This post was updated on September 26, 2019.
On Thursday, October 24, 2019, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, will hold a public hearing on the following bills:
- The Bicycle Advisory Council Expansion Amendment Act (B23-242)
- The Mandatory Protected Cycling Lane Amendment Act (B23-257)
- The Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act (B23-288)
- The Curb Extensions Act (B23-292)
- The Cyclist Safety Campaign Amendment Act (B23-293)
The hearing will begin at 11:30 AM in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Interested in testifying?
DC Families for Safe Streets encourages people impacted by traffic violence to submit written testimony and/or testify in person if available.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is hosting two events to help people gain a better understanding of these bills and to prepare their testimonies.
Thursday, October 3 at 6pm: What’s in the bill(s) webinar. During the webinar you will have an opportunity to learn more about the bills and ask any burning questions you may have about the bills. Please sign up for the webinar here.
Tuesday, October 15 at 6pm: Testimony writing workshop hosted at the WABA office. If you need support in crafting your testimony for the hearing, WABA will host a community testimony writing workshop. At the workshop, you will get support and assistance to craft an impactful testimony for the hearing. There will also be pizza! You can sign up here.
Bill summaries
The following summaries were provided in the notice for the public hearing. Additional summaries are available from Greater Greater Washington and the Hill is Home.
The Bicycle Advisory Council Expansion Amendment Act (B23-242) would add a representative from the Department of Public Works to the Bicycle Advisory Council. Link to press release, legislation page, and full text (PDF).
The Mandatory Protected Cycling Lane Amendment Act (B23-257) would require the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to construct a protected bicycle lane or cycle track on road segments included in the Recommended Bicycle Network in the District of Columbia’s Multimodal Long-Range Transportation plan where DDOT is otherwise engaging in road reconstruction, major repair, or curb or gutter replacement. Link to legislation page, and full text (PDF).
The Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act (B23-288) would make several changes to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety, including requiring DDOT to install sidewalks on both sides of a street, to connect new sidewalks to existing sidewalks, and to mark unmarked crosswalks; prohibiting DDOT from issuing public space permits for certain projects unless the plans include installing new sidewalks, bicycle lanes, or marked crosswalks; requiring that DDOT issue reports on how projects or recommendations equitably increase transportation safety; requiring Council approval of the Multimodal Long-Range Transportation Plan; and allowing shorter notice for proposals to regulate traffic if the regulation will increase safety at high-risk intersections. Link to press release, legislation page, and full text (PDF).
The Curb Extensions Act (B23-292) would require the installation of curb extensions to reduce pedestrian crossing distances when DDOT repaves roadways. Link to press release, legislation page, and full text (PDF).
The Cyclist Safety Campaign Amendment Act (B23-293) would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to quiz driver license applicants on bicycle safety and to establish a public outreach campaign to raise awareness of automobile-bicycle accident injuries and fatalities. Link to legislation page, and full text (PDF).