BikeDC

Dear PoPville – Please Keep Your Eyes Peeled for a Stolen ‘Mama-Bike’

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by Stewart Eastep for PeopleforBikes.org

“Dear PoPville,

Sometime between Midnight and 5am this morning, two bikes were stolen from my backyard in Eckington, on the Unit Block of R St NE. I know, bikes get stolen every day in this city, and are hard to track, but the two bikes that were stolen are pretty hard to miss. I’ve attached a photo (thanks to PeopleforBikes.org for the great shot!!) Here are the specs:

1)Cream Xtracycle Radish long tail bike, with a Bobike front mounted baby seat/windshield, two large pannier bags, padded rear platform (note: Hoopty ‘rack’ in picture not currently attached), Obama bumper sticker on rear fender, lots of orange reflective ‘flower’ stickers, and an orange reflective mustache on the windshield.

2) White 24″ Opus Rambler with blue writing. Several “I biked to school at Yu Ying PCS today!” stickers. One black box bag on rear rack.

We are doing all the things we are supposed to do (filing a police report, setting craigslist alerts for DC, Baltimore and Philly, contacting all local bike shops, etc), but because these bikes are unique and tend to garner attention, there is a good chance that folks might see them out and about.

We are devastated. These bikes are our primary transportation when it is over 40 degrees outside. If you see them, please contact me as soon as possible! eblyttleton(at)gmail(dot)com or by phone (202-344-5389)”

From the Events Calendar – Used Bike Sale at Big Bear

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Phoenix Bikes Used Bike Sale:

Phoenix Bikes will host its third sale of the year at the Big Bear Cafe, 1700 First St., NW, in Washington, DC (at the triangle of First, R, and Florida), Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10am-2pm. We will have about six brand new Civia Twin City 7-speed commuter bikes, plus more than 20 other bikes in a variety of styles and sizes including road, mountain, hybrid, cruisers and single-speeds. Also joining us again will be Bikes for the World, which will also be selling refurbished bikes. Locks and lights will also be available.”

Ed. Note: You can see all events here and you can schedule your own event listing here and you can edit your events here.

M Street Cycle Track Construction Begins Monday, Should Take 4-6 Weeks to Complete

By Prince Of Petworth

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M Street, NW between 15th and 16th

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced it will begin installing a protected bike lane (also known as a cycle track) on M Street NW starting on or about Monday, November 25, weather permitting.

The cycle track, with a buffer of parked cars and flexible posts, will span over a mile on the north side of M Street NW between 14th and 28th Streets and will serve as the westbound compliment to the eastbound cycle track on L Street NW. On the 1500 block of M Street NW, the lane will be installed as a “traditional” bike lane. Green paint will also be used for much of the block to increase the visibility of the lane.

Ed. Note: Last night a van parked in the L Street cycle track, check out the interesting debate that followed here.

Construction Details after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoPville – How Does the DDOT Bike Removal Program Work?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Noticed this @ 14th/F NW – first time I’ve seen this. Is this a new initiative?”

We spoke a bit about this in September when a reader asked if MPD impounded bikes. Bike owners have 10 days to remove their bikes after the warning is posted. In subsequent messages with DDOT, they tell me that the bikes are then held in their W Street, NE yard for an additional 10 days in case an owner claims the bike. If they are not claimed, most bikes go to recycling since most of them are in such bad shape (missing wheels, handlebars, mangled etc.) it is not feasible to donate them.

MPD Parks in and Pro-Bike Messages Return to 15th Street Bike Lane

By Prince Of Petworth

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A reader sends the photo above and writes:

“Thought of the post from Wed. about the 15th Street bike lane when I passed this MPD vehicle parked in the cycle track just north of K St. It was parked there from at least 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (the two times I passed), so this wasn’t any quick stop, either.

Wish MPD was enforcing, not violating. Anyway, thanks for your previous posting on this issue.”

Thanks to another reader for sending the shot below from the newly repaved 15th Street bike lane”

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