D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council

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 Oaksford, 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 Pla...

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...

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 a...

The next bimonthly BAC meeting is Wednesday, May 7, 2014 beginning at 6pm. We will return to the One Judiciary Square building, 441 4th Street NW.  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 with a senior National Park Service (NPS) planner for  National Capital region. We will discuss the current status of certain NPS projects as well as plans for the future. This person has no authority or responsibility over any given park within the region, except as matters relate to planning. The representative will share NPS' plans to update the 1990 Paved Trails of the National Capital Region: Recommendations for Improvements and Coordination to Form a Metropolitan Multi-Use Trail System , which can be found here . Again, the meeting will revolve only around NPS planning and not focus on park maintenance, policy, or enforcement. We al...

The Committee on Transportation and the Environment will hold a public roundtable on the Bicycle Infrastructure Master Plan , Monday, December 16, 2013 at 11:00 AM in Room 500 of the John A.Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The Committee invites the public to testify to help inform the Council and the District regarding the future of bicycling in the District. BAC invites cyclists to either testify in-person, submit a written statement or attend the hearing. The hearing will also be televised local cable channel 13 and online . If you have thoughts about the plan, please let us know in the comments below or twitter @DCBAC using the #DCBikePlan hashtag. According to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the current Bicycle Master Plan established basic goals and an implementation strategy for creating high-quality bicycle facilities and programs during a 10 year period.  That plan was published by  DDOT in 2005 and does not include many improve...

As the WeMoveDC process begins its transition from the information gathering to the planning stage, the ideas that they've gathered from thousands of District residents are now coming together - on maps. In anticipation of WeMoveDC's third round of  Workshops – Ideas to moveDC - beginning October 21, BAC has obtained a draft version of the WeMoveDC maps that list ideas and approached for the District's bicycle facilities (displayed below). There are a lot of moving parts in this process, but thanks to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), we now have maps that break them into component as well as composite maps. BAC would like #BikeDC to look at these maps and either tell us what you think or tell WeMoveDC at its upcoming meetings. We'd also like you to note if anything should be included, for example, with all these new routes, what about safe, secure bicycle parking? WeMoveDC has three approaches or alternatives loosely based on themes of 1) Stay ...

Prior to July 1, there were no provisions for bicycle parking near for the July 4 Independence Day celebration on the National Mall. BAC drew attention to this issue and appears that bike parking is now available. The July 4th festivities on the National Mall allow visitors and those who live in the greater Washington area, the opportunity to celebrate the nation's independence. However, given the enhanced security checkpoints surrounding the area, getting to the Mall is nothing to celebrate. With Metrorail setting  ridership records and well has suffering break downs routinely, visitors and residents turned to bicycles. In prior years, the National Park Service (NPS) contracted with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association to manage bike valets at large Mall events like the Presidential Inauguration, the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Independence Day celebrations. As of July 1, GoDCGo , which is a transportation initiative sponsored by the District Department of Trans...

Beginning this January, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in conjunction with local organizations, will discuss how the District will continue its progress to incorporate multiple transportation modes on District streets. Called WeMoveDC , the project hopes to develop a multimodal long range transportation plan for District residents and visitors that incorporates biking, walking, driving and transit. While the WeMoveDC website becomes fully operational January 15, DDOT plans to discuss the project at a symposium February 9, 2013, with time and location to be announced at a later date. Below is a brief video from the WeMoveDC website: According to a DDOT official, this comprehensive plan will effectively replace the District’s Bicycle Master Plan issued in 2005 and likely the 2009 Pedestrian Master Plan .  In their place, the WeMoveDC process would integrate bicycling, pedestrian and other transportation modes into the design and construction of all transpor...

The District, through the Office of Planning , is currently holding meetings to discuss draft revisions to the District's the zoning code. Among several proposed changes, the zoning revision will update parking regulations for vehicle parking and bicycle parking.   The vehicle parking changes – eliminating minimums in transit-rich areas - will likely be the most contested.  This process could be on interest to bicyclists because it could reduce the space available for automobile parking and increase bicycle parking and infrastructure as well as increasing pedestrian and transit access. The Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) is working with WABA and other organizations to draw attention to the issue and to invite the public to attend meetings held in each Ward. CSG has created a petition that contains the main talking points for the zoning update.  For those not able to attend the meetings, two Twitter Town Halls are scheduled, on Monday, December 14 2...

Image from DDOT's M Street SE-SW Transportation Study page Please join the Bicycle Advisory Council's Facilities Committee (BAC-FAC) on a ride or 'rolling meeting', October 27, 2012. We will explore the M and I (Eye) Streets SE / SW corridor on beginning at 1pm at Waterfront Metrorail station , near 4th and M Streets SW.  The purpose of this ride is to review the current conditions and develop options for bicycle and pedestrian consideration in this area as suggested by the District Department of Transportation September meeting regarding the M Street SE-SW Transportation Study . BAC-FAC would like your thoughts on what bicycling facilities should be considered for this area and your concerns about road safety, signage, pedestrian access, vehicle parking and other issues that affect this area. The ride will go east on M Street SW and pick up Eye Street, while making stops and notes as we head back west to Waterfront Metro. From there we will optionally...

Thursday, September 14, 2012 was the third and reportedly final meeting regarding the M Street Southeast / Southwest Transportation Study. Sponsored by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the purpose of the meeting was to show the public major alternatives and metrics used to to recreate the streetscape on M Street and selected adjacent streets in that area in the near term and over the next 20 to 30 years. According to the meeting documentation , the M Street corridor, a roughly 1.7-square-mile area along M Street SE/SW, and the Southwest waterfront from 12th Street, SE to 14th Street, SW and from the Southwest / Southeast Freeway south to the Anacostia River / Washington Channel, will experience a dramatic increase in the residential and commercial population. Upon initial review, it appears that each alternative appears problematic.  Of the three alternatives presented, only alternative two included provisions for a cycletrack located on M Street....

