15th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution

[arltodcdaily]

Anyone have some life changing advice on how to navigate 15th street between Pennsylvania and Constitution? I work at Treasury, so I’m in the bike line for a whole block before it ends and I have to dodge the hot dog vendors, tour buses, and traffic heading south on 15th street (the commute in going north on 15th is hectic, largely due to construction and the right turning lane which forces me to ride between both lanes of cars, but it’s not as bad as when I’m heading home going south on 15th). I was riding on the sidewalk sometimes, but quite frankly that’s a nightmare with all of the tourists–dangerous for them and, as I learned yesterday, apparently illegal for me to ride on the sidewalk there. I’m generally a very confident rider on the road, but this portion is just a nightmare. If you’ve got any advice, or ideas on how to lobby the city to extend the bike lane all the way down to Constitution (apparently the hot dog vendors and tour buses get priority over cyclists’ safety!) I’d love to hear from you! Thanks!

Topic

[baiskeli]

Through the Ellipse maybe? Around the whole mess via 12th St?

Whatever you do, be safe. A cyclist was hit at 14th and Constitution just yesterday.

http://dcist.com/2011/06/cyclist_struck_trapped_under_car_ne.php

[arltodcdaily]

Oh I hadn’t thought about the Ellipse, actually…maybe I’ll try that on my ride home today! Thanks! Although does that fall within the boundaries of the central business district, where it is illegal for cyclists to ride on the sidewalk?

Ugh it was the 14th and Constitution accident that got me shook up and prompted me to join the forum to seek some advice…scary — between that yesterday, the cyclist killed at Walter Reed and Four Mile Run in S. Arlington last month, and the runner who was killed last month waiting to cross GW parkway by Memorial Bridge, I’m a little concerned, as these are all either on or very close to my normal cycling/running routes. I suppose anything can happen anywhere, but I’d prefer to minimize my risk…the Ellipse seems like the perfect solution, hopefully it will work out!

[OneEighth]

Welcome to the forum.
I’m just down the street from you and ride up or down 15th Street pretty much every commute (unless I’m taking Pennsylvania past the White House and heading through Georgetown).
I have noticed that drivers tend to leave more room between each other than between themselves and the curb. Also, drivers are much more likely to check the mirror on the side where there is another moving lane of traffic. Kinda makes lane-splitting the safest way through on the road until you get past Independence.
Just take it extra easy and keep your eyes open.
Shiny side up!

[PotomacCyclist]

@arltodcdaily 4649 wrote:

Ugh it was the 14th and Constitution accident that got me shook up and prompted me to join the forum to seek some advice…scary — between that yesterday, the cyclist killed at Walter Reed and Four Mile Run in S. Arlington last month, and the runner who was killed last month waiting to cross GW parkway by Memorial Bridge, I’m a little concerned, as these are all either on or very close to my normal cycling/running routes. I suppose anything can happen anywhere, but I’d prefer to minimize my risk…the Ellipse seems like the perfect solution, hopefully it will work out!

I wouldn’t be as concerned about the crash at Walter Reed Drive this year. It seems like that cyclist was going way too fast and making a blind turn at speed. If you maintain a safe speed and look for cross-traffic at the intersections, it doesn’t have to be a dangerous crossing.

[SteveTheTech]

(sorry I only ride west of Alexandria, I needed a picture) That seems like an interesting commute. Good Luck with an alternate route. Stay safe out there.

A little bit of danger makes the ride interesting but as with all things tourists will try to get into the way.

[CCrew]

@PotomacCyclist 4656 wrote:

I wouldn’t be as concerned about the crash at Walter Reed Drive this year. It seems like that cyclist was going way too fast and making a blind turn at speed. If you maintain a safe speed and look for cross-traffic at the intersections, it doesn’t have to be a dangerous crossing.

Yeah, not to speak ill of the dead but that one came across self inflicted. As much as I hate to say it, I think we’ve all seen some bonehead behavior from cyclists and I have to wonder if this didn’t qualify.

[baiskeli]

@arltodcdaily 4649 wrote:

Oh I hadn’t thought about the Ellipse, actually…maybe I’ll try that on my ride home today! Thanks! Although does that fall within the boundaries of the central business district, where it is illegal for cyclists to ride on the sidewalk?

Ugh it was the 14th and Constitution accident that got me shook up and prompted me to join the forum to seek some advice…scary — between that yesterday, the cyclist killed at Walter Reed and Four Mile Run in S. Arlington last month, and the runner who was killed last month waiting to cross GW parkway by Memorial Bridge, I’m a little concerned, as these are all either on or very close to my normal cycling/running routes. I suppose anything can happen anywhere, but I’d prefer to minimize my risk…the Ellipse seems like the perfect solution, hopefully it will work out!

Yeah, it’s illegal to ride on the sidewalk in the area you’re talking about. I would ride on the street sections of the Ellipse.

The Water Reed crash seemed to be caused by speed going down that steep hill. The jogger’s death is much more of a concern – it was caused when a motorist in one lane stopped to let people cross and then a truck in the other lane panicked and swerved. The lesson is don’t cross until you are sure that both lanes of traffic see you and are stopping (or the lane is clear) and don’t get too close to the edge while waiting too. And watch out for a jerk who passes a car that has stopped for you because he’s too good to stop. I can see that happening around here.

[Author]

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