Cue the bike-bashing in D.C.

[7rider]

Sigh. :(
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1807568&nid=428

WASHINGTON - D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's passion for athletics is well known in the area.

But many people are unaware of how the mayor's rigid training schedule is impacting public safety and traffic in the area.

The mayor trains with his competitive cycling team, D.C. Velo, on the streets of D.C. and in the Maryland suburbs several days a week, usually in the middle of the day.

[Zen]

What's wrong with him? This may be the last straw for Fenty. I don't think D.C. is too happy with him in a lot of ways.

[ny biker]

Yeah I think it's kind of tone-deaf for him to be taking advantage of his position. I understand needing a security detail, but he needs to follow the rules because he's setting an example.

[pfunk12]

From everything I've read about him and seen on t.v., he's pretty arrogant and could probably care less about safety, rules, and what his constituents think about him.

[pfunk12]

On NBC4 at 5 p.m., they are going to do a segment on this story.

[Zen]

I just saw it. He did not represent himself well
http://www.nbcwashington.com/
I can't watch that deer at the zoo story

[tulip]

*sigh* DC sure knows how to pick 'em.
Too bad he can't set a good example for the rest of us cyclists who ride legally in the District every day (okay, so I don't 'cause I don't live there anymore, but I did.)

And if he's going to take his bike on his trips, he should get a folding bike so he doesn't have to pay extra!

[pfunk12]

I totally agree, Zen. But it seems like all of his interviews are like that.

Agree with you, too, Tulip!

[tulip]

I hope WABA speaks up about this. Fenty should know better.

[7rider]

Well, whether or not the use of a police escort is appropriate for his rides (which is really the only issue that I see), not everything they state in that article is true.
1. The video claiming he ran a red light at Goldsboro shows a light that is green. He did stop at one red light and let traffic clear before the police escorted him through, however.
2. Riding bikes on Clara Barton Parkway is perfectily legal from Glen Echo to MacArthur Blvd. I happen to have a source familar with that ride, and know that is where he was riding.
3. The only illegal behavior in the video was an SUV that passed them illegally on the right side.
4. The only traffic that really appeared to be "held up" was TOP's van. Other vehicles passed on multi lane roads with no problems. Who's car really honked?? Makes for stunning video however.

[tulip]

7Rider, thanks for taking the time to watch the video and to report back to us. I'm way too busy at the moment to watch anything, so I appreciate your analysis. I'm sorry that I jumped to conclusions without looking at it myself.

[Selkie]

I've always liked him and I think he's a big improvement over some past mayors. Let's face it, he's a politician. Enough said there! ;)

To be fair, there are plenty of motorcades that bully their way through traffic, blue lights flashing with self-importance. Some of these details are protecting "second tier" VIPs.

[pfunk12]

They did a follow-up piece on the 6 p.m. NBC4 news. I didn't find a link on their website so I'm going to try to do my best to tell you what was said (if you didn't see it). They were at Haines Point today and interviewed one of the cyclists doing, I assume, the lunchtime ride. He said that the mayor should get a break because he's not abusing anything and he should be able to use police escorts while cycling. He said that it would be a different story if the mayor was out playing golf.

They interviewed a Park Police officer who said it was illegal for a cyclist to ride on the Clara Barton Parkway and if you get stopped by the police, there is a $95 fine.

They interviewed a young guy at the Union Station bike stop/center (not sure what they call it). He was actually pretty humorous. He laughed and said that there's enough police in DC to escort every cyclist in the city. But then he said that what the mayor is doing is outrageous and if he is using his bike habits as a way to gain favor in DC, he should ride like all the other cyclists and should have to fight traffic to make a left turn. :D

They interviewed the mayor and he said that he didn't know that he was breaking any rules (Clara Barton) and that all the cyclists that he spoke to didn't know about the rule but he said, Kudos to WTOP for finding that out. He said that he would "change his ways" but when asked to elaborate, he didn't comment.

They interviewed a rep from WABA and he said it's a lesson for everyone. He said something like cyclists fair best when they act like motorists. And if cyclists want the protection of the law, we should obey the law.

Tom Sherwood, the journalist, ended the segment by saying that the mayor would ride more if he could and he and Jim Vance said something like, "He really enjoys it...good for him."

There wasn't as much of a negative slant as the segment that was done yesterday.

[pfunk12]

By the way, 7...don't we ride on the C B Parkway during the shop ride?? If it was illegal, wouldn't Mike know about it? You know how he is about following rules. :) (And yes, I have to ask since I still don't know where the heck we are during that ride. :D)

[aicabsolut]

It is illegal now to ride on any part of the CB parkway. There aren't any signs posted, but there's a code article somewhere... Not to say I haven't followed a few group rides on the parkway myself....

