TheWashCycle

2010: Looking Ahead

While it doesn't appear that 2010 will have quite as many big items as 2009 did, there is still much to be excited about.

Winter

Work starts on phase I of the Long Bridge Park with it's bike lanes an Esplanade.

Capitol Hill Bikes reopens at new location.

Construction begins on the two bridges that carry the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail over the railroad tracks.

DDOT to break ground on the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Bridge to the Met Branch Trail.

Spring

Construction Starts on Phase IV of the College Park Trolley Trail.

Eisenhower Avenue Bike Trail opens - the last bicycle element of the Wilson Bridge Project.

Metropolitan Branch Trail's R street gap should open sometime in the spring allowing users to ride the trail from L to Franklin.

Massive Smartbike expansion by May. Announcement should come sooner.

The Crystal City Commuter Hub opens.

Summer

Completion of the new Humpback Bridge along the Mt. Vernon Trail, which will provide for a much wider Active Transportation Lane as well as underpasses on both the Virginia and DC sides. 

New Bike Arlington Bike Map.

Fall

Washington Boulevard Trail Phase II starts work

???

Arlington Boulevard Trail Renovation
Rte 110 South Trail (Memorial Dr to Pentagon)
Columbia Pike parallel routes (Wayne to Quincy Sts, both sides)
Rosslyn Intersection Improvements (everything except Lynn St underpass)

That's all I can think of at least.

Photo by William Couch

11th Street Bridges Work Begins

DDOT had a press event to announce the start of work on the new 11th Street Bridges. You would be hard pressed to have missed it since it was covered by WTOP, Dr. Gridlock, ABC7, WAMU, JDLand and the City Paper. Dr. Gridlock, JDLand and Erika Niewdowksi of City Paper have the best coverage.

The $300 million project started yesterday and we got to see them cutting some cables on the protective bridge piers (the bumpers that keep boats from crashing into the bridge) that will have to be removed to make room for the bridge. Basically they'll completely build three new bridges, two highway and one local, without having to touch the existing ones. It's the first design-build-to-budget bridge for the District. Work will finish in late summer/early fall of 2013.

The whole thing was a bit targeted at drivers. They said, for example, that "There will be about a year and a half of work on the bridges before traffic patterns would need to be interrupted" but then they mentioned that they were tearing down the bike/pedestrian bridge over 295 soon, which I suspect will interrupt traffic patterns for some people. A lot of the material also mentions minimizing impact to motorists. But they were pretty proud of the new active transportation lane on the bridge - and rightfully so, as it will be much larger than what is on the existing bridge. 

As I mentioned in August, there will be one lane for cyclists and pedestrians on the downstream side of the local bridge (which is the most downstream bridge of the three) it will be 16'8" wide, but with the curb and light poles it will leave 13'8" (not 13'9" as reported earlier) of space. And cyclists will also be allowed to use the travel lanes on the local bridge. Cyclists will get on the new bridge at O Street on the west side, instead of N as is the case now, which should make for a smoother transition to the ART. On the east side, cyclists will be able to access Good Hope Road at either the current location west of 295 or at the intersection of Good Hope and MLK. The bike/ped bridge over 295 will be torn down in January and the replacement will be finished by Memorial Day, we were told. During construction, one of the staging areas will be near the west side path, but it should not interfere with use of the bridge by cyclists and pedestrians.

I'm not sure when cyclists would shift to the new bridge or if there will be any interruption in use. It may be that project managers don't know either, as the design-build nature of the project means that some questions are still to be resolved.   

One last thing to be resolved is what to do with the existing bridges. The existing bridges were built in the 1960's for the Inner Beltway that was never built. Though they may not be desirable anymore, they don't really have to tear them down. The ideas they presented were to remove the spans and build catwalks with scenic overlooks along the center piers on the downstream side that would allow pedestrians to walk out and see the river; and on the upstream side they would build osprey nests. The piers close to land were listed as "for future use." One idea for them is to build piers out to those four pylon sets for fishing etc...

