Yesterday, I listed all of the things that we could look forward to next year. Today we'll take a look back at last year.
The story of the year was the start of SmartBike, the first fourth-generation bike sharing program in the Americas. Though it hasn't yet transformed the city the way Velib has Paris, it is a very encouraging start to a program that could. Yet, this didn't even make Dr. G's list of top transportation stories.
The Alice Swanson tragedy this past summer, one of two cyclist fatalities in the District, brought the safety of cyclists to the front of the public consciousness. It led directly to the Bicycle Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 which passed this past month. Other fatalities occurred in Prince William County, Frederick, Fort Washington and Tyson's Corner.
The run-up in oil prices, and later the sour economy, were given as reasons for a rise in bike community; even if some of us think its indicative of a more pervasive change.
In more positive news, BikeDC returned, the National's Stadium included a bicycle valet, a new section of the Anacostia Riverwalk was completed in PG County and the first DC section formally opened, a local cyclist became a national hero, ground was broken on the Union Station Bike station and the Indian Head Rail Trail opened.
In addition to the Bicycle Safety Enhancement Act, DC ended mandatory bike registration; passed [Update: an amendment to] the Pedestrian Safety Reinforcement Amendment Act of 2008 which included a fine for blocking a bike lane - and assigned all revenue to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Enhancement Fund [Update: it does not appear the law passed]; passed the Performance Parking Pilot Zone Emergency Act, which set aside money for "non-automobile transportation improvements;" passed the Bicycle Policy Modernization Amendment Act which reorganized the BAC and added a legislative aid to manage it; and voted to not rebuild Klingle Road and to instead build a trail.
In addition new bike-friendly zoning laws have been considered.
In Maryland bikes are now allowed on toll roads, but the three-foot passing minimum failed. The CCT got a speed limit. The ICC trail was severely compromised and the MacArthur Avenue Bikeway moved closer to reality.
Federally, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended the transportation fringe benefit to bike commuters.
So, lots of good news, some bad news and some genuine tragedy. Here's hoping for a fatality-free 2009.
Photo by Pedal Power Pete
very nice pieces.
Posted by: Richard Layman | January 02, 2009 at 03:42 PM