In this election year, the issue on voters’ minds is bike lanes. Yet too many candidate forums exclude candidates, avoid transportation issues and block questions directly from the audience.
It is refreshing, therefore, to see mayoral candidate Vincent Orange step up with social media to raise transportation issues. With a handheld phone camera, Orange walks Taylor St. NE in Michigan Park to challenge DDOT plans for a protected bike lane there and he pledges to examine DDOT programs. In 10 minutes, Orange shows us a tranquil, residential street, notably with no bike traffic. DDOT alleges bike lanes would reduce traffic crashes, but there is no record of crashes. If speeding is the issue, Orange suggests speed bumps would suffice. Orange says that cameras at stop signs and high-ticket fines are punitive and unjustifiable. Fines far outstrip the reason they are levied. Orange asks: Where is the money going? Watch his video here https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Taeb6skyK/
Whether elected or not, vying candidates spark a dialectic that influences the debate. It is a disservice to deny candidates a chance to be heard. Double that for denying audiences a chance to be heard. Kudos to candidate Orange for using social media to advance his campaign.
Urban transit is at an inflection point when new modes of travel like e-bikes demand new responses. DC Safe Streets Coalition urges regulation of e-bikes, particularly registration and tags like motorcycles so bikers can be held accountable. Here are mayoral candidates who have said they would support e-bike regulation:
Gary Goodweather
Robert L. Gross
Ernest E. Johnson
Anthony Mohammad
Talib Karim Muhammad
Vincent Orange
Rini Sampath
Please sign our petition to regulate e-bikes https://c.org/GVFzcRN8kP
Nick DelleDonne
DC Safe Streets Coalition
703 929 6656
June 1, 2026