Sam Dupont broke the law, or at least that's what the DC police officer told him as he wrote out a ticket. Sam was ticketed for going the wrong way on a one-way block of New Hampshire Avenue. The thing that makes this interesting is that Sam was on his bicycle and he didn't take the $25 fine lying down... he fought the law and, unlike the Bobby Fuller Four, HE won. On his blog Sam writes: I argued that going the wrong way on NH [New Hampshire Avenue] was the only safe way to navigate that part of the city, and that DDOT has recognized this fact in their plans to install contraflow bike lanes on that very block.
One of the things that I found kind of interesting in following the accounts of this were the comments from other bikers and the number that, albeit gently, took Sam to task for breaking the law. It seems as if the biking community is very image conscious and doesn't always approve of things like rolling through red lights or going the wrong way on one-way streets.
As an occasional biker I am rather encouraged by all of this. I think it's good that Sam took his case to court and that he won based on his reasoned argument. I am also pleased that the District government is making adjustments to this particular stretch of road. In fact, the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue, 16th Street and U Street will be getting a bicycle traffic signal that will let bicyclists turn off New Hampshire and onto 16th. They can then enter new bike boxes in front of the traffic on 16th Street, ensuring cars see them according to the Greater Greater Washington website.
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I promise that this is the last time I will mention this this year but tonight could be the night that many of you might find it most valuable: The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will operate its SoberRide program beginning tonight at 10 p.m. and extending until six tomorrow morning. This is the program that offers free cab rides to take people home when they have had too much to drink.
It works like this: If you or someone you know or someone you are with has had too much to drink and should not be driving DO NOT let them get behind the wheel. Instead, call 1-800-200-TAXI. A local participating cab company will be dispatched to take you, your friend or your co-worker home safe and sound.
SoberRide saves lives by getting rid of the problem before it is a problem. The thing that I think is so great about this program is that you don't have to plan ahead to use. You simply call the number, 1-800-200-TAXI, if you find that you or someone else is not in shape to drive. Keep in mind that this program is only for people 21 years and older and is good for cab fare up to $50. It would also be a great idea if someone could make sure to give the cab driver a decent tip for her or his effort.
I am always surprised when I get feedback from people who think that these kinds of programs are a waste or that they don't work the way they are supposed to. To those people I would only say that I hope they never have to deal with the tragedy of losing a loved one because of just one drunk driver who thought he or she was alright to get behind the wheel. SoberRide is the result of a number of volunteers and employees of companies that want to make a difference and make things safer and I think we should all thank them. This program has provided rides home to tens of thousands of would be drunk drivers over the years but even if it had just resulted in a reduction of one, that might be the one that could ruin your life or the life of a friend, a family member or co-worker.
Steve Eldridge is a long-time reporter, observer and commentator on the Washington region's transportation issues. You can contact him directly by writing to: Steve@SprawlandCrawl.com. Unless otherwise requested, letters or portions of letters can be used within future columns. Letter writers will be identified by their first name and city/neighborhood.
The main reason "the biking community" doesn't condone illegal bicycling behavior is that bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles, and the vital privilege of driving a vehicle is inextricably associated with the obligation to obey all applicable traffic laws.
Posted by: Allen Muchnick | January 01, 2009 at 06:17 PM