TheWashCycle

Mind the Gap

It would be pretty insane, but if the Met Branch Trail were extended south along the Grehound bus site and across K Street, there would be room between the building at 111 K Street (I think that's the right address) and the railroad's retaining wall. Of course, permissions would be needed, the support on the left would have to be dealt with and the fences, which ostensibly exist for a reason, would have to be removed. And getting across K and down to grade would be tough.

But for those who like to dream...

Sunday Video: Tim Johnson's Ride on Washington - Day 5

Yeah...

USPP bike cop blocking Penn Ave bike lanes by randomduck

Friday Afternoon Commute - Critical Mass Turns 20

I remember when Critical Mass started. Shortly thereafter someone organized a ride in Austin. It was a big deal on the local news and of course the cops cracked down on anyone who broke any law - which was pretty much anyone. I wanted to do that ride, but I think I to work that evening.

Cycling has come a long way since then, I remember there was very much a sense that bikes do not belong on the road- or if they did, not during rush hour when people were trying to get home from work. That sentiment has moved mostly into the margins. Bike commuting is way up. It's moved from weird to cool (although maybe still weird). While most people I know have mixed feelings about Critical Mass, I do think it did a lot to spark the bike advocacy movement at the time (and I once read an article where someone argued it helped get Clinton elected, but I think that is way overselling it). I'm not sure it's necessary anymore, but then it has become a lot less about confrontation and more about fun anyway. So happy birthday Critical Mass.

• A trio of 20-somethings are biking from San Francisco to Florida via San Diego to create a documentary exploring the safety hazards of biking in the United States and starting tomorrow the day after the 20th anniversary of Critical Mass."There's no reason that the U.S. can't have the kind of systems in place in the Netherlands or Denmark, where you're 30 times less likely to be hit by a car," says Baker. The Seattle paper wonders if there is anyone who doesn't hate Critical Mass. 
• Army Secretary John McHugh is recovering from his bicycle crash, which did not involve any motor vehicles. "McHugh was riding his bicycle on a Northern Virginia bike trail when he swerved to avoid a group of pedestrians. McHugh suffered a pelvic fracture that did not require surgery and is being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center." He was wearing a helmet. 
• Sequestration could delay the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail project. 

DDOT proposes extending the 15th Street Cycletrack to Euclid

At an ANC meeting this week (as reported by GGW), DDOT presented preliminary concepts for the two blocks of 15th Street NW north of U. Currently a bike lane - on the right hand side and opposite the cycletrack - exists on 15th Street.

The new design would extend the cycletrack, still protected by parked cars, along the west side of 15th all the way to Euclid. But the extension might look different - possibly better - than what is south of U

DDOT could just build the cycle track in this intersection along the edge of the roadway, separated with poles, as with the rest of the cycle track today. Other options, though, elevate it up to sidewalk level like many European cities do. The tree boxes would still separate the track from the sidewalk, but then one of a few different curb treatments would divide it from the roadway.

At the meeting, DDOT planner Gabriela Vega said the agency was still weighing the pros and cons of the last three designs' barriers between the cycle track and the parking lane. The barriers in the last three designs all include permeable pavers that allow the ground to absorb more stormwater.

You can see these designs in the image below.

In addition to the more definitive separation between the cycletrack, sidewalk and roadway, you can see that at the intersection, the space at the end of the parking is filled with a stormwater planter. 

In addition to the extended cycletrack, the design shows bike boxes at every approach to the "Death Star" intersection and a bike lane on Florida north of W (where currently there is none). 

There are two options for how to align the intersection, but for cyclists I don't see much of a difference, though one shows painted bike boxes and the other does not, I think that might be an oversight, not a design difference. 

My only concern about this is the possibility of conflict between downhill and uphill cyclists on 15th north of W. Cyclists in one direction could be going very fast, and cyclists in the other might be looking down as they pump their way up the hill. I fear it could be an opportunity for a very bad head-on collision. Perhaps the cycletrack needs to be wider there. 

