TheWashCycle

Street Smart 2007 Follow Up

Here's some stats from Arlington...

On Tuesday, March 27, 2007, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m...officers wrote a total of 19 tickets to motorists who did not yield for pedestrians or made improper turns into the crosswalk at the intersection of North Lynn Street and Lee Highway.

That's one ticket every 6 minutes. At one intersection. That's why when drivers complain about law-breaking cyclists not getting ticketed and I say, "fine, let's ticket everyone for everything" I know who's going to go bankrupt first.

Congressional Bike Caucus

The Politico is the newest free paper in DC (but not the one I'm most looking forward to). They ran an article about how wide and varied the congressional caucuses are. It's like all the clubs in college (We had a Disco Appreciation Club at UT, membership = 3). Anyway the one they choose to focus on is the Congressional Bike Caucus.

Last week, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) braved a cold, rainy day to zoom around Capitol Hill on his Trek bike -- appropriately, the Portland commuting model -- to celebrate the National Bike Summit hosted by the CBC.

And there's some print for the issues the CBC is working on:

The bike caucus, for example, promotes funding for cycling activities. It introduced the Bike Commuter Act to give transit benefits to bicycle commuters and establish a federal safe-routes-to-school program.

So far, no luck: The Bike Commuter Act has been introduced three times and has yet to pass.

Along with a couple of photos.

Anacostia and Potomac River Cleanups

This weekend there will be hundreds of volunteers cleaning up the Potomac and Anacostia riverbanks, a mere stones throw from several of the areas favorite bike trails and you can join them.

The foundation will provide trash bags, gloves and recycling containers for those who show up to help, Scott said. Interested individuals can visit www.fergusonfoundation.org to find the site nearest them.

In addition they'll be removing non-native plants along the Anacostia.

“For the Anacostia, the [native] plants are the key factors that filter the water and the watershed to make it sustainable for the wildlife,” Russell said. “That’s why we are removing the non-native plants so the native plants can come back.”

The work will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the banks of the river at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Little Paint Branch Park in Beltsville and Anacostia Park in Washington.

The photo with the article (and on this post) shows Robert Boone pointing at trees along the NE Branch trail on the side of the levy system on Decatur Street in Edmonston, Md - ostensibly because they are evil non-native trees. As I bike through there on my commute I'm torn about that. On the one hand, those are some of the few wind-blocking/shade providing/transpirating trees on the trail. On the other, I don't want to encourage a bunch of non-native species to take over and choke the river. What is one to do? Oh, if only the Army Corps of Engineers would allow the county to plant more trees along the trail.

Cherry Blossom Valet Reminder

Just a reminder that WABA will be providing free bike valet parking at two locations during the Cherry Blossom Festival

-southwest corner of 15th and Independence Ave SW

-south side of Jefferson Memorial grounds

And WABA is looking for volunteers:

Help promote cycling as a viable transportation solution! WABA needs volunteers to help with the bike valet service!  Please contact us at [email protected] or call 202-518-0524 to sign up or for more info.

Fatal Collision in North Potomac

I think this is the fourth fatality of an area cyclists since I started this blog 17 months ago. This one is being attributed to the cyclist running a stop sign.

Investigators said 17-year-old Dawen Li, of Gaithersburg, had been riding on a bicycle westbound on Travilah Road when he did not stop at a stop sign at the intersection and was struck by a car.

I'm not sure if Dawen Li was an immigrant or not, but I believe Mr. Carlos was.

The minority population in Fairfax continues to be disproportionately affected by the pedestrian deaths, according to the statistics.

Which brings me to this article which is about Long Island but is probably equally accurate here.

In a region where almost everyone drives, Hispanic residents, many of them poor and without cars, are victims of pedestrian and bike fatalities in disproportionate numbers.

About 10 percent of Long Islanders are Hispanic. Hispanics made up 43 percent of Nassau County's 35 pedestrian deaths in 2002, and 35 percent of the fatalities last year, according to statistics from the New York State Department of Health and the Nassau County Medical Examiner. In neighboring Suffolk County, Hispanics accounted for 21 percent of the 28 fatal pedestrian accidents in 2002 and 30 percent of the 44 deaths in 2003, according to the State Health Department and Suffolk's medical examiner. There was no breakdown on Hispanics involved in fatal bike accidents.

