Events: Stand up for a protected bikeway on 17th Street NW

A two-way protected bikeway is in the works for 17th Street in Dupont Circle, and the area Advisory Neighborhood Commission (2B) will discuss it on Wednesday evening. Most commissioners are supportive, but last month, a resolution was tabled because some people showed up to the meeting and spoke against the idea. If you live or work or bike nearby, show up Wednesday evening to support the project moving forward!

Some merchants had reasonable concerns about ensuring there's a place for trucks to load and unload, which DDOT bike planners have already promised to accommodate in the final design. Others brought inappropriate comments, like suggestions that there's no need for a protected bikeway here since there's already one two blocks east on 15th Street. (Imagine saying that about a road or sidewalk.)

The ANC will also discuss two other transportation issues: the results of a DDOT study about parking and other curbside management needs in the neighborhood, and a request for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of 16th and Church streets. Go for the protected bikeway, stay and support good resolutions on those two issues as well.

The meeting is at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 500. It starts at 7 pm, but according to the agenda, the transportation items are near the end, at 9:20 pm.

Other events from around the region

After the fourth of July holiday week, get back in the swing of things with several opportunities to influence the built infrastructure. Testify at a hearing about Prince George's County's zoning rewrite, give input on Montgomery County's Bike Master Plan, build community and compost bins, and get out on the Met Branch trail next weekend.

Tuesday, July 10

Prince George's County Zoning Rewrite work session: Prince George’s County has been on a four-year journey to streamline development procedures and maximize its economic development potential by rewriting its zoning ordinance. The Prince George’s County Council will host three work sessions taking public comment at the County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, 2nd Floor, Upper Marlboro, MD. If you can't make it on July 10, you'll have one more opportunity to give input on July 17. Learn more and sign up to speak here.

Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan public hearing: The Bicycle Master Plan will set forth a vision for Montgomery County as a world-class bicycling community, where people in all areas of the county have access to a comfortable, safe, and connected bicycle network. Do you want to influence the plan? Attend the council public hearing on Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30pm in the Third Floor Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. If you're not already registered, you can join the wait list by 10 am on July 10, or email your written testimony to county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Wednesday, July 11

Community compost bin build day: The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is hosting a Community Compost Bin Build Day at UDC's P.R. Harris Urban Food Hub in Washington Highlands in Ward 8 on Tuesday, July 11 from 5 - 7:30 pm. Members of the community are encouraged to come out to learn, build, and fellowship. Together we will build compost bins and fill them with food waste, which returns vital nutrients back into the earth and creates healthy soil for local school gardens, community parks, and urban farms. Register here to attend.

Sunday, July 15

Met Branch Meander bike ride: Join fellow cyclists for a ride along part of the eastern seaboard route from Florida to Maine — no bike camping required! Curious about the trail as a commute option with the Red Line closure of Brookland and Rhode Island late July to early September? The WABA Trail Ranger team and East Coast Greenway Alliance are teaming up for a ride of the entire Metropolitan Branch Trail. The group will meet in Silver Spring and meander down the hill to end at Union Station. The ride will begin promptly at 2 pm to make sure it ends on time. WABA will reimburse usage fees if participants use Capital Bikeshare for the ride. Learn more and register here.

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This post has been updated with the correct address for the 17th Street protected bikeway meeting.