Events roundup: Speak with WMATA’s new boss

WMATA’s new General Manager, Paul Wiedefeld, will be talking with riders Monday and Tuesday. Also, weigh in on plans for downtown Bethesda, Metro in Northern Virginia, and the Northeast rail corridor, and learn about new bike gadgets.

What do you want to ask about Metro? Paul Wiedefeld will be joining Greater Greater Washington for a live chat from noon to 1 on Tuesday, December 15. If you have questions for him, put them in the comments here or tweet them to #ggwchat. Check back at noon for the chat.

Wiedefeld is also participating in a WMATA Riders’ Union forum Monday, December 14, at 6:30 at the Martin Luther King Library (901 G Street NW). He also chatted with Dr. Gridlock Monday at noon and Kojo Nnamdi, Martin Di Caro, and Tom Sherwood Friday.

After the jump: Bethesda’s future, bikes and tech, Northeast rail, and Metro in Virginia.

A plan for Bethesda: The new Bethesda Downtown Plan hopes to help create an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable downtown with a mix of housing options, green space, and transit. Share your opinion on the plan at a work session this Tuesday, December 16, from 4 to 6 pm at 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

bikes and technology: Bike Hack Night is this Wednesday, December 16. There will be presentations on software and hardware projects for bikes, like a bike sound system and maps of bike crashes. You can enjoy pedal-powered smoothies and bike-shaped cookies too. The event is at 2231 Crystal Drive #1000 in Arlington from 6 to 9 pm.

Better Northeast rail: How could the rail system in the northeast US get a lot better? A federal planning process aims to set out a path forward. Learn more about the plan and share your opinion at a public meeting this Wednesday, December 17, from 4 to 7 pm in the Hall of States (444 North Capitol Street NW).

Metro in Northern Virginia: Do you have thoughts on how Metro can serve Northern Virginia? Share them with WMATA and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission at one of two regional forums this week. The first is on Wednesday, December 16 at 1325 South Dinwiddie Street in Arlington from 7 to 9 om, and the second is on Thursday, December 17 at 1862 Wiehle Avenue in Reston from 6 to 8.

Calendar: Beyond what we’ve highlighted here, there are many other worthwhile events across the region. Check out more great events in our events calendar:

Do you know of an upcoming event that may be interesting, relevant, or important to Greater Greater Washington readers that should go on our events calendar? Send it to us at events@ggwash.org.