15th Street, running between Pennsylvania Ave. and V St., was selected as a suitable location to pioneer and experiment with the capital’s first protected bike facility on account of its extra roadway capacity and central location. In 2010, the city installed a one-way, southbound, protected contra-flow cycle track. After observing cyclists using the protected facility in both directions, the route was converted to a two-way cycle track. The bikeway is separated from the road by a floating parking lane, buffer, and intermittent yellow plastic pylons. A bicycle signal was also put in place at the intersection with Pennsylvania Ave. to ease the passage ofcrossing cyclists. According to a 2010 follow-up study by the DDOT, the cycle track has increased levels of cycling, decreased riding on the sidewalk, and diminished the number of vehicles per day. At its full 2.1 mile length, the cycle track will cost an estimated $250,000.
This project was designed and implemented by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation along a 1.5 mile segment of 15th Street between Pennsylvania Ave. and V St. in Washington D.C.
District Department of Transportation. (2010). 15th Street NW Separated Bike Lane Pilot Project – Interim Results and Next Steps.