D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council

The BAC welcomes new appointee Bob Summersgill, who Council Chairman Phil Mendelson swore into office tonight. Summersgill represents At-large Councilmember David Grosso. CM Grosso's former appointee, Erik Kugler, resigned from the BAC and Councilmember Grosso appointed Summersgill to the seat. The BAC is grateful to Kugler for his service on the BAC. Thank you, Erik, for your decades of dedication to D.C.'s bicyclists. If you don't know Bob and you didn't meet him at this month's community meet and greet or committee meetings, you'll see him at our Sept. 7 general meeting. Welcome aboard, Bob!

Thank you, D.C. bicyclists, for an exciting Aug. 11. It began with publication of our online op-ed in the Washington Post and ended with the pleasure of meeting dozens of D.C. bicyclists for our summer social. It was inspiring to see such interest in the BAC and willingness to serve on our council. View a few more pictures in this album. Please stay in touch with us through the appointment process and in person. August committee meetings are Aug. 13, 15 and 17, as outlined here. Our next full council meeting is Sept. 7.

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in July: The BAC held its regular bimonthly meeting on July 6. The main agency report came from DDOT's trails coordinator, who updated about the Rock Creek Park rehabilitation project (involving DDOT and the National Park Service ) and the proposed New York Avenue NE trail between NoMa and the National Arboretum. The BAC monitored the July 12 D.C. Council vote on the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, known as the contributory negligence bill. The BAC issued a statement which was quoted in the  Washington City Paper. The BAC will continue to monitor the bill when it is scheduled for a second vote in the fall. A BAC representative attended the monthly D.C. Pedestrian Advisory Council meeting on July 25. The main agency reports came from the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Metropolitan Police Department. A BAC representative attended a July 26 meeting to discuss ways to improve transportation in Ward 7. The meeting...

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

The BAC is holding a community meet and greet on Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Shaw. The public is invited to join us at Right Proper Brewing Co. (624 T St NW) for informal happy hour conversation about the BAC. Come to learn about the BAC and the ways D.C. residents can serve. We'll also have brochures and experts available to help teach beginners about bicycle commuting as an alternative to Metrorail closures and delays. BAC Community Meet and Greet Thurs., Aug. 11, 2016 5:30-8 p.m. Right Proper Brewing Co. 624 T St NW RSVP The BAC represents the interests of bicyclists in D.C. governmental affairs. The BAC is an official public commission that advises the D.C. Council on bicycle-related transportation matters. The BAC evaluates legislation, policy and transportation infrastructure and makes advisory recommendations to the Council. The BAC is comprised of 13 D.C. residents who are voting members. D.C. councilmembers each appoint one resident to the BAC. D.C. residents ...

Bicycle Advisory Council chair David Cranor today issued the following statement in response to the D.C. Council vote in support of contributory negligence reform. The legislation, the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, will be enacted pending a second affirmative Council vote, anticipated in the fall. The act would permit bicyclists and pedestrians to receive compensation from a driver's insurance as long as the non-motorized party is less than 50 percent at fault. Under current law, a bicyclist or pedestrian deemed 1 percent at fault is ineligible for any compensation. This contributory negligence policy would be replaced by a form of comparative negligence. Said BAC chair Cranor: "The Bicycle Advisory Council supports this measure. The consequences of a crash between a cyclist and driver are often unevenly distributed, with the cyclist generally bearing the greater burden. Under current law, cyclists also generally bear the greater financial burden even w...

The Bicycle Advisory Council meets on July 6, 2016 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th Floor. The meeting agenda is as follows. 6:00 p.m. Call to Order; Introductions; Approve minutes 6:10 Legislation - Mike Forester - Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016      First vote delayed until July 12; possible amendment - Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2016      Second vote passed; awaiting mayoral signature - Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016      Sent to committee 6:40 Facilities - Jeanie Osburn - NY Avenue NE Rail-with-Trail walking tour - DDOT report (Rock Creek Trail rehab, NY Avenue NE Trail and VRE, L Street NW Safe Accommodations) - East Capitol Street Bridge rehab      DDOT needs to rework bridge, keep open during construction      Possible connection of southeast span - Monroe Street Bridge Reconstruction      Long bike detour mapp...