TheWashCycle

Monday Morning Commute - Free Fuji hybrid

Good morning

• If you're wondering about the building going up along the Met Branch Trail at V Street, it's the Carlos Rosario School, a three story public charter school focusing on workforce development. The construction project is scheduled to be completed in mid-August.
• Walking the tracks round-up
• Cycling in Washington in 1897
• University of Maryland students who hand in their commuter parking permits to DOTS can now receive a free bike and a refund worth 25 percent of the permit’s initial cost."The percentage of faculty, staff and students without commuter parking permits has grown to nearly 60 percent — up from less than 20 percent in 2005 — and DOTS officials are hoping to reduce the number even more. DOTS will give a brand-new, $200 Fuji hybrid bike along with a helmet, lights and U-lock to students who pledge to turn in their parking registration and agree to become ineligible for parking during the next academic year...“I want to get more people who don’t bike or who don’t bike regularly to consider it as a transport option,” Malone said. “People have already inquired. … We have 20 bikes, so this is available while supplies last.”Interested students must also take a 30-minute bike safety class with Michael Levengood, bikeUMD bicycle coordinator."
• Canal Place in Cumberland is trying to establish a trailhead  for the Great Allegheny Passage at the eastern edge of the Western Maryland Railway Station. “We are at mile zero for the towpath. We’re the midway point between Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. We need a nice trailhead,” The trailhead will include new signs, disabled access, two shelters, bike racks and benches. Ritchie has secured a meeting with CSX officials to try to establish an easement or memorandum of understanding that would allow Canal Place to utilize the railroad bridge that is currently off limits. 

Monday Morning Commute - Bicycle Easter Egg

Good morning

• What causes traffic?
• Arlnigton County's new wayfinding signs are up and they look good. DC has some new ones too I noticed, and I'll be posting photos of them later. 
• Easter was historically a big day for biking. (And, it appears they used the Examiner trick of mismatching the picture with the headline, In this case "Natives Shot Like Dogs")
• Neighbors are worried about how kids will access the new Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex in Fort Washington. One key connection might be the Henson Creek Trail. The trail will go under the new Bock Road bridge, which is under construction and is being raised six-feet to accommodate hiking and biking on the trail underneath.
• Austin's new bike map colors roads and trails by a level of comfort.
• "The findings from this paper indicate that while bicycle helmet laws are widespread and thought to be effective, the net effect of these laws on health outcomes is actually not straightforward. It is clear that there are offsetting behaviors and unintended consequences of these laws, and these effects need to be considered by policymakers."
• One possible effect of driverless (and thus mistake-free and crash-free, so the theory goes) cars might be Driverless cars will increase the appeal of walking and biking. I think we're much farther from driverless cars than perhaps the cheerleaders think we are, but it's interesting to conisder how much more people would bike if they didn't think it was possible to get hit by a car.
• "When asked to describe their bicycle in one word, many cyclists of all kinds use the word “freedom.” Nowhere is this description more appropriate than for the women who make up the Afghan National Women’s Cycling Team."

DC Bicycle Shops in 1903

I found this old DC directory from 1903. One interesting thing is that there are only 9 merchants listed under Automobiles (including the American Cycle Manufacturing Company, and thte Washington Electric Vehicle Transportation Company) and 64 under "Biycles and Sundries." A lot of these are just individuals listed by name (neighborhood mechanics?). But there are a few bicycle shops listed. These include:

Acme Repair and Bicycle Co - 1749 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

American Cycle Manufacturing Company - 819 14th Street NW

GPO Bicycle Repair Co - 33 H Street NW

National Cycle Works - 904 G Street NW

New York Bicycle Company - 424 9th Steet NW

The last two of those are, respectively, where the MLK library and J. Edgar Hoover buildings are today. 

The bike you need for the War on Cars

This is a pre-war publicity picture depicting marine paratrooper trials using a folding bike called "The Paratrooper". This picture was used by Westfield Mfg during and after the war in ads to promote their participation in the war effort.

