DDOT Issues a Statement Regarding Bicycle Facilities After Winter Storm Jonas

Photo: @ranpuba

James Sebastian, District Department of
Transportation (DDOT) bicycle program manager, issued an email this morning regarding the impact of this weekend's blizzard and the clearing of snow from the District's bicycle infrastructure.

Key points:

• Much of the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Pennsylvania Avenue Protected bike lanes are clear. It could be several days before other trails and protected lanes are clear of snow
  
• Bike lanes on many streets will remain snow covered for several days as parked cars inhibit clearing
• DPW and DDOT crews are working to clear bridge sidewalks
• Capital Bikeshare is closed until further notice as crew work to clear snow from stations
• Use the 311 app to report uncleared facilities or email jim.sebastian@dc.gov

Please see the full email below:

BAC-PAC-DDOT FY 2015-2016 Performance Oversight Hearing

Photo: @ranpuba

The Council of the District of Columbia has released its Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Performance Oversight Hearings schedule.

The Bicycle Advisory Council, as well as the Pedestrian Advisory Council and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will provide testimony before the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Council member Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3).

The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 29, 2016, in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW at 11:00 am.

The purpose of the Performance Oversight Hearings is to allow the Council to ask questions regarding the current operations of District agencies, committees, and other government organizations. The Council looks at current fiscal year operations, which began October 1, 2015, as well as operations during the previous year. As always, we invite you to testify at the hearing or tell BAC some of the issues and progress #BikeDC has experienced this year. This would include the maintenance of the current bicycle facilities, plans for expanding the infrastructure, and your thoughts about make bicycling easier and safer for current and future users.

DDOT Releases Report on High Crash Intersection Site Visits

In August of 2015, the District of Transportation (DDOT) in partnership with Council Member Mary Cheh, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, initiated visits to 5 District intersections that have experienced high crash rates, injuries or fatalities.  That report, "High Crash Intersection Site Visits Summary and Next Steps" was recently released by DDOT.

BAC, along with the Pedestrian Advisory Council, local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and other concerned groups met DDOT staff at these locations and discussed the potential reasons behind crashes and to help determine the best possible solutions for their elimination. Many sites listed in the report have been visited by the BAC Facilities Committee.

Safety Committee Meeting - February 3, 2016

Photo: @Ranpuba

The DC Bicycle Advisory Council Safety Committee will meet with Sgt. Terry Thorn of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Wednesday, February 3rd, 6pm at the Traffic Safety and Special Enforcement Branch, 501 New York Ave., NW, located at the intersection of New York Avenue and 5th Street NW.

We'll discuss MPD's training efforts on bicycle rules of the road and MPD's public education and safety programs conducted in 2015 and its plans for 2016.

Please join us. We will make time to discuss additional safety issues that you want to share. Please feel free to leave questions/suggestions in the comments.

General Council Meeting - January

Photo: Elvert Barnes

Join us for a General Council meeting at 6 p.m. this Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street NW,  Rm. 1117.

Agenda:

6:00pm Call to Order; Introductions; Approve minutes - David Cranor

6:10pm Election of new officers and search for admin staffer - David Cranor, Jeff Johnson

6:25pm Discussion of Vision Zero Regulations and testimony for Friday - Mike Forster

7:00pm Committee Reports - Jeannie, Mike Forster, Ellen/Andrea

7:30pm DDOT Report - New York Avenue Trail report. (New York Avenue Corridor Study - 2006)

7:50pm Walk-on topics - David Cranor

8:00pm Adjournment - David Cranor

Members of the public are welcome. The meeting is held in a government building so be prepared to show ID to enter. Once you pass the security checkpoint, please use the 'south' elevators on your right and go to the 11th floor. A Capital BikeShare station is located at the from of the building and the Judiciary Square Metro station is located at the entrance, as well as plenty of bike parking. 

If you cannot make it, feel free to reach out to us on Twitter (@DCBAC) or in the comments section.

Below are draft Vision Zero regulations: