The US-Africa leaders Summit is going on right now in DC, and while the local media is doing much to alert drivers about how that impacts their commute, there has been less help for cyclists. This article in the Washington Post mentions drivers and motorists frequently, but cyclists never. True, the closures are probably much harder on drivers than cyclists, but still, it shows a narrow focus.
It doesn't even mention that Pennsylvania in front of the White House (the part that is closed to car traffic, but open to cyclists) will be closed, despite it being a major bike facility. Disappointing.
The sidewalk/trail along the south side of Maine Avenue SW, between 15th (the Tidal Basin) and 9th (the Wharf), has been narrowed by about half. The inverted-T-shaped metal barriers that they've used would be very hazardous for a bicycle to crash into, since the metal "foot" is just a few inches high.
Posted by: paytonc | August 05, 2014 at 01:01 PM
My commute route takes me on Virgina Ave NW, the heart of the closure zone, and on a bike, it really hasn't been a problem at all this week. This morning's worst delay was from the closure of the Capitol grounds to bike and ped traffic, forcing a detour from East Capitol to Constitution and back to the Mall. Not sure what it was about, maybe security training drill since congress is in recess.
Posted by: Will | August 05, 2014 at 02:30 PM
I didn't realize Penn would be closed. It wasn't yesterday, but they had the barricades out this morning so I wondered. It's always a pain when they close that. H Street is one way to other direction for an out-bound commute, and going up to I across New York has never been much fun.
Posted by: DE | August 05, 2014 at 02:57 PM
Was pretty crazy downtown this evening. Glad I was on a bike.
Posted by: Greenbelt | August 05, 2014 at 08:51 PM
Penn in front of the White House was indeed closed last night, but it was open again this morning and I didn't notice a lot of barricades piled up anywhere waiting to be put back up.
Posted by: DE | August 06, 2014 at 08:12 AM
I don't go there anymore, but the plaza in front of the White House (that was formerly Pennsylvania Avenue)is blocked frequently. Whenever a head of state is in Blair House.
That never makes the news. If it makes anyone feel any better, I used to give the SS agent grief when I was forced to find another way to work.
Posted by: Tom | August 06, 2014 at 11:08 AM
Ha, I have learned to be very nice or ignore completely the agents there. I have seen and heard of things happening of which I want to take no part.
One was very nice to me once when my chain broke in the thundersnow some years back. He *really* didn't like me leaving my bike as I looked for the quick link, but he did help me look for it.
Posted by: DE | August 06, 2014 at 11:23 AM