D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council

Like elves toiling behind the scenes, the BAC is laying the groundwork for 2017 by meeting merrily this midweek. Legislative Affairs Committee meeting Wed., Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. Teaism, 400 8th St NW Agenda Information Items 1. Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2015 Update  Now official law L21-0167, Effective from Nov 26, 2016 2. B21-0759 - Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016 Update Signed by Mayor this month and awaiting Congressional approval 3. B21-0923 - Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Technical Amendment Act of 2016 Update  Dec. 12 hearing cancelled. To be reintroduced in the next session beginning Jan. 3. 4. D.C. Council committee structure and chairs Action Items 5. Approval of testimony for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Technical Amendment Act 6. Discussion of legislation ideas  *** Facilities Committee meeting Thurs., Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. Pizzeria Paradiso, 2003 P St NW Agenda 1. Snow and leaf remo...

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in November: The BAC spent November in meetings and more meetings. The council held its regular bimonthly meeting on Nov. 2. It attended meetings concerning the Capital Trails Coalition, the proposed K Street streetcar route from Union Station to Georgetown, redesign of Ward Circle at American University, DDOT's Far SE III Livability Study and the Kenilworth section of the Anacostia River Trail. The BAC submitted public comment about the Union Station expansion, outlining the need for improved bicycle facilities, access and connectivity. The BAC recognized the Nov. 15 passage of the Specialty License Plate Amendment Act of 2016, which includes a bicycle awareness license plate measure authored by Councilmember Charles Allen. The license plate will display an image and language emphasizing the three-foot passing rule. The BAC joined Councilmember Elissa Silverman and other officials on a Veteran's Day ride on the new section of the Ana...

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in October: The BAC welcomed a new member, as Casey Studhalter was appointed to represent Ward 7. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson swore in Casey at an Oct. 12 ceremony, pictured above. By day, Casey is a project manager for the U.S. Green Building Council. With Councilmember Mary Cheh by her side, Mayor Muriel Bowser signs the comparative negligence bill On Oct. 13, the BAC attended the launch of the Capital Trails Coalition. That evening, the BAC joined Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Cheh at the signing ceremony for the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, commonly known as the comparative negligence bill. Studying plans to redesign Dave Thomas Circle in NoMa  All three BAC committees met the week of Oct. 17. The Facilities Committee held a "rolling" meeting to survey infrastructure in NE at Dave Thomas Circle and Trinidad, pictured above. The BAC attended an Oct. 19 public meeting on the Union Station Expansion...

The BAC meets on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below. Bicycle Advisory Council 11/2/16 Meeting Agenda  1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes 2. Administration and communications Appointments and nominations for FY17 chair Committee chairs Committee members Capital Trails Coalition: formal vote to join BAC financial report Outreach/partnership with ANC office to educate newly elected commissioners about BAC 3. Facilities Committee report Reports October rolling meeting Councilmember Todd's 11/6 ride with WABA Meetings and projects Union Station expansion and comments Far SE III study: 11/2 community advisory group meeting and 11/19 public workshop  Downtown West   AU Ward Circle meeting 11/17 DDOT report DC's League of American Bicyclists rating - what did LAB say we need to work on, and how is DDOT approaching that? 4....

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in September: New participants attended the BAC's Sept. 7 meeting, filling the table with new energy and ideas.  New members of the public joined the BAC at its Sept. 7 bimonthly meeting, the result of the BAC's efforts to increase public awareness of its function and to fill its vacant seats. Speaking individually, a BAC member testified at a Sept. 19 Transportation and the Environment Committee hearing on the Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016. The BAC applauded D.C. Council passage of the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016 on Sept. 20. The legislation, known as comparative negligence, institutes a more fair system for cyclist and pedestrian compensation in collisions with vehicles. The BAC attended a Sept. 28 meeting about the Downtown West Transportation Planning Study. The BAC serves on the community advisory group for this project, which is assessing bicycle, pedestrian and bus impr...

