“Dear PoPville,
Bad accident around 9 am. Eyewitness reported to me the driver was speeding, with engine gunned and no evidence of efforts to stop — no screeching or skid marks. Biker was thrown 7 feet in air and landed well behind car. Biker lost consciousness but had regained it and was moving limbs by the time ambulance left.”
@IAFF36 tweeted:
“Cyclist Struck – 900blk Quincy St NW – bicycle vs. car, pt treated & transp to trauma center, pri-1”
1412 Q Street, NW
The Bike Rack’s semi regular free coffee giveaway for bike commuters continues tomorrow morning:
“The Bike Rack is offering free coffee (hot and iced) for bicycle commuters Wednesday morning, September 18th from 7:30 am until approximately 9:00 am. We will be at the corner of 14th and Q, NW handing out free cups of Peregrine coffee as you make your way into work. Look for our banner, stop by and have a cup of joe on us!”
From Shaw.
Photo of warning tweeted by @OConnellPostbiz
@OConnellPostbiz tweets:
“FYI cops stopping bikers headed south on 11th st nw”
“My written warning saying I biked through a stop sign. I paused…not full stop.
A reader sends a photo from 11th and Fairmont St, NW:
“Youth Bike Nonprofit is selling refurbished used bikes, including road, mountain, hybrids, and single speed cruisers. All proceeds support the organization’s mission to teach kids how to fix bikes and improve their communities.”
Ed. Note: You can see all events here and you can schedule your own event listing here.
“Dear PoPville,
I know you’ve updated readers about the 15th street bike lane in the past. I’m wondering if you can pose a question of alternative routes/how to deal with the upcoming construction that is scheduled to take about 4 weeks starting this Friday. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that they are repairing the bike lane but will be scrambling for another route to get to work. Possible routes include 14th and 13th streets where 14th street has lanes but with the buses it can be dangerous and 13th street doesn’t have a bike lane at all.”
From DDOT:
“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will be temporarily restricting the parking lane on the west side of 15th Street NW, from K Street to Swann Street, to repave the 15th Street Cycletrack. While the cycletrack is being repaved, bicyclists are advised to use alternate routes, such as 14th Street and 16th Street NW.
The temporary parking restrictions are scheduled to begin on or about Friday, September 6, 2013 and continue through Friday, October 11, 2013, weather permitting.
The project is scheduled to be completed in several phases. The first phase—which will involve repairs to curbs, gutters, and pedestrian ramps along the corridor—will take approximately two weeks to complete and affect two-block segments at a time. During this phase, temporary No Parking signs will be posted in advance along the affected segments so that residents have adequate notice to move their cars to another location.
The next phases of the project—which involve resurfacing the 15th Street Cycletrack, installation of pavement markings—will be done in two, larger segments. During these phases, DDOT will also provide advanced notice via temporary No Parking signs.”
What are some good alternate routes while the 15th Street cycle track gets repaved?
Rendering via DDOT
Thanks to a reader for sending word about the Rhode Island Ave Pedestrian Bridge:
“The Rhode Island Avenue Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge will link the Metropolitan Branch Trail and its connecting neighborhoods to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station and adjacent communities. It will create a safe passageway for community members who currently use the Rhode Island Avenue underpass, which is narrow and dark, or who cross the active railroad tracks increasing access to transit and recreation for thousands of residents.
The truss bridge is designed in the style of an old railroad bridge. Ramps on both sides will provide wheelchair and bicycle access while a stairway on the west side will provide a more direct route. The open design will allow for visibility as well as beautiful city views and 24-hour lighting will enhance safety. The bridge will connect into the open section of the Metro station, providing connectivity even when the station is closed. The design is the result of unprecedented cooperation among numerous stakeholders including DDOT, WMATA, CSX, utility companies and the community.”
M Street, NW between 15th and 16th
Last week we learned the M Street Cycle Track would finally get installed in October. A few readers have wrote in asking if we could discuss the controversy surrounding the gap in front of the AME Metropolitan Church between 15th and 16th St, NW. WAMU reported:
“The church complained the original design for a cycle track separated from traffic with bollards would eliminate much-needed parking as well as a travel lane for vehicles attempting to get to the church for any of its well-attended events. The new design restores the parking spaces and travel lane by removing protective bollards from the cycle track, turning it into a regular bike lane adjacent to traffic.”
Greater Greater Washington spoke with DDOT official Sam Zimbabwe and analyzes the situation and DDOT decision in great detail:
“Certainly DDOT could also have pushed to remove parking instead. Zimbabwe explained that the church was initially entirely opposed to any sort of bike lane, and by engaging with church leaders and members over the last few months, that position has softened. Plus, any bike lane is today just an abstract notion; when a real bike lane is in the ground, Zimbabwe thinks all parties may think a little differently about the issue.”
“Dear PoPville,
My bike was stolen at some point this week off of my second story balcony. No, it wasn’t locked, but I really never would have thought someone would scale a building, active the motion censored lights, right in front of windows, hop onto a balcony, throw the thing down and ride off with it… boy was I wrong. The bike is registered, I have proof of purchase and a police report has been filed.
I’ve contacted all of the bike shops in the area to let them know that it is stolen and to report if someone comes in trying to sell it. I’ve scoured Craigslist every day but have had no luck. Considering the circumstances, the bike is probably floating around somewhere in DC…
It was stolen from the corner of 18th and U st. It’s a matte red and black medium 2013 GT Tachyon hybrid. The serial number is C302120003. It’s dearly missed.
There is a reward for whoever finds/returns it.”
From @DDOTDC:
“Update: M & 15th St. Cycletracks: 15th St: resurfacing later this month. M Street: Estimate October installation, weather permitting.”