Written with Erik Weber
At the Public Meeting on Complete Streets improvements for M Street the subject that CouncilMember Tommy Wells wanted to discuss most was change: a changing neighborhood, a changing population, a changing idea of transportation in the city and most of all a changed M Street SE/SW. And while many people seemed to be encouraged by the proposed M Street road diet, that group did not include the elected community leaders. Those who introduced themselves as ANC commissioners or leaders of other neighborhood groups were the most likely to express fear about the impact on traffic and parking.
Wells started the meeting with a discussion of the neighborhood, the way it has transformed and how a changed M Street could make it better. In the next few years, there will have been between $1.5 & $2.5 billion in development around the Capitol Riverfront/SW Waterfront areas, something akin to a small city. These neighborhoods are projected to host 25,000 more employees and be called home by an additional 10,000 residents. He went on to a common theme of his, how near SE/SW is the most multi-modal neighborhood in America. Within blocks you can find Metro, Metrobus, Circulator, major roads, a water taxi dock, a helipad, carriage horses (stabled under the freeway), etc... What's missing is high-quality infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
For this reason, he wanted to do a study to determine how to make M Street less of a barrier and more of a boulevard. He approached Toole Design about doing a bare-bones study and proposal and convinced the BID to cover the $8,000 cost. It was then presented to the BID, because they paid for it, and some ANC commissioners were concerned that they had not been informed of it sooner. So, the purpose of the meeting was to determine if the current M Street is what the neighborhood needs for the future.
At this point, he handed the meeting over to Adam Goldberg of AARP to discuss Complete Streets. AARP supports complete streets for an aging community because it is part of creating liveable communities. Older adults are over represented in all road fatalities but especially among pedestrian fatalities where they make up 19% of pedestrian deaths. America is getting older, and older people walk more, bike more and drive less. He presented a somewhat generic idea of what is, and what isn't, a complete street. But as he pointed out, there isn't one kind of complete street. It is very much context dependent.
He did make a convincing financial prudence argument. Surveys have shown than many paratransit riders would prefer to ride fixed-route transit but find it difficult because their bus-stops, sidewalks and neighborhoods are not accessible. It costs roughly $38,000 PER YEAR to provide paratransit service to someone, but only $8k to fix the accessibility of a bus stop.
Wells again spoke, this time about the current state of M Street. It's a six lane roadway that serves about 10,000 cars per day on the east side of South Capitol and 20,000 on the west side. According to DDOT it only takes two lanes to carry 10k and four lanes to carry 25k, so the road is overbuilt; and an overbuilt road invites speeding. In addition, a road that wide is harder to safely cross. Instead of being a highway, M street should be a neighborhood street.
Wells suggested taking the extra capacity and converting it into something more useful, and more beneficial, before the additional 35,000 people move in. If things don't change, they'll expect parking and traffic lanes instead of high-quality transit, sidewalks, bike lanes and negotiable street crossings. The groundwork is already laid on the edges of Southwest. People are biking over the 14th Street & Case bridges to and from the District and they need a way to connect to Southwest and Southeast. Down the road, the Nationals ballpark has the highest transit ridership of any baseball stadium in the country. A Streetcar is coming, eventually and adding bike lanes now will get people used to the idea of fewer lanes. Fewer lanes will make the road safer and more friendly. [JDLand has a copy of Wells' slides]
The Toole Design proposal would create separated bike lanes the length of M Street, with bus stops on the left side of the bike lane. Cyclists would use pedestrian lights in places where they had priority. A narrow, concrete median would give crossing pedestrians some refuge, where now they have none. The left turn lanes are maintained throughout M St SW as are many of the other turn lanes. The whole thing could be done in one year, for under $300,000 and paid for with revenue from the Performance Parking Pilot program.
People were more supportive than not. Some talked of time in Europe or the success with 8th street SE, which lost a lane but is more walkable and successful as a result without backing up traffic. One cyclist who hates riding on M street spoke of the signed bike route that instructs cyclists to use the sidewalk, where they mix with pedestrians. Younger people generally supported the new design - one woman said she sold her car when she moved to DC because she could. Another person talked of how South Capital separates neighborhoods and how this project could connect them.
