bikes no bikes

“Dear PoPville,

My condo board is proposing a resolution where bikes would be banned from entering through the front doors and going through the lobby to the elevators. This would not be a problem except that our building is laid out such that the only other access we would have to the elevators is through the loading dock in an alley (and that provides access to only one elevator that can be locked by management), and through the garage. Below are the suggestions to exit and enter the building with a bike:

1. Loading dock
2. Garage
3. North stairwell
4. South stairwell
5. Retail elevator (between breezeway and garage)

We also know that you can’t always call the middle elevator in order to exit the building via the loading dock area. In this case, you can take either side elevator to G1 and exit out of the garage. If you are uncomfortable biking or walking up or down the garage ramp, you can always use the retail elevator to travel with your bike between G1 and the breezeway.

The management and Board has stated that banning bikes from the lobby and front doors is a common occurrence in buildings in the area. I was hoping to fact check this. Can we get a dialogue going about how often this occurs?”


bike blessing

From an email:

“To show support for the cycling community, Ascension and St. Agnes (1217 Massachusetts Ave NW) hosts DC’s Annual Blessing of Bicycles on Saturday, May 6th @ 11am. The DC Blessing of Bicycles is an annual tradition where priests from across the region say a prayer over all the assembled bikes, asking for protection and joy for cyclists as they ride.

The Blessing will be followed by a few words from representatives of other dimensions of the bicycling community in DC: District Department of Transportation, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, National Museum of Women in the Arts, etc.

The event includes a wide variety of food, music, pop-up tuning stations, prizes, and more. WABA will also be coordinating two community rides immediately following the event (one shorter, one longer).

All donations benefit the fund for church wheelchair accessibility: “WHEELS TO WHEELS”. Happy National Bike Month!

Register here.”


steve stolen

“Dear PoPville,

My bike ([email protected]) was stolen on Sunday, April 23rd from outside 3355 16th St., NW between 7:45pm and 9:45pm. It’s a Trek road bike, model 2100, locked with a Masterlock Key Cable to the fence outside of the Yorkshire Building on 16th. I received this bike 11 years ago from my uncle who has since passed away. This bike, “Steve,” and I have been through many adventures including multiple triathlons and several collisions.”


bike dc map gtown
via google maps

“Dear PoPville,

I was sideswiped by a large black SUV on Water St. near 30th on Friday morning at about 7:45. The driver did stop, but I believe he may have misrepresented what happened, because I (cyclist) was given a ticket (at the hospital while I was awaiting getting stitches) for changing lanes without caution (I was not changing lanes). I am seeking any witnesses to the accident.”

If you witnessed this incident please email [email protected] and I’ll put you in touch with OP. Thanks.


tandem bike

Update from OP:

“I chased him down myself after a lead on PoPville.”

bike back

“Dear PoPville,

Someone stole by tandem bike yesterday in Shaw. It’s super easy to spot, so I’m thinking we may actually be able to find it.”

If you happen to spot this very recognizable bike please email rodrickcrider(at)gmail.com


shame

“Dear PoPville,

I was on my way to work with morning when this speeding SUV veered into the bike lane on Columbus Circle by Union Station, coming within a foot of sending me to the ER. I went up to the car at the stoplight and politely asked the driver to please be mindful of cyclists, at which point the driver, an older gentleman in his late 50s, screamed through the window “I DON’T CARE! I SHOULD HAVE HIT YOU!”

So seeing as though I likely have no legal recourse, public shaming is all that’s left.”


free_coffee_logan
Photo of 14th and Q Street, NW by PoPville flickr user Joe Flood

From The Bike Rack in partnership with Peregrine Espresso:

“Tuesday: Commuter Coffee

We’re having a special Tuesday edition of Commuter Coffee this month. We couldn’t miss this weather! Bike down 14th St (at Q) on Tuesday, April 11 from 7:30 am until approximately 9:30 am for a free cup of Joe on us.”


bikeshare
Image by Jonathan Pinkerton

Jonathan tweets us the scene at 8:41am. For those who use bikeshare to commute – what time do you have to get a bike before they are all gone?


bike house

“Dear PoPville,

It’s finally spring, which in DC means cherry blossoms, Nationals baseball, and the return of Bike House clinics.

The Bike House reopens on April 1st at noon.

Whether you rode your bike all winter or stored it away, ride over to Annie’s Ace Hardware to get it tuned up and ready to roll. We’ll pair you with an experienced mechanic to help you do anything from simple projects like fixing a flat or cleaning and lubing your chain to more complicated fixes.

Clinics run from noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday at 1240 Upshur St. NW. The Bike House is all volunteer and relies on donations to cover the costs of our clinics.”


View More Stories