review Task Force meeting with the Metropolitan Police Department, DDOT and other stakeholders.

The next full BAC meeting is Jan. 10, 2018 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW.

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

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in October:

Through its Facilities Committee, the BAC focused on Ward 4. The committee conducted a "rolling" meeting on Oct. 21 to survey parts of the ward and make recommendations to increase safe travel for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The ride visited the convergence of Blair Road, Kansas Avenue, North Dakota Avenue and Peabody Street NW to suggest ways to redesign this complicated intersection.

Blair Road, Kansas Avenue, North Dakota Avenue and Peabody Street NW. Photo by Susan Balding.

The ride surveyed streets that would comprise part of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, topic of discussion at recent Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B meetings. To open communication with ANC 4B commissioners, Facilities Committee co-chair Jeanie Osburn invited the commissioners to attend the ride. The BAC sought to give commissioners a first-hand understanding of factors that affect bicyclist safety and the rationale behind the BAC's position on the routing in question.

Osburn testified at the Oct. 23 ANC 4B meeting to voice the BAC's opinion and answer commissioners' questions. Speaking individually, Legislative Committee chair John Serrao also testified. After lengthy testimony and debate, the ANC voted for a plan that omits key BAC recommendations. The ANC will revisit the issue at future meetings.

Facilities Committee co-chair Jeanie Osburn testifies before ANC 4B. Photo by John Serrao.

At its Oct. 17 meeting, the Legislative Committee discussed snow removal policy, among other issues. The committee submitted official comment to the D.C. Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment, which held an Oct. 16 roundtable on the topic.

The BAC reinforced its support for the Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2017. Members contacted Councilmembers Todd and McDuffie to urge their support for the legislation, which would allow employees who walk, bike or take transit to receive the same benefits as those who drive. The bill needs one more councilmember's vote to clear the Transportation and the Environment Committee.

This month: November activities

The BAC holds its bimonthly meeting on Nov. 1.

Members will participate in a midmonth Anacostia River Trail ride Councilmember Silverman's office is organizing. Members will also participate in a local event observing the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The details of both events are pending and will be posted when known.

BAC November 2017 meeting

The BAC meets on Nov. 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
11/1/17 Meeting Agenda

1. Call to order; introductions

2. Public comment

3. Presentation on JUMP ebikeshare – Nelle Pierson, JUMP Director of External Affairs

4. Councilmember Silverman’s Anacostia River Trail ride

5. MPD report

6. DDOT report

7. Strategic planning and discussion of priority issues

8. Facilities Committee report
        Metropolitan Branch Trail in Ward 4
        • October rolling meeting
        • ANC 4B concerns and BAC testimony

9. Legislative Committee report
        • October meeting
        • Snow removal policy testimony
        • Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act testimony

10. Approval of minutes

11. Adjournment

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

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in September:

The BAC held its regular bimonthly meeting on Sept. 6. The agenda focused on strategic planning to develop priorities for the new fiscal year, a process continuing at the October committee meetings and November general meeting.

Under the leadership of Facilities Committee co-chair Jeanie Osburn, the BAC submitted official comment on the northern extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

The BAC testified in support of the Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2017. The BAC submitted its official position in writing. Speaking individually, Legislative Committee chair John Serrao testified in person at the Sept. 25 hearing.

Talking with his hands, BAC Legislative Committee chair John Serrao testifies before the Transportation & the Environment Committee.

The BAC cheered news that we're No. 2. According to new Census Bureau data, D.C. has the second highest percent of bike commuters among large cities. The 2016 figure is 4.6%, up from 4.1% in 2015. (For more information, see the League of American Bicyclists report.) Together with people who walk to work, D.C. has the highest rate of active transportation commuters in the country. 13.7% walk + 4.6% bike = 18.3%, according to the Coalition for Smarter Growth.

BAC chair David Cranor was quoted in the New York Times story, "Bike-Sharing Is Flourishing in Washington. Can the City Handle It?"

This month: October activities

BAC committees are meeting this month as follows:

Legislative Committee Meeting
Tues., Oct. 17
6 p.m.
The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Rd NW

Facilities Committee Rolling Meeting
Sat., Oct. 21
9:30 a.m.
Meeting point and route to be determined.

Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee Meeting
Wed., Oct. 25
6 p.m.
Ancient Rivers
2121 14th St NW

Please check back for agendas. BAC committee meetings are open to the public. Save the date for the Nov. 1 general meeting at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW.