Tommy Wells Talks Bikes on GGW

Tommy Wells was the guest for a GreaterGreaterWashington chat last week and several of his responses were bike related. First there was a discussion about the performance parking program which was supposed to raise money for local transportation improvements, including bike facilities.

[Comment From Ken Archer] The Mayor's reversal of the commitment to make performance parking revenues available to the neighborhoods in your ward seems like a broken promise that makes it harder to sell performance parking as something other than a revenue source for the city in other neighborhoods. What can we do to counter this perception?
Tommy Wells: This was first proposed in the Mayor's initial FY2010 budget back in the spring. Councilmember Jim Graham and I worked together to protect the funding for the neighborhoods where these funds were promised. The revised budget that was just submitted again tries to take those funds away. I expect to work with CM Graham again to keep our promise to the neighborhoods.

And there was talk about bike parking - which as pointed out earlier today is related to performance parking in that it takes parking meters out of service - though they don't need to be removed.

[Comment From Rick H] Tommy: Any plans or ideas concerning increased bicycle parking hoops or racks near the 6th Ward Metro stops? The few now installed near Eastern Market Metro, not only near the plaza area but across the street in front of private businesses, are happily being well used but it certainly seems there is a need for many more hoops or racks.
Tommy Wells: I have found that the more we add the more they are used -- -which is great. I am hoping to use the parking revenue from performance parking for more bike parking along Penn Ave SE and 8th Street.

I would like to look at secure bike parking structures using street parking spaces as well.

And he was asked about bike lanes and the Rock Creek Park Trail.

[Comment From Michael] The city is making slow progress with adding bike lanes, but at least I do see new lanes every year. But our major recreation destination in the heart of the city, Rock Creek Park, is in horrible condition. The trail is so narrow. The Park Service is not responsive to the needs of local residents - can the Council lobby them to improve and widen their trails in Rock Creek and elsewhere? Can you meet with them to push this?
Tommy Wells: Yes, I will continue to push the Park Service.

In general, I have lost excitement for painted bike lanes next to parked cars. We need a much more aggressive strategy for dedicated bike lanes next to the curb possibly protected by green cones or barriers.

The Rock Creek issue is a tough one. DC has the money to fix the trail, but is nonplussed about fixing it as a narrow trail. NPS would like the trail fixed too but is concerned that widening it will cause an unacceptable level of environmental damage. So we have ourselves a standoff. In "The Art of War" there is a story of two Samurai who meet in battle and neither has the advantage so they stand still with swords drawn...for hours. It starts to rain and neither of them moves - because whoever moves first is at a disadvantage. This seems equally silly. Except it's trail users who are stuck in the rain.

Photo by merrionsq