"For several years war was brewing with Japan and the idea of a lightweight compact bike was being entertained by the US Military.  Almost two Years before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the US Marines were experimenting with take-apart bikes and used a Westfield made Compax in Marine Paratrooper trials. These tests would lead to the Paratrooper name and legend. The fact of the matter is the U.S. Military never approved these bikes for paratrooper use. This did not mean the makers of Columbia bicycles did not give up on the idea of selling these bikes to the military. Many were purchased by the military for use on bases."

A friend of mine and I often kick around the idea of a book about the history of bikes in the military. Working titile: "The Bikes of War"

Thursday Evening Commute - Girls Gone Broke

Good evening

• Union Station Plaza is complete. Construction included a block of bike lanes and a section of the MBT of a length shorter than Marquis Goodwin can jump. Still, that's progress.
• There were 126,398 CaBi trips and 135,458 miles traveled in January 2013. The number of trips increased by 2% from December 2012.
• LAB helps fund WABA's Women and Bicycles initiative.
• The Post has a lenghty piece on the future of professional cycling. I haven't read it yet.
• Some advocates think a bike fee may make sense. I would argue that cyclists already pay a sales tax on all their bicycle, accessory and service purchases. And sales taxes go to paying for infrastructure. So cyclists already pay a bike fee. The question is, should they pay a larger one.
• At this link, check out the photo of the "Rough Riding Contest" at Meridian Hill in 1895. It's a bunch of cyclists on penny farthings. I think I see the next Dandies and Quaintrelles ride theme. Seriously, I want to know more about this, and does anyone know where the actual photo can be found?
• Maryland's bicycle symposium coverage.
• Rockingham County, VA could get a county-wide bicycle and pedestrian plan.
• It's funny I was just in a conversation yesterday about this issue (in advance of the Bike Summit). At AASHTO’s annual Washington conference, DOT Secretary Ray Lahood said that U.S. DOT was getting into the business of issuing its own design standards, instead of simply accepting the AASHTO guidelines. "Cycling advocates have long criticized the AASHTO guide, and the FHWA’s adherence to it, since even the most recent version doesn’t incorporate the latest thinking in bicycle and pedestrian safety treatments." They will still work with AASHTO, but they should also get more input from NACTO which has it's own set of standards (Which CaBi GM Eric Gilliland helped develop). This has the potential to be an enormous win for cyclists and cycling.   
• "Hell on wheels" + Pope
• This bridge would be the coolest. We could do the same thing on the Bay Bridge.

 

The DC Bicycle Police Corps in 1903

Here's something different. It's a 1903 Report of the commissioners of the District of Columbia to Congress, many parts of which deal with police use of bicycles and bicycle law.

Relevant parts include:

