[Lincolnparkdc] Fwd: DDOT Bike Infrastructure Improvement Plan for Kentucky Avenue, S.E., Independence Avenue, S.E., 13th Street, S.E. TONIGHTS DISCUSSION

[Town Crier]

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Edward Wendel <wendel.epw at gmail.com>
> Subject: DDOT Bike Infrastructure Improvement Plan for Kentucky Avenue, S.E., Independence Avenue, S.E., 13th Street, S.E. TONIGHTS DISCUSSION
> Date: November 9, 2020 at 11:09:54 AM EST
> To: Will Handsfield <will.handsfield at dc.gov>
> Cc: "Allen, Charles (Council)" <CAllen at DCCOUNCIL.US>, Kirsten Oldenburg <6b04 at anc.dc.gove>, Chandler Jayarman <6b08 at anc.dc.gov>, Stephen Holtzman <6b05 at anc.dc.gov>, Tom Woteki <drwo at woteki.com>
> 
> Dear Will,
> 
> I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed changes for the Kentucky Avenue, S.E., Independence Avenue, S.E., 13th Street, SE, intersection as a result of bike lane and intersection changes. I will try and make my comments brief.
> 
> First, I have lived at 148th Street, S.E., since 1972.  I am 79 years old, my wife is 76.  Of the first five houses on the east side of 13th Street, S.E. , just north of Independence Avenue, four of the houses are owned by residents who are in their 70s and 80s, all of us have lived in our homes for at least 40 years, and all of us drive automobiles and live independently.  We have worked hard to improve our neighborhood and are proud of the many positive changes that have occurred.  We planned to hopefully live out the rest of our lives with some modicum of peace and safety.  None of us oppose bike lanes as part of a coordinated plan to move people around the District of Columbia, but this plan provides no real balance at all.
> 
> The proposed plan, especially the use of flex posts, not only reduces the number of parking spaces (including those in front of many of our houses and a concern addressed by others), but makes pulling up in front of our houses (even for a few minutes) impossible. This will affect our ability to carry grocery shopping or anything else from our cars to our houses, as well as anyone who may need to make a delivery, stop for or pick us up.  This will only compound the difficulties of trying to stay in place as we age - a concern that seems to be of little concern to the designers of these plans.   To get around this people are going to be forced to park illegally further into the street for the moment, seriously compounding any safety concerns.  Or would someone like to provide a concierge service to help us with the increased burdens placed upon us?
> 
> Second, I simply do not  understand why these changes are necessary. There is presently a bike lane on the 100 block of 13th Street, S.E. (that runs from Independence Avenue to Lincoln Park).  It seems to have worked satisfactorily for years. Additionally I am unaware of any serious safety concerns that have existed with the Kentucky, Independence, 13th Street, intersection, or the bike lane that runs along 13th Street, S.E. as is.  I cannot swear there have never been any accidents involving pedestrians or bicycles at that intersection, but in my almost 50 years living here I am unaware of any.  And certainly not anything that has aroused community concern. 
> 
> So it seems changes are being proposed that will seriously adversely affect many residents, long-term as well as more recent, with little to no gain to be had in terms of providing bike lanes that achieve much that is new.
> 
> Thank you for your consideration.
> 
> - Ed Wendel
>  148 13th Street, S.E.
> 
> wendel.epw at gmail.c0m      
> 
> 

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