DC Allows bikes on all of H Street, keeps rush hour streetcar bike ban

DC released an updated set of streetcar regulations that removes the provision that prohibited riding a bicycle within a streetcar guideway. But they did not remove the provision that bans passengers from bringing bicycles onboard during rush hour. Presumably, passengers can still bring pool rafts, surfboards and refrigerators onboard. This is also totally cool.  

Here's more on the change.

In response to public comments received, the proposed rulemaking was revised to strike the provision that prohibited riding a bicycle within a streetcar guideway.  Additional comments were received to revise the definition of a streetcar guideway, but DDOT determined that the definition is sufficiently clear.

Final rulemaking action to adopt these amendments shall be taken in not less than fifteen (15) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.  Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 2-505 (2012 Repl.), final rulemaking action may be made less than thirty (30) days from publication of proposed rulemaking upon a showing of good cause.  The full comment period is not necessary because DDOT has already held meetings with stakeholders and addressed the issues raised in the previous round of comments.  DDOT does not anticipate any new comments to the rulemaking as the only changes made since it was last published on August 16, 2013 is the removal of the prohibition of bicycles on the streetcar guideway.

Funny thing is, the regulations do not restrict bringing a moped or even a motorcycle on the streetcar. 

Comments

[Will]

I am actually OK with the rush hour bike ban on Metro and streetcar (which has been to my disadvantage on a great many rainy days). The issue for me isn't the space on the train, but the space on the escalator/elevator, platform, and station walkways. I'm even a practiced "cyclocross carry" cyclist! However, I also frequently navigate strollers through the system at rush hour, and would not recommend anything larger.

It's a reasonable policy in my view.

[washcycle]

Even if that is the argument for metro. Those same issues are not relevant for the streetcar which has no elevators and no escalators and where the platform is basically the sidewalk. It's only slightly different then bikes on bus in that sense.

[Mike]

Right. I'm in favor of the metro ban, but the streetcar ban is stupid. You're outside, looking at the streetcar and can see whether it's full or whether the "platform" is too crowded for a bike. You're not going to have people trapped in a narrow tunnel with bikes. The other difference is the distances involved--I can't imagine a great many cyclists preferring the streetcar to just riding a couple of blocks at about the same speed, unless they've got a broken bike or are injured or somesuch; unlike the metro, bikes on streetcars are a fundamentally self-limiting problem.