TheWashCycle

The Region's new Transportation plan could also be part of a Vision Zero plan

The Greater Washington Partnership recently released a Blueprint for Regional Mobility, a transportation plan for the super-region. It is a transportation plan, one that would likely lead to more and better biking, but it's also a plan for moving towards Vision Zero and Sustainability.

Most notable for cyclists is that one of the dozen or so actions is to complete the Baltimore Greenway Trails and Capital Trails networks and to establish a Richmond Trail Network strategy. 

Connected trail systems can lessen demand on the roadway network, improve connections to jobs and activity centers, increase regional economic activity, contribute to healthy communities, and enhance access to the outdoors and our iconic parks and landscapes in both rural and urban areas. Maryland, the District, and Virginia have more than 1,000 multi-use trail miles, with major nationally-recognized trails such as the East Coast Greenway, the C&O Canal Towpath, the Anacostia Tributary Trails, the Capital Crescent Trail, the Mount Vernon Trail, the W&OD Trail, and the Virginia Capital Trail.

Yet, despite considerable investments, the region’s trails do not form coherent and connected regional networks in the Baltimore, Washington, and Richmond metro areas. In many instances, the trails also do not provide seamless connections to non-trail bicycle and pedestrian networks. Federal, state, and local governments should collaborate with trails groups and private entities to speed up the delivery of the Baltimore Greenway and the Capital Trails Network, and establish a trail connecting activity centers from Ashland to Richmond to Petersburg with the 52-mile Virginia Capital Trail.

Many commute trips are less than five miles, a distance most can bike. In addition, many non-commuting trips can be completed efficiently by biking or walking if safe options exist. Trail connections to essential destinations such as jobs and transit stops can lower demand on the region’s roadway network, which reduces congestion.

However, the lack of trail connectivity diminishes the region’s ability to conveniently overcome man-made barriers, such as roads, to access jobs, schools, and outdoor opportunities. This lack of trail connectivity encourages consumers to drive rather than complete trips by bike or foot, limits greenspace for recreation, and isolates communities.

The Capital Region already benefits from clusters of locally and regionally connected trails in some areas. A few critical investments would create a network of trails—creating a sum far greater than its parts.

You can't argue with any of that. Richmond in particular has some great untapped trail opportunities, as it has been an historic rail hub. Many of those rail line have been shut down, but could be re-purposed for trails.  A partial map of abandoned railroads around Richmond can be seen to the right (existing trails are in blue). 

But beyond just supporting the trails, the plan supports better transit, increased density, a downtown DC congestion charge and ending free parking - all things that would make biking better. 

It notes that a Metro study that included a DC congestion zone, better priced parking and better bike connectivity to Metro stations would result in a 25% increase in transit mode share. It's hard to imagine it wouldn't also lead to an increase in bicycle mode share and a reduction in road fatalities too. 

So, when some people write that

Some WABA members also would like to see the District charge motorists a toll just for entering the city.

They should know it's not just WABA members. It's WMATA. And the Greater Washington Partnership, and the groups that signed on to their plan including the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Prince George’s and Montgomery County Chambers of Commerce, [They should also know that on one is proposing tolls just for entering the District]

The 2019 Cider Ride is on November 2nd

This ride will take you through the woods on Maryland’s beautiful trails —a whole new world, accessible by bike, and right in your backyard! Three route choices mean you can ride for 10, 30, or 55 miles, enjoying fall-themed treats at pit stops along the way.

Check-in for Cider Ride is at Dance Place (3225 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017). Check-in opens at 8:30 am, but the specific time will vary by route.

All routes end at Dew Drop Inn in Brookland (2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017). Join us there for a post-ride celebration!

You must be a WABA member to participate. 

Pedal Assist bikes returning to Capital Bikeshare...at some point

In early August, WTOP reported that Lyft was committed to bringing pedal assist bikes back to DC this fall. 

The initial electric bikes were pulled from the fleet this spring due to a few reports of brakes locking up, posing a risk to riders.

A new model meant to address the issues has been planned to roll out to the bikeshare systems Lyft operates across the country, including San Francisco, over the next few months.

More than two months later, and a few weeks into fall, there is still no sign of them. It's worth noting that the brake issues were in NYC, not DC.

In September, DDOT reported that they're eager to see pedal-assist bikes return. The e-bikes were used twice as often per day as the acoustic bikes were. Lyft is now attempting to bring a different e-bike to market, but has not committed to a timeline or shown DDOT a prototype. If/when they do return, e-bikes will have a $1 surcharge, the purpose of which is to cover the added expense of recharging the batteries and to encourage customers to choose them only for the long/uphill trips where they're most useful. They don't want people running down the battery to make the Lincoln Park to Eastern Market run. 

Meanwhile in SF, they're being less patient with Lyft. 

Maguire demanded that by September 30 Lyft and Motivate provide SFMTA with assurances it will re-introduce e-bikes to San Francisco streets no later than October 15, at a minimum 50 percent of its initial fleet size, and guarantee a plan to “ramp up” e-bike availability.

