Tuesday, January 31, 2012

DCBAC Fiscal Year 2011 Oversight Hearing Scheduled

The D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council is scheduled to provided testimony at its Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Agency Performance Oversight Hearing before the Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation, chaired by Council member Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3).  The hearing will begin at 11:00a., Friday, March 2, 2012 in the Council Chamber (Room 500) within the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.  Also scheduled are the Pedestrian Advisory Council and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).

The purpose of the Agency Performance Oversight Hearings is to allow the Council and the public to ask questions regarding the current operations of District agencies, committees, or other government organizations during the current fiscal year, which began October 1, 2011, and the 2012 calendar year.  Let us know what you think about what BAC has done in fiscal year 2012 and what you'd like us, DDOT and the District government to do for bicycling in the future.

BAC encourages both bicyclists and pedestrians to attend this public hearing to show policy makers the importance of the concept of shared use of public roads for District residents. In addition, that shared use should not only be available for residents of certain areas but for all those that reside in the city especially those who live in Wards 7 and 8.

Persons wishing to testify at the hearing may contact Jeremy Faust, Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation at 724-8162 or e-mail jfaust@dccouncil.us.  If you cannot attend, you may submit written statements to Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council of the District of Columbia; Suite 5; John A. Wilson Building; 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.; Washington, DC 20004.  You may also email your comments to jfaust@dccouncil.us. You may submit statements until two days after the date of the hearing so that is can be included in the official hearing record.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Armed Robbery on the Metropolitan Branch Trail

According to Captain  Jeff Brown of the Metropolitan Police Department's 5th District, a man was accosted and robbed the night of January 25, 2012 around 6pm while walking on the Metropolitan Branch Trail.  Today, the following was posted on the MPD-5D group page and transmitted to the Metropolitan Branch Trail listserv page:
On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at approximately 6:15 pm, an area resident was walking on the Metropolitan Branch Bike Trail in the area of 3rd & R Street, Northeast , when he was accosted by three individuals. One subject produced a weapon and demanded the victim’s possessions. After complying and without provocation, the victim was punched in the face. The victim then attempted to flee from the scene and sustained a graze gunshot wound to the hip area after the suspect fired his weapon.

All three suspects then fled on foot. The victim received treatment for his injuries and an area hospital. The Metropolitan Police Department continues its investigation into the identity of these three individuals.

To ensure this area remains safe for all, the bike trail will be monitored and patrolled by officers on a regular basis.
On the Met Branch Trail group, members suggested bike caravans to travel along the trail.  Kelly Pack of the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy sent an email to the group regarding that proposal and the incident on the trail.(the caravan or "Bike Buddy" table discussed below is open only to MetBranchTrail group members):
While I was upset to hear about this incident, I am always heartened by the response of trail users on this listserv. It is people like you who are true “ambassadors” for the trail and will continue to make it feel like a safe, welcoming place. Our former colleague, Stephen Miller, created a Biking Buddy list within this Yahoo group. You can use it or take others’ suggestions on this listserv – I really like the idea of waiting for another trail user so that you’re essentially traveling with someone. Here’s the info:
Re: the “bike buddy” list, a table was created within this Yahoo Group that is only visible to group members. You can use it to provide information if you are looking for a bike buddy:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/metbranchtrail/database?method=reportRows&tbl=1

It can also be accessed by clicking "Database" on the left-hand menu and clicking "Biking Buddy."

To add your information, click "Add Record."
Also, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy plans to continue running programs this spring and summer to provide activities and additional presence on the trail. We’ll be sure to post a calendar of events on this listserv and on the facebook page so that you can participate or volunteer. We will continue to work with DDOT, the local schools and neighborhood associations and groups to plan programs. If you have a great idea for a one-time event or a regular series of activities, please get in touch! We’ll also be working with the Student Conservation Association to recruit students for a 6-week MBT ‘conservation corps’ program and we’re also looking into the possibility of recruiting and placing a couple part-time bike ambassadors on the trail this summer.

Stay tuned for more info.
We'd like to hear your thoughts on about crime near or on the trail and your suggestions to reduce it. This is a community amenity that we should not abandon.  

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Picture This - Day of Service Clean-up of the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Below are the before and after pictures from the trail clean up event that happened the morning of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, January 16, 2012. The before pictures were taken on January 10, 2012.

Co-sponsored by the Student Conservation Association, DDOT, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, students and volunteers worked together to clear invasive species, mulch newly planted trees, clear and brush the foot path that runs parallel to the main paved trail, and conduct trash pick-up and removal. 


DSCN2259DSCN2262DSCN2290DSCN2306DSCN2294DSCN2293
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DSCN2343DSCN2372
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dcbac, a set on Flickr.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Sustainable DC meeting Twitter Responses

Tonight, the District's Sustainable DC Transportation meeting will continue to discuss future changes to how both residents and visitors move through the city. Below are twitter updates from the meeting. DCBAC will use #sustainDC_Trans.

The meeting will be held at 441 4th Street, NW, room 1107 South (11th floor) between 6:00p and 8:00p You will need government issued identification to enter the building.

Feel free to add to the conversation using the application below or in the comments field.





Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Bimonthly BAC meeting this Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Wednesday, January 4, BAC will hold its bimonthly general meeting on the 11th floor of the One Judiciary Square building, 441 4th Street NW, in room 1114 and begin around 6p and last until about 8p.

As always, DCBAC meetings are open to the public and we invite you to participate in our discussion about the District's bicycling issues.

The meeting will likely discuss the Transportation Working Group of the Sustainable DC initiative as well as the actions take by BAC committees that occurred  the proceeding month.

When entering the building, please make sure to bring government-issued identification and use the south elevators to get to the 11th floor conference room.  Bicycle parking is available at the building entrance.

We look forward to seeing you.