Those statistics get at an evolving suburban truth: As more and more Hispanics move into the suburbs, they risk injury or death because they walk and ride bicycles in a place where the roads are often dark, the sidewalks scarce and traffic menacing.

Some die as they bicycle down four-lane highways. Others are recent immigrants unaccustomed to the pace and rules of New York traffic, and they are struck crossing against a traffic signal.

According to 2000 census data, Hispanics on Long Island are twice as likely as whites to walk to work, and six times more likely to ride a bike or take the bus, a trip that usually involves a few blocks' walk to and from the bus stop. "This is part of their desperate situation," said the Rev. Allan Ramirez, who works with Hispanic immigrants on Long Island. "They have no choice but to walk to many of these places. If they're lucky, they get a bicycle. They're on the road, they're on the street."

Which is not a way of saying we need fewer immigrants, but more targeted education. Street Smart ads on Spanish language radio for example.

Additional coverage, WaPo and Gazette.

Dalecarlia Parkway Trail Trouble

Sibley hospital was to include the planned Dalecarlia Parkway Trail in their facilities master plan, but the main part of that plan seems in jeopardy and may affect the trail as well.

The hospital's expansion has irked neighbors in the affluent Northwest area, which includes the Palisades, Spring Valley and Kent communities, since the project was proposed two years ago.

Price said Sibley had already changed the plans, removing one floor that was to be rented to doctors, but he said it would not be financially viable to cut another one.

Answer Man 3/16/07

From the live discussion with John Kelly...

What's in the water over by National? I pass there morning and afternoon on the bike path and lately there is a distinct, nauseating rotting-onions smell emanating from the canal wedged between the runway and GW Pkwy.

That's city livin'

Have you ever biked around what you would call Washington D.C.? A perimeter tour, if you will.

JK: There isn't a single trail that leads all around the perimeter of the city, thought that would be an interesting path to chart out. Washington isn't the most bike-friendly city, but nor is it the least. There are bike/jogging paths through Rock Creek Park that are nice, as is the C&O Canal and (outside the city) Capital Crescent and W&OD trails. I think I'd pack a lunch. Didn't someone say Bike to Work Day is May 18? I'm game.

Here's my attempt. Note: I have not attempted all of this yet, but I plan to. If you know a better way to get the perimeter of DC all in let me know. Also if you know I've chosen a road on which I will die, that would be good info too. I would have gone through Bolling Air Force base, but it appears that's no longer an option:

Although previous base commanders have allowed cyclists through, the new commander has rejected the practice, citing Air Force "security requirements."

And that was pre-9/11 (anyone know if this is still the case?) I rode through Fort Myer for the first time the other day (all I needed was an ID). It was pretty cool - like a weird small town. I actually saw a site I haven't seen since I was a kid. An unattended, unlocked bike lying in the front yard. And I'm sure there was no threat of it being stolen.

Tommy Wells Proposes Bike Law Changes

Tommy Wells is keeping with his promise to promote "bikeable, walkable communities"

On Feb. 6, Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced legislation calling for an increase in bicycle parking options at DC government buildings, recreation centers, public schools, libraries, and in particular, the council offices at the John A. Wilson Building.

And pursuing a fix to the bicycle registration problem.

Additionally, Wells introduced legislation to change the way residents must register their bicycles. Under Wells’ proposal, bicycle registration would become voluntary and residents would no longer need to visit a police station to register their bikes, using instead an online application or mailing a registration card.

That's how Arlington does it.

Advice for bikers

This is not so bad

Please let joggers, runners and bikers know they need to wear something bright. Dressing fashionable in gray or black may look cool but at dawn, dusk or running when it's dark, it's going to be deadly.

Which led to some legal advice

The law is not that straightforward. Virginia and D.C. both follow the tort rule of "contributory negligence," that is, if the plaintiff who sues someone he claims was negligent was himself negligent, he loses. In this scenario, suppose the cyclist is riding at night with no headlight and no reflective vest on the wrong side of the road and gets hit by a car. He loses because he was negligent in all sorts of ways.

This is bad advice

Also, let roadies know to get out my way going up a hill on the back roads of Fairfax, Fauqier and Loudon [sic] County. You can't get anywhere near to speed limit and you are blocking traffic.