A friend of mine was out at Hains today during the noon ride and said that a truck that was following and filming the group nearly took him out. There were only a couple DC Velo guys out there today.

I have seen filming going on at the corner of Piney Meetinghouse and Glen (Glen Mill? South Glen? I forget where the name change is) up in Potomac nearly every weekend for a while. The guy had a big sign that said "Dangerous cyclist behavior" or something like that. Weird. I guess rolling through a 4-way stop at 5mph when it'd be your turn anyway is a dangerous thing. It's kind of like the cops at Hains that require you to put a foot down. I think there's no need for me to get off my bike so long as I can safely let cars go in order at all-way stops.

[7rider]

By the way, 7...don't we ride on the C B Parkway during the shop ride?? If it was illegal, wouldn't Mike know about it? You know how he is about following rules. :) (And yes, I have to ask since I still don't know where the heck we are during that ride. :D)

Yes, we ride on Clara Barton Parkway (CBP), and actually, the rules regarding that are very vague. Please take the following analysis with a grain of salt, as I am NOT an attorney, and don't presume to have the final say in interpretting the regulations of the National Park Service, the State of Maryland, or Montgomery County. But here's my take (for what it's worth):

As part of the National Park Service, it falls under Title 36 of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulation) part 1. Chapter 4.30 refers to bicycles in that part. (John cited a "compendium (http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/parkmgmt/upload/Compendium.2007-11-06.pdf)" for the George Washington Parkway (of which CBP is a part, renamed to avoid confusion with the Virginia parkway), which stated that it is illegal to ride on the CBP, citing that under 4.30(a), bicycling is prohibited on CBP.)

However, that section cited in 4.30(a) says this:
§ 4.30 Bicycles. (a) The use of a bicycle is prohibited except on park roads, in parking areas and on routes designated for bicycle use; provided, however, the superintendent may close any park road or parking area to bicycle use pursuant to the criteria and procedures of §§ 1.5 (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2009/julqtr/pdf/36cfr1.5.pdf) and 1.7 (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2009/julqtr/pdf/36cfr1.7.pdf) of this chapter. Routes may only be designated for bicycle use based on a written determination that such use is consistent with the protection of a park area’s natural, scenic and aesthetic values, safety considerations and management objectives and will not disturb wildlife or park resources.

It doesn't specifically prohibit biking on the CBP. And paragraph 4.20(a) says this:
§ 4.2 State law applicable. (a) Unless specifically addressed by regulations in this chapter, traffic and the use of vehicles within a park area are governed by State law. State law that is now or may later be in effect is adopted and made a part of the regulations in this part.
(b) Violating a provision of State law is prohibited.

Since 4.30(a) doesn't specifically state that bicycling is prohibited on the CBP, it falls under state law (remember, I am only talking about Glen Echo to MacArthur Blvd, all of which is in the state of Maryland). Maryland vehicular code states:
21-1205.1 Bicycles, motor scooters, and EPAMD’s prohibited on certain roadways and highways; speed limit.
(a) In general -Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a person may not ride a bicycle or motor scooter;
(1) On any roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is more than 50 miles per hour [Cyclists may operate on the shoulder of a roadway where the posted speed limit exceeds 50 mph unless otherwise prohibited.]; or
(2) On any expressway, except on an adjacent bicycle path or way approved by the State Highway Administration, or on any other controlled access highway signed in accordance with 21-313 of this title.

Recall: the posted speed limit on CBP is 50 mph.
And 21-313 states:
Subtitle 3. Driving on Right Side of Roadway; Overtaking and Passing; Use of Roadway. 21-313 Restrictions on Use of Controlled Access Highways
(a) State Highway Administration and local authorities may prohibit certain uses. – The State Highway Administration, by order, or any local authority, by ordinance, may prohibit the use of any controlled access highway in its jurisdiction by parades, low speed vehicles, funeral processions, bicycles, or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a motorcycle.
(b) Sign Required – The State Highway Administration or the local authority adopting any prohibition under this section shall place and maintain signs on the controlled access highway to which the prohibition is applicable. If the signs are so placed, a person may not disobey the restrictions stated on them.

Recall, there IS no sign prohibiting bicycles on the onramps to CBP in Glen Echo.

