[dasgeh]

@Terpfan 18472 wrote:

I’m going to guess the one that says “State Law” on it given that’s quite a fierce debate .

The fierce debate is over when a pedestrian (and a bike is, by reg, a “pedestrian” in the crosswalk) is “crossing” to initiate the responsibility of drivers to stop. The reg is pretty clear about the requirement to stop (vs. yield, which is the law in VA).

(BTW, the laws cited below are NOT in WABA’s pocket guides. I think they should be in the next version. Can someone pass that along to the right person?)

Relevant DC Law:
§ 50-2201.28. Right-of-way at crosswalks.
(a) When official traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop and give the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Relevant VA law:
§ 46.2-924. Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty.

A. The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway:

1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block;

2. At any regular pedestrian crossing included in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block;

3. At any intersection when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed 35 miles per hour.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, at intersections or crosswalks where the movement of traffic is being regulated by law-enforcement officers or traffic control devices, the driver shall yield according to the direction of the law-enforcement officer or device.

No pedestrian shall enter or cross an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic.

The drivers of vehicles entering, crossing, or turning at intersections shall change their course, slow down, or stop if necessary to permit pedestrians to cross such intersections safely and expeditiously.

Pedestrians crossing highways at intersections shall at all times have the right-of-way over vehicles making turns into the highways being crossed by the pedestrians.

[dasgeh]

Speaking of silly NPS signs, I noticed today while I was coming over (towards DC) on the South side of the Memorial Bridge that there are new (?) signs telling motorists to stop for the upcoming crosswalks. There are 2 or 3 that say “DC Law; STOP for [ped symbol] in crosswalk”, all on lamp posts along the bridge. Then on either side of the one lane heading down to RCP (which the first crosswalk crosses), there are signs that read “State Law; Yield to [ped symbol] in crosswalk”. Sigh.

Unfortunately, the incorrect signs are the ones most visible to drivers. Who to contact? Can WABA help here?

[dasgeh]

@Mark Blacknell 18445 wrote:

And FWIW, I always make one bottle full of whatever mix (usually HEED)

Holy disgusting HEED, Batman. I learned mid triathlon, when the pit stop was out of water and only had HEED, that HEED is GROSS and should be avoided at all costs.

[dasgeh]

Why not plant blackberry bushes? Spiky, and provide snacks for summer rides!

[dasgeh]

@americancyclo 18406 wrote:

that makes me think of cleaning my water bottles. I’ve found some nasty gunk in them before, and have some that are ONLY water, and others that a mostly sports drink, although they never seems to lose the smell. Anyone have tips on how best to clean water bottles so I can ride around still rocking my 2009 BTWD bottles?

Everyone in our family drinks a TON of water, me especially. So we keep bike bottles around everywhere. I only like water, but my wonderful husband drinks funny tasting stuff when training. After some nasty surprises, we came to the agreement that one type of bottle only gets water, and his team bottles can have whatever weird stuff he likes. I don’t touch the team bottles (except to wash them).

BTW, years ago, for our “wedding favors” we found personalized bike bottles for less than $2 each. So we ordered a TON, and we’re still using them today. Sadly we only have about a half box of new ones left… Definitely one of the best expenses of the wedding.

[dasgeh]

I’m pretty sure no balloons, but I can double check on the skateboard and horse…

[dasgeh]

I leave my suits at work. Bring in fresh bottom layer (including shirts). I do dry cleaning at work. Pretty simple, though I get strange looks sometimes walking in wearing bike stuff or jeans (if I don’t bike).

[dasgeh]

No idea, but I’d like to +1 the idea of both wayfinding and instructional (rules of the trail) signs around there, on both sides of the river. I feel for the runners who don’t know that you have to cross on the South side of the bridge to get to the MVT — it’s a long detour.

[dasgeh]

My husband’s facebook post yesterday: “The modes of transportation Sydney and I saw today – feet, bikes, rollerblades, segways, motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, boats, planes, helicopters, heli-plane (V-22 Osprey), airplanes, and a space ship It’s a good day!”

Some days, you just want to be a stay at home dad.

[dasgeh]

I’m still in the “call every pass” camp, in part because of the “trail culture” idea. Even if the headphone-wearer in front of you can’t hear, the other people around (and sometimes you don’t see them) will hear and respect that you’re a rule-following cyclist. And you’ll get in the habit of calling every pass. Besides, you never know what they’re wearing (could be an old school hearing aid) or listening to (could be nothing), so they may hear you.

In my experience, about 1/3 of the peds I pass react completely randomly, headphones or no. I always slow down when I approach peds, and am ready with hands on breaks to stop quickly (or know where I’d go) in case a ped does freak out. Of course, I’m mostly around peds near monuments, so many of them are tourists, some from places that don’t seem to have bikes. WHICH IS WHY WE NEED INSTRUCTIONAL SIGNS!!

[dasgeh]

@Mark Blacknell 18315 wrote:

If you come out and get QOM today, I will award you a prize.

Darn, didn’t see this in time… but does it count if I’m on the ebike? (I’m relegated to the ebike for probably the next 2 months due to injury — at least I’m not totally off the wheels).

[dasgeh]

@Mark Blacknell 18027 wrote:

NEW Vapiano Mountain Challenge: Squadra Coppi’s new title sponsor has stepped up to provide prizes for a Strava competition on the third Tuesday of every month (May 15, June 19th, July 17th, August 21st ). Various prizes will be awarded on site for KOMs and QOMs. Free appetizers for participants. More details to follow.

Just to be picky, today is the 3rd Tuesday of the month…

[dasgeh]

Personally, I always call passes, generally saying “passing” but sometimes “on your left”. I agree with assertion that the folks that go ballistic are just going to go ballistic — bad day, bad attitude, bad shoes — whatever reason. Can’t let them impact your day.

Most importantly, I think there are lots of people on our trails – especially the ones closer to monuments and memorials – who just don’t understand what a MUP is and how they should be walking. I’m convinced the worst stretches are the narrow sidewalks near the Lincoln, and the path between the Cemetery and 110. A simple system of signage would go a long way towards helping everyone out. Not just wayfinding signs — though those are great and necessary — but basic rules. E.g. stay to your right. Be aware that faster peds and cyclists will pass on your left. Call your passes (if they put on the sign something like “Signal passing by either ringing a bell or saying ‘Passing’.” I think people would start conforming to one practice). Keep pets on a short lease (can we ban pets? pretty please?).

[dasgeh]

I work in one of those offices on the Mall with roof access (a terrace around out cafeteria), and my husband and daughter came down to watch. We missed the first pass but saw 2-3 others. It was awesome. Beautiful day. I was very jealous when they hopped on the bike to head down to Haines Point when the shuttle was done. They hung out by the playground until about noon. Lots of people but not totally packed. Lots of cars, not a lot of cyclists. They had fun, though (despite the wind). Definitely a great day to be on a bike!

[dasgeh]

I figure any time I see cops on bikes, it’s a good thing.

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