Friday morning commute - Freeze

Yesterday I saw a few MPD officers at the Safeway helping a woman break her bike lock. I'm guessing she'd lost the key. It was a cable lock and they broke it with a hammer.

• At a meeting on 17th and 19th Streets SE this week, DDOT recommended narrowing 17th and adding a bike lane, while adding sharrows to 19th. This is for the section between East Capitol and Potomac Avenue. Project wouldn't be completed for 18 months though. 
• Don't be this cyclist. Stick around, just as you'd expect a driver to. 
• Work has begun on the New Hampshire Avenue project which will, among other things, add bike lanes in both directions between Dupont and Washington Circle
• Apparently, you can break a U lock by freezing it. My advice is to get a lock that has insurance - and enough to cover your bike, follow all the instructions that come with the lock to make the insurance valid and then pray that bike thieves leave the broken lock behind. [Bike thieves: if you leave the bike lock behind, more people will have money to buy bikes and that will mean more bikes to steal. Everybody wins.]

New Bike Lanes on Slaters Lane in North Alexandria

Photo by Thomas Sheffer who writes

Slaters lane, a major Mount Vernon Trail access point for north Alexandria got a major push towards bike safety this week with the addition of a designated bike lane both east and west. Big move for the city deciding to give up one west lane of traffic to accommodate! This is a great addition for the communities of north old town and south del ray to make for a safer connection to the MVT, especially for morning commuters!

And look, no door zone.

Thursday Afternoon Commute - DQ

Good afternoon

• The next DQ ride is set for November 4th. That may not work well in DC the weekend before the election, but I guess it didn't hold the Stewart/Colbert Rally back. 
• Here's a better link for BicycleSpace's Bike Parade. The'll will be hosting a free craft session at the shop tomorrow (Friday) night at 7:30 pm where people can come to decorate their bikes in advance of the event?
• Reinventing the bike lock #6: Strong cable lock bolted to the bike, with or without motion-activated GPS. 

Thursday Morning Commute - bass fishing and rail trails

I startled a pair of raccoons on my ride last night. At first I thought they were cats, but then one of them stood it's ground for a little while and I almost hit it. In the end, everyone made it out OK, but I'm sure that right now, they're bad-mouthing cyclists in the comment section of the Post.

• Check out my latest post on the M Street SE/SW cycletrack proposal at the Green Lane Project. It includes an animation of the proposal not seen on this blog. And, you can read about Memphis' first green lane as well. 
• jdland provides data on Near SE's three docks (What no data on the warehouse dock that's also in near SE? She really is semi-retired.)
• Speaking of CaBi data, Capital Bikeshare set a one week record with 7831 riders on average per day. And Arlington Staff check on possible future locations. 
• The Capital Crescent Trail east of Bethesda is nice, tranquil even, but it is not "a model to other urban areas in America."
• "County government officials tout how the rail trail and bass fishing are drawing people to the county. The idea to link the rail trail with other trails in St. Charles and even those in St. Mary’s County is a good one, and it seems as if those plans are moving forward."
• Car Free Day coverage.

Wednesday Afternoon Commute - Empty Parking Garage

Good afternoon

• This could result is some very interesting data: "Howard University recently opened the Transportation Safety Data and Research Center as part of its School of Engineering. At the center, students and faculty will work with the D.C. Department of Transportation to study traffic data such as crashes, traffic speeds, traffic volumes, commercial vehicles, and pedestrian and bicycle counts."
• DDOT is presenting plans for the intersection of 15th, W and Florida to ANC 1B. Part of this includes extending the 15th Street cycletrack north. 
• The Crystal City Diamond Derby is this Saturday. "Bike enthusiasts can participate in a nine-mile bike ride that culminates in an afternoon of music, art, drinks and amateur bike races in an empty parking garage. If you missed the first event in March then you missed what was perhaps one of the most unusual cycling events of the year."
• The Green Festival is this Saturday and riding a bike there gets you in for free. 
• Also on Saturday, Bicycle Space is sponsoring a bicycle parade. 
• The Economic Benefits of Bicycling.