gregbilling
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gregbilling
Participant@americancyclo – thanks for the tip. I’ve fixed the error in the link. (there was an extra “/” at the beginning). If anyone every sees an error on the website. Feel free to shoot me an email (greg at waba dot org) and I’ll fix it.
In response the Resolution in general. We’ve modified it and we aren’t asking people to be “more” responsible — just responsible. Sign it or don’t.
Last year, the issue was discuss in great detail and what it meant. If you’re interested in all of the discussion, google it — it’s out there. So there is not really a need to rehash the same discussion.
We were unbelievably impressed last year with over 750 signatures and we use that number very frequently in discussions about bicyclists and their commitment to responsibility. That number carries weight. The Resolution has been live for 2 days and we’re at 390 signatures. This year’s number will carry even more weight.
ParticipantIt sounds like you got a dud. Of the six to ten different legbands I have floating around, the WABA ones are the best. They are the most reflective (as tested in our LCI class last year) and the velcro holds. They could be a bit larger for all of the cold weather layers but they still work. And who can beat the price: free!
(In full disclosure, I work for WABA and have an interest in more people keeping their pants grease-free)
ParticipantBikes, Kids and Families is definitely the challenge. Teaching parents how to take care of family responsibilities on bikes is one the major game changers. Kidical Mass is the start of that movement. Family rides, family shopping tides, walking/biking school buses, birthday party bike rodeos, etc. are all part of the solution. I wish that WABA could host a bike safety rodeo were they are needed and wanted. Our education staff literally gets over 50 requests a year for rodeos. Currently, we don’t have the staff to support that demand or necessary funding to pay for it. A WABA run bike rodeo is expensive (lots of gear, lots of bikes, multiple paid League Cycling Instructors, insurance, location fees, van usage, etc).
That being said, we need help finding funding in your locality (private, public, etc). Ask your elected officials to fund safety education, ask your employer to sponsor a family ride, ask your neighborhood association/church/civic group to host a rodeo. We would love to do our jobs and educate more kids.
ParticipantI’ll be there. I tend to get pretty “thirsty” after work. Hope to see some WABF representation.
Greg
Participant(WABA Response)
Yes, it is legal to ride the underpasses in DC unless otherwise posted (I don’t know of such a sign prohibiting bicycling in the tunnels).
With that said, the DC Municipal Regulations Section 1201.15 states, “No person shall operate a bicycle except in obedience to the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer or other person authorized to direct and control traffic.”
An officer could instruct you to not ride there and if you continued, they would have the authority to issue you a citation for not following the instructions of an officer.
This situation happened to me last year. Despite being very clear with the officer about the law, he persisted that “if I see you riding here again, I’ll cite you.”
For future interaction with the police, it will require careful handling and a humble attitude. Ask questions. Don’t preach. Be curious. Ask for explanations. Be helpful. Educate the officer without them know you are doing so. Use the WABA pocket law guide to back up you information.
Greg
ParticipantI should be there if the bicycle advocacy world doesn’t change dramatically before then.
Greg
September 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm in reply to: Cyclist Ticketed for Getting Hit At Custis/Lynn Intersection #929810ParticipantI’ll be at the September 12th Arlington BAC meeting representing WABA. Hope to see (and meet) many of you there!
Have a great and safe weekend!
GregParticipantGreat question! At each local meeting we’ll be discussion two things: 1) What are the local advocacy priorities? 2) What are the regional advocacy priorities?
So, Arlington issues will be discussed at the Arlington meeting. However, there will probably be discussion of how Arlington interfaces with DC, Fairfax and Alexandria at those local meetings. There are lots of moving parts with a lot input from advocacy/advisory groups, community members, business owners, advocates, WABA members, etc. that will go into putting a regional advocacy priority plan together. We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to be heard!
Greg
ParticipantHello all forum members!
One of the joys of being a moderator of the Washington Area Bicycling Forums is an email in my inbox for every single post. I don’t often reply because of the numbers of posts in a given day but I am listening. When serious advocacy issues arise, they are brought up in staff meetings or meetings with the Executive Director. We are trying hard to communicate the big advocacy issues and the progress being made on them. However, there are definitely challenges with the ever-changing status on certain issues or the discretion / privacy requested by officials as we work with them on large initiatives. That being said, I would be interested in hearing your feedback about how WABA is doing. We are hosting a Regional Call to Action Summit on November 3rd in Arlington — Please come!
