TheWashCycle

New Urban Mural to Bloom in Edgewood

From a recent Press Release.

This summer, 45 DC young people will work with the non-profit public arts organization to cover a wall in the Edgewood community of Northeast DC with beautiful art and to create a new curriculum on youth leadership in public arts. The result of their work will be a 300 foot-long mural alongside the new Metropolitan Branch Trail, which will serve cyclists and pedestrians when complete. The art will also be visible from the Rhode Island Metro station.

The Petition

Finish the Trail (FtT) has a great series of posts about the Save the Trail petition. Save the Trail represents people who oppose running light rail on the western portion of the Georgetown Branch Trail right-of-way. They have a petition with "more than 18,000 signatures", but FtTl makes the point that this may not really represent a groundswell of opposition.

First, some basic petition history:

1) The petitioning was underway as long ago as 2002.

2) The first 10,000 petition signatures were presented to former Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan in 2003. Those signatures are now over six years old.
3) The petition has been presented repeatedly on the trail over the last seven (7) years. How many visitors to the trail have signed more than once, thinking the more recent presentations of the same petition were a new and different petition?
4) The majority of the petition signatures were collected long before the major features of the Purple Line/trail project were known.

FtT shows that they're misrepresenting the tunnel design that MTA is proposing, what the tail tracks will look like in Bethesda, what the trail will look like and how much green space will be lost to the people they get to sign the petition. They also discuss the hyper-local nature of the Save the Trail movement and they're criticism of WABA. Pam Browning says:

"The only reason I can see for a biking organization like WABA to support the closing of the Trail for years of Purple Line construction, and the needless destruction of all the trees and shade along the Trail, is that perhaps WABA cares only about high speed biking and is happy to create a Trail that will in effect remove walkers, families and children, nature lovers, dog walkers, and anyone who might slow them down.”

Hmm, no. WABA loves children. WABA wants to see the trail completed. You can see WABA's position here.

The Capital Crescent Trail has been built as an interim off-road trail for 3 miles, from Bethesda to west Silver Spring. The interim trail, also known as the Georgetown Branch Trail, has a crushed stone surface with busy at grade crossings at Connecticut Avenue and Jones Bridge Road and no direct connection to the Rock Creek hiker/biker Trail. The interim trail ends abruptly in an industrial park in Silver Spring, and cyclists must follow an on-road route into Silver Spring. The interim trail must be paved and be completed into Silver Spring to be as inviting and useful to cyclists as is the permanent trail west of Bethesda.

If you're thinking that the petition is a pretty strong case for not building light rail, and opponents like to hold it up every time they can, the series is a good read.

Climate and Transportation Bills to Affect Cyclists

There's a lot of information about the new Climate bill and the new Transportation bill, both of which have the potential to do a lot to encourage cycling. Streetsblog Capitol Hill has been covering it all in a full court press so if these federal bills are your bag, that's the place to go. For example on the Climate bill.

The climate bill gives the states 10 percent of its carbon emissions allowances, the total worth of which is projected to hit $70 billion by 2010, to invest in energy-efficiency projects such as solar power or "smart" electricity grids.

Today's agreement allows 10 percent of those state allowances -- yes, 10 percent of 10 percent -- to help pay for transit expansions, new bike trails, or any other transportation efficiency project.

There's a fight going on over the new Transportation bill. Oberstar wants to pass it this year, on schedule. The Obama Administration, through DOT head Ray LaHood wants to postpone it by 18 months. If you think the current Democrat-controlled Congress is going to produce a more bike friendly bill than the next (???) controlled Congress or if you think the new bill will be better regardless; then you probably don't want the bill to be delayed. And the bill does include a lot of money for cyclists. As Adam Voiland points out

A number of Federal Highway Administration programs divert money toward bicycle and pedestrian projects. The Surface Transportation Program, which provides flexible funding for a variety of different projects, is the largest of them. The Transportation Enhancements Program provides funding for improvements in bike facilities, safety and education programs, and the preservation of abandoned rail trails. Areas with poor air quality can get money for bicycle projects through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. The Recreational Trails Program, though smaller, also funds bicycle-related projects. Finally, members of Congress can earmark money for specific programs.

Between 1992-2004, most projects—73 percent—were funded through the Transportation Enhancements Program.  Eight percent where funded through the Surface Transportation program, 7 percent through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, 4 percent through the Recreational Trails Program, and 7 percent through various other programs.

And battle lines are being drawn on the parts of the bill. The AARP, for example, is pushing for complete streets language - which the Oberstar bill includes and which Obama sponsored four years ago.

LaHood has been talking the complete streets talk, both on NPR (he also talks about light rail - even though he gets bad info on why streetcars left DC - and high speed rail) and in a response to George Will. 

"We have to create opportunities for people who want to ride a bike or walk or take a streetcar," he said. "The only person that I've heard of who objects to this is George Will."

