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...

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in November: The BAC spent November in meetings and more meetings. The council held its regular bimonthly meeting on Nov. 2. It attended meetings concerning the Capital Trails Coalition, the proposed K Street streetcar route from Union Station to Georgetown, redesign of Ward Circle at American University, DDOT's Far SE III Livability Study and the Kenilworth section of the Anacostia River Trail. The BAC submitted public comment about the Union Station expansion, outlining the need for improved bicycle facilities, access and connectivity. The BAC recognized the Nov. 15 passage of the Specialty License Plate Amendment Act of 2016, which includes a bicycle awareness license plate measure authored by Councilmember Charles Allen. The license plate will display an image and language emphasizing the three-foot passing rule. The BAC joined Councilmember Elissa Silverman and other officials on a Veteran's Day ride on the new section of the Ana...

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in October: The BAC welcomed a new member, as Casey Studhalter was appointed to represent Ward 7. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson swore in Casey at an Oct. 12 ceremony, pictured above. By day, Casey is a project manager for the U.S. Green Building Council. With Councilmember Mary Cheh by her side, Mayor Muriel Bowser signs the comparative negligence bill On Oct. 13, the BAC attended the launch of the Capital Trails Coalition. That evening, the BAC joined Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Cheh at the signing ceremony for the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, commonly known as the comparative negligence bill. Studying plans to redesign Dave Thomas Circle in NoMa  All three BAC committees met the week of Oct. 17. The Facilities Committee held a "rolling" meeting to survey infrastructure in NE at Dave Thomas Circle and Trinidad, pictured above. The BAC attended an Oct. 19 public meeting on the Union Station Expansion...

The BAC meets on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below. Bicycle Advisory Council 11/2/16 Meeting Agenda  1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes 2. Administration and communications Appointments and nominations for FY17 chair Committee chairs Committee members Capital Trails Coalition: formal vote to join BAC financial report Outreach/partnership with ANC office to educate newly elected commissioners about BAC 3. Facilities Committee report Reports October rolling meeting Councilmember Todd's 11/6 ride with WABA Meetings and projects Union Station expansion and comments Far SE III study: 11/2 community advisory group meeting and 11/19 public workshop  Downtown West   AU Ward Circle meeting 11/17 DDOT report DC's League of American Bicyclists rating - what did LAB say we need to work on, and how is DDOT approaching that? 4....

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in September: New participants attended the BAC's Sept. 7 meeting, filling the table with new energy and ideas.  New members of the public joined the BAC at its Sept. 7 bimonthly meeting, the result of the BAC's efforts to increase public awareness of its function and to fill its vacant seats. Speaking individually, a BAC member testified at a Sept. 19 Transportation and the Environment Committee hearing on the Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016. The BAC applauded D.C. Council passage of the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016 on Sept. 20. The legislation, known as comparative negligence, institutes a more fair system for cyclist and pedestrian compensation in collisions with vehicles. The BAC attended a Sept. 28 meeting about the Downtown West Transportation Planning Study. The BAC serves on the community advisory group for this project, which is assessing bicycle, pedestrian and bus impr...

Highlights of the BAC's mid-month activity. Contributory negligence reform passes At today's Legislative meeting, the Council passed the contributory negligence bill, officially termed the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016. It awaits mayoral signature and the standard 30-day congressional review before it becomes law. Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016 Speaking individually, BAC member Bob Summersgill delivered the following testimony at yesterday's Transportation and the Environment Committee hearing: Testimony on Bill 21-0759 Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016 By Bob Summersgill for the Bicycle Advisory Council Chairman Cheh: Thank you for holding this hearing. I am Bob Summersgill, a member of the Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC), appointed by Councilmember David Grosso. All the members of the BAC support this legislation. The bill will allow car owners to buy specialty lic...

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in August: The BAC enjoyed meeting a few dozen D.C. bicyclists at our Aug. 11 meet and greet. We held this social event to talk informally with D.C. residents interested in serving on the BAC. It was heartening to meet other bicyclists with a strong sense of civic participation. Please keep in touch with the BAC through the appointment process as we collectively work to fill the three vacant seats. Timed to coincide with the meet and greet, the BAC published a Washington Post op-ed entitled "Cities belong to people, not cars." BAC representatives attended the Maryland Avenue NE redesign meeting on Aug. 10. Formally known as the Maryland Avenue NE Pedestrian Safety Project, the road diet will improve infrastructure and safe travel for bicyclists and pedestrians. The BAC Facilities Committee held a "rolling meeting" ... in record heat. The Aug. 13 "real feel" of 120 degrees didn't stop the committee from doing...