14th and S Street, NW

Dave reports on Friday: “Police issuing $100 tickets for violators Friday morning around 9:30 am, S Street in front of Coffee Bar (12th and S). I stopped driving thru them”

First report I’ve heard of tickets being issued. Has anyone else seen and enforcement presence? If so, where?

Ed. Note: We recently spoke about experiences safe streets here.

“Dear PoPville,

As part of DC govt/DDOT’s initiative to create more recreational space to socially distance and make neighborhood streets safer by reducing the speed limit, “slow streets” barriers were put up. I live at North Capitol and Van Buren Sts NW and can confirm that this isn’t changing how drivers behave or get to their destinations. Read More

Photo by mychacos

“Dear PoPville,

Saturday I was walking my dog down Rock Creek through the tunnel. There are signs to dismount your bike through the tunnel on both sides. Two guys were going full speed on the narrow sidewalk. When one of them passed me, I told him he’s supposed to get off his bike. The next guy stopped and let me pass and I told him the same. The first guy then got off his bike, threw it to the ground, and started walking toward me aggressively as though he was going to physically assault me. His friend had to hold him back. I wish I had taken a picture of the guy. I can’t believe anyone would get so angry that they would respond physically to someone pointing out the rules. It’s really dangerous for people to ride their bikes through that tunnel when it’s busy with people and responding with aggression is not appropriate.”

Thanks to Stephen for sending:

“Following on from the horrible incident in June, they have installed some significant traffic calming measures on Piney Branch at Dahlia. Rarely see the intersection these days for teleworking, but glad they finally did it. Too late, but hopefully this will help.” Read More

From DDOT:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that by September 1, residents will have nearly 22 miles of DC Slow Streets to practice safe social distancing while walking, biking, and rolling in neighborhoods across the District.

“We have already heard great feedback about the initial five miles of Slow Streets that were installed earlier this summer,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “The approximately 17 miles that we will add over the next several weeks are critical to Mayor Bowser’s vision to reimagine public space during the COVID-19 public health emergency.”

All DC Slow Streets are installed on local streets (typically with no centerline marked); without any bus routes and are generally linked to parks or other places to bike and walk. Once installed, DC Slow Streets are restricted to local traffic and the speed limit is set at 15 miles per hour to support neighborhood-based safe social distancing while walking, running, rolling, or cycling.

Installation will begin the week of August 10, and is expected to be completed by September 1 in the following locations: Read More

Photo by Bradley Lautenbach

Thanks to all how messaged us the new crosswalk at 17th and P Street, NW in Dupont Circle. Read More

From a press release:

“Safe streets and climate activists throughout DC will close multiple streets to cars on Monday to give pedestrians and bicyclists room to exercise while remaining physically distant. Along with several DC grassroots organizations, the activists will use orange cones and other obstacles to close roads or lanes of traffic to nonresident vehicle traffic. This direct action builds on the #WidenDCSidewalks demonstrations that began in early April. Both movements aim to convince Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson to immediately open DC streets to people walking, biking, and scooting.

Closures include: A St NE and A St SE, Oleans Place NE, Oates St NE, CHurch St NW, Linden St NE, Wylie St NE, 9th St NW, Upshire St NW, N St SW, Kansas Ave NW, Shepherd, NW, Taylor St. NW, Mozart and Fuller St NW, Butternut St NW, Euclid and Belmont St NW, Otis Pl NW, E St NE, Champlain St NW. Read More

Photos by Cristiam Rodriguez

Thanks to Cristiam for sending from the Cleveland Park Service Lane, yes THAT service lane.

DDOT shares other locations: “The first round of sidewalk extensions are being installed by the end of the week at the following locations to allow pedestrians enough space to practice social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

North side of Irving St NW between Hiatt Pl and 15th St NW

West side of Georgia Ave NW between Quincy St and Randolph St

East side of 25th St NW between Pennsylvania Ave NW and Trader Joe’s driveway

Full closure of the Connecticut Ave NW service lane between Macomb St NW and Ordway St NW Read More

Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will temporarily extend sidewalks near grocery stores and other essential retailers to allow pedestrians enough space to practice social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. Sidewalk extensions will be located in all eight wards of the District, based upon DDOT’s evaluation and suggestions from the public. Read More

New high visibility crosswalks getting painted at 14th and W Street, NW. Nice. Thanks to Bill for sending.