And he announced an agreement with the EPA to partner for Sustainable Communities

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities established six livability principles that will act as a foundation for interagency coordination:

1. Provide more transportation choices.
Develop safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.

The Republicans, meanwhile have not been asleep. They have been busy proposing cutting Safe Routes to School (because they think Dangerous Routes to School is an election winner?) and other forms of bicycle funding.

House Republicans argue that helping children walk or bike to school has "traditionally been viewed as" the task of local governments. Presumably, dedicated federal funding for kids' safety amounts to creeping Big Government for the GOP -- but dedicated federal funding for kids' health care, now that's just fine.

Other transportation proposals on the Republican chopping block today were the $25 million in bike and pedestrian funding given to four communities in the 2005 transportation bill and the U.S. DOT's Transportation Enhancements initiative, which currently costs $833 million annually.

Margo Pedroso, deputy director of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, was unruffled by the House GOP proposal (which took the form of a letter to Obama rather than a bill):

"Given the impact that Safe Routes to School initiatives can have on children’s physical activity levels, traffic safety and congestion, air quality around schools, and school budgets, we are confident that Safe Routes to School has bipartisan support in Congress."

The Virginia Bicycling Federation responded by asking Rep. Eric Cantor's constituents to ask him to stop bashing bicycling.

Tell Rep. Cantor how important biking and walking are to you personally — how badly your community needs crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike facilities; and how important these are to improve safety, provide affordable alternatives to driving, reduce congestion and road maintenance costs, improve air quality, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and grow local economies.

The bipartisan Congressional Bike Caucus - this is going to shock you - is supporting bike-friendly policies including Safe Routes to School.

[Earl Blumenauer said] "Bicycling and walking currently accounts for 10% of all trips made by Americans yet our current Federal investment is closer to 2% of transportation funds. Investing in these modes of transportation creates jobs, saves taxpayers money and helps raise our overall quality of life."

He then asks for committee support to:

1. Reauthorize the Safe Routes to School Program at a substantially higher level
2. Include a Complete Streets policy requirement to ensure that roads built using federal transportation dollars are available to all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians
3. Create a new Active Transportation Investment Fund
4. Require data collection of comparable frequency and scope for all modes of transportation

WABA is asking members to support three bills: Safe Routes to School, a law aimed at reducing Vehicle Miles Travelled and National Transportation Objectives Act which aims to triple bicycle miles.

LAB is "encouraged" by the Oberstar bill

The League and the America Bikes Coalition were quite encouraged by many of the elements contained in the authorization blueprint, such as establishing the Office of Livability, improving data and research, establishing the US Bike Route System, and emphasizing Comprehensive Street Design.

And, this is another shocker, it turns out the built environment (what Safe Routes to School works to change) has a big impact on childhood health.

Factors such as school location have played a significant role in the decreased rates of walking to school, and changes in policy may help to increase the number of children who are able to walk to school. Environment modification that addresses risks associated with automobile traffic is likely to be conducive to more walking and biking among children.

So you're updated on all that. Now I can get back to reporting on new bike rack installations in Petworth.

Driver's Rights to be Celebrated in Colorado

It takes a lot of gumption to be the favored class and still show up to plead oppression, but that's just what some drivers in Boulder, CO plan to do on July 25th during the Sunrise Century

The Sunrise Century, which is in its third year, is expecting 1,500 riders to travel from Boulder to Lyons before turning south along the Peak to Peak Highway and descending through Left Hand Canyon. Riders have the option of riding a 75 or 100-mile course.

Drivers plan to "use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the 'Sunrise Century'" And what are they protesting?

The flier specifically mentions the new state bicycle safety law scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 5. The law will require motorists to keep their cars three feet away from cyclists. It will also allow cyclists to ride two abreast on roads, so long as there is no traffic.

Oh the humanity! It reminds me of a joke by Jon Stewart about the war on Christianity in America:

Yes, the long war on Christianity. I pray that one day we may live in an America where Christians can worship freely! In broad daylight! Openly wearing the symbols of their religion.... perhaps around their necks? And maybe - dare I dream it? - maybe one day there can be an openly Christian President. Or, perhaps, 43 of them. Consecutively.

I've seen this called Car-ticle Mass

The Sunrise Century had already contacted the Colorado State Patrol and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to provide traffic control and support for the ride. In light of the threat to disrupt the event, law enforcement officers may have an addition role to fill.

"Are you going to have people out there that do try to cause trouble? Maybe. Are we going to be out there to deal with them? Absolutely," Trooper David Hall with the Colorado State Patrol said.

Hall understands the frustrations that can arise between cyclists and motorists, but says both sides need to show restraint.

"This is not a new issue. I understand the frustration that motorists feel sometimes when they encounter bicycles on the road and I also understand the frustration that bicyclists feel when a motorist is belligerent to someone on a bicycle. This issue is a two way street," Hall said.

The Chicago Sun Times included a poll on who was most annoying. At the time I write this, cyclists are considered most annoying.

Here's hoping no one is hurt; and that cyclists in Colorado take this as an opportunity to show that we can behave well. I hope they don't take the bait and either don't engage these drivers - if any show up - or do so only with offers of help. Kill them with kindness.