Maryland (http://www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/bicyclists/oppe/Bicyclists6.asp) basically summarizes it thusly:
Maryland State Highways Where Bicycles are ProhibitedThe Maryland State Highway Administration has the authority to prohibit cyclists on any highway where they feel is not compatible to those activities.
The following highways are prohibited to cyclists.
I-68, I-70, I-81, I-83, I-95, I-97, I-195, I-270, I-370, I-395, I-495, I-695, I-795, I-895, MD 10, MD 90, MD 100
The following highways are open to bicycles except for the segments as listed below.
MD 4 from I-95 east to US 301
MD 26 from Market Street to US 15
MD 32 from I-97 west to MD 108
MD 295 from the Russell Street/Haines Street intersection in Baltimore City south to Washington, DC
MD 702 from south of I-95 to MD 150 (Eastern Ave)
US 13 from Business 13 south of Salisbury to Business 13 north of Salisbury
US 15 from the US 15/US 340 interchange north to MD 355 (north of Frederick)
US 50 from the Washington DC line east to the US 50/US 301 split
US 301 from the US 50/US 301 interchange at Bowie east to the Delaware state line
US 340 from Valley Road/Keep Tryst Road north to Jefferson Street in Frederick

Again, take all of this as my unoffical read of a myriad of regulations. State and/or Federal interpretation may differ. The big kicker, of course, is whether CBP in MD falls under Federal or State jurisdiction....

[pfunk12]

Wow...before reading all of those rules and regulations, I will trust aicabsolut! Also wonder if the guy that she has seen filming "dangerous cyclists" is the same one that the N2 group has seen?

[7rider]

Also wonder if the guy that she has seen filming "dangerous cyclists" is the same one that the N2 group has seen?

Probably.

[ny biker]

The latest from Fenty...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc/2009/11/no_more_police_escort_on_bike.html

[aicabsolut]

I can't remember where it was, but I think there was a recent addendum that specified Clara Barton is off limits to bikes b/w Chain Bridge and MacArthur (and then above MacArthur, the speed limit is too high for bikes...I guess here it is Cabin John Pkwy anyway?). I think that it is still legal to ride between Chain Bridge and Georgetown, but that's where maybe only commuters tend to ride (?)

[Kalidurga]

A little follow-up sort of related to this issue: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1820923. Not specifically about it, but the fact that it's mentioned shows that it's had impact.

I don't read the comments at WTOP anymore because they're full of incendiary ignoramii, so check that section out at your own risk...

[ny biker]

I don't understand what triggered this. What is their evidence that the relationship between drivers and cyclists has reached a "fever pitch"?

Regardless, this statement is a problem, because it fails to acknowlege situations where the lane is not wide enough for a car and a cyclist to be side-by-side without endangering the cyclist:

"And try to give the car enough space to pass, which means staying to the right as far as is practical for you."

[7rider]

I don't understand what triggered this. What is their evidence that the relationship between drivers and cyclists has reached a "fever pitch"?

Typical TOP hyperbole. Probably nothing. Slow news day for Adam Tuss. He probably saw the 15th St Contra-flow bike lane (http://www.thewashcycle.com/2009/11/ribbon-cut-on-15th-street-bike-lane.html) and thought "What can I do to stir the pot?"



Regardless, this statement is a problem, because it fails to acknowlege situations where the lane is not wide enough for a car and a cyclist to be side-by-side without endangering the cyclist:

"And try to give the car enough space to pass, which means staying to the right as far as is practical for you."

More distressing that the quote allegedly came from Bicycling Magazine...argueably someone "on our side." I take small consolation in realizing that there's probably a whole lot more left UNsaid by Mooney than was selectively added to TOP's article.

I'm beginning to realize the TOP is good for Doppler radar, traffic cameras, and that's about it.

[Tuckervill]

Regardless, this statement is a problem, because it fails to acknowlege situations where the lane is not wide enough for a car and a cyclist to be side-by-side without endangering the cyclist:

"And try to give the car enough space to pass, which means staying to the right as far as is practical for you."

I took that to mean when you are stopped at red lights, stay to the right so cars can pass you while you're taking off??? Not to stay to the right in general.

Karen

[HillSlugger]

They're now saying that he influence one of the pools to be set up as 50m, so as to be better for his training, but it can only serve half the number of swimmers set up that way. He says he made no request, etc. Who's starting this stuff and what's their agenda?

[Kalidurga]

I'm beginning to realize the TOP is good for Doppler radar, traffic cameras, and that's about it.

Amen. I read their "news" headlines but then watch for more informative articles on the same topics elsewhere. What's concerning is that they are, as you said, stirring the pot with poorly reported crap like this.

[Selkie]

Isn't Fenty up for re-election next year? This ****storm might be fueled by his rivals.

[Kalidurga]

My rss feed also included a WTOP headline about his chances of re-election being slim. If they want to use his riding habits as ammo, they could at least spin it so that it's all about his actions and leave the rest of us cyclists out of it.