D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council

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 remo...

Please save the dates for these BAC committee meetings and check back for meeting agendas. Facilities Committee rolling meeting Sat., Aug. 13, 2016 1:30-3:30 p.m. RSVP A fact-finding bicycle tour of K Street crosstown from east to west, beginning at 12th and K Streets NE. The ride will go through downtown to the Capital Crescent trailhead in Georgetown. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting Mon., Aug. 15, 2016 6-7:30 p.m. Busboys & Poets 1025 5th St NW RSVP The main agenda item is suggestions to reduce the risk of bike theft with guest speaker Phil Koopman of BicycleSPACE. Legislative Committee meeting Wed., Aug. 17, 2016 6-7 p.m. Teaism Penn Quarter 400 8th St NW RSVP

Photo: @Ranpuba The next Legislative Committee is scheduled for 6:00pm, April 27th at Teaism in Penn Quarter (400 8th Street NW). We will meet downstairs. The Legislative Committee Chair, Mike Forster, plans to discuss the following: Contributory Negligence legislation a bike sales tax holiday; and, a potential legislative fix to require DDOT to address dangerous intersections more quickly. If time permits, we will discuss other bike-related topics. If you have questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section or send contact us on Twitter .

Photo: @ranpuba The next Bicycle Advisory Council Facilities Committee meeting (BAC-FAC) is Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 6PM - 8PM at Union Station. The primary topic of discussion will be the proposed expansion of Union Station and its impact on bicycling facilities. We will assemble at the bike parking facility at on the west side of Union Station, at First Street NE, near Union Station Drive NE, by the Bike Station . After a discussion of conditions, we will proceed to Pizzeria Uno , on the second level, for the rest of the meeting. Agenda: Discussion of the current conditions of the existing bicycle parking at Union Station and Station's development plans as discussed at the Federal Railroad Administration's initial Public Scoping meeting held December 7, 2015. Discussion bike parking at Union Station. Discussion and consensus of preferred options for the proposed north/south corridor for eastern downtown. If you were unable to attend DDOT's public mee...

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 ex...

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.

Mark your calendars for the December BAC Facilities (BAC-FAC) Committee meeting Monday, December 14 starting at 6PM.   The meeting will be held at  Union Social , 100 Florida Avenue, NE., located across from the NOMA - Gallaudet Metrorail station on the red line. The closest bikeshare stations are along M Street NE at Delaware Avenue or 1st Street. The BAC-FAC agenda for this meeting includes: 1) Discussion of initial installation of temporary vs permanent bicycle facilities per the November BAC minutes. 2) DDOT plans for 2016 lane striping and other bike facilities 3) Suggestions for rides for 2016 4) Other topics As always, meetings are open to the public so feel free to bring your questions, suggestions, and an appetite. If you are unable to make the meeting, feel free to leave comments below or send a message to  @DCBAC . 

The next Legislative Committee is scheduled for 6:30pm, October 14th at Teaism in Penn Quarter  (400 8th Street NW) . We'll meet downstairs. There are two items to discuss: Council Member Cheh's Ominbus " Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2015 ". The comprehensive bill would require that the District provide more bicycle / pedestrian crash data, create a program that makes bicycling safer in high use areas, among other actions. Mayor Bowser's " Vision Zero Act of 2015 ". Vision Zero is a District-wide effort to eliminate transportation-related fatalities by 2024 through the effective use of data, education, enforcement, and engineering. This is a lot, as both laws have many moving parts, but if you have items you'd like to add, please let the us know in the comments section below.

Join us for a General Council meeting at 6:00 pm this Wednesday, September 2nd at One Judiciary Square,  441 4th St NW, Rm. 1107 .  Agenda: 1. Introductions 2. Approval of minutes 3. Committee reports & action items for the BAC 4. DDOT updates 5. Other Business & Announcements 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 below.

The Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Performance Oversight Hearings schedule has been released and the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Council member Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3), has placed the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council on the docket. This hearing gives residents an opportunity testify about bicycling in the District. The hearing is tentatively scheduled to begin 11:00am on Friday, March 6, 2014 in Room 412 in the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Also scheduled are the Pedestrian Advisory Council and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). The purpose of the Performance Oversight Hearings are 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, 2014, as well as operations during the previous year.

Come join the Facilities Committee for the last sitdown meeting of the season at Brookland Pint February 9th from 6 - 8pm. We will discuss the bike lanes planned by DDOT for installation this year, a proposed signed bike route, the updated summary of BAC FAC rides and follow up on our conversation last meeting about general facilities maintenance trends and options for improvement. As always, members of the public are encouraged to come, look for the group with a pile of helmets and outer layers! Brookland Pint is at 716 Monroe St NW, right next to the Brookland Metro stop, on the Metropolitan Branch Trail and there is Capital Bikeshare station nearby at 10th and Monroe St NE.  If you cannot attend the meeting, please leave use our comments section below or  @DCBAC  on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Dario Martinez UPDATE: The Legislative meeting has been postponed a week and now will be convening on February 11 at 6:30pm at Teaism. Come talk bikes with us! The Legislative Committee is holding its bimonthly meeting next week at Teaism. The agenda will include discussion of the Enhanced Penalties for Distracted Driving Amendment Act of 2015 recently introduced by CM Mendelson, and a broader conversation of distracted driving and riding on the sidewalk. When: 6:30 pm on February 4 11th, 2015 Where: Teaism Restuarant (400 8th St NW) As always, BAC meetings are open to the public and we encourage the sharing of your thoughts and questions. You can find us at Teaism by heading to the basement and looking for the pile of helmets and sweaters.  If you cannot attend the meeting, please leave use our comments section below or  @DCBAC  on Twitter.

