Breakfast links: A new bill aims to control dockless scooters and bikes
Image by Rich Renomeron licensed under Creative Commons.
The DC Council will consider new e-scooter legislation
Councilmember Mary Cheh introduced a bill that would ban scooter use between 10 pm and 4 am, establish designated scooter parking, and set a 15 mph speed limit for use the street and a 6 mph speed limit on the sidewalk. It would let the city fine and ban operating companies who break the new rules. (Luz Lazo / Post)
Self-driving shuttle buses are coming to Fairfax County
People will soon be able to take free driverless electric shuttle buses between the Dunn Loring Metro station and the Mosaic shopping center as part of a pilot partnership with Dominion Energy. If all goes well, the program may expand. (Post)
Montgomery County amends its development freeze
The County Council approved an amendment that would permit construction during the development moratorium that covers 12% of the county’s land under certain conditions, like to replace condemned housing, or if it is majority affordable units. Three current projects are expected to qualify under the amendment. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
Jack Evans is not stepping down or backing down from his Council posts
Evans gave a public statement contesting the “inflammatory” public narrative, saying he will tell his side of the story. He will try to convince his DC Council colleagues not to remove him as chair of the finance committee in a vote planned for July 9. (Fenit Nirappil / Post)
Free Circulator rides might still return
DC Councilmember Brandon Todd introduced a bill to permanently restore free Circulator rides and expand the bus routes. The council had removed free Circulator funding from the Mayor’s budget proposal earlier this year. (Rachel Sadon / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
A Deanwood apartment’s affordable housing funds are under scrutiny
The DC auditor and two Councilmember have cited a whistleblower at the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development who revealed that a project on East Capitol Street jumped the line for affordable housing funds due to political favoritism for developer MRP Realty. (Alex Koma / WBJ)
Arlington pedestrians are still waiting on some sidewalks
Arlington has a goal of building a sidewalk on every street, but residents concerned about losing either parking or part of their yards in sidewalk construction have used the county’s Neighborhood Conservation program to weigh in and slow the process. (Airey / ARLnow)
A Maryland delegate still misses the Baltimore Red Line
Robbyn Lewis, a delegate from Baltimore City and a car-free Marylander, still regrets Governor Larry . Hogan’s decision to kill the Red Line in 2015. She thinks Baltimore still needs an east-west connector to build economic growth and a transportation network in the city. (Bruce DePuyt / Maryland Matters)
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