BikeDC

“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.

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”

Thanks to ‏@danvilla for sending:

“looks like the new 15th street bike lane is working like a charm. Just installed the white dividers today.”

“Dear PoPville,

We found a nice bicycle carefully stashed behind our trash and recycling cans in the alley this morning.

Serotta Colarado III road bike- yellow and blue, red handle bar with cruise bar, water bottle, tire pump etc. The bike has been turned over to the 4th district police at 6001 Georgia Ave. We hope it is reunited with its rightful owner.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC

I thought this was very cool. From CycloMend’s website:

“We maintain a network of local, independent, mobile mechanics that work on your bike where you want, when you want. Not only do we help you find the right mechanic, we also streamline the scheduling process, handle payments, source parts and make sure you pay a fair price…all for about the same prices as a bike shop.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rich Renomeron

“Dear PoPville,

Could you please post WABA’s pocket guide of area bike laws?

For background: I’m a DC bicyclist that commutes to work by bike daily and also rides on the roads and local paths recreationally.

Yesterday I was riding on the road on my way home from Crystal City at a brisk pace when a car came up behind me. Although the driver had a very wide and empty road to pass me, he immediately sped up as fast as he could and swerved towards me, coming within inches of hitting me, all while he and a passenger screamed at me with the window rolled down. I’ve been hit by a car before and sustained minor injuries, but at the speed that this car was going, a hit would have inevitably caused me serious injury or possibly even death. It was a terrifying experience that left me in tears – I’m an experienced long-distance and city rider, so I’m pretty tough when it comes to dealing with cars, but the thought that I could have lost my life due to road rage directed only at me being a bicycle on the road put me in shock.

I saw this article by the Washington Post about the death of MD cyclist Trish Cunningham who was killed when a driver tried to pass her on a blind hill and did not abide to the “3-foot law.” The comments section included ignorant statements on both sides about traffic laws, revealing how truly clueless we all are about road safety.

I’ve found in general that the comments sections on bicycle-related posts on both PoPville and the Washington Post have been very indicative of how little the public actually knows about bike laws. Both cyclists and drivers feel like the other side is uniformed, which fosters dangerous hostility.

I’ve seen lots of posts on PoPville about bicycle-related incidents, but none on the actual laws involved. If both parties are ignorant about traffic laws, all of our lives are put in danger. I think the best solution is to educate both cyclists and drivers alike about area traffic laws – it’s the only way to help both sides understand that we have equal rights to operate safely on the road.”