But, as with any plan to reduce road capacity, people - mostly commissioners - were concerned about traffic. "You will cause M St SW to lose all hope of moving cars for hours and hours and hours." Wells pointed out that when they took away one-way rush hour flow on Constitution it did not back up traffic to Maryland as some claimed it would and that if you remove lanes, traffic will go away as drivers find other ways to move around. One commissioner was concerned that slowing down traffic will also slow down bus transit. "If this appears to be a conspiracy to slow down traffic - it is. Traffic is slower on Barracks Row, but it isn't gridlock", Wells said. There is rampant speeding on M Street, so the goal is not to make traffic crawl, but to go the speed limit. A safer street will serve bus riders as well. One commissioner thought that complete streets are great "in a perfect world", but what about when there are crashes or an evacuation.
There was concern that there isn't enough parking in the area and this will only make it worse, even though Wells pointed out that it wouldn't remove any parking. "Why not build central parking garages?" Wells noted that there is more parking in new buildings and that even though the new Arena Stage won't add any parking, it will be sharing parking with those buildings. The area actually has more surface parking than most.
One ANC commissioner was not opposed to a complete street design on M, but only if it came after a more through traffic study of the area.
Then there were the people who just don't like cyclists. One particularly angry woman [update: the elected First District Ward Six Rep for the South West Neighborhood Assmebly[sic] Grace E. Daughtridge] asked "Who are these bike lanes for? Who uses a bike to drop off their kids at school? Who brings home groceries for a family of four on a bicycle?" After each question several hands went up, to which she responded sarcastically each time "Congratulations, you must be real proud of yourself" and adding after the school question "You're an irresponsible parent." She continued "Older people don't even bike. This is elitist. These bike lanes are elitist and they only serve a few people. They don't service the whole community." Failing to note that in a city where less than half of all people drive, much of the roadway doesn't service the whole community. Another woman complained that cyclists don't follow the law, and asked how to protect pedestrians from cyclist. Wells avoid the question a bit, but noted that "we have sidewalks for pedestrians and roads designed for cars and we want to make space for bikes. But it isn't just about bikes."
Though the street is overbuilt and Tommy Wells and other residents clearly want to repurpose the unused capacity, this project is unlikely to move forward without support from the ANC. So it may be a long time before we see bike lanes on M Street SE/SW.
Crossposted at greatergreaterwashington.org
Mr Wells will have his hands full, but making M street more pedestrian/bike/public transit friendly vs single driver car friendly is not only doable, payable but we all will look back in 10 years and be so thankful it was done now. At worst case they can easily tear out $300,000 in improvements if the idea is not popular--I mean really that is pocket change and amounts like that are wasted in DC all the time.
Posted by: jg | March 10, 2010 at 12:49 PM
This is doable and it needs to be done!
Posted by: Mike | March 10, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Not related to M St. SE/SW, but I just read in the W. Post that dedicated bike lanes will be added to the middle of Pennsylvania Ave. between the White House and the Capitol. The project is on the fast-track so we should see these new lanes in about a month according to Jim Sebastian, DDOT's bike coordinator. Pretty cool!
Posted by: Michael H. | March 10, 2010 at 06:25 PM
If the author had bothered to report the Complete street "SW community" event accurrately and without prejudice one would have first noted that the woman you describe as "angry" was actually the elected First District Ward Six Rep for the South West Neighborhood Assmebly Grace E. Daughtridge.
Second the mic was not working properly and the ANC Commissioner that spoke prior could not be heard and again he was complaining about the great loss of parking for SW DC residents with recent addition of meters and worries that SW residents are having their already limited parking further taken away. I spoke loudly into the mic so that my constituients wishes could be heard clearly and effectively.
Third the SWNA was not even informed completely about this meeting and we were given only two days notice by DC councilman Wells.
Fourth this Complete street community meeting did not represent the SW community as a whole for most in our SW Community did not know that there was even a meeting and furthermore most who were in attendance, other than the elected officials and their employees, did not even live in SWDC 20024.
In fact the demographics did not even reflect the majority of Washington DC residents who live in SWDC at all.
Additionally this complete street meeting was also held at 6pm which is next to impossible for working Americans to attend.
I tried to make the meeting from Howard University Hospital and took 9th street where I did not see one cyclist using the bike lane at rush hour at 6pm no less. Not until I reached West Minister Church on 'I' street did I see a cyclist who was none other than David Sobelsohn another one of our ANC Commissioners who fought hard to ensure SW neighbors without vehicles would be able to purchase groceries while SAFEWAY was closed and moving to new digs on Fourth. Note he did tell the SW residents just to ride their bikes nor to take metro and even complained himself of the great distance he would have to ride his bike to get his groceries and he is a single male.
