DC Safe Streets Coalition
Join us in a united effort across all DC neighborhoods to save our communities impacted by reckless and dangerous DDOT Bike Plans, particularly when unsupported by studies in the planning process.
17th Street NW Bike Plan in Dupont Circle
Who We Are
DC neighbors have mounted a campaign to protest the reckless and dangerous Bike Plans and lane closures throughout the city. Protected Bike Lanes (PBLs) are not advisable through congested commercial streets where there are frequent interruptions in the bike lane. They pose hazards to pedestrians, seniors, drivers, business patrons and bike riders alike, just as the Mayor delayed plans for the massive K Street Transitway and the Connecticut Ave. Bike Plan, we ask for a pause in the network of bike plans and a comprehensive review, a study of alternative routes, ADA compliance, and community engagement in the form of many Town Halls to engage better with the community.
We encourage consideration of alternate cycle routes, alleys and small streets. Commercial stretches are inappropriate for protected bike lanes which set aside dedicated space for bikes in all seasons and all weather, even when they are not used. Closing traffic lanes causes congestion and will discourage business, entertainment and commercial activity in the city. We reject the false planning that creates an unworkable design, removing all legal parking spaces and then punishing patrons and residents for parking illegally. Funneling all traffic through one lane is a grave and reckless mistake.
We petition the Mayor, the Council and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to reject plans which will cripple the economic and social nerve center of our livable/walkable communities. We support efforts to bring neighborhoods together in the DC Safe Streets for All Coalition.
DC Council member introduces bill to close streets to cars far more often.
Click HERE to view the interview.
Press Release
Facing the Bike Menace – A Call to Regulate E-Bikes in DC
On Sept. 22, 2025, the local news outlet, Popville, reported a senior woman was knocked to the ground by a hit-and-run biker on the 1700 block of Columbia Rd. The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries, according to the police report. The District...
DDOT prioritizes cycling activists over general public. Again.
DDOT prioritizes cycling activists over general public. Again. DDOT’s Sham Public Engagement Process - Open Letter – Save Conn Ave 12-21-25 Open Letter to DDOT Regarding Sham Public Engagement Process December 21, 2025 Director Kershbaum and Associate Director...
Calcutta Street Scene – Charles Allen’s Peculiar Vision for DC Streateries
On December 2, at the 11th hour when many streateries were being torn down, Councilmember Charles Allen rushed to save them at the behest of the restaurant lobby. He pushed an emergency, temporary streateries act through the District Council, up-ending 18 months of...
Ban the Calcutta Street Scene in DC – Council Votes Tues. Dec. 2 on Streateries
While many were traveling for Thanksgiving, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen quietly introduced ‘emergency’ legislation to subvert new streatery rules. Allen’s ‘emergency’ bill lowers fees and allows broad exemptions to appease the restaurant lobby. It...
Direct Route vs Safe Route – DDOT’s Bikeways Workshop Tonight in Ward 8
You may know the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is preparing a new 5-year Strategic Bikeways Plan. I’m betting you don’t know about its workshops in each Ward (Nov. 13 - Dec. 11) to fulfill its obligation for community engagement. Tonight, the meeting is...
Feds Stop Bike Lanes – Report from Ward 7 Transportation Town Hall
In a discussion last night, Nov. 12, at the Transportation Town Hall in Ward 7, Sharon Kershbaum, director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) reported to an overflow crowd that the mammoth East Capitol Street improvement project will not have a bike...
DDOT’s Transportation Town Hall Tonight – New Strategic 5-Year Bikeways Plan
DDOT’s long awaited schedule of community meetings on its new 5-year plan begins Wednesday, November 12 with a Town Hall, with DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum and Councilmember Wendell Felder. The initial meeting will be followed by Ward meetings until Dec. 11. Be sure...
Protest DDOT Traffic Changes – Monday, Nov.3, 8 am 3900 Block 5th St NW, South of Grant Circle
On July 22 this year a driver on the 3900 block of 5th St., NW was shot, the victim of road rage. It is one of many crashes and sideswiping of parked cars since the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) removed a traffic lane and installed a protected bike lane...
Distinguished Civic Leader, Voice in DC Transportation, Alberta L. Paul Dies
We are saddened to report that dedicated civic leader Alberta L. Paul died this weekend following a medical procedure. After 19 years of service with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Ms Paul joined the city-wide DC Safe Streets Coalition to express...
DC’s Department of Aging must join the discussion on biking
Over the last few years, especially during COVID, DC has pushed installation of bike lanes in what amounts to a radical transformation of traffic patterns, removing traffic lanes, adding bike lanes, deliberately causing congestion, creating confusion, and increasing...
DDOT Chief Proud of Website Wiped of Crash Record
At a DC Council hearing Tuesday, June 10, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Sharon Kershbaum expressed pride in a new DDOT website of self-evaluation named ‘before/after evaluations.’ Kershbaum said such studies had long been sought and...
DDOT Wipes Crash Record on Bike Lanes
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) wiped its website of a finding of a dramatic rise in crashes on protected bike lanes following testimony at the DC Council hearing on Monday, June 2. DDOTs...
Sign Our Petition
Join us in a united effort across all DC neighborhoods to save our communities impacted by reckless and dangerous DDOT Bike Plans, particularly when unsupported by studies in the planning process.
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Contact Us
Nick DelleDonne
DC Safe Streets Coalition
dcsafestreetscoalition@gmail.com
703 929 6656
