BikeDC

Dear PoPville – As the District Grows, is it Time to Update the laws on Biking on Sidewalks?

By Prince Of Petworth

biking_sidewalk_dc
Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoPville,

I live on 16th St near the intersection of R St. More and more often i have noticed people riding their bicycles on the sidewalk at all times of day. While it is not illegal I believe it is rude. Last week a woman was riding her bicycle down R St on the sidewalk while ringing her bell for pedestrians and a woman with a stroller to get out of her way. I told her there was a bike lane on R and she replied that it was going in the opposite directions and to use the available bike lanes she would have had to bike two additional blocks to get to her destination. As the current law states that bike riding on the sidewalk is illegal south of Mass Ave she was within her rights if not a bit entitled.

As the population of DC continues to grow and the city center and sidewalks get more crowded i think it is time we update the rules on sidewalk biking. I wanted to reach out to the Popville community and see what their take on it was. Should the boundary be moved up to Florida? What about Columbia Rd? If so who do we reach out to about this?”

The Bike Rack and Filter Coffee Coming to Brookland – “the first true bike shop/coffee shop concept in DC”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Monroe Street NE between Michigan Avenue and 7th Street NE

Brookland blowing up Vol. oh I can’t keep track anymore… We first heard about the possibility back in January and now it’s confirmed – from an email:

“Rasheed Jabr (owner of Filter Coffee) and I [Chuck Harney owner of the Bike Rack] have leased space on the Arts Walk of the Monroe Street Market development in Brookland. We will be opening The Bike Rack and Filter Coffee, the first true bike shop/coffee shop concept in DC. We expect to open later this summer. The building we will be located in happens to be next to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the Metro Red Line.”

From a press release:

“Local businesses The Bike Rack and Filter Coffeehouse have leased a combined 2,546-square-foot space in the Brookland Works building, located along Monroe Street NE between Michigan Avenue and 7th Street NE. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly and the new establishment is expected to open in fall 2014.

The Bike Rack is a full-service, independent bike shop run by people who care about cycling and who strive to improve the cycling experience of every customer – with outstanding service and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The Bike Rack, with a current location at 1412 Q Street NW, works to build a strong cycling community with weekend rides, clinics, local partnerships, clubs, teams, and active involvement in local cycling advocacy.

Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar currently has two Washington, DC locations – one in Dupont Circle and one in Foggy Bottom. The shop offers hand-poured cups of carefully chosen single origin coffees, french pressed offerings in the morning hours, and classic espresso-based drinks – all chosen and prepared with an uncompromising commitment to quality and service. Filter’s coffees are carefully roasted by Ceremony Coffee, a local roaster in Annapolis, MD.”

Dear PoPville – A Long Shot but anyone witness a Bike accident Saturday morning 4:30am Florida and P st NE?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Looking for some help to see if any witnesses were around at 4:30am at Florida and P st NE, the morning of March 29th. My brother was struck on his bike in the crosswalk of P st by a red light running driver and was hurt pretty bad. He has already had surgery to put a rod in his leg and may have a broken wrist too. We are looking into getting some camera footage from the XM building. Apparently the driver was not ticketed and they aren’t even calling it an accident just an incident. My brother was heading home from his bartending job and is now in a pretty bad spot with no health insurance, and he can’t work to support himself. Not really wanting to start the standard cars vs bikes flame war just trying to see if anyone was around at that time – its a long shot I know, but figured I would try.”

From the Forum Part 2 – Safety on the MBT?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Safety on the MBT?

“I was looking for more information on the safety of the Metro Branch Trail. I work in Brookland and would love to run home on the trail as it goes straight to my house. However, I’ve read the previous PoP posts on violence and attacks on the MBT. Does anyone have any advice or updated information on whether the police patrol or not? I would hope to be on it in the early evening an hour or so before sunset.”

Has it Come to This?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Are bikeshare bikes so hard to get that folks have resorted to doing this? It’s like paying to put a car2go in a garage…

photo 3

Cool Bike Rack Downtown

By Prince Of Petworth

bike rack

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“I thought you might find this mildly interesting. It’s a bike rack made out of old parking meters. Saw this downtown at 19th and Pennsylvania. Not sure if there are any others around the city.”

Hahaha mildly interesting indeed! We’ve admired this one once or twice before.

DC Bike Party’s Rock n’ Roll Ride – Jan. 8th

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“DC Bike Party’s Rock n’ Roll Ride is coming soon! On January 8th, the party ride which averages between 500-700 participants each month, will ride through Washington, DC with celebrating the birthdays of rock legends David Bowie and Elvis Presley with a Rock n’ Roll themed ride. Riders are encouraged to add songs to the DC Bike Party collaborative playlist to hear their favorite tracks through our mobile jukebox, Sound Bike DC.

The group, departing from Dupont Circle, will set out to complete an approximately 7-mile ride, visiting some of the city’s major landmarks and attractions with a pit stop at Malcom X Park before ending with a celebration at Black Whiskey on 14th Street. DC Bike Party participants will be treated to a free live show by local favorites, The Megaphone Barons!

A map of the complete route will be available at DCBikeParty.com 24 hours before the ride. Riders are welcome to join or depart the group at any point—many riders use Capital Bikeshare.

Everyone is welcome to attend or participate. RSVP on Facebook using this link. Specifics below:

WHAT: DC Bike Party’s Rock n’ Roll Ride: Bowie vs. Elvis
WHERE: Departs from the middle of Dupont Circle
WHEN: Wednesday, January 8th
Meet at 7:30 P.M.; Depart promptly at 8:00″

Is This Your Bike?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I came home early Sunday morning (2am) to find the bicycle in the attached picture laying in the middle of the alley behind my house on the 500 block of Irving NW. Someone had taken one of my paver blocks to try and break the lock off the front wheel, but they were clearly scared off or gave up before succeeding. I kept the bike in my basement for the night, and turned it over to the police at the 3D substation on Park Rd yesterday afternoon. The police are holding it now in impound.

Hope it can make it home to its owner!”

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