While it’s not officially open yet, drivers are already parking in the First Street NE cycletrack, a common site to cyclists who use the lanes on L Street NW and other city streets. The D.C. Department of Transportation plans to combat this will additional barriers, as well as some good old fashioned public shaming.

Jim Sebastian, DDOT’s bicycle program coordinator, says barriers similar to the “zebras” on Pennsylvania Avenue NW will be placed on First Street NE. The barriers are six inches high, six inches wide and six feet long, and made of a rubber-like material.

“They won’t keep people from driving over them if they want to, but they should send the message that you’re not supposed to be in there,” he said. If that doesn’t work, additional signage, flex posts and enforcement could follow.

Sebastian said DDOT is constantly looking at the city’s bike infrastructure, and changes will be made to parts of the L Street and Pennsylvania Avenue cycletracks “soon,” Sebastian said. On L Street, for example, he said DDOT will “beef up” the barriers where possible.

In the meantime, DDOT is back to Twitter-shaming drivers who use the bike lanes to park.

Filed Under: bike lanes, ddot, first street ne, l street nw,