D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council

How should DC’s automated traffic enforcement program be designed to maximize roadway safety while minimizing public perception that the program is unfair, punitive, or designed to maximize revenue? CMs Tommy Wells and Mary Cheh are co-chairing a task force to recommend legislative changes to the automated (camera) traffic enforcement program to better meet this goal. At the recent meeting of the BAC Safety, Education, and Enforcement Committee, a number of possibilities were discussed.  Opinions on various proposals varied widely, however, the committee had broad agreement on two ideas which we decided to prioritize: 1) improving the justification of locations based on safety issues and 2) graduated fines for initial offenses (e.g., first one or first one at a particular location). Note that the table includes several ideas with comments which were not discussed at the meeting (because they have been raised since the meeting). Priority Proposals Comments Justification of...

The bimonthly legislative committee meeting at Union Pub on Capitol Hill has been canceled. The next meeting will be held in October. Please let us know if you have questions.

This post serves as notes from the June meeting of the BAC SEE Comittee. I apologize for not recording attendees. Over the last month, the BAC Safety, Education and Enforcment Committee has been extremely busy. On May 30, the DC Council Committee on the Judiciary had a hearing on pedestrian and bicycle safety. [link here: http://dcbac.blogspot.com/2012/05/bac-testifies-at-dc-council-hearing-on.html ] One of the big outcomes of that meeting was that CM Phil Mendelson (now council chair) asked MPD, BAC, PAC, and WABA to work together to put together proposals for traffic safety benchmarks. Since then, there has been a flurry of work on this issue by BAC and PAC. Second, we’ve been building relationships with the MPD District Captains responsible for coordinating traffic enforcement in their districts - please help build up these relationships. Third, we discussed the current state of bicycle theft data and some of the work being done to combat bike theft. Action needed : Please prov...

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.

Below are meeting notes from the bi-monthly Legislative Committee meeting held at Busboys and Poets @ 5th and K streets NW June 20, 2012.   ---   Second-hand bike sale: We discussed current regulations relating to 2nd hand bike sales. Currently 2nd-hand bike sales occur online at sites like Craigslist. It's agreed that this is a deterrent to people buying bikes - since many people don't feel they have the knowledge to buy in a "buyer beware" situation like that; while not serving to deter bike theft. (In addition the second-hand market is not taxed).  Shane Farthing of WABA had a specific purpose in seeking to change the regulations, because doing so might help certain non-profits that would like to buy and sell bikes as part of their model. It was also agreed that the lack of a legitimate 2nd-hand market, as exists in other cities, might be indicative of onerous regulations. Erik Kugler of Bicycle Space was in attendence, and while he said...

On Saturday 6/23, the DC BAC Facilities Committee explored bike accessibility and connectivity to commercial areas along Georgia Avenue. Building walkable and bikeable communities is an important part of supporting local jobs - but to make it work, we need to make sure that people can get to commercial areas easily. Ride Attendees : Jeanie Osburn - Ward 5 BAC representative Randall Myers - At-large BAC representative Jameel Alsalam - Ward 4 BAC representative Nathan Picotte - Ward 4 resident Julianne Horn - Ward 4 resident On the ride, we visited : 1) 8th Street signed bike route 2) Walmart development site at Georgia and Missouri 3) Walter Reed development site 4) Crossing Rock Creek Park We want to send a special thanks to Coucilmember Muriel Bowser and staff members Judi Gold and Brandon Todd who joined us for the beginning of the ride. CM Bowser shared with us her priorities: expanding access to Capital Bikeshare in Ward 4, and ensuring that bicycling is an attractiv...

Please join the Bicycle Advisory Council's Facilities Committee (BAC-FAC) on a ride or 'rolling meeting' on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The ride will beginning at 1:30 PM near the Capital BikeShare station at the corner of 9th Street and Upshur NW. On this ride, the Committee will examine bike accessibility and connectivity to commercial  areas in Ward 4, particularly along Georgia Avenue NW and including the Walter Reed and Walmart development sites. BAC-FAC would like your thoughts on what bicycling facilities should be considered for this area and your concerns about road safety, signage or other issues. Please contact Jameel Alsalam ( ward4@dcbac.org ) or Jeanie Osburn ( ward5@dcbac.org ) if you have questions about the ride.  Thanks and we look forward to seeing you.