This may sound familiar to Canadian Cycling Magazine fans, despite it being south of the border. The U.S. federal government may kibosh a protected bike lane in Washington, D.C. It\u2019s a decision that\u2019s drawing sharp criticism from local leaders and cycling advocates.<\/p>\n
The 1.2-km stretch runs past the Jefferson Memorial, and forms a crucial link in one of the city\u2019s longest continuous bike routes.<\/p>\n
According to The 51st<\/a>, removal could begin as early as Monday. That coincides with the city preparing for the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, one of its busiest tourist periods.<\/p>\n The National Park Service (NPS), which oversees the federal land where the lane sits, says the move is about managing congestion during major events.<\/p>\n In a statement given to The 51st<\/a>, the agency emphasized the need to \u201censure safe access for residents, commuters, visitors, and emergency services\u201d during high-traffic periods. That also includes preparations for the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary. (Sidebar, the name for that outlet comes from occasional calls for the District of Columbia to be the 51st state. A term that\u2026may be familiar to Canadians.)<\/p>\n Critics argue the data tells a different story<\/p>\n A study from the D.C. Department of Transportation found that since the lane was installed in 2021, overall collisions along the corridor dropped by 46 percent. Furthermore, bike-related injuries fell by 91 percent. Travel times for drivers also improved.<\/p>\n Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed the administration\u2019s broader stance, saying previously that adding bike lanes can come \u201cat the expense of vehicles\u201d and lead to more congestion. It\u2019s a claim advocates dispute.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a horrible idea and so stupid to do it during peak cherry blossom time,\u201d Council member Charles Allen told The 51st<\/a>. \u201cThey\u2019re going to create a mess, plus make it less safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Cycling groups say the lane is especially important during the spring bloom, when thousands of visitors crowd the area on foot and by bike. Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association expressed disbelief at the timing.<\/p>\n The Tour de Trump, Donald Trump\u2019s venture into the world of competitive bike racing<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe are shocked that they are doing this,\u201d she said. She pointed to evidence that the lane benefits not just cyclists, but drivers and pedestrians as well.<\/p>\n For Canadians this sort of action by the government is not new. In Ontario, many called Premier Doug Ford\u2019s attempts to control municipalities\u2019 ability to control bike lanes to be overreach. Because the land falls under NPS control, city officials have limited authority. Although some critics say they could have done more to intervene.<\/p>\n Advocates are now organizing protests and considering legal action. (Sound familiar? The same thing occurred in Toronto when Cycle Toronto mounted a Charter Challenge against the Ontario government trying to remove bike lanes. The group won, although now Ford\u2019s admin<\/a> has appealed it. It may be months before the judge returns their decision.<\/p>\n Local groups argue that removing the lane reverses years of progress toward safer, more balanced transportation in the nation\u2019s capital. This may also remind you of what\u2019s happening in Montreal.<\/p>\n