Highlights of the BAC's mid-month activity. Contributory negligence reform passes At today's Legislative meeting, the Council passed the contributory negligence bill, officially termed the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016. It awaits mayoral signature and the standard 30-day congressional review before it becomes law. Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016 Speaking individually, BAC member Bob Summersgill delivered the following testimony at yesterday's Transportation and the Environment Committee hearing: Testimony on Bill 21-0759 Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016 By Bob Summersgill for the Bicycle Advisory Council Chairman Cheh: Thank you for holding this hearing. I am Bob Summersgill, a member of the Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC), appointed by Councilmember David Grosso. All the members of the BAC support this legislation. The bill will allow car owners to buy specialty lic...

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in August: The BAC enjoyed meeting a few dozen D.C. bicyclists at our Aug. 11 meet and greet. We held this social event to talk informally with D.C. residents interested in serving on the BAC. It was heartening to meet other bicyclists with a strong sense of civic participation. Please keep in touch with the BAC through the appointment process as we collectively work to fill the three vacant seats. Timed to coincide with the meet and greet, the BAC published a Washington Post op-ed entitled "Cities belong to people, not cars." BAC representatives attended the Maryland Avenue NE redesign meeting on Aug. 10. Formally known as the Maryland Avenue NE Pedestrian Safety Project, the road diet will improve infrastructure and safe travel for bicyclists and pedestrians. The BAC Facilities Committee held a "rolling meeting" ... in record heat. The Aug. 13 "real feel" of 120 degrees didn't stop the committee from doing...

The BAC meets on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th floor. Meetings are open to the public. ID is required to enter the building. The agenda is below. Bicycle Advisory Council 9/7/16 Meeting Agenda  1. Call to order; introductions; approval of minutes 2. Administration and communications Meet & greet report Washington Post op-ed follow-up Appointments and nominations for FY17 officers (or next meeting acting chair) 3. Facilities Committee report Report on August rolling meeting Far SE livability study meeting Maryland Ave NE road diet meeting/status Crosstown multimodal study -- meeting upcoming in Sept. Downtown west improvements -- meeting upcoming in Sept. Bike lane request from Trinidad resident Vision Zero: Councilmember Cheh's Ward 3 August high-crash intersection visits Kenilworth landfill site -- request NPS to clean up 4. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting report 5. Legislative Committee meeting report 6. Walk-on top...

The BAC welcomes new appointee Bob Summersgill, who Council Chairman Phil Mendelson swore into office tonight. Summersgill represents At-large Councilmember David Grosso. CM Grosso's former appointee, Erik Kugler, resigned from the BAC and Councilmember Grosso appointed Summersgill to the seat. The BAC is grateful to Kugler for his service on the BAC. Thank you, Erik, for your decades of dedication to D.C.'s bicyclists. If you don't know Bob and you didn't meet him at this month's community meet and greet or committee meetings, you'll see him at our Sept. 7 general meeting. Welcome aboard, Bob!

Thank you, D.C. bicyclists, for an exciting Aug. 11. It began with publication of our online op-ed in the Washington Post and ended with the pleasure of meeting dozens of D.C. bicyclists for our summer social. It was inspiring to see such interest in the BAC and willingness to serve on our council. View a few more pictures in this album. Please stay in touch with us through the appointment process and in person. August committee meetings are Aug. 13, 15 and 17, as outlined here. Our next full council meeting is Sept. 7.

Highlights of BAC accomplishments in July: The BAC held its regular bimonthly meeting on July 6. The main agency report came from DDOT's trails coordinator, who updated about the Rock Creek Park rehabilitation project (involving DDOT and the National Park Service ) and the proposed New York Avenue NE trail between NoMa and the National Arboretum. The BAC monitored the July 12 D.C. Council vote on the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, known as the contributory negligence bill. The BAC issued a statement which was quoted in the  Washington City Paper. The BAC will continue to monitor the bill when it is scheduled for a second vote in the fall. A BAC representative attended the monthly D.C. Pedestrian Advisory Council meeting on July 25. The main agency reports came from the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Metropolitan Police Department. A BAC representative attended a July 26 meeting to discuss ways to improve transportation in Ward 7. The meeting...

