“Dear PoP,

My boyfriend’s bike was stolen out of our “secure” underground parking garage some time this week at 14th and Kenyon.

He put up a Craigslist post:

Someone stole my 2005 Specialized Allez Elite road bike from the (supposedly secure) garage of my apartment building. It has a very distinctive gray to black fade powdercoat on in it. I’ve posted a picture of the frame. If you see or hear ANYTHING about this bike, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. I don’t have a lot of money, but I can afford up to a $100 reward for the safe return of my bike.

Please call 304-280-6548 to call if anyone spots it.”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ddoubleud

From a press release:

Public Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, March 18

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is developing innovative new bike infrastructure in the greater downtown area, to accommodate increased bicycling in the city, and to prepare for the expansion of the bikesharing program. To see the latest plans, DDOT and the Downtown and Golden Triangle Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) invite the public to attend a meeting on Thursday, March 18, at the Heritage Center of the United States Navy Memorial.

Because of the high demand for curb space, including a large number of buses and delivery trucks, DDOT has looked to other cities such as New York and Montreal for designs which both protect cyclists and accommodate other downtown activity. Based on what we found, DDOT has developed creative proposals for new bike lanes on the following streets:

· Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

· I Street, NW

· L Street, NW

· 15th Street, NW

· 9th Street, NW

More detailed plans for each street will be discussed at the meeting.

Meeting Information:

What: Public Meeting on Innovative Bike Lanes

When: Thursday, March 18, 6 pm – 8 pm

Where: The Heritage Center of the United States Navy Memorial

701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

The Heritage Center is located above the Archives/Navy Memorial Metrorail Station on the Green and Yellow lines. Also, bicycle parking will be provided for the meeting.

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Thanks to a reader for sending – 2010 Snow-Cx-Opocalypse.

2010 Snow-Cx-Opocalypse from Brian Butts on Vimeo.

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“Dear PoP,

I’ve got a 1998 Giant Rincon mountain bike in mint condition that is surplus to my needs, and would like to donate it to a worthy local charity. I’m thinking of one of those non-profit bike stores or bicycling advocacy organizations that might pass it on to someone in need after checking it out for safety issues of course. The bike has never been used in the rain, it’s got new tubes, and the brakes and gears have been recently adjusted. It comes with a sturdy rack, two panniers, front and rear lights (which need batteries). Ideally I’d like to donate it to a place within riding distance of Columbia Heights where the bike is located.”

Any suggestions?

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I imagine this is what kept Jack Lalanne in such great shape.

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We’ve talked about this cool structure in the past, mostly admiring the architecture. But I walked by it this weekend and I’m wondering if any readers have used it? If so, what’s the early word?

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This sweet bike rack is from outside the Dupont South metro station. I’m sure it’s been there for a bit but this weekend was the first time I spotted it.

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Thanks to a reader for sending these great shots from 14th Street on Saturday. Marvin (14th just north of U St.) hosted a party after the ride. You can learn more about the organizers here.

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“Dear PoP,

I just saw (last week) four kids ages maybe 12-14 at the Columbia Heights metro station in front of Potbelly’s with bolt cutters stealing one bike and trying to cut another one lose. There were plenty of people around which did not seem to disturb them. I just happened to walk by and they definitely realized I was noticing their ‘work’, but I was totally unsure how to react; whether to confront them or call the police. In the end I realized calling 911 would not get the cops there in time, and I was afraid of consequences directly approaching them. Where is the police when you need them? In the end I saw a police car in front of the target and ran over there, but there was no officer around. Maybe that threatened the kids as they were taking off once I got to the police car and left the attempt on the second bike unfinished (I got to meet the owner later on coincidentally, as she just came back and told her about her luck), but the other bike got taken. How would you react in such a situation and I am curious to hear other peoples suggestions on what could have been done maybe also to keep the other bike from being taken away?

I guess I will keep storing my different bikes with me in my flat.”

This is a very tough question. I think if it is daytime and there are many people around, it would be ok to confront them and say something like, “hey what are you doing? What’s going on?” or something like that. The video up top was done by two brothers in NYC who show exactly how easy it is to steal a bike without anyone saying anything in broad daylight. What do you guys recommend in this situation?

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Wow, this is sad news. Capitol Hill Bikes located at 709 8th St SE on Barracks Row is liquidating their inventory. Thanks to a reader for sending:

“After 9 years, we’ve lost our lease and must liquidate our entire inventory!

Bikes, clothing, accessories, parts, fixtures–Everything must go!

Come in early for the best selection! Store opens at 11 a.m. sharp.

Up to 75% off

We’ve been proud to serve the Capitol Hill community for these many years and we hope to be able to do so again. Until then, we must liquidate and vacate our current space. Please show your support by doing some early Christmas shopping or getting that new set of wheels you’ve been wanting.”

Incidentally, another reader asks:

“Where’s the best place in DC to get a retro bike? What are the top 5
bike stores in the city..not for road bikes, but for casual bikes.”

I know there were lots of fans of Rollin Cycles at 1320 14th Street, NW and the Bike Rack located at 1412 Q Street, NW.

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Ah so here’s what it looks like. I’ve never seen one that was between the curb and parked cars before. Do you think it makes parallel parking harder? I imagine as a cyclist it is preferable to be in a lane like this rather than next to moving traffic, right?

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IMG_0445, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

As a reader noted in the comments on Friday, construction has begun on 15th Streets. These orange cones have sprung up on a huge section of 15th Street (where it is one way). Back in February we learned that there was going to north and southbound bike lanes. So far there there was only cones on one side of the street. Do you like the idea of north and southbound bike lanes?

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A reader thought you guys would enjoy this article from Slate titled, Stop Means Stop, How do we get bikers to obey traffic laws? One part of the article cites DC Code:

The D.C. Code recognizes the special status of bikes. Bikes shall follow all traffic laws, the code says, except for rules that “can have no reasonable application to a bicycle operator.” Presumably, this refers to laws governing highways, some sidewalks, and other non-bicycle-friendly turf. It doesn’t apply to the stop-sign scenario, even though some bicycle advocates argue that stop signs “have no reasonable application to a bicycle operator.”

Given all the discussions we’ve had on this issue and all the accidents we’ve heard about, it seems erring on the side of safety and following the rules of the road is probably the wisest action.

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IMG_1919, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I gotta say, the city is doing a really good job putting in bike lanes this past year. Thanks to a reader for the heads up.

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On Aug. 31st we spoke about the removal of the Ghost Bike memorial to Alice Swanson at 20th and R.

I received the following email this morning:

“Early this morning, 22 white bicycles (ghost bikes) were placed around the intersection of Connecticut Avenue, R Street, and 20th Street NW, at the location where cyclist Alice Swanson was killed. The bikes are replacing the original ghost bike which was removed by the city under the direction of the Mayor’s office. The city has also removed the secondary memorial placed by Ms. Swanson’s aunt. The original ghost bike was placed in front of La Tomate restaurant by the Washington Area Bicycle Association as a memorial to Ms. Swanson and a warning of the dangers that confront cyclists.

The bikes will be decorated with flowers throughout the day. A blog with a statement about the revenge of the ghost bikes can be found at: aliceswansonridesagain.wordpress.com“

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