The new bike lane on L Street NW might not be perfect, but it is convenient for those crosstown commutes. That is, when it’s not being blocked by some driver who doesn’t notice the giant sharrows and dividing lines, much less the lines of bollards that demarcate the cycle track.
Coursing from New Hampshire Avenue to 12th Street, the L Street lane takes cyclists from the busiest quarters of downtown D.C. to the outer fringes of Shaw—hardly a low-traffic route. But since it was completed in December, the lane has suffered from a rash of vehicles that are parked in the direct path of otherwise speedy cyclists. And it’s annoying.
Thankfully, there’s now a Tumblr blog devoted to shaming such drivers. Jay Corbalis, a DCist reader, shares with us a growing collection of cars, taxis and vans that are blocking bike access. Yes, some of the vehicles are on the outer edge of L Street’s new mixing zones that approach intersections, but most are parked inside the bollard-protected area that is supposed to be for the bikes. By the way, blocking a bike lane with your car carries a fine of $65.
See for yourself:
All photos courtesy of Who’s Blocking the L St. Bike Lane Today?