Now about the very false and inacurrate claim that I do not like cyclists. I worked in bike shops in Colorado for several years and raced mountain bikes NORBA. I have been on trails that most only dream about riding. I also own three bikes and I am a native Washingtonian.
About the claim that only half of Washiongtonians drive cars in Washington DC...You would have be a real local to to know the simple fact that many do not register their automobiles in Washington DC and use addresses in Maryland and Virginia to avoid the great expense of DC insurance.
There are many that live and work here but are from some place else too and they retain their license plates from other states even Canada. Again one needs to check out all the differing license plates that are not registered in Washington DC and many of whom park in private parking to avoid tickets and street parking all together. In fact one of my SW private parking lots have many residents cars with out of town tags that have been living and working in Washington DC for years.
I was not being sarcastic either when I told the crowd of strangers in my neighborhood at the SW community meeting congratulations for being able to carry a family of groceries: a gallon of milk, orange juice, water, cereal, meat, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, laundry detergent, bleach, toilet paper, greens, tomatoes, potatoes...You know the basics for a family. I meant it for that is quite a task for which the Councilman Tommy Wells claimed also he does and can not wait for the photos and video.
Most are not able to carry family sized groceries on a bike.
Ridding children on your bike to school is irresponsible and dangerous no matter. Cars have seat belt laws and more laws pertaining to car seats for children under five and even a certain weight and height for the simple reason of safety. Remember the young woman crushed to death by the dump truck in her bike lane and it was not the fault of the truck driver? One is endangering children when ridding them on a bike to drop them off at school no matter.
So who do these bikes lanes serve exactly since our SW DC community is primarily single family units?
Have any of you met the "Sassy Seniors" at Green Leaf Recreation Center in SW? If you had, you would know that these real SW neighborhood seniors are exercising in chairs to be fit and are not on bikes. 50 year olds are not "true" seniors and most over 65 are not riding bikes commuting to and from work nor picking up groceries on a bike in SWDC below the SW freeway.
Biking is a great sport however, it is not an adequate alternative for the average commuter. Riding a bike is not for every one what so ever. Bike lanes do not service the entire community but only a limited few.
During snow storms, rain, and bad weather bikes are not a good alternative either.
Bike theft is a chronic problem and has been reported in the City Paper that bikes are stolen from the nation's Capitol bikes stands and sold on Craig's list within minutes of the theft. Bike parts are taken from bikes too. The seat, the pedals, the wheels, the brakes, the cables, and walking home with that bike frame or with out your bike is not fun and the bike shop will be more than happy to sell you a new bike and parts over and over again. Just like a car replacing stolen bikes and bike parts is expensive.
This story fails on some many levels and illustrates well the author's lack of basic knowledge about Washington D.C. and the fact that this Complete Street "community " meeting did not envolve the SW Community.
The majority attending the meeting I noted did not ride a bike to this meeting.
Posted by: Grace E, Daughtridge SWNA | March 24, 2010 at 02:20 AM
one would have first noted that the woman you describe as "angry" was actually the elected First District Ward Six Rep for the South West Neighborhood Assmebly[sic] Grace E. Daughtridge.
I don't see how this changes things, but I'll update the post accordingly
Second the mic was not working properly
It was. I've spent a lot of time around mics. You have to hold it closer to your mouth than you think. People think they can hold it several inches away because that's what people do on TV, but those are expensive mics.
I spoke loudly into the mic so that my constituients[sic] wishes could be heard clearly and effectively.
Loud was not why I sensed "anger". Perhaps I perceived it wrong. No one else disputed it though. If you weren't angry, you put off that vibe in my opinion.
Third the SWNA was not even informed completely about this meeting and we were given only two days notice by DC councilman Wells.
He posted about it on his blog five days beforehand, and I heard about it the day before that. What would you have done with more time?
Fourth this Complete street community meeting did not represent the SW community...most who were in attendance, other than the elected officials and their employees, did not even live in SWDC 20024.
M also crosses into SE
most in our SW Community did not know that there was even a meeting
Didn't SWNA do anything to inform them? You had two days.
In fact the demographics did not even reflect the majority of Washington DC residents who live in SWDC at all.
This is a common problem with community meetings. It skews toward the young and the older (but not the truly elderly) because they don't have kids at home. It skews towards home owners. It is not a cross-section.
Additionally this complete street meeting was also held at 6pm which is next to impossible for working Americans to attend.
Were the people who were there unemployed or foreign?
