DistrictofColumbia BicycleAdvisoryCouncil

TO: FROM: RE: DATE: TerryBellamy,Director DistrictDepartmentofTransportation D.C.BicycleAdvisoryCouncil MStreetCycleTrackChanges September19,2013

The D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) is concerned regarding the changes made to the planned M Street cycle track. Specifically, BAC is concerned about the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) process that allows for a significant change in the design of the cycle track due to the actions of a single actor without consultation withthepublic.BACrequeststhat DDOT refrain from making changes outside of public view initiated by a single entity or organization. BAC received several comments from theDistrictsbicyclingcommunitysincereportssurfaced regarding changes made to the M Street transportation plan. That plan included a continuous westtraveling protected cycle track from 14th Street NW to 26th Street NW. In August, DDOT changedthecycletracktoabicyclelaneonthe1500blockofMStreetNW. While many bicyclists voiced displeasure regarding the specifics of the change, the parties involved and the potential negative impact on the safety ofbicyclistswho will use thisroute,the overall all concern was that a substantive change was made outside of the fouryear public process supported by membersof Council, Advisory NeighborhoodCommissions,thebicycling community, business interests, and most importantly, the public. Moreover, if one person or organization can use its real or perceived influence to make a change to any District project without revieworcomment,iteffectivelyunderminesthepublictrust.Thislackof transparencyis

especially disturbing if it ultimatelymakesbicyclistsandpedestrianslesssafeastheynowmust navigate angled or parallel parking without the protections offered by a wellconstructed cycle track. Again,weaskthatyoureviewyourpubliccommentprocesstoensurethatitistransparent.For bicyclingrelatedissues,pleaseencourageyourtransportationplannersorotherstafftoconsult withBAC.Thankyouforyourtime,welookforwardtoyourswiftactiononthisissue. Sincerely, D.C.BicycleAdvisoryCouncil cc:TheHonorableMaryM.Cheh,CouncilmemberforWard3,ChairofCommitteeon TransportationandtheEnvironment TheHonorableJackEvans,CouncilmemberforWard2 TheHonorableDavidGrosso,CouncilmemberAtLarge,MemberofCommitteeon TransportationandtheEnvironment TheHonorableKenyanMcDuffie,CouncilmemberforWard5,MemberofCommitteeon TransportationandtheEnvironment TheHonorableJimGraham,CouncilmemberforWard1,MemberofCommitteeon TransportationandtheEnvironment TheHonorableTommyWells,CouncilmemberforWard6,MemberofCommitteeon TransportationandtheEnvironment SamD.Zimbabwe,DDOTAssociateDirectorofPolicy,Planning&Sustainability Administration JamesSebastian,DDOTBicycleProgramManager

AboutBAC.BACrepresentativesareappointedbymembersoftheCounciloftheDistrictofColumbiatoprovide recommendationsonproposedlegislationrelatedtobicyclingadvisetheMayorandgovernmentagencieson currentandplannedbicyclingfacilitiesandactastheliaisonbetweentheDistrictresidentsandthelegislativeand executivebranchesregardingbicyclingissues.