Prevent Double Parking

[gregbilling]

Call DC Department of Public Works’ parking enforcement at 311. They are responsible for parking enforcement in DC. Please let us know how successful (or not) you are with double parking cars.

Greg

[planetmike]

I am aware of who’s responsible and of using 311. This is a reactive measure, if it works at all. We need people sweeping the bike lanes to keep them clear during commuting periods.

Of course the best solution is to separate the bicycle lanes from traffic, either by curbing or shifting the parking line similar to what is done on 15th Street.

[Just161]

Snapping a photo and posting to http://dc.mybikelane.com/ is a way to vent frustration, but I’m not sure how much it helps!

[planetmike]

Brilliant, no practical benefits, but good for personal venting!

[OneEighth]

Ya know…it’s a city. There was double-parking long before there were bike lanes. I think a little “no harm, no foul” is in order here—more to the point, I think that making a spectacle out of it with sweeps would backfire.

[planetmike]

Obviously after riding for many years, we’ve come to accept bike lanes as infrastructure “lip service” and we understand its false sense of security. However, there has and will always be a serious potential for harm when a cyclists has to drive around a vehicle.

If we are to encourage more people to ride beyond the existing hard core commuters, these lanes must be kept clear. It doesn’t always require a fall or accident for people to stop cycling.

[baiskeli]

@OneEighth 1371 wrote:

Ya know…it’s a city. There was double-parking long before there were bike lanes. I think a little “no harm, no foul” is in order here—more to the point, I think that making a spectacle out of it with sweeps would backfire.

You don’t think there’s any harm to double-parking?

[planetmike]

@baiskeli 1379 wrote:

You don’t think there’s any harm to double-parking?

Ha ha, I’m still laughing at this reply too. Essentially it says, “share the road” but the point of a bicycle lane is to provide a path for bicycles, not to be shared.

My idea is to have WABA be a liason with bicycle police and volunteers to sweep bike lanes during rush hour periods. Depending on available resources, we could sweep a lane once a week or even less, but at least try it. No effective rule exists without enforcement.

[planetmike]

@Just161 1365 wrote:

Snapping a photo and posting to http://dc.mybikelane.com/ is a way to vent frustration, but I’m not sure how much it helps!

After a few days of consideration, I think I would have to become a photographer to post all the violations I encounter each day…..ha ha….

[planetmike]

@planetmike 1382 wrote:

Ha ha, I’m still laughing at this reply too. Essentially it says, “share the road” but the point of a bicycle lane is to provide a path for bicycles, not to be shared.

My idea is to have WABA be a liason with bicycle police and volunteers to sweep bike lanes during rush hour periods. Depending on available resources, we could sweep a lane once a week or even less, but at least try it. No effective rule exists without enforcement.

I meant this “reply” of course….

Quote Originally Posted by OneEighth View Post
Ya know…it’s a city. There was double-parking long before there were bike lanes. I think a little “no harm, no foul” is in order here—more to the point, I think that making a spectacle out of it with sweeps would backfire.

[OneEighth]

@baiskeli 1379 wrote:

You don’t think there’s any harm to double-parking?

You missed the point. The best way to respond to double-parking is to have the authorities address it. If getting them to devote already stretched resources to this is difficult, frame your argument to align with their priorities and pitch it to the right people. That is an effort that WABA can perhaps help with. But doing something along the lines of having volunteers sweeping the bike lanes during rush hour (as was suggested early on in this thread) is going to backfire.

[planetmike]

@OneEighth 1387 wrote:

You missed the point. The best way to respond to double-parking is to have the authorities address it. If getting them to devote already stretched resources to this is difficult, frame your argument to align with their priorities and pitch it to the right people. That is an effort that WABA can perhaps help with. But doing something along the lines of having volunteers sweeping the bike lanes during rush hour (as was suggested early on in this thread) is going to backfire.

I admire your trust in “the authorities”. However I suggest that if the authorities had the resources to prevent double parking, we would not be discussing the issue now. Given the huge city budget shortfall before us, I very much doubt that such resources will become available in the near future.

I do agree that we must work in concert with the city and I find this role to be ideal for WABA. I would be glad to lead the volunteer effort. Good neighborhoods are made by good neighbors.

[planetmike]

Another observation is this. I have been commuting down Connecticut Avenue daily and have noticed that “no one” double parks because there is NO bicycle lane. I actually find it a safer commute. Motorist are forced to notice you because you are in traffic.

Also, I notice several cars and a UPS truck “safely” parked on the new dual bicycle lane on 15th street yesterday.

Again, my point is unless a bike lane is designed to prevent cars from driving on or parking in it, we’re probably better off without one.

[CCrew]

@planetmike 1723 wrote:

Also, I notice several cars and a UPS truck “safely” parked on the new dual bicycle lane on 15th street yesterday.

Yeah, the mail person got a polite piece of my mind too since I had to swerve into traffic.

[girlonabikedc]

What about businesses that allow their trucks to block bike lanes while they load/un-load? Do they have any responsibility toward this, or does it rest solely with the truck driver? What if it’s a chronic problem?

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