Local Launches Petition for Protected R Street Bicycle Lane

A D.C. resident is trying to gather support to help make crosstown cycling safer and easier between Dupont Circle and the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

Michael Forster, a lawyer and D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council member, yesterday launched a petition calling on the District Department of Transportation and Mayor Muriel Bowser to create a protected, two-way bicycle lane on a 2.6-mile stretch of R Street in the heart of the District. The road only has a painted bicycle lane that travels west as of now.

Connect the MBT, Dupont Circle, Logan, Shaw & at least 6 @bikeshare stations with this one life hack https://t.co/6tSA5aLG8C

— Michael Forster (@ForsterDC) May 16, 2016

The lane would benefit thousands of residents in the area and have a “minimum effect on drivers,” who could continue to drive and park on the street, Forster wrote in the petition.

“When the Metropolitan Branch Trail is completed, the addition of this bike lane would create a fully-protected route from Silver Spring, Maryland to Dupont Circle, making a great alternative to Metro or driving,” he wrote.

The petition has garnered more than two dozen supporters as of 3:45 p.m. today.

Photo via Google Maps