Breakfast links: DC Council passes e-bike subsidy
Bikes on sale in a shop by Daniel Kelly used with permission.
DC Council passes electric bike subsidy
The Council unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to establish an electric bike subsidy program. The tiered subsidies will apply up to $2,000 for people on SNAP or TANF (in the form of a voucher) and up to $1,000 for other residents to the costs of an e-bike purchase. It will also provide funds for related needs such as locks and maintenance. (Colleen Grablick / DCist)
44,000 DC households spend more than half their income on rent
A report found that 44,000 households in DC are severely burdened by housing costs, spending half of their income or more on rent last year, an increase of 8,000 since 2010. Sixty-five percent of households making less than $50,000 reported being “severely cost burdened.” About one-third of those households live east of the Anacostia River. (Morgan Baskin / DCist)
Montgomery County passes pedestrian and cyclist safety bill
The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the Safe Streets Act, a bill aiming to reduce pedestrian and cyclist deaths. Key provisions include right turn restrictions, crosswalk time extensions, and speed camera additions. (Mauricio Casillas / NBC 4 Washington)
WMATA launches survey on renaming bus routes
WMATA is seeking public input through its Better Bus initiative on changing the naming conventions of its Metrobus routes for the first time since its founding 50 years ago. Suggestions can be submitted online through September 28. (Sarah Y. Kim / DCist)
Pilot program helps immigrants navigate public transportation system
A local coalition’s pilot program taught 55 Northern Virginia residents, primarily low-income, non-English-speaking immigrants, to ride and navigate the region’s public transit system, including the use of navigation apps and route maps. The program has received funding to continue beyond the pilot effort. (Olga Imbaquingo / DCist)
Tyson’s Corner Center gets planning comission approval on pedestrian developments
Developer Macerich received approval for the next development phase of Tysons Corner Center, focused on better knitting together the development with street-level accessibility. The plan involves high-rise buildings with retail spaces, hundreds of units of housing, and a 1.8-acre linear park near its Metro station. (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.