TheWashCycle

Crystal City Connection and DCA Cabi Station could make biking to the airport easier

Two changes, one in the short term and one in the long term, could make DCA an even easier airport to bike to. 

In the short term, Capital Bikeshare is planning a big expansion in 2018, one that will include a bikeshare station at National Airport.

Capital Bikeshare is slated to widen its reach in 2018 with the addition of more than 100 stations, hundreds more bikes and a larger coverage area — investments that are worth more than $5 million of federal, local and private funds. 

next year’s expansion, officials say,  [will] put Capital Bikeshare’s distinctive red bikes in new territory from National Harbor to Hyattsville in Maryland, and Reagan National Airport and Falls Church in Virginia. 

In Prince George’s, officials say they are reviewing vendor contracts before putting in an order for up to 325 bikes and 35 stations that will roll out in the spring.

Alexandria is planning to submit a $650,000 order for equipment this fall, including 10 more docking stations to be installed next spring. The city has funds for 50 stations through 2020, but officials say they will evaluate bike-sharing needs next year before proceeding.

Montgomery, which will have 73 stations at the end of the year, is planning about $660,000 in program expansion in 2018. That includes eight stations in the White Flint and Twinbrook areas and a seven-station network planned for the Rock Spring area of North Bethesda.

And Arlington is moving to acquire 15 more stations next year, including one for the airport. 

At this month's DC Bicycle Advisory Committee someone announced that CaBi at DCA was going to happen by the end of the summer (I think. I'm going by memory.)

In the long term, but perhaps more consequential, is the possibility of a new bridge or tunnel to the airport from Crystal City first mentioned last summer. The two best paths between Crystal City and DCA are currently the tunnel and trail connection and a route across the unfriendly Airport Access Road. Both are longer than they need to be. A bridge or tunnel could shorten that route considerably.

In both options the facility would link to the Mount Vernon Trail (or at least "could").  Neither facility looks like it's designed for cycling (more pedestrian oriented) but it may be that cycling will be allowed. I don't expect the connection to be as crowded as the photos show.

There are no renderings of the MVT connections, but it looks like maybe they would be elevators (sigh).

The presentations also notes some possible upgrades to the current MVT spur (which would be "investigated" in the short term, but built ????). These improvements include widening the MVT spur's CSXT underpass, widening the George Washington Parkway underpass with a new tunnel adjacent to the current underpass, and adding a spur from the MVT to the airport garage.

The planning, design and environmental review process is scheduled to take 6 years so don't get too excited about this now. 

A new, better connection between the MVT and DCA would be great as the current one is a little hard to follow. And I would love some better bike parking. Perhaps a cage or "pod" like this. Combine that with bike share and a bridge and it could be an easy bike trip for many. 

Things to bike in Denver when you're dead

I'm going to be in Denver for one day. There are a lot off places to bike. Where should I ride? What are the best trails, bike routes etc... And where should I eat, drink beer*, etc...? I have never been there before.

*420 is not a selling point for me, FYI.

Don't take your folding bike on Delta

Not unless you have $150 you never want to see again.

 

.@Delta understands my frustration, reiterates their folding bike policy, offers nothing but regards. pic.twitter.com/2m3KkSFLr2

— Darren B (@bikepedantic) December 16, 2015

Amtrak ready to allow roll-on bike service to Pittsburgh

Hooray!

After years of promising it, Amtrak is about to offer roll-on bicycle service on the Capitol Limited route that passes through Pittsburgh.

With two premier bike trails parallel to the route, enthusiasts and bicycle organizations have long pressed the railroad to add the service. Currently, bikes must be dismantled and packed in boxes and can only be loaded on and off trains at staffed stations, of which there are none between here and Washington, D.C.

“The expansion of bike service will take place as early as next week,” 

But...

Reservations will be required and the railroad will charge a $25 fee for the service, even though passengers will be responsible for rolling their bikes onto the trains, securing them, and rolling them off. Only standard-sized bikes will be permitted. The service will be available at all stations on the route, which extends from Chicago to Washington.

Light My Fire Announces “Adventurer of the Year” Competition

From a press release:

Light My Fire, creator of innovative outdoor accessories, is seeking seven different adventurers in 2013 with one finalist to be named “The Light My Fire Adventurer of the Year”.