And this leaves me speechless

Instead of "Share the Road," how about a new slogan "Share the Sidewalk"? My car has just as much of a right to the sidewalk as do pedestrians and bicyclists.

Bike Arlington, Walking Town 2007 and intimidating bike shops

Over on the Commuter Page Blog Diana Sun, Director of Communications for Arlington County, writes about the Arlington & Alexandria Community Bike Ride on June 3rd. She's a fan (I've not done it yet - this year hopefully). This got picked up on RPUS and he suggested more community rides. The Cultural Tourism DC Walking Town rides are good examples (that's coming up on April 21 and 22nd - and once again I'll be out of town).

Anacostia by Bike: The River and the Ridge
Saturday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Meet at the Harbor Police parking lot at the south end of Water Street, SW
Reservations required: 202-518-0524 or [email protected]
This 26-mile ride combines a tour of the Anacostia River Walk Trail with the spine of the Potomac Ridge. See Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, historic Anacostia, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the Anacostia Community Museum. Participants should expect rough pavement, hills, and traffic, which will be heavy in spots. Helmets are mandatory. Bring water, food, and ID. Led by volunteer Jon Fleming and presented by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

Anacostia by Bike 
Saturday 9 am – 12 noon
Meet at the entrance to the Washington Fish and Seafood Market Place, 1100 Maine Avenue, SW
Reservations required: 202-661-7581 or [email protected]
Experience the Anacostia River by bicycle with Emeka Moneme, director of the District Department of Transportation. Ride the route of the future Anacostia River Walk Trail to see Anacostia Park and RFK Stadium. You’ll also learn about the many projects that will soon transform the Anacostia waterfront. Presented by the District Department of Transportation.

Reel Washington:  Bikes, Camera, Action!
Saturday 1 – 4:30 pm
Meet at the rear plaza of the Old Post Office Pavilion, 12th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW
Reservations required: 202-842-BIKE or www.bikethesites.com
You’ve seen the Exorcist, All the President's Men, No Way Out, Broadcast News, and others filmed in Washington. Join us by bike to find out where and how they were filmed. We’ll utter the famous lines, reveal the famous gaffes (where is the Georgetown subway station?) and provide enough Washington film trivia to satisfy your favorite movie junkie. Led by Sarah Fischer and presented by Bike the Sites.
Special Instructions: Optional bike rentals $20. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Minimum age: 13 years.

Why Hains Point? The Creation of Potomac Park by Bike
Sunday 1 – 4 pm
Meet at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Plaza by the Tidal Basin
A century-old landmark, Hains Point memorializes Peter Conover Hains and the creation of the 700-acre Potomac Park – now the setting for national icons and veterans memorials. This bike tour traces the development of this land in the context of Washington’s early waterways and city planning. Led by Michael Kelly and Jason Martz and presented by National Park Service - National Mall & Memorial Parks.
Special Instructions: Please bring your own bikes, helmets, and water

Wild Washington: Animal Sculptures by Bike
Sunday 1 – 4:30 pm
Meet at the Connecticut Avenue entrance of the National Zoo
Reservations required: 202-842-BIKE or www.bikethesites.com.
Bike the Sites takes you beyond the typical Washington, DC political party animals with a neighborhood art tour. Begin on foot at the National Zoo, then continue by bike through Rock Creek Park, Dupont Circle, and the National Mall, ending at the Old Post Office Pavilion. Led by Carl Airhart and presented by Bike the Sites.
Special Instructions: Optional bike rentals $20. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Minimum age: 13 years.

And of course there's the 50 States Ride (but that's like riding a century) and there used to be BikeDC.  A few years ago DDOT did a series of Ward rides as part of the bike plan process. I would love to see that continue, but have the rides led by BAC members (and their city council member) so as not to overburden one person.

The other part of the commuter page blog was about how buying a bike can be intimidating for a newbie.

I did walk into a bike shop sometime last year and found it very intimidating -- all those $2,000 bikes with mysterious doo-dads and unpronounceable names. And looking on craigslist for a used bike was even worse -- I couldn't even understand the descriptions of the bikes!

Which I bring up only to mention that bike stores need to learn how to talk to people who haven't ridden a bike in 10-20 years. It can be hard to do - and probably requires keeping some cheaper merchandise around, but I think it's an important part of getting new cyclists.