Cyclists renew call for bike lanes on Connecticut Ave. in DC
Cycling groups took to the streets of D.C. Wednesday to call for more bike infrastructure along Connecticut Avenue in Northwest — a major commuting route into and out of the District. Plans for bike lanes on the road have been debated for years.
The Washington Area Bicyclists Association says the road can be dangerous for cyclists.
“We want to make it safe for everyone,” said Seth Grimes of WABA. “For kids going to school, for people doing local shopping or going to the library, for instance, that’s right up the street from where we’re standing. And most people will not go out in the street. But they will if there are protected bike lanes.”
WABA says the lack of protected bike lanes along Connecticut Avenue is a missing piece to the city’s cycling infrastructure and something needs to be done. WABA hopes that a change in administration, with a new mayor coming in, will make a big difference.
In 2024, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration planned to put bike lanes on the road, but suddenly, the plan stopped.
Concerns about parking, impacts to businesses and curb space were raised.
“We understand that politics sometimes comes into play,” Grimes said. “People with undue, outsized influence, and we interpret that this was a political decision.”
The group Save Connecticut Avenue strongly opposes the plan for bike lanes and says it isn’t political, but a community decision.
“The elimination of 80% of the parking and 100% of curbside access would negatively affect residents and users of Connecticut Avenue, especially seniors, the disabled, bus riders and emergency responders,” said Lee Mayer of Save Connecticut Avenue.
He D.C. Department of Transportation referred News4 to past statements on this issue, saying bike lanes are not part of the plan. But the agency noted intersection improvements are underway along Connecticut Avenue to make the road safer for all.
Intersection improvements are expected to continue through next year, DDOT said.
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George — the Democratic nominee for mayor and overwhelming favorite to win in November — hasn’t commented specifically about the Connecticut Avenue project. Her campaign has said she will back “community supported” bike lanes.
