photo by Bekah Richards
“Dear PoPville,
I’ve recently started commuting downtown by bike, and I wanted to get advice from others on the safest route. I live right off of 14th Street, so the most direct route is for me to go along 14th until I can cut over to the protected bike lanes on 15th Street. But biking through the section around DC USA is so insanely dangerous, especially northbound where cars and delivery trucks are constantly blocking the bike lane (and even the main travel lane).
16th Street is obviously a no-go, and I’m reluctant to use 13th Street because there isn’t a bike lane. Piney Branch/Beach Drive/Rock Creek would also get me where I need to go, but I don’t feel comfortable biking alone there once it starts getting dark. Anybody have suggestions for alternate routes? And what’s the best way to help advocate for better bike infrastructure in the long run?”