Wednesday, July 11 starting at 6pm, the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council hold its regularly scheduled bimonthly meeting. The meeting will take place at 441 4th Street, NW at One Judiciary Square, in Room 1114, which is on the 11th floor. As always, we want to hear from public thinks about bicycling in the District so we encourage you to attend. Update: Below is a draft agenda. Welcome and Introductions – 5 Minutes Questions & Comments from members of the public – 20 Minutes Approval of the Minutes – 5 Minutes Bicycle Element of the DC Multi-Modal Transportation Planning Project – 30 minutes Committee Reports – 30 Minutes New Business – 30 Minutes Proposed parking zoning regulation changes impact on bicycle parking Other When entering the building, please turn right after passing the security checkpoint and use the south set of elevators.  Please bring government-issued identification.

Saturday, April 14, 2012, the BAC Facilities Committee will hold a "rolling meeting" along Rhode Island Avenue, NE . The ride will begin at Logan Circle around 1:00p go to Eastern Avenue and then return to Logan Circle.  We invite you to attend  to ask questions or just have fun on a ride. Please see a map of the route . This ride is in partnership with the Friends of Rhode Island Avenue , a volunteer community organization that works to raise awareness of this corridor and to advocate for its positive redevelopment. The ride will have a rest stop at Rita's Italian Ice , 2318 Rhode Island Avenue (at Kerney Street NE). Rita's is a member of Friends of Rhode Island Avenue and will offering  a free cup of  water ice to all who join the ride. The total distance is approximately 8 miles and contains sections of hilly terrain. Specifically: eastbound (toward Maryland), from about 1st Street NW to Summit Place NE and from the The B&O Bridge (Red Line Metr...

The Facilities Committee within the DC Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) plans to continue its focus on the challenges of bicyclists who travel to, from and within Ward 7 and Ward 8 this year.  BAC would like to hear from the people who live, work and play on the east side of the Anacostia River so that we can work with you to voice your concerns as decisions are being made for spending for next year's budget. Feel free to enter your suggestions in the comments section below.

Bikes cueing Photo by theDCeye The Sustainable DC Working group is an effort by the District government to make a city that makes better and lasting environmentally progressive decisions. The transportation group is meeting at 441 4th St, NW (One Judiciary Square), Room 1114 from 6p to 8p Thursday, December 15.

At the BAC Facilities meeting held Tuesday, December 6, District Department of Transportation staff introduced a proposed map of bike lanes to be added to the system in 2012. The following map contains proposed bike infrastructure  improvements / ideas that could be implemented  within the District some time in calendar year 2012.  The items in red are improvements proposed for 2011 but not completed. DDOT hopes to include those routes in 2012.   One of the proposed routes include L and M Streets between Pennsylvania Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue NW.  While these lanes were planned for some time, the bike community voiced concern when Terry Bellamy said during his confirmation hearing as director of the DDOT  that the dedicated lanes were "on hold" and at the risk of cancellation, as reported by Washington Examiner and other information outlets.  Also, you can overlay the current bike lanes on the map. Click the larger view of this ma...

Below is a public notice regarding the Rock Creek Park Trail as sent to the DC Bicyclists and Pedestrians List by the DDOT Bicycle program manager, James Sebastian.  BAC encourages the public to comment on this public facility that serves thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists in the region and allows for the safe access of Rock Creek Park. Map from NP This is the second meeting regarding the rehabilitation of this section of the trail. The open house and subsequent presentation will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus, Auditorium , 3101 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20010 from 6:00p to 8:00p. The rehabilitation project cover the main trail and at least two tributaries, from Broad Branch Road, NW to P Street, NW.  It also includes the addition of new connections to the trail from the surrounding communities. The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the District of Columbia ...

The next Safety, Education, and Enforcement Committee meeting will be Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 6:30pm. The location will be Teasim at 400 8th St  NW.  The committee will meet in the basement. The agenda for the meeting will be: - Report on MPD outreach and education campaign (Lt. Breul) - Follow-up on Police Complaints Board report and Council hearing to-do items (Jameel) - Safety at the tweed ride (Randall) - City budget development around safety programs For more information about the meeting, please contact Jameel Alsalam , committee chair and Ward 4 representative.

The Facilities Committee of the Bicycle Advisory Council will meet Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 PM at RFD, 810 7th St. NW (near Gallery Place  Metro). This will be one of only two sit-down meetings during the calendar year. Topics on the agenda include: -2012 bike lanes -Bicycle parking -Effective means of communicating input from rolling meetings -Effective means of assuring DDOT designers involve bike/ped office in  planning -Budget issues including getting routine maintenance of all bike trails and bike lanes For more information about the meeting, please contact Jeanie Osburn Ward 5 Representative and Facilities Committee chair you plan to attend or if you have other topics that you'd like addressed.

Pennsylvania Avenue intersection via Mike Goodno (DDOT) Mike Goodno , Bicycle Program Specialist within the Policy, Planning and Sustainability Administration of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) would like to know what bicyclists think about the proposal to remove the flexible protective white posts (safety bollards) near the ends of each intersection along the bicycling lanes in the center of Pennsylvania Avenue during snow season. DDOT is planning a strategy to clear the bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue because the bollards ensure that cars do not encroach into the bike lanes, especially when making left turns. This information my also be considered useful as for other bike lanes and cycletracks.   Mr. Gooodno posted the following message on the BAC group page: ...with the flexible posts and the center traffic lights, there is not enough space for a snowplow. We are considering removing the posts within the next few weeks and re-installing them in the ...