Photo by Kevin H

TBD’s got the news that new and improved bicycle lanes are coming to D.C. in 2012, notably along L and M Streets NW.

After meeting with the D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council last week, the D.C. Department of Transportation has published a map detailing the existing bike lanes that need to be repaired and the new lanes it would like to set aside throughout the year.

New bicycle lanes are planned for across the city, including the following spots — Good Hope Road SE between Minnesota Avenue and Naylor Road; 49th Street NE between East Capitol Street and Eastern Avenue; West Virginia Avenue NE between Florida Avenue and Mt. Olivet Road; Illinois Avenue NW between Rock Creek Church Road and Sherman Circle; 11th Street NW between Rhode Island Avenue and Florida Avenue; and 14th Street NW between Florida Avenue and Columbia Road.

Most notable, though, is the news of the cycletracks along L and M Streets NW between Pennsylvania Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue. The east-west bike lanes looked like they were on the chopping block this summer, when DDOT Director Terry Bellamy would only say that they were “on hold” during his confirmation hearing. With this new map, it looks like DDOT is moving forward with them.

Cycletracks and new bike lanes are great news — except when they’re used for on-street parking or valet services.