July DC BAC Notes

Several jurisdictions in and around DC - DC, Arlington, etc..- have BAC (Bicycle Advisory Councils) that meet regularly to discuss bicycle issues and advise the elected officials who appointed them on these issues. They're open to all visitors.

I mention all this because I have usually gone to the DC meetings, but won't be able to until the spring because they meet on Wednesday nights when I have class. In addition I have only once attended such a meeting outside of DC. If you attend any of these meetings (or want to) and would like to report on them on this blog, let me know ([email protected]). I would like to be able to cover a wider selection than my schedule will allow.

Here are notes from the July 5th DC BAC meeting.

1. London ran a successful marketing campaign to encourage cycling that included TV ads. DDOT has put together it's own set of TV PSAs and they're really cool. To see them, go here, and click (try twice) on the up arrow on the bottom right of the screen. This should bring up a playlist. There are three PSAs listed under "district department of transportation psa". Enjoy.

2. I learned about this study that shows when bike lanes are present, cyclists will ride farther away from parked cars and that cyclists prefer to ride in bike lanes. (Though I'm excited about Sharrows too).

3. DC has given away all of their free bike maps and are going to reprint more. They were looking for input (corrections and such).

4. There was a presentation on the proposed bike lanes on 21st and 22nd St. NW between Florida Ave and Virginia Avenue NW. Presently the streets have three lanes, with no parking during rush hour (so 1 lane normally and 3 during rush hour). The proposal is to remove the rush hour restriction on one side - now only 2 lanes during rush hour, and make the extra lane into a parking lane/uni-directional bike lane. A traffic analysis showed minimal impact on rush hour traffic. Status on other bike lanes was also given.

5. The Fine Arts Commission approved the Bike Station plans and the station will be built as part of the Columbus Plaza Rebuild, which is through about 65% of the design process. It should start next spring.

6.  Several District bicycle regulations are to be changed soon, including:

- The District will no longer need property owners permission to set up a bike rack on the sidewalk outside.
- MPD will no longer be able to impound bikes.
- It will be illegal for cars to stop,stand or park in a bike lane.
- Fines for cyclists who break the law will go up from $10 to $25.

I'm not sure when these will go into effect (or if they've been approved by the city council) but the changes to the bicycle registration law are being put on hold.

7. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the met branch trail construction from the New York Avenue metro to Franklin Ave. was imminent (and should have gone out by now). Construction could be complete by..next summer?

Comments

[Chris]

Although I'm certainly glad to see that "it will be illegal for cars to stop, stand or park in a bike lane," I'm surprised that a) it's not already illegal, and b) you'll pardon my cynicism that this will make no difference in the current pratice on the roads I frequent.