As part of the summit, we will be hosting local stakeholder meetings in the six jurisdictions we represent. Please come and help shape advocacy goals for the next five years. If you can’t make it, submit your feedback via email at advocacy@waba.org.
9/13 – Prince George’s Co. – Greenbelt Library Aud., 6pm to 8pm
9/20 – Montgomery Co. – Kensington Park Comm. Library, 6pm to 8pm
9/27 – Arlington Co. – Shirlington Branch Library, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
10/4 – Alexandria – Nannie J Lee Rec. Center, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
10/11 – District of Columbia – Benning Library, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
10/17 – Fairfax Co. – Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA, 6pm to 8pm11/3 – Regional Call to Action Summit – Arlington, VA – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Please RSVP for the local meetings and the regional summit at waba.org/events/summit.php
Thanks all!
ParticipantSurprisingly, there are only a few libraries with available space after 5pm on a weekday due to budget cuts. The libraries that are open after 5pm are quickly reserved by ANCs, knitting groups and toastmasters. The Benning Library is a beautiful new facility which is less than half a mile from the metro.
ParticipantThanks for giving it another shot! Just a few blocks north of the “end of the trail” is another long section up near Catholic. The signs getting there are pretty small but they are there. I’ve included a map:
A bit of history: the Met Branch is over 20 years in the making. I wish that the entire 8 mile trail could be built all at once and opened to the public. However, that’s just not possible. For example, the section between aligned next to the NY Ave Metro Station was built in 2004 and sat for 6 years not connecting anywhere. The reality is that there are so many players involved: DDOT, NPS, CSX, M-NCPPC, etc.that it will take some time. On the bright side, progress is being made and it will be finished one day!
Opening the trail section by section, allows the community to use it, get excited about it, be part of the planning process, etc. You’re right that it’s a bit of a let down when you ride out of your way to the trail expecting something grand. But as the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
WABA has been advocating for the trail for almost 20 years. If this is something that interests you, please get involved.
ParticipantHere is more information about the Metropolitan Branch Trail – http://metbranchtrail.com/map
In the concept plan, there is a connection between the Met Branch and the Anacostia Tributary Trail System (ATTS) at the West Hyattsville Metro Stop. Actually, the connection is built on the Maryland side. The DC side is controlled by National Park Service which is why it isn’t built yet. Trail riders will be able to ride from Maryland to Fort Totten and south on the Met Branch Trail.
There is also a connection from the ATTS in the works at the south end at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Maryland is building the connection right now to the DC border. The last section connecting the Anacostia Waterfront Trail to the Maryland – DC border is in the design stages. I can’t even speculate when that might be build. However, when complete, a trail user will be able to ride from many parts of PG County into DC all the way to Poplar Point on a multi-use path. So cool!
As for a bike lane on Rhode Island — I don’t think we should hold our breath for that!
ParticipantGreat question and believe it or not a pretty frequently asked question in our WABA Commuting Seminars and other classes.
There are bicycle garment bags for rear racks. I do not have personal experience with them because our office attire is pretty casual, but I know there are forum members that use them or have used them. Below is a link to one on Amazon and a quick google search will result in a bunch of brands and styles. Perhaps others can chime in with their favorites.
Welcome to commuting!
Greg BillingFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:03 pm in reply to: Gap in Regional Bike Network? From Arlington across 14th St. Bridge to east + north #925030Participant
Here is another possible solution. From the Mount Vernon trail:
Ride across the 14th Street bridge (I-395).
Turn left at the end of the bridge and walk your bike down the stairs to Ohio Drive
Ride Southeast (left turn) on Ohio Drive to Buckeye Drive (turn left)
Turn left on the unnamed street off Buckeye. Ride to sidepath/sidewalk on the bridge
Ride across the bridge to the L’Enfant Promenade.
Ride north on the L’Enfant PromenadeGreg
Participantkt543,
I’d highly suggest taking a confident city cycling class with WABA. (in full disclosure, I work for WABA and teach these classes). They cover much of the questions that you have about urban bicycling such as how to fix a flat tire, where to ride on the street, laws pertaining to bicycling in MD, VA & DC. There is also an on-bike portion to learn some avoidance maneuvers (fun and useful). I took the full class last spring and learned a lot. There is a bunch more about the classes online here: http://waba.org/education/. The class schedule for the spring isn’t posted yet but it should be online soon. Welcome to the community!
Best,
Greg -
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