TheWashCycle

Cyclist Wins appeal of New Hampshire Avenue ticket

As reported by GGW. Here's the link.

Basically, I argued that going the wrong way on NH was the only safe way to navigate that part of the city, and that DDOT has recognized this fact in their plans to install contraflow bike lanes on that very block. Victory!

DCist reported it too.

Kozmo is back

 At least the idea is.

Hyperbodega.com is delivering everything from beer, cigarettes and condoms to cat food to many Brooklyn, N.Y., residents.

Of course DC Snacks in Foggy Bottom has been doing this for a while, and has a better web site.

Anacostia Riverwalk in SW DC

Here's a pretty cool mock-up of what the SW waterfront is to look like - with the Riverwalk in the foreground. Helmet tip.

50 Ways to get the Most out of 2009

One way, ride your bike to work.

Sam Raker argues against TOD

Sam Raker of Bethesda was co-chair of the Transportation Policy Report Task Force (TPR-2) in Montgomery County (2000-02) and was a special assistant to Maryland transportation secretary Robert Flanagan.

The concept and the success of this new way of living here is that the future residents and employees will be able to walk, bike and ride bus or train for all of their daily activities.

What the public needs to know and what the council must consider seriously is what the planners are not telling us. In their studies and presentations, they are NOT telling us about the significant loss of mobility and accessibility that would seriously impact everyone in the county as these plans are pursued.

Yes, with emphasis on public transit and on crowding more people into jobs and residences near public transit, there were slight enhancements, but the access to homes and jobs was still overwhelmingly in the favor of those who drove alone over those who had to depend only on public transportation.

Moreover, the provisions for walking-biking-riding public transportation satisfied the needs of well less than 50 percent of new persons in these communities, and the lack of transportation infrastructure for the majority of new residents and employees in these communities would result in much greater congestion in their vicinity, for any scenario.

The majority of the 2000 task force members rejected the scenario that placed all its emphasis on transit-oriented development to the exclusion of balanced development and which relied solely on walking-biking-riding public transportation. The loss of mobility in the more crowded environment and the loss of access to jobs and places to live were too unbalanced.

Inaugural Bike Valet Approved

WABA has been approved to run bike valet locations north and south of the event. “Locations are still TBA." WABA is asking people to RSVP and is looking for volunteers.

NPS makes it easier for Mountain Bikes

Some last minute rulemaking by the Bush administration

The Interior Department issued a proposed rule yesterday that would make it easier for mountain bikers and other cyclists to traverse the backcountry of national parks.

Environmentalists decried the rule, which is now subject to a 60-day comment period, saying it would spark conflicts between cyclists, who can travel at high speeds, and other park visitors who prefer to hike or ride on narrow trails.

The change would give park superintendents greater discretion in allowing bikers in by waiving the formal rulemaking requirement.

Mark Eller, spokesman for the International Mountain Bicycling Association, hailed the administration's move. He noted that 20 national parks allow biking on narrow trails and 20 allow it on dirt roads, but these parks are "technically out of compliance" with federal rules.

M-NCPPC planning staff recommends 12-foot Capital Crescent Trail

Where possible

Planners also call for preserving the Capital Crescent/Georgetown Branch bike trail tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. They say the trail should continue through the tunnel but be constructed above the train. Planners also recommend widening the trail to 12 feet where possible as part of the Purple Line project.

Photo by CBinDC

You Belong in a Zoo

David Alpert weighs in on the Zoo's Master Plan, while he's none-too-thrilled with it - "its plan still sounds like a suburban zoo's car-oriented plan" - it does have some bike amenities.

According to the NCPC staff report, the Zoo has agreed to create outdoor bike parking for visitors at both ends, indoor bike parking for staff, a bike lane along North Road, and to create a SmartBike location when DC expands that program.

Christmas Lights

SMIDSY from Quickrelease.tv on Vimeo.