When I asked about the upstream span and the possibility of repurposing it, I was told that DDOT had not ruled that out yet. That would be a great idea. DC would save the cost of demolition and could put that towards maintenance - which would be less without car traffic. Then they could give it the High Line treatment, creating a space with plantings, art etc.. And cyclists could use that part too.

DDOT Celebrates New Champlain Street

I've been using it for a few weeks now, but yesterday, DDOT officially opened Champlain Street.

Reconstruction of Historic Adams Morgan Street Revitalizes Community

(Washington, DC) Mayor Adrian M. Fenty along with Ward 1 Councilmember, Jim Graham, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Gabe Klein, local advisory neighborhood commissioners, residents and business owners celebrated the reopening of Champlain Street in the Adams Morgan neighborhood in northwest DC.

“We are pleased to be able to witness the reopening of this important connection to the Adams Morgan community and the Marie Reed Learning Center,” said Mayor Fenty. “The upgrades, new infrastructure, and handicap access improvements will bring revitalization to an area that had become a harborage for criminals for too long.”

Historical Background

Following the construction of the Marie Reed Learning Center in 1977, the section of Champlain Street under the building was closed. The section became a dark and unsafe area for the community. To improve public safety and encourage activity along Champlain Street, the local ANC, Adams Morgan Main Street, and Adams Morgan Partnership passed a resolution supported by Councilmember Graham to recommend reopening of the section under Marie Reed Learning Center. Reopening Champlain Street will provide additional connectivity in the area network.

“DDOT is proud to be a part of this historic moment,” said DDOT Director Klein. “The reopening of this street will provide better movement of traffic, safer pedestrian walkways for residents and visitors to the area, and bring a new positive energy to the learning center and the overall community.”

DDOT completed the nearly $1.7M street improvement project in mid December. The five month long project included resurfacing of California Street between Florida Ave and 18th Street, resurfacing Old Morgan Place to Florida Ave and reopening Champlain Street between Kalorama Road and Old Morgan Place to traffic. The scope of work included resurfacing, new sidewalk with new granite curbs, brick gutter, pedestrian crossings, new wheelchairs ramps, new ADA compliance ramp to the Community of Hope Clinic, storm drainage upgrading, new traffic signals and new streetlights, planting trees and accommodation for a bicycle lane.

There Once Was a Trail Here

There Once Was a Trail Here, originally uploaded by M.V. Jantzen.

A large section of the Rock Creek trail was flooded. The trail is in a bit of a trough, so the water hasn't receded. The trail's underwater surface was covered in rippled mud, much like the ocean bottom, making biking through the water perilous. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.

Driver Guilty in Leymeister Fatality. Penalty $313.

This from Baltimore Spokes via someone who went to the trial.

After the collision, the driver made a statement to Maryland State Police that she had just left home and had cleared a portion of the left windshield of morning dew but left the fogged up right side to be cleared by the car’s heater. The windshield had not yet cleared and she was busy searching for a cigarette lighter in her purse (the car’s lighter didn’t work) when she ran into the cyclist. “I just didn’t see him”.

The judge found her guilty of negligent driving. When the driver asked for a reduction in the amount of the fine because of lack of personal funds, the judge rolled his eyes and said “Your negligence has caused the death of a human being. I’m going to require the maximum fine plus costs”.

Maximum fine $287.50 plus $25.50 court costs for a total of $313.00 due on January 4, 2010. And that was it.

While walking out of court, I approached the investigating officer and mentioned that the law actually states that a cyclist must stay as far to the right as safe and practicable not as far to the right as possible. He replied with a grin “Practicable, possible, it’s all the same thing and that’s the law. If you don’t like it, try to get it changed.”

She was ticketed in November and I missed it. She decided to fight the charge.

