WABA Quick Release

Archive for July, 2010

WABA recently participated in a live chat with the blog Greater Greater Washington. Readers submitted questions on subjects ranging from the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes to the Idaho Stop. Here are a few excerpts:

On outreach beyond the traditional cycling community:

Shane: In the past few weeks we’ve partnered with the Latino Federation to do outreach at several events, including their Latino Family Day at the MtP Farmer’s Market. In addition, I’m exploring ways to work through local “corner stores” as a way to reach out to neighborhoods in other wards. I know that the corner store in my neighborhood is the de facto gathering place and primary market. So everyone goes there. If we can get our safety, health, and outreach materials distributed through those avenues & build a relationship, we could make huge strides in outreach to new areas.

On enforcement:

Shane: Honestly, I think consistent enforcement of bike laws is a huge need… I think our infrastructure has, in many ways, gotten ahead of our enforcement in DC. And there needs to be added focus on ensuring cyclist safety not just through planning and roadway improvements, but by ensuring that cyclists’ rights are respected and given due weight.

On WABA’s future:

[Comment From darren]
Where do you see WABA in five years? If every WABA member gave an extra $100 a year, what would you ask the board to spend it on?

Shane: Advocacy. Advocacy. Advocacy, across the region. We would love to have more resources dedicated to having someone in the room at every major transit policy discussion and budget debate across the region. Right now, we just don’t have the resources. But that would be the ideal use of an influx of funding.

Read more here

DDOT has revised the bike lane plans for Pennsylvania Avenue. The new design protects bicyclists from motorists by moving the lanes into the median, helping to keep cars out the bike lanes. It also returns the left lanes to motor vehicle use, helping to ease traffic congestion.  Users should familiarize themselves proper usage of  this new type of bicycling infrastructure.  Download complete instructions for safe usage in PDF.  Download now.

On Tuesday, June 20th, DDOT announced the official locations of 100 bike sharing locations in all 8 Wards throughout the District of Columbia.  DDOT used population density, employment density, proximity to transit and the bike-to-work rate in addition to an online poll  to determine the locations of the bikesharing stations.  Installation of the first 30 stations should begin in August with the system launching in September.

View Capital Bikeshare in a larger map