About two percent of District workers bike to work, and there were 257 crashes involving bicyclists in 2008 and one fatality – up slightly from the previous two years.
As well as information about Safe Routes to School, Street Smarts, Feet in the Street and the Inauguration bike valet.Initiatives
There are 64 miles of signed bike routes in the District, 44.7 miles of designated bike lanes, and 55 miles of bicycle trails. More than 1,200 bike racks have been installed since 2002.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes Reduced
On average, 265 bicycle and 600 pedestrian crashes are reported to the Metropolitan Police Department each year in DC. While DDOT is pleased to report annual decreases in crashes, the District government recognizes the importance of a continued commitment to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. DDOT is also committed to increase the amount of bicycling and walking in the city, and has completed several different initiatives to improve safety and bike and pedestrian accessability[sic].
Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities and injuries continue to decrease, according to Metropolitan Police reports.
Bicycle Master Plan Work Completed
Using the Bicycle Master Plan, DDOT has continued to work towards providing safe and convenient bicycle access throughout the city through the creation of a network of interconnected trails. These include the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, the Marvin Gaye Park Trail, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, the Recreational Trails Program, and the Garfield Park - Canal Park Connection. DDOT anticipates that the completion of these trails, along with other bicycle initiatives, will continue to encourage an increase in biking in the District of Columbia. The goal? The District of Columbia will be a world-class bicycling city that offers a safe and convenient network of bikeways for all types of trips
Bike Station at Union Station Opened
A bike transit facility at the west end of Union Station is the first of its kind on the East Coast. The new facility offers bicycle parking, rentals, repairs and accessories and holds approximately 133 bikes of all types. It boasts a hybrid natural and mechanical venting system to minimize power use. The design also allows for rainwater runoff to be used for irrigation. A portion of the runoff from both the bike station as well as the plaza will be channeled to nearby planters for use as irrigation and to take advantage of the bio-retentive qualities of the planting beds. The project was funded by the Federal Highway Administration and DDOT. It’s one of many DDOT projects to promote sustainable transportation within the District.
176 new bike racks were installed in 2009.
Car Sharing and Bike Sharing Encouraged
...Also available are SmartBikes, a self-service, point-to-point bike program available at stations throughout the District. DDOT works to support Washington, DC as a cyclist-friendly city for visitors and commuters
Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) Continued
The MBT will run from Silver Spring to Union Station, connecting the Capital Crescent Trail, the Anacostia Tributaries Trail System, and the National Mall. It will be part of the East Coast Greenway. The recreation and transportation route will provide direct access to seven of Metro’s Red Line stations.
MBT is named after the “Metropolitan Branch,” the first rail line built through the corridor by the B&O Railroad. The corridor is now home to Amtrak and Metro as well as freight lines. It is anchored by two significant railroad landmarks, Union Station and the old B&O Railroad station in Silver Spring. Since trail planning began in the 1990s, three segments are currently in place; New York Avenue to Union Station, 1st Street NE, and John McCormack Road.
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