WABA Quick Release

Archive for June 24th, 2011

Today’s confirmation hearing included a great deal of conversation about bikes generally, including trails, trail maintenance.  Bust most notably, Bellamy stated that the L & M cycletracks were “on hold.”

This is the first time (to our knowledge) DDOT has publicly admitted that these long-planned and long-promised bicycle facilities are delayed over the amount of on-street parking that would need to be removed.

Previously, DDOT’s stated rationale had been a need to further study the impacts of the existing cycletracks before continuing.

Now that we know the real reason, there is more we need to know:

• Who is objecting to the parking removal?
• How many parkers per day will be inconvenienced, compared to the projected cyclists served?
• Is DDOT committed to resolving this as a question of rational public space usage, or is it defaulting to “existing condition” that favors automobile storage over cyclist mobility?
• Will the public be invited to participate in an honest discussion of the progress and evaluation of this project?
• When considering the benefits, as Director Bellamy states, will health and environmental benefits be included?

WABA is committed to seeing these vital east-west connections through downtown completed as planned and holding DDOT and the District government to its commitment to cyclists.

We appreciate many of the priorities Director Bellamy stated today and look forward to working with him to improve the District for cyclists.  However, we cannot accept “we may not do it” as DDOT’s update on a promised piece of critical infrastructure.

To see the hearing, CLICK HERE.  The majority of the detailed bicycling discussion begins at 2:28.

The WABA education staff was up in Ward 4 this morning getting more kids on bikes and even teaching a few to ride for the first time. The hot weather is not so bad when you you got two wheels, a cool breeze, and a snow cone.



New bike rider!

Yesterday, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and the Council of Governments’ Commuter Connections honored Orbital Sciences Corp in Sterling, VA in the Employer Challenge for Bike to Work Day.  Facilities Director Patricia Najera accepted the award on behalf of Ortibal who had 107 employees participate on May 20th’s Bike to Work Day.  The top five organizations, agencies and companies with employees participated in Bike to Work Day were identified and then a winner was randomly selected.  The winning organization is honored with a catered luncheon!  Want to win next year?  Start recruiting co-workers for next year’s Bike to Work Day which will be May 18th, 2012

Ortibal Sciences Corp accepts the 2011 Employer Challenge for Bike to Work Day