I tried to make the meeting from Howard University Hospital and took 9th street where I did not see one cyclist using the bike lane at rush hour at 6pm no less. Not until I reached West Minister Church on 'I' street did I see a cyclist
Something like 7% of the vehicles on the roads of DC are bicycles. That you did not see one, does not make that untrue. It's like baby pigeons - just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they don't exist.
...who was none other than David Sobelsohn another one of our ANC Commissioners who fought hard to ensure SW neighbors without vehicles would be able to purchase groceries while SAFEWAY was closed and moving to new digs on Fourth. Note he did tell the SW residents just to ride their bikes nor to take metro and even complained himself of the great distance he would have to ride his bike to get his groceries and he is a single male.
I don't know why I didn't mention this.
Now about the very false and inacurrate[sic] claim that I do not like cyclists.
You may like cyclists, but that was not the impression you gave off.
I am a native Washingtonian.
And your vote counts no more than anyone else's. I'm sorry but being a native Washingtonian or having lived in the neighborhood for 30 years or whatever stuff people pull out like that at meetings is completely inconsequential. Do you think you're more important because you live in the place you were born? If not, why is this statement pertinent?
About the claim that only half of Washiongtonians[sic] drive cars in Washington DC...You would have be a real local to to know the simple fact that many do not register their automobiles in Washington DC and use addresses in Maryland and Virginia to avoid the great expense of DC insurance.
Ah, I see where the native Washingtonian comes in to play. I love how you "have to be a local to know" on one hand, and it's a "simple fact" on the other. But if it's a simple fact, the Texas Transportation Institute is filled with idiots because they missed it. In 2000 they noted that 33% of DC residents use transit, 12% Walk, 2% bike and 4% Work from home. 62% of household own at least one car.
In fact one of my SW private parking lots have many residents cars with out of town tags that have been living and working in Washington DC for years.
Screw those people (and the people who register our of state to pay cheaper insurance). Unless they're one of the classes that are allowed to keep out of state license plates on their car, they're criminals.
I was not being sarcastic either when I told the crowd of strangers in my neighborhood at the SW community meeting congratulations for being able to carry a family of groceries:
Again, it sounded sarcastic
Most are not able to carry family sized groceries on a bike.
Most? I don't know. Many? Yes. Replace "able" for "willing" and it's a more accurate statement.
Ridding[sic] children on your bike to school is irresponsible and dangerous no matter.
Poppycock
Remember the young woman crushed to death by the dump truck in her bike lane and it was not the fault of the truck driver?
No. I remember the young woman crushed to death by the dump truck in her bike lane and it was the fault of the truck driver. What does this have to do with biking kids to school?
One is endangering children when ridding[sic] them on a bike to drop them off at school no matter.
Poppycock
So who do these bikes lanes serve exactly since our SW DC community is primarily single family units?
People like David Sobelsohn another one of your ANC Commissioners.
most over 65 are not riding bikes commuting to and from work nor picking up groceries on a bike in SWDC below the SW freeway.
I don't know the statistics on those over 65. But I do know that some bike. And many, many walk. And one purpose of this project was to add a small median to M that would make it easier for pedestrians to cross.
Biking is a great sport however,
True, but we're not talking about sport, we're talking about transportation.
it is not an adequate alternative for the average commuter.
Poppycock
Riding a bike is not for every one what so ever[sic]. Bike lanes do not service the entire community but only a limited few.
Would you care for me to list all of the things the District does that does not service the entire community? But bike lanes do service the entire community in that there are free-rider benefits. When one of your neighbors bikes to work, they free up parking, reduce congestion, reduce pollution, improve health, reduce C02 emissions. In short when David Sobelsohn bikes, you win.
And many of those people bike because they can't afford a car. Biking is very cheap. It is much more egalitarian than driving frankly. If anything is elitist, it's highways (or maybe airports)
During snow storms, rain, and bad weather bikes are not a good alternative either.
Neither are flip flops, but many people own them and use them. If there are even 10 days a year when weather makes biking impossible I'd be shocked. And on most of those days, driving is a bad idea too.
Bike theft is a chronic problem...
Bike theft is not a reason to not build bike lanes. It is a reason to crack down on bike theft.
This story fails on some[sic] many levels....
It's hard to argue with that
and illustrates well the author's lack of basic knowledge about Washington D.C.
I'm willing to go head to head with you in a DC Knowledge-off any day of the week. I, for example, know how to spell 'Washingtonian.'
The majority attending the meeting I noted did not ride a bike to this meeting.
They would have, had there been bike lanes on M Street.
Posted by: washcycle | March 24, 2010 at 10:58 AM