WTOP reports that DC is going to have “non-motorized trail” work details this year "specifically assigned to clearing bike paths, bridge deck sidewalks and ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act at intersections."
To help accomplish that, the city purchased new equipment.
“It’s still a little too wide to do all of the (city’s) bike lanes, but it looks pretty good to do many of them, those that aren’t hemmed in by cars like the cycle track,” said Mary Cheh, chair of D.C. Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment.
And keeping bike facilities clear came up at the snow summit this year.
The city is also vowing to make bike lines and paved trails a bigger priority this winter.
“It is a big part of our snow program, and we have purchased equipment in the offseason to make sure we are prepared to treat bike lanes and nonmotorized trails with the same efficiency and effectiveness that we treat roads and bridges,” said Shorter. “It’s why we purchased new equipment.”
That new equipment is actually different from what was used last year, which Shorter said worked well, but wasn’t quite as nimble as the city needed.
“This blower will allow us to spread [and] to plow on bike lanes,” he added. It’ll be attached to an ATV that city workers will used to get through what can sometimes be narrow bike lanes. “It’s a great piece of equipment and we’re looking forward to using it this season.”
There has been steady progress by the District in clearing bike facilities. 10 years ago I think it was hard to convince District leaders that snow needed to be cleared and that it could be done. Recently there were issues about deciding who (DDOT, NPS, DPW?) would do the clearing. But I feel like in the last couple of years much of that has been settled and now it's a matter of executing. Buying new equipment for the job is a real step forward. We'll see how it goes.
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