Council Passes the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2015

Yesterday, in addition to the kerfuffle over the contributory negligence fix bill, the council quietly passed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2015 in a unanimous vote.  I expect Mayor Bowser to sign it. 

this bill makes changes to District law regarding motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. It requires the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to publish certain statistical and geographical data on its website, establishes a safety program called the Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area Program, orders DDOT to adopt an inclusive policy for accommodating all users of the District's roadways, and amends existing public safety laws by creating new motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle regulations.

Here is what the bill originally contained, and what it was later modified to contain. There's a lot of good stuff in this bill (even if that doesn't include the Idaho Stop or increased fines for repeat offenders). The mandatory use of interlock for everyone convicted of drunk driving and the revocation of licenses from repeat drunk drivers being among the most noteworthy.

Comments

[Atlas Cesar]

Call me cynical, but I highly doubt anything in the bill will actually effect a positive change in safety for cyclists. It seems like a lot of hot air that could quietly dissipate into nothingness. Besides, "requiring" DDOT to obey any law is a bit laughable based on their unwillingness to require safe accommodation for pedestrians and cyclists.

[washcycle]

The first bike safety bill passed by Tommy Wells had a provision requiring DC trucks to add side underrun guards, blind spot mirrors and warning stickers WHEN FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE. So nothing much happened at first, but the BAC kept pushing council to address this every year in our oversight hearing or in meetings with staff.

Eventually Cheh decided it was a real issue and started asking DPW questions and for timelines and such and now they're in the process of meeting these requirements. I can't find the schedule from 2014, but I seem to recall they were going to be done by the end of 2018.

So, change probably won't happen fast (most of the reports and rules required by that law came in years later than required) but I do think this law creates a means by which advocates can force this change. No longer do we have to say "you should do x" we can now say "you're required to do x." It does move things forward.

[eawrist]

Thanks atlas and thanks washcycle for covering this. People in research or nonprofits-anywhere objectives are measured over time-know that goals without timelines or consequences are worthless. DDOT has no impetus for change unless they have a legal obligation to meet SMART goals. So, baby step and baby yeh.