[Ebbc-Talk] "Zebras" get go-ahead for Pennsylvania Ave bike lanes - Greater Greater Washington

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/

"Zebras" get go-ahead for Pennsylvania Ave bike lanes

Bicycling


by Ryan Sigworth   =95   September 18, 2013 2:08 pm

Drivers making illegal U-turns on Pennsylvania Avenue are a danger to cycli=
sts in the bike lanes, but a small physical barrier called a Zebra could st=
op them once and for all. The federal Commission on Fine Arts has given DC =
transportation officials permission for a trial run, but it's unclear when =
it'll actually happen.



What Zebras would look like on Pennsylvania Avenue. Image from DDOT on Flic=
kr.

In the spring, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) proposed us=
ing the Zebra, a small, round barrier made by the Spanish company Zicla, to=
 separate cyclists and cars. On Pennsylvania Avenue, they can also prevent =
dangerous and illegal U-turns across the bike lanes, which have become incr=
easingly common despite attempts to increase police enforcement.

But they also meet the aesthetic concerns of the Commission on Fine Arts (C=
FA), which has limited jurisdiction over how DC's federal core looks. In Ju=
ne, Mayor Vince Gray first announced that DDOT would work with CFA to addre=
ss safety problems with the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes, but CFA met sev=
eral times over the summer without talking to the agency.

Last week, CFA released the consent calendar for their September meeting, w=
hich happens tomorrow. The consent calendar is made up of projects with no =
objections that the commission can approve without any debate. One of the p=
rojects they'll be approving is a "pilot project" to install Zebras along t=
wo blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue. This is very positive news for the cyclin=
g community and bicycling commuters. The Zebras will provide protect cyclis=
ts from some of the most unpredictable and dangerous U-turn maneuvers drive=
rs make.

However, there are still a few unanswered questions. First, the CFA referre=
d the pilot project to the Historic Preservation Review Board for additiona=
l study. It's unclear how bike lane separators are a historic preservation =
issue, even on a historic street like Pennsylvania Avenue. The city's Histo=
ric Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978 says that HPRB on=
ly has jurisdiction over buildings, building demolitions, statues, or piece=
s of art, and that Mayor Gray can decide whether or not HPRB has to review =
the Zebras. It's unknown when or if the board actually will.

Second, what criteria and metrics will DDOT use to determine the success or=
 failure of the Zebra installation? This information has not been released =
yet, but is important to understanding whether Zebras should be used for th=
e rest of Pennsylvania Avenue or other areas of DC.

Also, CFA has only recommended approving the "pilot program." If the Zebras=
 are successful, will DDOT have to ask CFA for approval to install Zebras a=
long the entire length of the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lane, causing more d=
elays?

Finally, what is the timeline for construction? DDOT had previously stated =
that the Zebras would likely be available this month. However, DDOT has a h=
istory of delaying bike projects. With winter weather just around the corne=
r, it is conceivable that the installation won't occur until next spring.

Regardless of the uncertainties, getting the CFA's blessing for Zebras is a=
 major leap forward towards increased cycling safety on Pennsylvania Avenue=
. In the coming weeks, more information will become available concerning th=
e road ahead and how DDOT will evaluate the pilot program.




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