Image by Kevin Kovaleski for DDOT DC licensed under Creative Commons.

To meet DC's ambitious transportation, health, and sustainability goals, we need to encourage more people to commute by transit, bike, foot, and shared vehicles. How is the current use of public space helping or hindering these goals, particularly for bicyclists?

Join Washington Area Bicyclist Association on Tuesday, January 9th at 7:30 pm at the National Academy of Sciences Keck Building (500 5th Street NW) for “Wait, we can do that? Transportation, public space, and the future of bicycling in DC.” A panel of transportation industry experts and bicycling planners, researchers, advocates, and participants from across the country will talk about the many creative ways that cities are using public spaces, and what that could mean for bicycling. RSVP here.

Check out these other great events this week:

Tuesday, January 9: A growing body of research shows that contact with the natural world has measurable health benefits for users. So, can public space provide that natural escape to support human health and wellbeing? Join the American Planning Association and four speakers for Bringing Health and Nature to the Public Realm from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm at 1030 15th St NW, Suite 750W to discuss what makes indoor and outdoor public green spaces so great — and how to make them even greater.

Tuesday, January 9: Curious about the design of the National Museum of African American History and Culture? Head over to the District Architecture Center (421 7th Street NW) at 6:30 pm for a talk with Hal Davis, FAIA, Principal of SmithGroup and leader of the Architectural/Engineering team for the museum. This is a paid event.

Tuesday, January 9: Many #MeToo harassment and assault moments happen in public spaces — including on public transit. Hear from Kristen Jeffers of The Black Urbanist about wo/mens safety in transit at the next Action Committee for Transit monthly meeting at 7:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Place, Silver Spring).

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, January 23 and 24: Get the latest update on the environmental assessment for one of the next phases of the streetcar, from Union Station to Georgetown, at one of two public meetings next week. The first is on the 23rd at 6 pm at George Washington University (Funger Hall Room 108, 2201 A H Street NW) and the second is on the 24th at 6 pm at Department of Employment Services (4058 Minnesota Avenue NE).

Don't miss it! Tuesday, January 30: DC has long been home to much stronger local journalism than many cities. Over the past decade, even as local news has declined, local outlets like TBD, DCist, PoPville, and GGWash have focused on local news and commentary — but what is the future of local journalism in the Washington region and in the US more broadly? Learn about this and more with Greater Greater Washington and a panel of local journalists at “Pressing on — Will Local Journalism in DC Survive?,” a fireside chat-style panel at 7 pm at WeWork White House (1440 G Street NW) moderated by Washingtonian’s Michael Schaffer.