New year, new resolutions and a revamped DCBAC website! We had an excellent General BAC meeting last Wednesday with updates from DDOT, Office of Planning, Arlington BAC and our committees. In the spirit of resolution for more frequent communication, I thought I'd post an update on our latest meeting for folks who don't want to read the 5 pages of meeting minutes. Snow removal - Bike lanes were done as a second round pass by the main line snow removal crew while the protected bike lanes were cleared by the bike planner staff of DDOT with a specialized plow. Detailed post to come. DDOT does not currently have a list of specific bike lanes they plan to build in 2015 but it should be coming soon. The Eastside Bikeway (east side of downtown) is not on contract currently but is in the plans for this year. The final 30% plan of the Fort Totten section of the MBT should be done by the end of 2015 while the Rhode Island Pedestrian Bridge has had its "soft" opening. The fin...

New year, new meeting! In keeping with our regular bimonthly schedule, there will be a Bicycle Advisory Council general meeting this Wednesday January 7 at 6pm.  We will be at the One Judiciary Square building, 441 4th Street NW, room 1114. As always, DCBAC meetings are open to the public and we invite you to participate in our discussion about the District's bicycling issues. We will be talking with Gilliian Burgess, of the Arlington BAC, about opportunities for cross jurisdictional collaboration so come ready to brainstorm! In addition, there will be an update from the Office of Planning on the Southwest Neighborhood Plan, Van Ness Vision Framework, and Adams Morgan Vision Framework, and updates from the BAC committees.  One Judiciary Square is a government building so please come prepared with photo ID. The conference room is right off the south elevator. There is plenty of bike parking at the entrance, in addition to a CaBi station and Metro station.  As alw...

October has come and gone somehow. Bad news for pumpkin sellers but good news for bikers - the bimonthly DCBAC general meeting is this week! Agenda will be posted later today but will likely  include:         Update on plans for Oxon Run Trail         Georgetown to Union Streetcar EA         New DC council members 441 4th St NW, Rm 1114 at 6pm. All are welcome. There is plenty of bike parking outside, as well as a Capital Bikeshare station and the Judiciary Square metro entrance. UPDATED AGENDA (11/4/14) 1.           Introductions 2.           DDOT report out on FY14 accomplishments and FY15 priorities 3.           Committee Reports       -           Legislative     ...

The next Legislative Committee meeting will be Wednesday, October 8th at 6:30 pm at the Teaism in Penn Quarter . Agenda items:     Update on the hearing of the “ Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Amendment Act of 2014 .” Next steps for the DCBAC regarding the streetcar regulations .  Drafting an “omnibus” letter for the new council and mayor, covering areas of DC law that could be improved. Potential topics include a safe stop act, BUI, distracted driving law reform, and the transit benefit act. If there are other suggestions for topics, please send them to be added to the agenda. Please feel free to contact the committee chair, David Cranor for meeting details or topics of discussion. We look forward to seeing you and having your input.

The next bimonthly BAC meeting is Wednesday, September 3, 2014 beginning at 6pm. We will be at the One Judiciary Square building, 441 4th Street NW, room 1114. As always, DCBAC meetings are open to the public and we invite you to participate in our discussion about the District's bicycling issues. Per our bylaws, we will hold an election for FY15 officers – chair, treasurer, secretary. Megan Kanagy has indicated her interest in the chairperson’s office. Jameel Alsalam is willing to stand for re-election as treasurer. The agenda is as follows: Introductions, including the new BAC support services contractor Approval of Minutes  Committee Reports  Treasurer’s Report  DDOT Updates  Other Business When entering the building, please make sure to bring government-issued identification and use the south elevators to get to the 11th floor conference room. Bicycle parking is available in front of the building and please remember to also bring your bike lock. Th...

In lieu of an August meeting, the legislative committee will meet next week, Thursday, July 10th at 7:00pm at Blue Jacket at Yard's Park . We will be discussing the proposed District Transit Authority , which proposes, among other things, the reorganization of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Specifically, this meeting will discuss  the proposal to move Capital BikeShare into the transit section and how a reorganization could better enhance bicycle facility development and maintenance as well as the safety and education efforts that DDOT undertakes. Depending on conditions, we may be inside or outside. Please feel free to contact the committee chair, David Cranor for meeting details or topics of discussion. We look forward to seeing you.  

The next bimonthly BAC meeting is Wednesday, July 2, 2014 beginning at 6pm. We will be at the One Judiciary Square building, 441 4th Street NW, room 1114.  As always, DCBAC meetings are open to the public and we invite you to participate in our discussion about the District's bicycling issues. This meeting will feature a discussion regarding the MoveDC plan as well as the following agenda items: Introductions Approval of Minutes  Committee Reports  Treasurer’s Report  DDOT Updates  Other Business When entering the building, please make sure to bring government-issued identification and use the south elevators to get to the 11th floor conference room. Bicycle parking is available in front of the building and please remember to also bring your bike lock. The closest Capital Bikeshare station is at the entrance of the building. As always, BAC meetings are open to the public and we encourage the sharing of your thoughts and your questions. If ...

This is just to remind folks we'll be doing our DC Bicycle Advisory  Council Facilities Committee (BAC FAC) ride tonight, Monday, June 23, 2014. We'll be exploring North / South  options in conjunction with DDOT's plans for improving transit along  the corridor.  We'll meet at 6PM at the bike racks at the Home Plate Entrance to Nationals Park (northeast corner of Potomac Ave and South Capitol Street). The Nats are away, so there shouldn't be much activity there tonight. Please contact Jeanie Osburn for more information about the ride or bicycle facilities concerns in your area. Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone you think is interested in sharing their ideas about bicycling in the District. Feel free to provide your comments below.