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

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in June:

BAC members joined DDOT staff and other stakeholders to survey high-crash intersections in June. At six sites over four days, public officials and community leaders gathered to observe the infrastructure and multimodal traffic flow and make recommendations to improve safety.

The intersections were Massachusetts and Observatory NW, Connecticut and R NW, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Good Hope SE, Southern and Wheeler SE, 9th and U NW, and 3rd and D NW.

BAC Ward 1 member Emily Oaskford, leaning against lightpole, at 9th and U NW. Photo by @DCVisionZero.

BAC member Jeff Johnson at 3rd and D NW. Johnson is pictured at center between the DDOT personnel in vests. Photo by @DCVisionZero.

These were the most recent site visits to improve road safety and decrease fatalities and serious injuries, the basis of D.C.'s Vision Zero program. Previous field visits are summarized in these 2015 and 2016 reports.

In other news, the BAC Planning Committee submitted official amendments to the D.C. Comprehensive Plan. Through the spring, the Office of Planning invited the public to propose changes to the core document guiding D.C.'s growth and development. In March, the full BAC received a briefing on the process.

The newly formed Planning Committee then convened to study the existing document and propose changes to the bicycle-related provisions. This was the first BAC project overseen by Mt. Pleasant resident John Serrao, who volunteered to chair the new committee last year.

Serrao led several committee meetings this spring at The Potter's House in Adams Morgan. BAC members attended the in-person meetings and collaborated through an online document to give input that Serrao ultimately edited into official BAC amendment proposals by the June 23 deadline.

Planning Committee chair John Serrao at The Potter's House

A D.C. bicyclist for more than a decade, Serrao got involved in the BAC on the recommendation of a friend in the transportation sector. An eye-opening experience with a novice bicyclist pushed him to step up and take action.

"I really understood how unsafe it can be to bike when my sister-in-law moved here last year," said Serrao. "I took her on a ride and she asked me, 'How do you do this?' I knew I had to do something to improve bicycling in D.C."

Under Serrao's leadership, the committee will continue to work on other projects in the coming months. Meetings are open to the public, as is committee membership. D.C. bicyclists are encouraged to attend committee and full BAC meetings.

Also in June, the BAC's Facilities Committee went on a fact-finding ride through Capitol Hill and the Legislative Committee held its regular meeting.

This month: July activities

The BAC is pleased to welcome DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo to its July 12 meeting. The meeting takes place 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 BAC will suspend most routine business to focus on discussion with Director Dormsjo. The agenda is here.

The BAC will also monitor and/or attend the Ward 5 transportation roundtable on July 13 and the July 20 meeting of the Downtown West Transportation Planning Study.

BAC July 2017 meeting

The BAC meets on July 12 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
7/12/17 Meeting Agenda 

1. Call to order; introductions

2. Discussion with DDOT Director Leif Dormsjo
• Questions from BAC appointees
• Public comment

3. DDOT staff report

4. MPD report

5. Facilities Committee report

6. Legislative Committee report

7. Planning Committee report

8. Approval of minutes

9. Adjournment

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