Cycletrack Intersection at 15th and Pennsylvania

As I’m riding south, I pull to the right of the cycletrack and point my bike facing the PA Ave cycletrack. That’s what most of the riders I’ve observed do as well, and sounds like what you do. You can’t wait in the cycletrack because people may be continuing south.

There’s *just* enough room to pull over and wait out of the cycletrack but also out of the pedestrian crosswalk. I’ve never seen the the security guys give anyone grief over where they stage, except in the very rare instance where a motorcade is or is about to come through.

The more common problems I’ve noticed are (1) big tourist groups herding across the intersection and obstructing everything and (2) multiple bikes queuing up in starting-gate fashion and then sprinting for position (which is pretty amusing actually, unless they get bunched up or run into oncoming bike traffic).

It depends on where you stand when waiting to cross. When I worked 1 block away from that intersection, I used to ride in the regular lane instead of in the cycletrack for that one block. It was easier, safer and more predictable to make the right turn into the Reagan Building. While waiting for the light to turn, I would stand to the far right (southwest corner of the intersection) so that I could ride straight across to the right lane. I made sure not to block traffic coming into or out of the secure area. On many occasions I was told to move… that I was blocking traffic. Any attempt to politely discuss or explain why I was doing what I was doing was met with angry yelling (complete with spitting with each syllable) and on 2 occasions, a hand poised on weapon in an “I’ve got a gun and you do not” way of communicating.

My guess is that the security people, many of which are people that I’ve had pleasant conversations with in the years that I’ve commuted through that corridor, have had some kind of SOP in the last few years that warns them of a security threat from cyclists standing in that location. Not every agent has reacted this way, but it is definitely at least three agents who do. On the occasions when I’ve moved away from the spot where they obviously don’t want me, they have instantly become respectful, not agitated and mellow.

My suggestion is that you stand in line with the Pennsylvania Avenue cycletrack, but out of the way of the 15th Street Cycletrack while waiting for the light to change.