• On changes in the law: Ordered that section 4 of article 10 of the police regulations is hereby amended by inserting after the word ''bell," in line 6, the words "(or, in the case of motor vehicles, a suitable horn)," so that the section will be as follows: "Sec. 4. Sleighs and other vehicles on runners shall have bells so attached thereto, or to the animals drawing the same, as to sound when such vehicle is in motion; motor carriages and all cycles, bicycles, tricycles, and carts for the collection of ashes and combustible waste shall have at' all times a suitable gong or bell (or, in the case of motor vehicles, a suitable horn), sufficiently distinctive from the bell provided for the fire department and ambulance service, so attached as to be readily sounded for the purpose of warning persons of their approach; and all cycles, bicycles, tricyles, and motor vehicles in motion between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise shall display suitable lights."
• On stopping bike theft: Undivided attention is given the pawnshops, second-hand stores, and junk dealers by another detail. Morning reports are required to be handed in by those engaged in these lines of business, including descriptions of property pawned or sold, of persons disposing of the same, and other data. The reports of losses, by theft and otherwise, are closely compared therewith, and considerable property is recovered in this manner. Diligent search and studv are often required in identifying bicycles, a thief not infrequently interchanging the parts of several wheels.
• On why police sergeants are needed on bicycle: it has been found advisable to exercise a direct supervision over the 60 privates employed on bicycles, who, owing to their advantages in riding a bicycle, could not receive direct and constant attention from the sergeants on foot. Were it otherwise the bicycle service would be less satisfactory and would not conform to the requirements and expectations of the department.
• On pay for bicycle police: While engaged in making arrests bicycle officers of this department have suffered loss through their bicycles being demolished, and as the risk is constant and not due to ordinary wear and tear, I have to recommend that the allowance to bicycle sergeants and privates be increased to $50 per year each, the amount paid up to a year ago, when it was reduced to $40 per annum.
• On catching speeding drivers: In Washington, where the paved thoroghfares are so extensively patronised by pedestrians, the difficulties attending education to the presence of motor vehicles are numerous. It has always been contended by this department that business wagons and fast-running vehicles should each be specificallv designated for ready identification, and that members of the police bicycle force should be equipped with the most recently improved tachometers. Through the earnest and intelligent action of the honorable Commissioners, regulations have been enacted which have stood the legal test in the courts, whereby motor vehicles are required to be lighted at night, to be numbered at all times, and to be locked when not in use. To more effectually aid in the enforcement of these regulations, as well as those relating to speed, 36 of the bicycle privates have had speedometers attached to their wheels, which has caused general compliance. This is especially true of the city section of the District, where the improved thoroughfares are so inviting for speeding. Prior to the adoption of the regulations pertaining to numbering, [the bicycle corps made 5054 arrests and issued 24,113 fines*]
• On bike theft: In 1903, there were 743 stolen bikes recovered, up from 706 the year before.* At the bathing beach "There were three bicycles stolen early in the season, from those loosely scattered on the ground unlocked. I understand that all of these were recovered by the police department. One arrest for stealing wheels stopped it."
• There is a bit in there about the opening of the Carnegie Libarary at Mt. Vernon square, which included in the basement a bicycle room and a hall in the central building for bicycles. 

*How do these numbers stack up compared to today?

Monday Morning Commute - Launch Day

Good morning. If you aren't doing anything a little after 1:00pm today, you can watch my satellite launch over on NASA TV.  Blogging might be light for awhile. 

• See, even without the three foot law it's hard to pass without inadvertently crossing the yellow line.
• Developers broke ground on Fenwick Station in Silver Spring. The building will back up to the future Capital Crescent Trail extension (should the Purple Line ever be funded) and will include a Capital Bikeshare station. Until the Purple Line work ends, it will also include a temporary walking and biking trail that will ultimately connect to the planned Capital Crescent Trail.
• The Cafritz-Riverdale Park-Trolley Trail project continues to make changes. 
• Stop by the public hearing for Washington Boulevard bridge over Jefferson Davis Highway rehab project between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the VDOT Arlington Area Headquarters, 1426 Columbia Pike in Arlington.
• FABB's Bruce Wright responds to the LTTE complaining about DC's new priority on safe streets that provide space for everyone. 
• The Broadneck Trail's first phase will be delayed until summer because of utility relocation problems.
• Tales from the Sharrow's Brian McEntee has a family history with bicycling. 
• A discussion of police enforcement of events they didn't see. 
• Update on progress of bike-safety bills in Virginia. 
• CaBi serves as an example of how going big can often succeed where going small (SmartBike) did not. [Lesson for high speed rail?]
• Part of Chris Dorner's rambling manifesto: "Cyclist, I have no problem sharing the road with you. But, at least go the fucking speed limit posted or get off the road!!! That is a feasible request. Livestrong you fraudulent assholes."
• Wisoncon Avenue's road diet was meant to slow down traffic, which it did, and now people are unhappy. Is it easier to bike?
• Pedicabs in Reston.

Tuesday Evening Commute - LaHood

Good afternoon

• More on the delay with the Whole Foods development that will include a section of the PG County Trolley Trail. 
• The history of bicycling in California
• NPS has grant money for "Public access site development projects that advance the development of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail  or the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail or Chesapeake Bay Gateways water trails are the funding priority for fiscal year 2013." The Star Spangled Trail passes right through the DC area.
• LaHood is leaving the Department of Transportation once a replacement is in place (maybe a couple of months). Mayor Gray says the District will miss him "Gray (D) said Tuesday that LaHood has been an invaluable partner in city leaders’ efforts to invest in more bicycle lanes, push forward plans for a streetcar network and secure more funding to repair city bridges."

