A couple of new laws are working their way (or not) through the system here in DC. The first is an amendment to the failure to yield to pedestrians law (aka the Novak Law) to increase the fine for blocking a bike lane to $75. As GGW points out the amendment was withdraw in the face of opposition, but Tommy Wells plans to reintroduce it in September.
Councilmembers Harry Thomas, Jr. (ward 5) and Chairman Vincent Gray weren't ready to go along. Thomas feels we need thorough national research to determine the proper fine (actually, NYC charges $115, San Francisco $100, Chicago $150). Gray objected because drivers could receive two tickets, for double parking and blocking a bike lane, even though drivers can get two tickets for other infractions where they break two laws.
A second act, The Bicycle Policy Modernization Amendment Act of 2007 has passed (not sure if I mentioned this). It updates the Bicycle Advisory Council membership and some language
To amend the District of Columbia Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation and Safety Act of 1984 to provide for a smaller District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council with government representatives drawn from agencies more relevant to the District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council’s mission and appointed by the agency directors, and to reflect the transfer of the Office of Bicycle Transportation and Safety from the Department of Public Works to the District Department of Transportation.
Photo by tvol
the second act is likely bad news. Nothing prevents DDOT from organizing an inter-agency task group. But reducing citizen input almost always is bad. Agency groups have hermetic and constrained world-views which generally militates against seeking quality.
Posted by: Richard Layman | July 30, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I would like to see the a double-parking and parking in the bike lane "enforcement act" to actually enforce the laws already on the books. I like the fine increases or whatever, but the cops pretty much accept double parking (e.g. on 14th street) as something that's acceptable and part of DC driving culture.
Posted by: neb | July 30, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Richard, there is no reduction in citizen input. In general, they removed from the BAC groups that had never sent a representative despite numerous invites. Departments like Environment and Health. But those groups are still free to send a rep.
Posted by: washcycle | July 30, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Is the BAC still seeking to fill the shortage of council-member representatives it had several months ago?
Posted by: Rocky6 | July 30, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Yes and No. The council has some of the same openings, some are filled and some new ones are open. Contact Jim Sebastian at DDOT if you're interested.
Posted by: washcycle | July 30, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I 100% agree with neb: we don't need new laws; we need enforcement of laws that already exist. They could make the fines anywhere from $0.50 to a bazzzillion dollars but the practical effect would be unchanged if the law isn't enforced.
I hate it when platitudes from the NRA are right. lol
Posted by: doompatrol | July 31, 2008 at 10:23 AM