A hearing on a number of bills, including Councilmember Allen's Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act has been scheduled for Thursday, October 24.

Below is the public notice from the Committee on Transportation and the Environment with information on how you can testify for safer streets for everyone, in every neighborhood in the District.

Notice of Public Hearing on

B23-242, the Bicycle Advisory Council Expansion Amendment Act of 2019;
B23-257, the Mandatory Protected Cycling Lane Amendment Act of 2019;
B23-288, the Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act of 2019;
B23-292, the Curb Extensions Act of 2019; and
B23-293, the Cyclist Safety Campaign Amendment Act of 2019

October 24, 2019, at 11:30 AM
in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

On Thursday, October 24, 2019, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, will hold a public hearing on B23-242, the Bicycle Advisory Council Expansion Amendment Act of 2019; B23-257, the Mandatory Protected Cycling Lane Amendment Act of 2019; B23-288, the Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Amendment Act of 2019; B23-292, the Cub Extensions Act of 2019; and B23-293, the Cyclist Safety Campaign Amendment Act of 2019. The hearing will begin at 11:00 AM in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 

B23-242 would add a representative from the Department of Public Works to the Bicycle Advisory Council. B23-257 would require the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to construct a protected bicycle lane or cycle track on road segments included in the Recommended Bicycle Network in the District of Columbia's Multimodal Long-Range Transportation plan where DDOT is otherwise engaging in road reconstruction, major repair, or curb or gutter replacement. B23-288 would make several changes to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety, including requiring DDOT to install sidewalks on both sides of a street, to connect new sidewalks to existing sidewalks, and to mark unmarked crosswalks; prohibiting DDOT from issuing public space permits for certain projects unless the plans include installing new sidewalks, bicycle lanes, or marked crosswalks; requiring that DDOT issue reports on how projects or recommendations equitably increase transportation safety; requiring Council approval of the Multimodal Long-Range Transportation Plan; and allowing shorter notice for proposals to regulate traffic if the regulation will increase safety at high-risk intersections. B23-292 would require the installation of curb extensions to reduce pedestrian crossing distances when DDOT repaves roadways. B23-293 would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to quiz driver license applicants on bicycle safety and to establish a public outreach campaign to raise awareness of automobile-bicycle accident injuries and fatalities.

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify should contact Ms. Aukima Benjamin, Staff Assistant to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, at (202) 724-8062 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Persons representing organizations will have five minutes to present their testimony. Individuals will have three minutes to present their testimony. Witnesses should bring eight copies of their written testimony and should submit a copy of their testimony electronically to [email protected].

If you are unable to testify in person, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to Ms. Benjamin at the following address: Committee on Transportation and the Environment, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 108, Washington, D.C. 20004.  Statements may also be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to (202) 724-8118.  The record will close at the end of the business day on November 7, 2019.