The Official-ish DC Thread

[bicycleradical]

I am acquaintances with people who knew that gentleman. They're all absolutely distraught. All DC residents will get from council in response is platitudes, unfortunately.

 

[smittycl]

I am acquaintances with people who knew that gentleman. They're all absolutely distraught. All DC residents will get from council in response is platitudes, unfortunately.

I think the efficacy of bike lanes is finally being understood. DC is putting them in and/or expanding older ones across the city. I'm not sure how comprehensive the effort is but it's noticeable. Mass Ave is quite dangerous and I really do go up on to the sidewalk on that stretch. Might be naïve but I'm hoping bike lanes continue to proliferate.

 

[smittycl]

Out on quick lunchtime ride today. These 15 degree temperature swings are getting tiresome. Looking forward to summer heat. Giffords' organization has a gun deaths memorial up by the Capitol today.

 

[TheSuitBurnsBetter]

I think the efficacy of bike lanes is finally being understood. DC is putting them in and/or expanding older ones across the city. I'm not sure how comprehensive the effort is but it's noticeable. Mass Ave is quite dangerous and I really do go up on to the sidewalk on that stretch. Might be naïve but I'm hoping bike lanes continue to proliferate.

I'm not a cyclist but I like the separated bike lanes because they narrow the street and slow the cars down for pedestrians. Freaking maniacs out there.

 

[smittycl]

I'm not a cyclist but I like the separated bike lanes because they narrow the street and slow the cars down for pedestrians. Freaking maniacs out there.

Yeah, it can be quite dangerous, particularly at intersections. I think the city is slowly getting better, though. Lots of improved bike lanes west of the WH over to Foggy Bottom now. It takes just a little planning to stay on bike lanes or paths for the bulk of city rides. Not perfect of course.

 

[bicycleradical]

I think the efficacy of bike lanes is finally being understood. DC is putting them in and/or expanding older ones across the city. I'm not sure how comprehensive the effort is but it's noticeable. Mass Ave is quite dangerous and I really do go up on to the sidewalk on that stretch. Might be naïve but I'm hoping bike lanes continue to proliferate.

After hearing about Dave dying two years ago and the spate of people since, I am unfortunately cynical. Even beyond the issue of bike lanes, as you and TSBB have said, people drive like absolute maniacs in the city. A child was killed on Georgia Ave in the past two weeks while exiting a bus, I believe.

The city has some good plans. I hope they follow through with them.

Oh, and burn the L Street Cycletrack to the ground.

 

[smittycl]

Oh, and burn the L Street Cycletrack to the ground.

What's that?

 

[TheSuitBurnsBetter]

Nextdoor is usually filled with nonsense but this popped up in my feed today and piqued my interest:

10 reactions, 1 comments.

nextdoor.com

 

[bicycleradical]

What's that?

There is a 'protected' bike lane on L Street from NH Ave to 12th. There are mixing zones at the intersections where people driving have to cut across the bike lane in order to get into the turn lane. I'm sure you can imagine how that turns out.

When I was bike commuting out of Foggy Bottom, I'd take L from 18th to 15th and wouldn't even bother with the cycletrack. I'd be in the far right lane for the three blocks, riding as quickly as possible to get out of the mess that is L Street at rush hour. It was safer than being in the cycletrack.

 

[trafficjam]

I had a woman drive me into the curb and I was only saved by a lucky bunny hop. When I came around the other side I could tell she was looking around wildly to see whether I had gone under her wheels, so she KNEW I was there but had decided to drive into me anyway. Pure brain poison.

 

[Idesofmarch17]

I was going to start biking to the office once we go back (hadn’t cycled to work before, used to walk when I lived closer). Now idk

 

[bicycleradical]

I had a woman drive me into the curb and I was only saved by a lucky bunny hop. When I came around the other side I could tell she was looking around wildly to see whether I had gone under her wheels, so she KNEW I was there but had decided to drive into me anyway. Pure brain poison.

I've had many a similar incident. Stay safe out there.

 

[smittycl]

I was going to start biking to the office once we go back (hadn’t cycled to work before, used to walk when I lived closer). Now idk

If you stick to the bike lanes and just pay close attention you should be okay. I cycled in most of last year when I was detailed to an office that had a gym and shower in the building. Back in old office building now with no shower but it does have a bike rack at least. I may just sick it up this summer and walk to gym for shower after cycling in.

 

[trafficjam]

Even taking my L Street Sideswipe story into account, I would not trade biking into work, danger and all, for almost any other commute, even the ones I've had where I just walked down the street to work. Biking to work is like psychic armor once you get in the groove of it, which may admittedly take a while. Having biked in several cities around the world, DC is actually pretty good (OK, good for the US) and has been made better by a dedicated and caring community intent on improving the experience for everyone, which is part of why Jim Pagels' death is so frustrating and sad, but also a good reason to give bike commuting a shot and make it better for everyone.

 

[bicycleradical]

Even taking my L Street Sideswipe story into account, I would not trade biking into work, danger and all, for almost any other commute, even the ones I've had where I just walked down the street to work. Biking to work is like psychic armor once you get in the groove of it, which may admittedly take a while. Having biked in several cities around the world, DC is actually pretty good (OK, good for the US) and has been made better by a dedicated and caring community intent on improving the experience for everyone, which is part of why Jim Pagels' death is so frustrating and sad, but also a good reason to give bike commuting a shot and make it better for everyone.

The DC bike community has done excellent work as have others in Alexandria, Rockville, etc. For anyone who wants to have safe cycling in their jurisdiction, make sure to tell your elected officials that this is important.