Please save the dates for these BAC committee meetings and check back for meeting agendas. Facilities Committee rolling meeting Sat., Aug. 13, 2016 1:30-3:30 p.m. RSVP A fact-finding bicycle tour of K Street crosstown from east to west, beginning at 12th and K Streets NE. The ride will go through downtown to the Capital Crescent trailhead in Georgetown. Safety, Education and Enforcement Committee meeting Mon., Aug. 15, 2016 6-7:30 p.m. Busboys & Poets 1025 5th St NW RSVP The main agenda item is suggestions to reduce the risk of bike theft with guest speaker Phil Koopman of BicycleSPACE. Legislative Committee meeting Wed., Aug. 17, 2016 6-7 p.m. Teaism Penn Quarter 400 8th St NW RSVP

The BAC is holding a community meet and greet on Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Shaw. The public is invited to join us at Right Proper Brewing Co. (624 T St NW) for informal happy hour conversation about the BAC. Come to learn about the BAC and the ways D.C. residents can serve. We'll also have brochures and experts available to help teach beginners about bicycle commuting as an alternative to Metrorail closures and delays. BAC Community Meet and Greet Thurs., Aug. 11, 2016 5:30-8 p.m. Right Proper Brewing Co. 624 T St NW RSVP The BAC represents the interests of bicyclists in D.C. governmental affairs. The BAC is an official public commission that advises the D.C. Council on bicycle-related transportation matters. The BAC evaluates legislation, policy and transportation infrastructure and makes advisory recommendations to the Council. The BAC is comprised of 13 D.C. residents who are voting members. D.C. councilmembers each appoint one resident to the BAC. D.C. residents ...

Bicycle Advisory Council chair David Cranor today issued the following statement in response to the D.C. Council vote in support of contributory negligence reform. The legislation, the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016, will be enacted pending a second affirmative Council vote, anticipated in the fall. The act would permit bicyclists and pedestrians to receive compensation from a driver's insurance as long as the non-motorized party is less than 50 percent at fault. Under current law, a bicyclist or pedestrian deemed 1 percent at fault is ineligible for any compensation. This contributory negligence policy would be replaced by a form of comparative negligence. Said BAC chair Cranor: "The Bicycle Advisory Council supports this measure. The consequences of a crash between a cyclist and driver are often unevenly distributed, with the cyclist generally bearing the greater burden. Under current law, cyclists also generally bear the greater financial burden even w...

The Bicycle Advisory Council meets on July 6, 2016 at 6 p.m. at 441 4th St NW, 11th Floor. The meeting agenda is as follows. 6:00 p.m. Call to Order; Introductions; Approve minutes 6:10 Legislation - Mike Forester - Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016      First vote delayed until July 12; possible amendment - Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2016      Second vote passed; awaiting mayoral signature - Bicycle Awareness Motor Vehicle License Plate Amendment Act of 2016      Sent to committee 6:40 Facilities - Jeanie Osburn - NY Avenue NE Rail-with-Trail walking tour - DDOT report (Rock Creek Trail rehab, NY Avenue NE Trail and VRE, L Street NW Safe Accommodations) - East Capitol Street Bridge rehab      DDOT needs to rework bridge, keep open during construction      Possible connection of southeast span - Monroe Street Bridge Reconstruction      Long bike detour mapp...

The BAC Facilities Committee is meeting on June 17 at 5:45 p.m. at the corner of 5th Street NE and Neal Place NE adjacent to Union Market. The meeting is fieldwork to tour a proposed multiuse trail along the New York Avenue NE railroad tracks, connecting the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the National Arboretum via Ivy City. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy are leading the tour. The Facilities Committee is joining to learn about the proposed trail. Click here for more information. The trail has not been constructed and the tour route is not bikeable. It is not advisable to walk a bike on the tour. Capital Bikeshare vouchers will be available for transportation back to the starting point.

