Missed connection

[dasgeh]

@Emm 87016 wrote:

Today was especially ridiculous on Madison. I’ve never seen so many busses parked in the traffic lane. I ended up jumping onto the sidewalk for a block or two to avoid the mess

I have stopped going that way, but today I hit the light at 3rd on the left turn and didn’t want to wait. So, right on Madison.

That should be the last time I do that until Freezing Saddles (double bonus duh! for doing it when I got out of work early).

[Terpfan]

Miraculously drivers exhibited great behavior today, but not the cyclists. First, there was you coming down Bashford Lane (with the red light) toward Abingdon to make the right. You see me going straight with the green light on Abingdon, but you don’t slow at all and I have to veer left sharply and hit my brakes. Not cool. Not to mention there is a no turn on red there. Next time, if you want to bomb out on a slight downhill stretch then just do it the easy way via 2nd Street.

But no worries, you were way outdone by an elite cyclist on the MVT just north of Gravely Pt. So I signal to pass another cyclist, ring my bell, and then as I’m moving left do one more glance over my shoulder. And suddenly there you are not heeding an inch without a single warning. You’re lucky I presume idiocy among everyone else and almost always give a fleeting glance.

[Emm]

@dasgeh 87022 wrote:

I have stopped going that way, but today I hit the light at 3rd on the left turn and didn’t want to wait. So, right on Madison.

That should be the last time I do that until Freezing Saddles (double bonus duh! for doing it when I got out of work early).

How do you get around Madison? I come from south of the mall, so my options are to take Independence Ave, or Madison to 15th st. I generally avoid Independence since it’s so busy, but maybe it is a better route with all the tourists on Madison now

[DCAKen]

Me: Cycling on North Portal Drive, approaching Tamarack Drive
You: Red SUV

Thanks for giving me the wide berth as you passed. However, did you think that since you’re in the wrong lane of traffic, the stop sign doesn’t apply to you?

[consularrider]

Amazing, not even a tap on the brakes. 😡

[dasgeh]

Do the Silver Spring police have a non-emergency email address?

[Terpfan]

@dasgeh 87087 wrote:

Do the Silver Spring police have a non-emergency email address?

http://www.mymcpnews.com/districts/third-district/ Just a phone number for MoCo police (SS is not an incorporated city in MD).

But North Portal is solely in DC. It ends at the line.

[baiskeli]

Perhaps a confused driver from the UK?

Where was Dickie at the time?

[mikoglaces]

@DCAKen 87080 wrote:

did you think that since you’re in the wrong lane of traffic, the stop sign doesn’t apply to you?
/QUOTE]

Duh, the stop sign was obviously for vehicles to the right of the double yellow line, but he was on the left, so he didn’t need to stop.

[dbb]

@dbb 87008 wrote:

Me: Little (well, aspiring to be smaller) cyclist on Madison between 7th and 14th this afternoon about 1530.

You: Every damned bus in the district double parked, trying to parallel park, just parked and picking up/dropping off in the traffic lane. Between your piggishness and moisture induced stupidity, you (acting as a group) were able to completely shut down the traffic. Bravo! I had to go from one side of the traffic column to the other at least five times.

It would have been better for the air if after you all had completely constipated the roadway (dare I suggest a bus war on cars?), if you would have shut the engines down.

While a tempting enforcement target for the USPP (and easy pickings), I am sure there was a cyclist on Hains Point that slow rolled through a stop sign that was distracting them. Come on guys, this happens every afternoon!

Channeling my inner Don Quixote, I sent this to the Acting Chief of the USPP yesterday.

“Dear Chief MacLean

I am writing to ask for increased police patrols and enforcement along Madison and Jefferson between 3rd and 14th Street along the National Mall in the District of Columbia.

I am a bicycle commuter and I ride these roadways every day. During the afternoon, Madison is often totally blocked by buses that have elected to stop in the middle of the road to take on or discharge passengers or are trying to parallel park. What is notable is the complete absence of US Park Police officers in the area

I understand the value of tourism to the region’s economy and am not suggesting the buses be ticketed or banned. That said, unless the US Park Police exerts some degree of control over the roadways, control will be abdicated to the buses.

In addition to the traffic flow issues, the number of buses that are idling (while in traffic or while parked) likely cause impact to the air quality on the National Mall.

Similar problems exist in front of the Jefferson Memorial where little enforcement or traffic management is evident.

In the morning, I am regularly passed by speeders on these roads as they are used by commuters. As a cyclist, I ride these roads because they are one way and have relatively low speed limits.

I would be interested in understanding your thoughts on this problem and the US Park Police strategy to address it.

Thank you,”

I got this response today:

“Thank you for letting us know about your concerns. It is through engagement with the community and visitors that we will succeed in our visitor and resource protection mission. I have forwarded this to the command staff of our Central District to review and address in collaboration with Park leadership. It is our challenge on a daily basis to deploy appropriate resources to accomplish all aspects of our mission. You will receive outreach from one of our commanders.

v/r,

Robert D. MacLean
Acting Chief of Police
United States Park Police”

Until the world runs out of windmills, I will keep jousting. Will keep you all informed.

[dasgeh]

@dbb 87261 wrote:

Until the world runs out of windmills, I will keep jousting. Will keep you all informed.

I’m happy to help tilt. Can you share the email address? Do you mind if I copy-paste-edit?

[MattAune]

@dasgeh 87264 wrote:

I’m happy to help tilt. Can you share the email address? Do you mind if I copy-paste-edit?

I would also love this email. I know a few people that would love to politely discuss the tour bus parking at Hains Point.

[Subby]

Yesterday afternoon I was sprinting home NW on the WOD and came to the Walter Reed intersection. The signal was about to change, but I had enough time to get through the intersection if I hurried up. I kept an eye out for NW traffic on Four Mile Run Dr. turning right on to Walter Reed, saw none, and kept trucking. I did not, however, look for SE traffic on Four Mile Run Dr turning left on Walter Reed Drive. As I entered the crosswalk, the car came within feet of me, slamming on its brakes. I slammed on mine and my rear tire came off the ground, what felt like a good six inches. I thought for a split second that I was about to get blown up. Thankfully, I didn’t – I was able to recover and keep moving forward out of the intersection. Pretty shaken for the next mile or two.

I learned a pretty valuable lesson there. Slow the F down going through intersections. Making the light doesn’t matter if you get destroyed trying to do it.

[baiskeli]

@Subby 87366 wrote:

I learned a pretty valuable lesson there. Slow the F down going through intersections. Making the light doesn’t matter if you get destroyed trying to do it.

In other words, ride like you’re on a bike, not like you’re driving a car.

[mstone]

@baiskeli 87371 wrote:

In other words, ride like you’re on a bike, not like you’re driving a car.

umm, you shouldn’t speed through intersections trying to make a light in a car, either…

[Author]

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