Dear Mayor Bowser, DC Council, and Director Marootian (DDOT),

We recognize the grave and urgent threat to the people of DC the novel coronavirus COVID 19 poses. We understand that social distancing is key to mitigating community spread.

However, social distancing is only effective if people have the space to do so. Our city's trails (some managed by NPS) have been overwhelmed with activity and impossible to use while maintaining 6+ ft. of space between users. Sidewalks in residential areas are too narrow: even 6-8 ft. sidewalks (and many are only 4-5 ft.), do not allow enough space to pass safely. People who want to get enough space have to step into an active roadway.

Other forms of transportation have adjusted to the new reality of social distancing and to keep people safe. WMATA reduced service and is increasing cleaning, for example.

Our transportation network must include protections for people walking and biking. They are the most democratically available and responsible ways to travel right now (especially for the nearly 40% of car-free DC households), and it should be the city's priority to make them safe. We see this as not a new demand, but something that should be integral to any public health strategy that encourages people to walk or bike yet maintain distance from one another.

We urge the following:

- Open select streets to people walking and biking between the hours of 8am-8pm or make them "local traffic only." This will give people space to pass safely. We understand some streets must remain clear for vehicle traffic but many neighborhood streets can be people-only with few impacts, especially since vehicles volumes are significantly reduced.

- Open streets parallel to the trail network, e.g., following the National Parks Service's March 21 decision about streets near the Tidal Basin and Philadelphia's decision to open MLK Drive. Work with NPS to open Rock Creek Parkway and Anacostia Drive.

- Add temporary protected bike lanes along key routes to give more space to people bicycling, e.g., like New York City on Smith Street in Brooklyn. Try out new street configurations while traffic is light and give more space to people walking and biking who need it in order to be distant enough from one another.

- Keep local bike shops open. Again, biking has always been the way many residents get around DC, but now when people are avoiding public transportation it becomes even more critical. Bike shops are essential businesses and should be classified as such so that they can remain open.

Like many DC residents we are deeply concerned about the deadly impact of the coronavirus. The city must take measures to prevent its spread. To say it another way: we cannot travel safely right now while walking, and that needs to be addressed in the District's response to COVID-19. People cannot walk to work, health facilities, to check on elderly neighbors, or purchase food without breaking social distancing required by the city government, because our sidewalks are too narrow.

Walking is a lifeline for DC residents. It is well-past time to make these changes. It is a public health imperative.

Sincerely,
[Everybody who fills out the form below]