The intersection of U Street, 16th Street and New Hampshire Ave. in Northwest has long been a perilous spot for pedestrians and cyclists alike. It’s just a weird confluence of two major thoroughfares plus a diagonal avenue that runs one-way, in opposite directions, for one block only on either side. If you’ve ever tried to cross U Street on foot there, you know just how unpredictable the flow of traffic can be. Last year DDOT was even considering cutting off vehicle access to New Hampshire from the intersection in an effort to make the crosswalks less dangerous.
So it is with mixed feelings that we post this photo and account from reader Travis Moore, who was caught in a bicycle road trap set up by the MPD on the section of New Hampshire Ave. that runs one-way northeast from the intersection this week (take a look at the spot here). Cops were out issuing tickets to cyclists who were heading down the block in the wrong direction. Says Moore:
“…while I understand the need to address the perceived problems of “scofflaw cyclists,” ticketing people on that stretch of road is a highly irrational response. I understand that it’s a one way street, and that in most cases, riding down a one way is dangerous and shouldn’t be attempted. But anyone who bikes in the city will tell you that if you’re heading south towards Dupont Circle from the U St corridor, this street is the only stretch of road which is even moderately safe to ride on. There are zero bike lanes that offer an alternative route.
By ticketing people on that stretch the DC police is effectively mandating that cyclists take to either 14th or 16th streets, which are two of the busiest roads in the district, and on which cars (and trucks and commuter buses) frequently traveling at speeds of over 50 mph. It’s just insane. I’m all for encouraging biking by the rules, but this isn’t smart policy. It’s downright dangerous, in fact.”
I’ve definitely ridden the wrong way down this block, so I know what Moore is talking about. Riding south on 16th Street in that area during rush hour can be quite scary. But then again, 14th Street does have a bike lane, and is far easier to navigate legally. Add in the already confusing and dangerous nature of this intersection, and it’s hard to say for sure whether cyclists coming through from a street that should not be producing traffic from that direction are doing the right thing here.
What do you think about Moore’s argument? Is ticketing cyclists on this block a good step toward making this intersection less chaotic? Or is the MPD being overzealous in this case?
