In case you missed it: The Washington Post published an article last weekend over the Connecticut Avenue reversible lanes and bike lanes proposals.
The Post article includes some details of the safety study and a small business perspective that we have not covered in our own stories about the DDOT study:
- Adding protected bike lanes is projected to cost $4.6 million and is likely four years away, if approved.
- DDOT also proposes lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour.
- “While about 300 bicyclists use the corridor daily, more than 3,000 bike trips would be made on the route after a bike lane opens, according to city estimates.”
- And the owner of Baked by Yael in Woodley Park wonders how many of the thousands of drivers passing through each day are actually stopping to shop.
“‘The commuters who are going down there at 50 miles per hour, they don’t even see my business because they are moving too fast to get through it,’ said [Yael] Krigman, who also is a member of Woodley Park Main Street. ‘So I’m very pleased with the prospect of slowing down Connecticut Avenue.’”
DDOT has posted the presentations from its March 30th and April 1st public meetings on the concepts being studied, and we have until May 1st to submit comments to Conn-Ave-revstudy@dc.gov. And area ANCs are considering resolutions on the DDOT study. ANC 3F is collecting comments from constituents on its draft resolution, which is in support of removing the reversible lanes, adding protected bike lanes, and instituting other safety measures proposed by DDOT. Contact ANC 3F at commissioners@anc3f.com before its April 20th meeting.
Diana Hart says
It’s worth recalling DDOT’s fairly recent and disastrous revision of Wisconsin Ave from S St to Calvert St NW, which failed after less than a year. Bike lanes and traffic calming methods were added and all original traffic lanes were then restored.
George Warner says
I can’t believe removing parking would help any existing business. Have no problem with ending reversible lanes,
Christine Stoessel says
Bike lanes should be mandatory on all major access routes into downtown DC. There are more and more bike riders; dedicated bike lanes provide the riders with a safe route and make it easier and safer for drivers to overtake the bicyclists.
Reversible lanes are confusing and sometimes even dangerous. I have seen several near-misses when a driver is not aware of the lane change policies.
Green Eyeshades says
I agree completely! Putting more of us neighborhood residents on two wheels (bicycles) will help reduce traffic congestion at all hours of the day and evening. I will add a comment that goes beyond what you wrote, but I don’t mean to imply you agree with my additional comment.
A protected bike lane is a revolutionary design concept because it proves that roads are for sharing, not reserved exclusively for use of motor vehicles. That is exactly why opposition to protected bike lanes is contradicted by DDOT’s extensive engineering studies.