A brief history of biking in Rock Creek Park

The Rock Creek Park website has a document available online from 1985 called "Rock Creek Park - Adminstrative History". There's a section on bicycling and it's really quite interesting. It shows that while much has changed, in some regards, things have stayed the same.

The 1960s saw a resurgence in the popularity of the bicycle as a mode of transportation and recreation for adults as well as children. Rock Creek Park made its first special effort to accommodate cyclists early in that decade, when Ross Drive was occasionally reserved for their use. In 1966 the section of Beach Drive from Joyce Road to Broad Branch Road was first limited to bicycle and pedestrian traffic on Sunday mornings. By that fall about three and a half miles of trail north of the Nature Center had been bluestone-surfaced for bicycle use. In the following years the Beach Drive automobile closure was extended to Morrow Drive, and the bicycle trail was extended.

These initial efforts were not altogether successful. The trail was overly steep in places, and the surface was not stable enough for thin tires. Bicycle use on the closed roads did not appear sufficient to justify their closure, and motorists complained. They also objected to sharing roads simultaneously with cyclists, who tended to hold up traffic. 

Thank goodness those days are over. And here's how the trail got paved.

In September 1971 [cyclists] prevailed upon the Park Service to set aside one lane of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway north of Virginia Avenue for a week to promote commuting by bicycle in lieu of automobiles. The experiment was well publicized and enjoyed a good response from cyclists, but its positive aspects were overshadowed by massive traffic tieups with severe inconvenience to the great majority of parkway users unable or unwilling to shift to bicycles. The political impossibility of continuing the lane closure--the goal of the bicycle lobby--was quickly apparent. The Service compromised by paving over the existing bridle trail between Connecticut and Virginia avenues for bicycle use; the crash project was completed by the following week.

In 1980 they studied nine alternatives for completing the bicycle system.

At one end of the spectrum, 5-1/2 miles of new bicycle trail paralleling Beach Drive would be built, entailing no effect on auto traffic. At the other end, major segments of Beach Drive would be permanently converted to bicycle use only, eliminating it as a through route for automobiles. Michael A. Replogle, an engineer with transportation experience, advanced a tenth alternative in March 1981 on behalf of the People's Alliance for Rock Creek Park (PARC), an outside group. His plan would permanently close Beach Drive to through auto traffic both above and below Joyce Road as soon as the Metro subway system was opened to the Van Ness station on Connecticut Avenue.

If you think the Klingle Road fight is ugly, just imagine how nuts people would have gone then. Still, that was probably a missed opportunity to make Rock Creek more Park-like. At first NPS leaned in that direction.

In March 1983 the Service advanced a three-phase solution largely endorsed by PARC. Portions of Beach Drive above Joyce Road would be closed to cars on weekends and holidays during the warm months. One lane of Beach Drive south to Broad Branch Road would be reserved for cyclists and joggers during weekday rush hours, allowing cars the other lane in the prevailing rush hour direction. After 1985, when the Red Line of Metro was to be completed beyond Van Ness and reconstruction work on 16th Street was to be finished, a gate would be placed near Boulder Bridge permanently barring that section of Beach Drive to automobiles.

Which is why things are that way today. What? They aren't?

Three months later, however, the Service disappointed the bicycle forces and others interested in curtailing auto traffic by a change of position. It confirmed the weekend closings on upper Beach Drive between Picnic Area 10 and Wise Road and between West Beach Drive and the Maryland line--measures previously tried with good results. But it would not interfere with weekday traffic below Joyce Road. Instead, it would build a 2.5-mile bicycle trail paralleling that segment of Beach Drive down to Broad Branch Road.

WABA and NCPA both opposed the decision and then it appears that they fought about the trail, which WABA supported and NCPA did not. Which is where they were in 1985.

Further measures to curb auto traffic in favor of bicycles do not appear imminent.

No, they don't. 

 

Proteus old school

proteus pictures by proteusvelo