On-street spaces used for bike parking on a very DC-like street in Montreal. Photo by Aaron Naparstek.

According to this week’s Current (article, continuation), the CycleLife bike shop on K Street in Georgetown has suggested replacing two on-street parking spaces (holding one car each) with bike racks (holding about 20 bikes each). There isn’t enough space on that sidewalk for bike racks.

“Bike parking in Georgetown is notoriously terrible,” said WABA Executive Director Eric Gilliland. “There are few places to lock up properly. People avoid Georgetown because of this.” The Georgetown ANC endorsed the plan last week, and now it’s up to DDOT’s Public Space Committee. Portland, New York, and other cities have transformed car parking spaces into bicycle parking.

According to the article, DDOT is also strongly considering a SmartBike station at 31st and K, though as always, they have no actual timeline for expansion. Tip: Ben Thielen.

David Alpert created Greater Greater Washington in 2008 and was its executive director until 2020. He formerly worked in tech and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco Bay, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He lives with his wife and two children in Dupont Circle.