Seven finalists will be chosen to blog about their outdoor adventure on the Light My Fire Adventure blog and will receive a gift package of Light My Fire products. The adventure does not have to be extreme in nature to be selected as a finalist. While some might take place on faraway mountain slopes, others might consist of a family canoe trip on a hometown lake. It’s not where you go or how risky your adventure might be—as everything you see as an adventure is one. The only requirement to enter is that your adventure takes place in 2013 in some type of outdoor environment.

To enter “The Light My Fire Adventurer of the Year” contest, visit http://www.lightmyfire.com/sponsorship-2013.aspx#how_to_apply and fill out the application. The seven finalists chosen will blog about their adventures on the Light My Fire Adventure Blog, and one winner will be awarded the impressive title “The Light My Fire Adventurer of the Year” and win €3000. The prize money will be a scholarship for the winner to plan their next great adventure for 2014.

Entries are due by December 31, 2012. For the chance to be named a finalist enter today at: http://www.lightmyfire.com/sponsorship-2013.aspx#how_to_apply.

Monday Afternoon Commute - l'Ourcq

Good afternoon

• More on the proposed parking regs. This DCist post makes it seem that the study was never completed, but - just so you know - it was. 
• Traffic fatalities are up in NYC."The report said a preliminary analysis suggested that the crashes were concentrated on highways, far removed from many of the areas that have been the focus of the city’s initiatives."
• Biking the Canal de l’Ourcq in France

Lost Friday Afternoon Commute

From last week. Some of the links were OBE so they're not included.

• Portland's airport has a bike assembly area.
• SEPTA is reluctant to turn a disused railroad line over to trail users for fear they'll never give it back; which is why efforts to "Save the Trail" from railroad reconversion actually harms trails.  
• Lance Armstrong will compete in the Half Full Triathlon on Oct. 7 in Columbia, MD. But he can only do it if the race is unsanctioned. 
• Construction will begin along the NW Branch Trail between Route 1 and 38th Street

Wednesday Morning Commute - you can’t bare your bottom

Good morning

• The 11th Street Bridge construction team has closed the bike/pedestrian trail that runs between the intersection of 11th & O Streets SE and the Navy Yard Riverwalk East end. The trail will be closed for approximately 3 weeks to facilitate demolition of the old 11th Street bridge. Also, last night, Good Luck road was closed below DC 295. 
• “Tour de Fat” Still Needs a Car-for-Bike Swapper
• DDOT is hosting a design update and review meeting for Minnesota Ave NE. "The study limits are Minnesota Avenue from A Street to Sheriff Road...The design documents for this project are at 90% completion and reflect many comments from previous public meetings held in your community." Tuesday, June 19th 6:30-8:30pm at Friendship Edison PCS/Woodson Senior High School.
• This fall, work will begin on an EA for transforming the SE Freeway west of Barney Circle into Southeast Boulevard. This will include an "adjacent new multi-use trail to allow bicycle and pedestrian travel not currently possible in this area."
• New Roundabout being installed at the entrance to the Greenbelt Metro Station.
• Work to begin this summer on the Broadneck Trail in Cape St. Clair, MD. Eventually the trail could connect to the B&A Trail. "Phase 1 includes the construction of a trail along College Parkway from Green Holly Drive to Cape St. Claire Road."
• I predict that Arthur Armstrong will become a daily bike share user.
• From a begining cyclist to an Olympian in 4 years.
• Beer Bikes, coming to a town near you.

Tuesday Afternoon Commute - VAT

Good afternoon

• A new CaBi station is being installed at the corner of Quincy and Wilson Blvd in Ballston (see photo by Mark P)
• If the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project goes forward, bike/ped crossings at 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 11th are planned. And the post construction Virginia Avenue will include a "pedestrian/bicyclist friendly facility from Garfield Park to 11th Street." In option B that means bike lanes and in option C that's a shared use path. 
• Cyclist injured this morning after falling off of their bike and getting hit by a car. "Police are talking to witnesses and trying to determine who had the right of way." The article makes sure to note that "There are no bike lanes there." Unless this happened at an intersection, or they cyclist swerved in front of the car without proper distance, I can't see how they don't have the right of way.
• The National Mall Design winners will present their designs at the building museum Thursday night. 
• Dog follows long-distance cyclists for 1139 miles and 24 days across China. 

Park Hyatt bike plates

Saw these two bikes at the Whole Foods near GW. Their plates read "Park Hyatt Washington DC." The Park Hyatt offers guests a "Free bicycle valet program includes four-hour rental, helmet, lock, bottled water, and bike map; available from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m." which is what I guess these are.