In a statement to the DC Council, WABA supported the Pedestrian Protection Amendment Act, but suggested an improvement that I think is a great idea (and frankly, I already thought it was the law).
WABA recommended adding a provision allowing cyclists to share in the benefits of a Leading Pedestrian Interval or LPI. An LPI is a time lag at an intersection where the pedestrian signal turns green a few seconds before the stop light turns green. This gives pedestrians a chance to get into the intersection before traffic starts. Currently cyclists follow the stop light like a car, unless otherwise signed. But this change would let cyclists follow the pedestrian light. It works like a virtual bike box, letting cyclists get ahead of traffic and avoid a right hook.
On the Pedestrian Safe Streets Pedestrian Speed Limit Act, the act that would have lowered speed limits on residential streets and which is no longer up for consideration, WABA had a couple of comments. WABA suggested a greater emphasis on design speeds of roads as a way to control speed and that a law give communities that prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety an input process to hasten improvements, as this will create a better dialogue among neighbors.
Sure makes sense, seeing as streets like 15th already have "bikes follow ped signal" signs that allow bikes to cross using the LPI.
Posted by: Westnorth | December 16, 2011 at 12:29 AM