Release: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2021
Contact: Nick DelleDonne ,
delledonne.n@comcast.net, 703 929 6656
Update with photos – CM Pinto Avoids Merchants, Residents Protesting DDOT’s 17th St. Bike Plan
Residents & merchants of East Dupont rallied at the Safeway on 17 th St., NW, Friday, Oct. 1, to draw attention to a dangerous and confusing bike plan installed by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in July. The protest was held at the Safeway on 17th St., convenient for Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto on her Walking Tour of the neighborhood. However, the Tour included no stops on 17th St. where the problems are and, despite calls from the protesters, the councilmember kept walking, on the other side of the street.
The local businesses have been particularly hard-hit. “It is clear on deliveries and parking, it is not working,” said John Spaulding who owns the TrueValue Hardware, an anchor on the commercial strip. The Plan eliminates all street parking at TrueValue and McDonalds.
“It is not working,” said the owner of Dupont Italian Kitchen, Tony Askarinan. “Our customers complain they drive around for three quarters of an hour, arriving late for appointments. We are losing business,” said Mano Loren Tenkerian, who manages Glynn Jones Salon.
Residents from across the city joined the protest. ANC6E Commissioner Kevin Rogers, a paraplegic, spoke on the need for ADA compliance. Dean Hunter from New Bethel Baptist Church proposed a referendum on protected bike lanes to cheers from the crowd. William Jordan said corporate interests pushed lanes through in Columbia Heights. The venerable Susan Meehan, former Dupont ANC Chair spoke from a wheelchair.
DDOT’s don’t-listen-to-the-public policy is recognized citywide. ANC 3E, in Friendship Heights, recently passed a resolution critical of this policy, and Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, who heads the Council committee overseeing DDOT, called it an abdication of its responsibility.
The rally was organized by Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) and the new city-wide Coalition on DDOT Bike Plans. “We have to fight to save the livable/walkable community which is made possible by a thriving business core,” said DECAA president Nick DelleDonne. “We want DDOT, our councilmember & Mayor Bowser to listen to us & make 17th St. work for all, including bicyclists.”
Photos: Pinto and staff scurry to avoid merchants and residents waiting for her on 17th St. to show her problems with DDOT's Bike Plan.
Here is a news clip of the DDOT 17th St., NW, Bike Plan from NBC News4 of July 13: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/debate-over-new-bike-lanes-heats-up-in-northwest-dc/2728475/
Watch live stream on our Coalition Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dccoalitiononddotbikelanes/
Please sign our petitions
https://www.neighbors4ncave.com/
