A Real Commitment to Vision Zero

Vision Zero has been a failure.  Far from approaching zero fatalities and serious injuries, the District’s traffic fatalities have actually trended upwards in recent years.  We can’t be satisfied with slogans and flashy branding, we need to truly commit to making our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.  For members of the Council and other elected officials, that means being willing to take the political hits when critics push back on plans to upgrade road safety.  

One of my main priorities as an ANC Commissioner has been promoting measures to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.  I want my children to grow up able to safely walk and bike to school.  I want the seniors in my community to be able to use crosswalks without anxiety. 

In 2021, I led ANC3D’s efforts to engage the community about DDOT  plans to upgrade safety infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians on New Mexico/Tunlaw, a portion of which I represent on ANC3D.  We held several town halls and community meetings and worked collaboratively with DDOT to address community concerns and improve the plans.  We do not have to engage in zero-sum thinking when it comes to street design. With the right attitude and an openness to all perspectives, it is possible to reach achieve a “win-win.” 

My Plan in Brief:

• Hold DDOT’s leadership accountable for failing to make progress on Vision Zero metrics.

• Advocate for prioritizing installation of more sidewalks, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and other pedestrian improvements.

• Join efforts to prioritize safety around schools.

• Advocate for a comprehensive re-design of Wisconsin Avenue to improve bus service and to make biking and walking safer.

• Support further investments in protected bike infrastructure.

• Advocate for the creation of a Parking Reform Commission to design a system that (a) works better for residents and businesses and (b) makes it easier to re-design streets to promote multimodal transportation and traffic safety.

• Develop a plan to address the need for short-term parking for delivery drivers, taxis, and rideshare drivers. 

• Defeat any efforts to reverse the decision to install protected bike lanes and eliminate the reversible lanes on Connecticut Avenue.

• Hold Out-of-State Drivers Accountable.  

A Comprehensive Plan to Make Vision Zero a Reality

As your Councilmember, you can count on me to:

• Hold DDOT’s leadership accountable for failing to make progress on Vision Zero metrics. In 2021, Mayor Bowser nominated then-Interim Director Everett Lott to serve as DDOT’s permanent director.  After his nomination elicited extensive testimony opposing his confirmation, the Council made the shocking decision to not even hold a vote on his nomination, which led to him being confirmed by default. A Council that lacks the courage to even vote on an agency head’s nomination is not one that we can expect to conduct aggressive oversight.  That must change.

• Advocate for prioritizing installation of more sidewalks, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and other pedestrian improvements.  A walkable city is a thriving city. But walkability requires making sure that pedestrians feel safe.  Far too often, streets are repaved or otherwise improved without any consideration of whether a pedestrian-oriented improvement can or should be installed.  DDOT must prioritize pedestrian infrastructure and commit to incorporating pedestrian safety improvements into other street projects whenever possible.  

Ben discusses the District’s poor progress towards its Vision Zero goals

• Join efforts to prioritize safety around schools. Our kids are not safe on our streets. That must change.  Fortunately, members of the Council are currently working on bills aimed at improving safety around schools and speeding up implementation of those changes.  It is important that these efforts prioritize all schools—public charter schools, private K-12 schools, and early childhood centers.  Pedestrian and cyclist safety is also critical in and around higher education institutions.  With respect to safety issues within their control, colleges and universities should be required to make and comply with ambitious safety goals during the  Zoning Commission’s campus plan process.   

• Advocate for a comprehensive re-design of Wisconsin Avenue to improve bus service and to make biking and walking safer. The neighborhoods along Wisconsin Avenue south of Tenleytown (Cathedral Heights, Glover Park, and Georgetown) combine to form one of the densest residential parts of DC. And yet, residents are miles from a metro stop. This means that residents are entirely dependent on buses—buses that are frequently stuck in traffic! These are also important commercial and social destinations for residents and visitors. Like Connecticut, there are serious safety issues on Wisconsin. It is treacherous to cross as a pedestrian and extremely dangerous to bike on even though there are daycares and schools all along the street.

• Support further investments in protected bike infrastructure. Cyclists of all abilities should be able to travel on our roads safely. We cannot allow another child to be killed riding in a school zone.  Protected bike infrastructure is also not just about cyclists.  Bike lanes calm traffic by making a road feel narrower, slowing drivers down and making streets safer for all users.  DDOT must receive the funding and political support from the Council to follow through on its plans to build out a robust, connected bike network.  Bike lanes to nowhere are acceptable only if there is a clear plan to connect the segment to the network.  I am pleased that DDOT has set aggressive mile targets, but it is important, given the costs that bike lanes can sometimes have for residents, that DDOT proceed strategically where possible, targeting segments that will add the most value or have the least impact on how residents live their lives park before proceeding to the more contentious sections.  

• Advocate for the creation of a Parking Reform Commission.  The Council punted discussion of parking during the redistricting process, although there was recognition that the District’s parking system is in need of reform.  Creating a Parking Reform Commission to study how other cities manage neighborhood-level parking, parking in commercial areas, visitor parking, parking fees, time-limited parking zones, and parking enforcement. This can help the Council create a system that is fairer for residents—many of whom are forced to hunt for spots because of non-resident parking—and uses public space more efficiently. 

   A neighborhood parking system aimed at discouraging commuters and other non-residents from using neighborhood on-street parking will yield major dividends for our Vision Zero efforts.  As any ANC Commissioner can tell you, concerns about the impact on parking is the most common sticking point during discussions about how to redesign streets.  Our leaders should not privilege parking concerns over safety.  But activists make a profound mistake by dismissively waving away concerns about parking. Seniors comprise a higher percentage of Ward 3’s population than any other ward.  We also have many neighborhoods that have poor transit connectivity.  You can blame “car culture” all you want but the reality is that it is not realistic to expect these residents to opt for alternatives to driving in great numbers, absent a transformative investment in public transit—something we should absolutely do! 

• Develop a plan to address the need for short-term parking for delivery drivers, taxis, and rideshare drivers.  It’s 2022 and time to adapt our streets to the way we live our lives by acknowledging a need to accommodate these essential workers.  Double-parked vehicles on narrow streets create traffic bottlenecks and safety issues as cars maneuver around them.   Funding should be set aside to actively plan for this need, in consultation with DDOT, relevant companies, and the community.  

• Defeat any efforts to reverse the decision to install protected bike lanes and eliminate the reversible lanes on Connecticut Avenue. After sustained public engagement, including overwhelming votes in support from each impacted ANC, there should no longer be a debate about whether to proceed.  The bike lanes will significantly improve the District’s bike network and improve safety for all road users.  The reversible lanes were a nightmare and death trap.  Transportation planning in the District should no longer privilege the needs of out-of-state commuters over District residents and their safety.  

• Hold Out-of-State Drivers Accountable.  A culture of impunity exists on our roads—particularly by drivers from Maryland and Virginia.  Let me be clear, I am running to serve Ward 3. I will not compromise the safety of Washingtonians because it might inconvenience a Maryland commuter speeding down Connecticut Avenue. Full stop.  We need to dramatically increase booting and towing enforcement with a focus on identifying out-of-state cars with significant unpaid fines.  The Council should also explore other ways of recovering unpaid tickets from out-of-state drivers that work in the District.