A lawsuit has temporarily halted plans to remove a bike lane near the National Mall in Washington, DC, The Washington Post reported.
Agencies including the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Park Service, and the Federal Highway Administration planned to remove the lane along 15th Street. Construction was set to start Monday.
The lane, installed in 2021, serves about 4,000 riders per day. Since completion, DC government officials say crashes in the area dropped by 46% and bike injuries dropped by 91%.
An FHA representative told The Washington Post that the removal was “essential to improve traffic flow for the hundreds of thousands of tourists” expected for the Cherry Blossom Festival and America250 events.
Opposition to DC Bike Lane Removal
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association filed a lawsuit on Monday to stop the removal of the bike lane. They argue that “the government has not provided the legally required public processes.”
In response, the Department of Justice confirmed that the relevant government parties would not start work until March 30.
WABA also protested the planned removal with a demonstration at the National Mall on Monday and a petition. The group says that the bike lanes “are a critical link in the regional biking network for local residents and visitors from across the country and the globe.”
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser also spoke against the removal of the bike lane.
“The District shares the National Park Service’s commitment to safety during the National Cherry Blossom Festival,” Bowser said. “At the same time, removing the 15th Street Protected Bike Lane between Constitution Ave NW and the Tidal Basin would likely increase conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, especially at one of the busies times of the year.”
“Removing it would push cyclists into traffic or onto crowded sidewalks, creating new safety risks for everyone,” Bowser said. She added that the lane has enhanced traffic flow which reduces travel times.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