The ticket issued to 20-year-old Kathy May Lee states that the alleged infraction contributed to the Oct. 5 accident, and it was issued after state troopers conferred with a county prosecutor.

The prosecutor said there were no indications that Lee was sending a text message or otherwise using a cell phone when the collision occurred, and that there were no contributing circumstances amounting to gross negligence, a wanton and reckless disregard for human life.

"She momentarily looked down," Riddle said. "There was no alcohol, no indication of speeding [and] no indication of anything that would amount to reckless driving. We’re nowhere near the gross negligence standard."

The prosecutor reiterated earlier police comments that a bicyclist is required to ride on a roadway’s shoulder if it’s usable or as close to the edge of the roadway as possible.

"It appears from the [accident investigation’s] reconstruction that he was in the middle of the road," Riddle said. 

But being in the middle of the road didn't cause the accident. It has nothing to do with this case (and isn't even illegal).

Outdoor Center and Bike Shop Planned along MacArthur Boulevard

A Rockville businessman and conservationist has proposed an outdoor recreation center at Rockwood Manor Park on MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac.

You can read the whole article here.

Sunny Pitcher, founder of kayaking instruction school Potomac Paddlesports, hopes the center will function as a nature-centric community hub for outdoor enthusiasts who already use the area for activities such as hiking, biking and kayaking.

Pitcher is proposing to shoulder the $1 million cost for the project, which doesn't include proposed road improvements. Depending on approvals, he hopes the center could open as soon as spring or summer.

The center would also feature a bike shop. "We will have amenities there for people to have their bicycle repaired if they get a flat tire," Pitcher said. "They'll be able to purchase things they may have forgot or left home before they head up to Great Falls."

Though it's not part of the proposal for Rockwood, Pitcher says he hopes to work with entities like the National Park Service and the State Highway Administration to relieve traffic along MacArthur Boulevard. His ideas include a dedicated bike lane.

Matt Logan, president of the C&O Canal Trust lauded potential plans for easing pedestrian and bicycle access along MacArthur Boulevard.

Bike items that have little to nothing to do with DC - Duh!

Encouraging city dwellers to walk and bicycle instead of using cars would offer much greater public health benefits than increased used of low-emission vehicles, U.K. researchers have found.

The Port of Seattle will acquire a 45 mile railroad ROW and king County convert much of it to a bike trail.

Under this MOU, the Port would lease the corridor to King County, which would then develop a major public-access trail on the southern portion of the corridor that is within the County. The trail would connect to approximately 130 miles of existing trail.

The County will construct a regional trail on the Eastside corridor in a way that considers future transportation needs of the region. Trail development is estimated to cost $44 million.

"This once in a lifetime opportunity allows King County to assemble one of the premiere regional trail systems in the country," said King County Council Member Julia Patterson, who chaired a year-long process for the Puget Sound Regional Council to examine use of the corridor. "The Puget Sound Regional Council study and discussion on this topic were significant; all the local jurisdictions were brought together and determined that it would be impossible to re-assemble this corridor if it was not preserved today."

"This announcement establishes the greater Seattle region as a national model for the rest of America," says Rails-to-Trails Conservancy President Keith Laughlin. "By creating trails for people to walk and bike safely that connect them to the places they want and need to be, you are making an investment in more than a piece of land. You're investing in people and their future."

The Boulder, CO Director of Transportation has their own bike parking space.

Saturday Morning Ride - Boxing Day

As part of the Klingle Valley Trail project, GGW calls for simplifying the Porter-Klingle intersection to create more park space.

At least one guy wants bike sharing in PG County

"I'd like to see county bike-sharing programs," Brian Lentz, a Laurel resident and student at the University of Maryland, College Park, said to his group, which included county Planning Board Chairman Samuel Parker. "Biking is not a carbon-intensive mode of transportation, and it gives us a sense of community."

