[DCLiz]

I just recently started occasionally commuting to work, and noticed the tape soon after I started. I assumed it meant we were supposed to go on the sidewalk, since this is part of the 15th Street Cycle Track. I’ve been riding on the sidewalk, being careful to yield to pedestrians.

[DCLiz]

I don’t have a video to recommend, but you or others out there might be interested in the free flat repair class at Bicycle Space every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:15. Next one is June 9:
http://www.bicyclespacewdc.com/events/icalrepeat.detail/2011/6/9/30/-/-.html

[DCLiz]

It was fun convoying with Justin Antos from Eastern Market to Freedom Plaza this morning. Sorry I lost you in the crowd! I wandered away to get the free swag.

[DCLiz]

According to their website, Bike and Roll has kids bikes for ages 6 -9 and 8-12. http://www.bikethesites.com/Bikes/ It says they are available at the downtown DC and Alexandria, VA locations.

As mentioned above, there are also trailers available for the little one.

[DCLiz]

It’s working now. I’m using it.

[DCLiz]

If you are a student (and not older than 22 years), The Washington Sports Club, which has a location at Connecticut & M (just north of Farragut North), has a month-to-month student membership of $20/month. You can’t use the gym from 4:30 – 7:30 PM, but if you are mainly wanting to join for AM showers, that might be one option.

Otherwise, I think FitnessFirst at 19th & L is your best bet. It’s $29.95 for month to month.

Both options may have an initiation fee, though, unless you can talk them out of it!

[DCLiz]

I took both classes last summer and have been recommending them ever since. In fact, one of my friends wants to go this year and I’m planning to go with her as a refresher. Unfortunately, getting to Arlington by 6 pm on a work day, especially with a bike, is impossible.

[DCLiz]

I rode on it for the first time yesterday. I definitely noticed that riding southbound, right-turning cars do NOT yield to the bikes, even though the signs instruct them to do so. It’s interesting, because they actually cross in front of the bike lane and then wait, yielding to the pedestrians in the cross-walk.

I think there could be a couple of solutions:
1. A special bike/ped signal for the southbound cycletrack where cars are allowed to turn right. The signal would turn green in advance of the traffic light, allowing bikes to get out in front of the cars before they start making their right turns.
2. A bike box that allows bikes to get ahead of the cars at the stopped light.

In reality though, the thing to do might be yielding to right-turning cars. We know they are supposed to yield, but I’d rather wait a few seconds and proceed through the intersection safely. It would hurt if the cops came out and nailed drivers who didn’t yield, though.

[DCLiz]

I don’t have any solutions, but I don’t think it’s just tourists. On my very first bike commute Friday, the evening ride home was harrowing due to pedestrians. I had one man (I am assuming a downtown business man) look right at me — or so I thought — and then proceed to begin stepping right in front of me. Apparently, he had just been checking for cars before attempting to jaywalk across the middle of the block, and my bike didn’t register at all.

Not sure what the appropriate response would be, but mine was a fairly panicked “HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY!,” which worked, since he did stop a moment before walking right into me.

I also found that pedestrians just wander cluelessly into the 15th St bike lanes, particularly when they are valet-parking their car at one of the restaurants. The valet stop is outside the bike lane, obviously, but the pedestrian must cross through the bike lane to get to the sidewalk. I guess the best thing to do in this situation is stop and yield to the people getting out of the car?

[DCLiz]

Hi Justin,

I just commuted from Eastern Market to Farragut for the first time this morning. Do you know the rules pertaining to whether cyclists can use the roads the are blocked off to cars around the Capitol office buildings? On the House side, this would be C St SE in between 1st St SE & 1st St SW, in addition to 1st ST SE, etc.

Also, I wasn’t sure which paths around the Capitol were okay to bike on.

The jigger on the 15th Street cycle track surprised me. I think it could be better marked so people know how to get back to the cycle track.

Thanks!
Liz

P.S. This was my route: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/32942502

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