Photo: @RanPuba Thousands of District employees who use Metro, fleet vehicles, personal cars, Taxicabs, Uber, and other methods to get around the city now have another option.  According to the the District Department of Human Resources , District government employees may purchase Capital Bikeshare memberships for an annual fee of $25, a savings of $60 off of the standard membership rate of $85. The program will begin Monday, May 16, with emails sent to employees that will contain the program password and registration instructions. For employees who are already members, they can renew their individual memberships up to two months in advance at the employee rate. The program also provides helmets for an additional $16. The District would be one of a few cities that provide this type of benefit to its employees. Earlier this year, California instituted its own employee bike sharing program to help its Department of Transportation (Caltrans) employees travel to meetings wh...

Photo: Elvert Barnes The Bicycle Advisory Council Facilities Committee (BAC-FAC) will hold its rolling meeting on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The ride will review the District Department of Transportation's plans and options for the Crosstown connection (connecting Wards 1 and 5) along the Michigan Avenue/Irving Street NE corridor. The ride starts at 1:30 PM at the Brookland Metrorail station on the bus-bay side. Hope to see you there!

Photo: @Ranpuba The next District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Committee is tomorrow evening Wednesday, May 4, 2016 , 6pm at 441 4th Street, NW on the 11th Floor (Room 1112). There are several projects accepting comments right now for the next few weeks. Below are links to each:

Photo: @Ranpuba The next Legislative Committee is scheduled for 6:00pm, April 27th at Teaism in Penn Quarter (400 8th Street NW). We will meet downstairs. The Legislative Committee Chair, Mike Forster, plans to discuss the following: Contributory Negligence legislation a bike sales tax holiday; and, a potential legislative fix to require DDOT to address dangerous intersections more quickly. If time permits, we will discuss other bike-related topics. If you have questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section or send contact us on Twitter .

The Metropolitan Police Department will hold a Community Bike Ride this Sunday, April 10, 2016. The ride will begin at 10 a.m at the Takoma Metro Station, 327 Cedar Street, NW. Supported by the Department’s First, Fourth, and Fifth Districts, the ride will cover Wards 2, 4, 5, and 6. There will be a bicycle rodeo for children at 1st and L Streets, NE, where there will be bike games, a skills course and an obstacle course.

Photo: @ranpuba The next District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Committee is Wednesday, March 3, 2016, 6pm at 441 4th Street, NW on the 11th Floor (Room TBD). Please let use know if there is something you would like to see added to the agenda. 6:00pm Call to Order; Introductions; Approve minutes (Attached) - David Cranor 6:10pm Search for admin staffer, vacancies, report on oversight hearing - David Cranor, Jeff Johnson 6:25pm East Side Bike Lane comments - David Cranor 6:45pm Bike to Work Day - Ellen Jones 7:00pm Committee notes - Jeannie, Mike Forster, Ellen/Andrea 7:30pm DDOT Report - Rock Creek Park Trail update 7:50pm Walk-on topics - David Cranor 8:00pm Adjournment - David Cranor Members of the public are welcome. The meeting is held in a government building so be prepared to show ID to enter. Once you pass the security checkpoint, please use the 'south' elevators on your right and go to the 11th floor. A  Capital BikeShare  station is ...

