Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in August:

The BAC enjoyed meeting a few dozen D.C. bicyclists at our Aug. 11 meet and greet. We held this social event to talk informally with D.C. residents interested in serving on the BAC. It was heartening to meet other bicyclists with a strong sense of civic participation. Please keep in touch with the BAC through the appointment process as we collectively work to fill the three vacant seats.

Timed to coincide with the meet and greet, the BAC published a Washington Post op-ed entitled "Cities belong to people, not cars."

BAC representatives attended the Maryland Avenue NE redesign meeting on Aug. 10. Formally known as the Maryland Avenue NE Pedestrian Safety Project, the road diet will improve infrastructure and safe travel for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The BAC Facilities Committee held a "rolling meeting" ... in record heat. The Aug. 13 "real feel" of 120 degrees didn't stop the committee from doing its job and assessing K Street from northeast through downtown to Georgetown.

In the comfort of air conditioned cafes, the Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee met on Aug. 15 and the Legislative Committee met on Aug. 17.

Council chairman Phil Mendelson swore in a new BAC member on Aug. 24. Bob Summersgill joins the BAC representing Councilmember David Grosso. Former BAC member Erik Kugler resigned from this seat after years of honorable service.

This month: September activities

The BAC holds its bimonthly meeting on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor. The meeting is open to the public.

The BAC is attending and/or monitoring several public meetings:

Crosstown Multimodal Transportation Study meeting on Sept. 13. This is a project to improve travel between Brookland and Columbia Heights via bicycle and other modes.

Long Bridge project meeting on Sept. 14, studying the replacement of the trans-Potomac bridge with possible bicycle facilities and connections.

Cleveland Park Streetscape and Drainage Improvement Project meeting on Sept. 15. According to DDOT, the project seeks to "address the recurring flooding problem near the Cleveland Park Metro Station, improve pedestrian safety, access and visibility at all intersections, and upgrade public amenities (curb ramps, adding bike racks, benches and tree boxes)."

The uptown Metropolitan Police Department community bike ride on Sept. 10 at 9 a.m., departing from the Takoma Metro station. The MPD Fourth District is hosting the 10-mile ride, ending with a barbecue at Emery Recreation Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW). The Fourth District includes the communities of Carter Baron, 16th Street Heights, Fort Totten, Lamond/Riggs, Shepherd Park, Takoma and Petworth.

The downtown Metropolitan Police Department community bike ride on Sept. 17 at 11 a.m., departing from Logan Circle at 13th and P Streets NW. The hourlong ride will traverse Logan and Dupont Circles.

Car-free Day on Sept. 22 quantifies the number of people commuting by bicycle and other modes. Sign up for Team Bike and be counted.

Downtown West Transportation Planning Study meeting on Sept. 28. This study is assessing bicycle, pedestrian and bus improvements on H and I Streets near Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to Columbus Circle.