At least he gets the health benefits

For a while I lived in probably the safest village in America, Scarsdale, NY. One day, while driving my fourth-grader to school, I saw a rare thing, a 9-year-old riding his bike, his books in the front basket. Then I noticed, right behind him, his mother driving the family Mercedes, making sure he got to school safely.

More old photos from John Kelly

This International News Photo is from 1956. The caption: Arlington, Virginia...Under a new vehicle program, the Post Office Department is purchasing 1,000 scooters; 6,000 golf caddy-type carts and 2,000 more bicycles to speed mail carriers on their appointed rounds.

Christmas Morning Ride

Several Ideas that matter to cyclists made the New York Times list of Best Ideas of 2009. This includes Bicycle Highways:

The bicycle highway — no red lights, no cars — is every cyclist's fantasy. There are now signs that infrastructure is catching up with the dream. In October 2008, an association of U.S. state-highway officials approved the concept of a national Bicycle Routes Corridor Plan — the first step in potential American bike Interstates. But this amounts to little more than a go-ahead for states to put bike-route signs on existing roads.

Copenhagen, however, began last month to create the real thing: a system of as many as 15 extra-wide, segregated bike routes connecting the suburbs to the center of the city. These are not bucolic touring paths; Copenhagen's bike highways are meant to move traffic. Nearly 40 percent of Copenhagen rides a bike to work. On Norrebrogade, a two-mile street in the center of the city, 36,000 cyclists clog the bike lane every day.

Artificial Car Noise:

Unfortunately, it turns out that the sweet silence of 21st-century technology has a serious downside: pedestrians and bicyclists are less likely to hear hybrids and electric cars coming their way and are more likely to be clipped or run over.

Data derived from thousands of accidents revealed that there was no difference between hybrids and conventional vehicles on straightaways. But at intersections, interchanges, parking lots and other places where cars traveled at slow speeds, hybrids proved far more hazardous, with pedestrians and bicyclists getting hit at up to twice the normal rate.

And, of course, Virginia's cul-de-sac ban:

"There are pros and cons," says Kaid Benfield, the director of the Smart Growth Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Residents like walkability and they like not having to be forced onto an arterial road where the traffic jam is. On the other hand, there is a sentiment out there that cul-de-sacs are safe" — though Benfield says research actually shows fewer traffic fatalities occur on connected roads.

So, in reality, there are pros and perceived, but inaccurate, cons.

Rails to Trails' Western Regional Office just released the California Rails-with-Trails Survey, adding new evidence that trails along active rail corridors are safe and feasible. Silver Spring Trails brings it into context for the CCT/Purple Line. By my count, the CCT/Purple Line combo would become the third rail with trail within the beltway. Quick, name the other two...

Snow Emergency Routes

Yesterday, someone asked me how to get to the 14th Street Bridge's active transportation lane (ATL) without using the snow and ice covered Mt. Vernon Trail (MVT), and I realized you can't. Same goes for the TR Bridge and Memorial Bridge. Having the CCT or Rock Creek Park Trails basically closed might be inconvenient, but there are, at least, on road alternatives. But you can't just hop on I-495 or the GW Parkway if the trail isn't safe. The only place you safely and legally really cross the Potomac without using the trails is the Key Bridge.

Richard Layman wrote recently about treating some sidewalks as snow emergency routes because they approached schools or hospitals. So, where are the key pieces of bike infrastructure that can't be replaced? The pieces that should be treated like snow emergency routes and cleared?

Here are some I identified (and they're all bridge related)

1. The ATL for the Wilson, 14th Street, Roosevelt, South Capitol, 11th Street and East Capitol Bridges.

2. The MVT from the Crystal City Tunnel to 14th Street Bridge.

3. The MVT from N. Lynn to the TR Bridge

4. The Washington Boulevard trail from the Pentagon to Memorial Bridge

5. The C&O Canal towpath from Chain Bridge to the CCT and from that point on the CCT into Georgetown.

What did I miss?