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Welcome to Critical Mass Ave!
- Overview:
In geometry class we all learn that the shortest path from point A to B is a straight line. In Washington, DC this straight line principle remains out of reach for the growing numbers of people using bicycles to get from point A to B. Washington, DC is made up of a grid of streets with broad diagonal avenues (all named after states) cutting across the grid. For many trips around Washington the fastest way to go is on the diagonals, if you dare.
During the mornings and evenings, many of the diagonal avenues are packed with commuters clogging these vital arteries of the city, many of whom live in Washington suburbs and are unfamiliar with sharing road space with urban cyclists. During the less congested parts of the day and night cars, trucks and taxis fly down these wide lanes. The few brave cyclists taking advantage of Euclidian principles are forced to put their lives at risk in the interest of getting from A to B in a straight line.
- Goals:
To put physically separated bicycle lanes on DC's diagonal avenues, starting with Massachusetts Avenue. These broad diagonal avenues are the ideal for physically separated bicycle lanes because of their width. Plus, diaganol streets are, more often than not, the shortest way to get from one part of the city to another.
- Related News
- Drivers Feeling Shunned by DC (Not to make it us versus them, but so many drivers from Maryland and Virginia think of DC neighborhoods as their expressways for moving in and out of the city. 16 Street, 14th Street, Mass Ave, New York Ave, Wisconsin Ave, and Conneticut Ave. are all a mess because of suburban car commuters.
- Be Careful When Riding Your Bike!
- Planning:
- We need to engage the District Department of Transportation.
- We need to engage the Washington Area Bicycle Association.
- What other steps should be taken?
- Links:
