I think it’s already added some cyclists to other bridges. Yesterday on the I-66 bridge there were more than usual, and I got caught behind one talking on their cell phone while riding painfully slowly. I felt like a Maryland driver caught on Georgetown Pike behind grampa. Road rage!
Just heard from the NPS on the stairway. They said “We are working on a temp runnel. Hopefully installed soon.”
Stay tuned.
Great. That improved runnel will really help those on trikes, wheelchairs, with strollers, or who just don’t have the physical ability to move a bike up/down a long, steep ramp. (this isn’t directed at you, I just can’t believe that anyone in NPS believes the runnel is anything near an acceptable solution.)
It’s a great community bonding opportunity. Just yesterday afternoon I saw a man helping an older gentleman carry his huge electric powered fat bike up the stairs and overheard “I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here to help me!”
Yesterday was my first time using the stairs. It adds about 2-2.5 minutes and is kind of a zoo.
Your whole video is only about a minute long, from the Jefferson until you are riding along on the bridge, so I think you are overestimating the additional time.
It’s a great community bonding opportunity. Just yesterday afternoon I saw a man helping an older gentleman carry his huge electric powered fat bike up the stairs and overheard “I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here to help me!”
We’re gonna have to help each other out for a bit. Carrying a bike *down* 5 flights of stairs, bearing right to allow cyclists to carry upstairs, with no rail, just the *drainage channel* on your right… no thank you.
Does anyone know who dreamed up this mad idea of “fixing” the perfectly adequate 14th street ramp?
Take a look at my post 20 on this thread. NPS applied for and received a grant for this project about five years ago. We crowdsourced (although I don’t think it was a word in 2013) ideas on potential improvements.
While one could argue whether the ramp is the point of greatest need in the area, there are real improvements that can and should be made at that location. That said, the money isn’t likely fungible so not doing this wouldn’t address those other issues.
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