New Carrollton Transit District

The Prince George's County Planning Board and the District Council hosted a meeting on the New Carrollton Preliminary Transit District Development Plan and Proposed Transit District Overlay Zoning (TDOZ) Map Amendment. [That's a mouthful]. The plan involves Arlingtoning up the New Carrollton Metro Station area.

Bill Washburn, M-NCPPC project manager, said officials are focusing on revamping the New Carrollton station because of its accessibility to rail, Metrobus, MARC commuter rail, Amtrak and Greyhound bus lines. Suggested improvements to the station include pedestrian walkways, bike paths, parks and a bridge or tunnel to pass the Amtrak, Metrorail and MARC lines.

Washburn said the Prince George's County Planning Board will hold a work session in July to consider Wednesday's public hearing testimony in making any plan changes. He said the Planning Board should approve the plan by September, followed by a second public hearing in January 2010 before the District Council approves the plan in February 2010.

There's a pretty good amount of bicycle facilities in the plan:

Although pedestrian and bicycle accommodation is currently limited in the vicinity of the New Carrollton Metro Station, this will change over time to include facilities such as continuous on- and off-street bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and green pedestrian links.

The plan envisions a comprehensive pedestrian and bike network with the following primary features:
3. Bicycle facilities and access throughout the New Carrollton Metropolitan Center.
4. Pedestrian and bicycle access improved along Annapolis Road.
5. Open space utilized to provide pedestrian/bicycle linkages where appropriate to connect the Metrorail station and other points of interest within the TDOZ.
6. Potential pedestrian and bicycle access across the Capital Beltway to link the TDOZ to neighborhoods and recreational facilities east of the freeway.
7. A well-designed network of installed wayfinding signs along the streets and pedestrian/bicycle pathways of the TDOZ to help travelers get to and from the Metro station, employment/retail centers, and other points of interest.

As one who bikes to the New Carrollton Metro, I can say that these changes are needed. A better connection across the Beltway (mentioned before here) is much needed as is a better route along 450/Annapolis Road. The sidewalk is dangerous, circuitous, only on one side and far too narrow, so I ride in the road - which can get kind of highway like, not ideal for a folding bike.  So the bike lanes they propose would be a major improvement. Another connection under the railroad tracks at Cobb Road - also in the plan - would also help with connectivity.

Smartbike Expansion Pauses

GGW via Georgetown Metropolitan has an update on the SmartBike expansion that was to happen this summer.

Clear Channel is not a bike sharing company. They're an advertising company that runs a bike sharing program on the side. That means they're never going to really put a lot of effort into the program. They got their ad contract, and will do the minimum necessary to keep it. And, as we're seeing with Arlington, even if a jurisdiction wants to pay for stations, they won't be interested. Getting money in exchange for running bike stations doesn't enhance their core business, and good companies avoid having a lot of peripheral businesses that don't contribute to their central mission.

Meanwhile, DDOT has released results from a recent survey of users.  The Bike-Sharing Blog has it's analysis here. 

Most people (62%) use SmartBike less than once a week. 41% ride it to work. Only a few trips would have been done by car (plus more by taxi) - and it largely replaces walking and Metro trips. Only 23% of users always wear a helmet. The top places where users would like to see a new kiosk - in order:

Georgetown
Adams Morgan
Union Station
Columbia Heights
Takoma

When asked how to improve SmartBike, most people asked for more stations (and bike locks were heavily desired too).

And The City Fix has a SmartBike video

SmartBike DC from EMBARQ Network on Vimeo.

Striping the Four Mile Run Trail

Starting at the east end of the Four Mile Run Trail, Arlington contractors are striping 25,000 feet of the trail starting this week.

W&OD Trail Detour

Beginning June 22nd, a short detour will be in place on the WO&D W&OD trail at mile marker 1.5, between Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive, for 4 to 6 weeks to accommodate the repair of a storm drain culvert. Use caution while in the work zone.

Scary Video from London

This is a shot from an external security camera. You can see a group of cyclists moving toward the camera and a truck following and then an incident that could have easily killed or injured several of the cyclists.

More shocking is that the group of cyclists you see includes the Mayor of London, his director of transport, Kulveer Ranger, and Britain’s transport minister, Lord Adonis (Really? Lord Adonis? Sounds like a infomercial weight machine). They were scouting out potential sites for new cycle "super highways". The routes are part of his plan for a "cycling revolution" in the capital. That's some hands-on mayoring. Thankfully no one was hurt.

Stolen bikes that have been recovered

From the BikeWashington listserv

MPD has in the Property Division close to 19 bikes that have been recovered in the district.  Four were recovered yesterday in the Second District.  If your bike was stolen, and you can properly identify it with either a receipt from a sale, or a picture with details along with your crime report, please contact Detective Sgt. John Rucker at the following email address:  [email protected].

I think Arlington takes photos of its recovered bikes and puts them online. That would be great in this case. Or even put them on Craigslist (not for sale).