“Dear PoPville,
So DDOT did a beautiful job redoing the intersection of Florida/15th/W Sts. There is better traffic flow and a really nice protected (2-way!) stretch of the bike lane, and it looks great. But is anyone ever going to use these bike racks that are isolated on the traffic island? They’re not next to businesses, houses, or the park. Not clear why anyone would park a bike there except to get it stolen…”
Ed. Note: I’ll also echo kudos for the protected bike lane. And I don’t see why folks wouldn’t use the bike racks – it’s not far from Meridian Hill, houses on 15th and businesses on 14th and U. As to whether or not bikes will get stolen there, that I don’t know.
Yesterday a resident reported, on theBrookland listserv, encountering a man masturbating on the MBT around 11:30am. The following description of the 911 call could be even more disturbing:
“Where are you?”
“RHI metro bridge on the Metropolitan Branch Trail.”
“Oh are you in the metro?”
“No.”
“By Foreman Mills.”
“What’s the cross street?”
“Rhode Island Ave. I am on the MBT.”
“But where on the MBT.”
“Just south of the 2.1 mile marker.”
“Mam, that doesn’t help me.”
“I thought the whole point of the mile markers was to help us tell you where we are?”
“Where are you again?”
“On the Metropolitan Branch Trail, just by the RHI Bridge Steps across from Foreman Mills.”
“What is the cross street?”
I lost it then. This is redic.
“WHAT IF I WAS BEING RAPED? Could you find me then?”
“I will send someone out there now.”
I am so frustrated, and I feel unsafe.”
I emailed OP this morning who said she heard from the 911 office today and “They are re-training everyone about the MBT.” Given the number of incidents reported on the MBT let’s hope this training is done post haste. And is thorough.
Eileen reports:
“Break in at BicycleSPACE in Mt Vernon Square. Police on scene. Tape around area & A Baked Joint next door.”
MPD reports:
“The First Police District reports the Burglary of an Establishment this morning in the 400 block of K Street, NW at approximately 6:30 AM. The established was entered by person(s) who broke out the glass in the front door and took a number of bikes that were recovered by our officers and returned to the owner of the establishment.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s First Police District are investigating this Burglary and should you have witnessed this break in or have knowledge of it, we urge you to contact the departments Command Information Center immediately on 202-727-9099 and reference CCN# 16-140-304.
Persons with information may also anonymously text via cell phone to 50411.”
From MPD:
“The MPD is investigating a report on the Metropolitan Branch Trail as follows:
Misdemeanor Sex Assault Metropolitan Branch Trail (Mile Marker 1.9)16103150
C1 was assaulted when S1 grabbed her buttocks at the listed location. S1 was last seen north towards 8th and Edgewood. S1 was described as a hispanic male, with short hair, wearing an orange shirt and carrying a green backpack.
Questions, concerns, and information regarding this matter should be addressed to the Sex Assault Unit at 202-727-3700.”
“Dear PoPville,
Tuesday night at least 4 bikes were stolen out of a locked bike storage inside our “secure” garage. The bike storage area requires an electronic resident key to enter (as does the garage and elevator), so the thief either lives in our building or was working with another resident. They also used a pretty heavy duty tool because all the u-locks on the ground had a smooth cut. Police and building management are involved now.
I live at Jefferson Marketplace in Shaw – apparently this happened two nights in a row, so wanted to warn other people in the neighborhood and see if anyone has seen my bike. It is a white Specialized Dolce Sport with black Shimano commuter pedals. It also has a red and white Jefferson Marketplace sticker and a Spokes Etc. sticker on the frame.
If anyone comes across it they can email me at kristenburke8(at)gmail.com.”
Keep a lookout Capitol Hill/H Street/Trinidad/Kingman Park/Hill East. Thanks!
“Dear PoPville,
Last night at 12:20 I had a bicycle stolen. Happened to be coming home during the theft. I drove past my alley and noticed a guy riding a bicycle while “ghost riding” another bike. I thought this was odd so after parking my car decided to enter the house through the alley to ensure everything was ok (at this point I figured he was dumping a stolen bike to come back to or something along those lines). As I get out the car I see him head down 7th st NE towards H st NE, I was a block & half away so I wasn’t able to see the bike frame clearly or anything. Once I get into the alley I notice there was a beater bike dumped, my garage was open & bike gone. Police were called, report was filed and then canvassed the area but I am honestly not expecting a whole lot. It is a very unique bike and I know there are no other identical bikes in the city.
I am training for my first triathlon this summer and this was both my training and race bike.
I’d say the biggest identifying factors is that it’s a DC racing frame (NCVC) and it has a very unique red & black fizik saddle
Should be easily spotted on the street. Efenwick301(at)yahoo.com “
This is pretty cool – thanks to Phil for sending: “#SafeTrack bike signs just appeared in my neighborhood ahead of ‘Surge #2.’“
Yesterday morning a reader reported:
“Someone rode off on our surrey bike today. It was parked on 6th street so my cameras didn’t catch them going down Marion. I don’t think they will get very far. Please help us look out for it. It’s very (VERY) conspicuous.”
Around 3:30pm that day C.Jønez tweeted us:
“is this it?? Spotted just now passing Shaws Tavern on U st being ridden by 4 younger looking people.”
I emailed OP who sent the photo above: “we got it back thanks to your tweet!”
A reader reports on Sunday:
“Someone rode off on our surrey bike today. It was parked on 6th street so my cameras didn’t catch them going down Marion. I don’t think they will get very far. Please help us look out for it. It’s very (VERY) conspicuous.”
Please email rodrickcrider(at)gmail.com with any sightings.
From a press release:
“A popular local bike retailer with multiple locations will be riding into The Yards temporarily over the next two weeks and then returning for good early next year. Conte’s Bike Shop, a Virginia Beach-based bike shop has agreed to locate its latest DC-metro store at The Yards. The announcement was made today by Forest City, master developer of The Yards, DC’s premier urban mixed-use waterfront neighborhood located between the Washington Navy Yard and the Nationals ballpark in the Capitol Riverfront district.
Conte’s Bike Shop plans to first open later this week a temporary pop-up bike shop at The Yards offering bikes for sale or rent, repair services, clothing and gear, as well as expert advice. The pop up location will be on Tingey Street in Arris, the latest residential building to be completed at The Yards. Opening Thursday May 19th, the pop-up shop will operate until May 29th, being open Thursday through Sunday of each week. During this period the popular Tour de Fat cycling community event will take place at Yards Park (May 19-20), as well as Bike to Work Day in DC (Friday, May 20th). This will be the only bike shop resource in the growing Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.
In early 2017, Conte’s Bike Shop will return to The Yards in a more permanent store location with the opening of their latest full service bike shop. To be located on 4th Street SE in the new Arris apartments building, The Yards will be Conte’s ninth store location and their first location outside of Virginia. Read More
