The District's Department of Transportation has plans to completely revamp New Mexico Avenue NW and Tunlaw/37th Street to Reservoir Road as part of its "Vision Zero" traffic plans. About 170 on-the-street parking spaces can be removed to make way for new, dedicated bike lanes. That will constitute the removal of about half of all on-the-street parking spaces. These parking spots are used by many apartment dwellers who live alongside this road. Many who use this spaces are low-income residents or young professionals. And then there are senior citizens (including me) who have special needs. Many seniors need health-care aides who park on the street. Many apartment renters also can't afford to pay for the garages, hence, park on the street. And then there are friends who wish to visit who may have to drive around for spots. What do people think about the removal of these parking spaces? Is it a good trade off for more dedicated and safer bike lanes that will take up 10 feet from the street? Or is it short-sighted and can cause great hardship for those who live here? FYI, I am an avid biker, but fear the loss of so many parking spaces.
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