Thursday, July 28, 2016

Meet the BAC and apply to serve

The BAC is holding a community meet and greet on Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Shaw. The public is invited to join us at Right Proper Brewing Co. (624 T St NW) for informal happy hour conversation about the BAC. Come to learn about the BAC and the ways D.C. residents can serve.

We'll also have brochures and experts available to help teach beginners about bicycle commuting as an alternative to Metrorail closures and delays.

BAC Community Meet and Greet
Thurs., Aug. 11, 2016
5:30-8 p.m.
Right Proper Brewing Co.
624 T St NW
RSVP

The BAC represents the interests of bicyclists in D.C. governmental affairs. The BAC is an official public commission that advises the D.C. Council on bicycle-related transportation matters.

The BAC evaluates legislation, policy and transportation infrastructure and makes advisory recommendations to the Council.

The BAC is comprised of 13 D.C. residents who are voting members. D.C. councilmembers each appoint one resident to the BAC.

D.C. residents with an interest in bicycling are invited to apply for vacant seats on the council. Begin by viewing the application and bringing your questions to the Aug. 11 event. If you can't attend, email us at dcbicyclecouncil-gmail-com.

BAC members are expected to attend bimonthly meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of odd-numbered months at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor. Members are urged to serve on a committee, all of which meet in even-numbered months. The committees are Legislative, Facilities and Safety, Education and Enforcement. Committee membership is open to the public. D.C. residents may serve on committees without holding a formal BAC appointment.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

BAC statement in support of contributory negligence reform

Bicycle Advisory Council chair David Cranor today issued the following statement in response to the D.C. Council vote in support of contributory negligence reform.

The legislation, the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, will be enacted pending a second affirmative Council vote, anticipated in the fall. The act would permit bicyclists and pedestrians to receive compensation from a driver's insurance as long as the non-motorized party is less than 50 percent at fault. Under current law, a bicyclist or pedestrian deemed 1 percent at fault is ineligible for any compensation. This contributory negligence policy would be replaced by a form of comparative negligence.

Said BAC chair Cranor:

"The Bicycle Advisory Council supports this measure. The consequences of a crash between a cyclist and driver are often unevenly distributed, with the cyclist generally bearing the greater burden. Under current law, cyclists also generally bear the greater financial burden even when other parties might be more at fault. This is wholly unfair. Changing the law does not change the distribution of risk, but brings the law more in line with our sense of fairness. The BAC applauds and supports the District's goal of creating a safer and more bicycle-friendly community and we believe that this law is a significant step in that direction."

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

BAC meeting agenda for July 6

The Bicycle Advisory Council meets on July 6, 2016 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th Floor.

The meeting agenda is as follows.

6:00 p.m. Call to Order; Introductions; Approve minutes

6:10 Legislation - Mike Forester
- Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016
     First vote delayed until July 12; possible amendment
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2016
     Second vote passed; awaiting mayoral signature
- Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016
     Sent to committee

6:40 Facilities - Jeanie Osburn
- NY Avenue NE Rail-with-Trail walking tour
- DDOT report (Rock Creek Trail rehab, NY Avenue NE Trail and VRE, L Street NW Safe Accommodations)
- East Capitol Street Bridge rehab
     DDOT needs to rework bridge, keep open during construction
     Possible connection of southeast span
- Monroe Street Bridge Reconstruction
     Long bike detour mapped, but bridge will remain open
     Traffic light added where MBT meets Monroe Street
- Far Southeast III Livability Study
- Crosstown multimodal traffic study
- Downtown West Transportation Planning Study - David Alexander

7:10 Safety and Security - Ellen/Andrea
- Stolen bikes; invite MPD to next meeting to discuss?

7:40 Vision Zero advocates update - David Cranor

7:50 Walk-on topics - David Cranor

8:00 Adjournment - David Cranor

BAC meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. Once inside, take the south elevators on the right to the 11th floor. The Judiciary Square Metro station and a Capital Bikeshare station are immediately in front of the building.