Photo: @ranpuba The next Bicycle Advisory Council Facilities Committee meeting (BAC-FAC) is Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 6PM - 8PM at Union Station. The primary topic of discussion will be the proposed expansion of Union Station and its impact on bicycling facilities. We will assemble at the bike parking facility at on the west side of Union Station, at First Street NE, near Union Station Drive NE, by the Bike Station . After a discussion of conditions, we will proceed to Pizzeria Uno , on the second level, for the rest of the meeting. Agenda: Discussion of the current conditions of the existing bicycle parking at Union Station and Station's development plans as discussed at the Federal Railroad Administration's initial Public Scoping meeting held December 7, 2015. Discussion bike parking at Union Station. Discussion and consensus of preferred options for the proposed north/south corridor for eastern downtown. If you were unable to attend DDOT's public mee...

Tonight's meeting has been canceled, sorry for the late notice. The next Legislative Committee is scheduled for 6:30pm, February 10th at Teaism in Penn Quarter (400 8th Street NW). We will meet downstairs. We will discuss contributory negligence and any other issue you are interested in talking about.

Photo: @ranpuba James Sebastian, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) bicycle program manager, issued an email this morning regarding the impact of this weekend's blizzard and the clearing of snow from the District's bicycle infrastructure. Key points: Much of the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Pennsylvania Avenue Protected bike lanes are clear. It could be several days before other trails and protected lanes are clear of snow Bike lanes on many streets will remain snow covered for several days as parked cars inhibit clearing DPW and DDOT crews are working to clear bridge sidewalks Capital Bikeshare is closed until further notice as crew work to clear snow from stations Use the 311 app to report uncleared facilities or email jim.sebastian@dc.gov Please see the full email below:

Photo: @ranpuba The Council of the District of Columbia has released its Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Performance Oversight Hearings schedule . The Bicycle Advisory Council, as well as the Pedestrian Advisory Council and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will provide testimony before the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Council member Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3). The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 29, 2016, in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW at 11:00 am. The purpose of the Performance Oversight Hearings is to allow the Council to ask questions regarding the current operations of District agencies, committees, and other government organizations. The Council looks at current fiscal year operations, which began October 1, 2015, as well as operations during the previous year. As always, we invite you to testify at the hearing or tell BAC some of the issues and progress #BikeDC has ex...

In August of 2015, the District of Transportation (DDOT) in partnership with Council Member Mary Cheh, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, initiated visits to 5 District intersections that have experienced high crash rates, injuries or fatalities.  That report, " High Crash Intersection Site Visits Summary and Next Steps " was recently released by DDOT. BAC, along with the Pedestrian Advisory Council, local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and other concerned groups met DDOT staff at these locations and discussed the potential reasons behind crashes and to help determine the best possible solutions for their elimination. Many sites listed in the report have been visited by the BAC Facilities Committee.

Photo:  @Ranpuba The DC Bicycle Advisory Council Safety Committee will meet with Sgt. Terry Thorn of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Wednesday, February 3rd, 6pm at the Traffic Safety and Special Enforcement Branch, 501 New York Ave., NW, located at the intersection of New York Avenue and 5th Street NW. We'll discuss MPD's training efforts on bicycle rules of the road and MPD's public education and safety programs conducted in 2015 and its plans for 2016. Please join us. We will make time to discuss additional safety issues that you want to share. Please feel free to leave questions/suggestions in the comments.

Photo: Elvert Barnes Join us for a General Council meeting at 6 p.m. this Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street NW,  Rm. 1117 . Agenda: 6:00pm Call to Order; Introductions; Approve minutes - David Cranor 6:10pm Election of new officers and search for admin staffer - David Cranor, Jeff Johnson 6:25pm Discussion of Vision Zero Regulations and testimony for Friday - Mike Forster 7:00pm Committee Reports - Jeannie, Mike Forster, Ellen/Andrea 7:30pm DDOT Report - New York Avenue Trail report. ( New York Avenue Corridor Study - 2006 ) 7:50pm Walk-on topics - David Cranor 8:00pm Adjournment - David Cranor Members of the public are welcome. The meeting is held in a government building so be prepared to show ID to enter. Once you pass the security checkpoint, please use the 'south' elevators on your right and go to the 11th floor. A  Capital BikeShare  station is located at the from of the building and the J...