[I don't believe that photo is of DC, by the way]

Maryland to fund New Hampshire Ave Bikeway, C&O towpath repairs, Broadneck Trail and more

Last month, Maryland announced its 2020 Transportation Alternatives, Maryland Bikeways and Recreational Trails funding which includes $9 million in grants to support bicycling and walking. In the immediate DC area, this includes

• Design of the New Hampshire Avenue Bikeway in Takoma Park in Montgomery County.
• The repair and rehabilitation of 12 miles of C&O Canal towpath surface for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park was awarded more than $1 million for the work. Construction will extend from the Seneca Aqueduct (Towpath Mile 23) through Edwards Ferry (Mile 30) and from White Ferry (Mile 36) to Dickerson Conservation Park (Mile 29).
• Takoma Park bike and pedestrian safety curriculum and funding the iCan Shine Camp for two years to teach special needs students to ride bicycles
• Chamber Avenue Green/Complete Street in Prince George's County - construction funding to construct traffic calming measures, bring sidewalks, curbs and ped crossings to be ADA compliant. Also address direct storm water run off and a designated bike lanes, signage and street lighting along the corridor of Chamber Ave and Capitol Heights Blvd. 
• University Park Traffic Safety Improvement Plan in Prince George's County - funding to design infrastructure work to include
  sidewalk improvements, traffic calming and speed reduction improvements in addition to pedestrian and bicycle improvements to provide safe access to the elementary school. 
• Designing a 1.7-mile shared-use path on Falls Road (MD 189) in Montgomery County

Other projects in the state of note include

• A $2.6 million award to the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks for construction of an additional 2.5 miles of the Broadneck Trail between Peninsula Farm and Bay Dale roads. An additional $800,000 in Maryland Bikeways funding was awarded for the construction of another mile of the trail between its eastern terminus at College Parkway and Bay Head Park. When work is completed, the entire Broadneck Trail will be 6 miles long and about 10 feet wide, connecting neighborhoods, parks and schools along College Parkway.
• a feasibility study and conceptual design for extending the Poplar Trail from its western terminus in Annapolis to the South Shore Trail in Parole.
• $360,000 in design funds for Baltimore City for a new 5.5-mile section of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network between the Gwynns Falls and Herring Run Trails. The section will provide a shared-use path connecting numerous Baltimore neighborhoods with Mondawmin Mall, Druid Hill Park, Johns Hopkins University and Lake Montebello.
• A feasibility study to extend the Indian Head Rail Trail to the Three Notch Trail in Charles County;
• Studying and designing the Frederick and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Trail between the City of Frederick and Walkersville in Frederick County
• Designing a shared-use path along Dobbin Road in Columbia in Howard County
• design of the Short Line Trail crossing of Bloomsbury Avenue in Catonsville, Baltimore County
• Purchasing maintenance equipment for the Great Allegheny Passage Trail in Allegany County

A Chamber Avenue bikeway could tie in nicely with the Watts Branch Trail so that's an exciting idea, as is a trail connecting the Indian Head and Three Notch Trails.

The Broadneck trail's 6 mile segment is part of the American Discovery Trail.  When complete, Broadneck Peninsula Trail will connect Chesapeake Bay to the B&A Trail, which leads to Annapolis and eventually Bowie and ATTS.

College Park area has a new bikeshare system

As of late August, the College Park area has been replacing mBike with a new bike and scooter share system. 

After evaluating available options, City staff and our bike share partners chose VeoRide to recommend as the preferred vendor for the new system. VeoRide serves cities and university campuses across the country with programs that offer a mix of vehicles types, including pedal bikes, e-bikes, fat-tire bikes, cargo bikes, ADA-compliant bikes and electric scooters, depending on the community’s needs.

VeoRide would launch within the footprint of the existing mBike system and serve the City, UMD campus, and Town of University Park. Current mBike stations to be replaced by VeoRide hubs that co-locate bike and scooter parking in familiar locations. After the initial launch, more hubs can be added where the need for expanded service has already been identified. Soft launch building to an initial fleet of 70 pedal bikes, 150 e-bikes, and 70 scooters Pedal and electric bikes can be parked at any bike rack, promoting flexibility.

The system is being provided free to the area, but the rentals are not. Vehicles are available from 5am to 9pm. 

College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn said the time restriction allows for the electric scooter and bike batteries to be charged overnight and also mitigates some safety hazards.

“In terms of using the scooters late at night, you might not be paying as much attention,” Wojahn said. “We were concerned that people would be using them after going out drinking to get home so [we worked] with VeoRide to limit the use at night.”

The devices cost $1 to unlock, plus a fee: 15 cents per minute for electric bikes and scooters and five cents per minute for pedal bikes.

The company set the scooters’ speed limit at 15 miles per hour in the city, according to city council documents.

Volunteer or sign up for the Arlington 8th Annual Fun Ride

8th Annual Arlington Fun Ride

Join us on October 5th in support of the 8th Annual Arlington Fun Ride! 

This is a family-friendly ride on the scenic Arlington Loop with 16-, 12-, 8- and 4-mile route options. Riders will explore the natural beauty of Arlington, discover how an amazing trail network connects key neighborhoods to one another, and learn local environmental and historical fun facts along the way. Riders will earn raffle tickets for passing through rest stops and completing challenges throughout the course--for entry to win prizes at the finish line festival. We can't think of a better way to spend a beautiful fall Saturday! This ride is presented by Phoenix Bikes and EcoAction Arlington.     

We cannot put on this event without your support! Please view the needed volunteer shifts below. All volunteers will receive 1 raffle prize entry. Snacks will also be provided. Thanks in advance for your support!

**EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE**

 

Date: 10/05/2019 (Sat.)