News Advisory for Immediate Release  April 21, 2003 DDOT Announces Upcoming Rides and Workshops as Part of Updating the Master Bicycle Plan The District Department of Transportation announces a series of workshops and bike rides in each ward as part of updating the DC Bicycle Master Plan. During the rides and the subsequent workshops, the participants will locate and map the best and worst routes and identify new bike lanes, paths and parking spots. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the District even more bicycle-friendly for all, with safer and more convenient routes and parking spots," said Dan Tangherlini, the District's Director of Transportation. "We want as many people as possible to ride with us and come to the workshops." Already bicyclists make over 25,000 trips every weekday in the District, the highest level in the region. The most recent census showed an 80% increase in the number of DC residents bicycling to work. The development of the bike plan, expected to be completed early next year, is being guided by the DC Bicycle Advisory Council, whose 18 members are appointed by the DC Council. The firm of Toole Design is helping DDOT with the update under a $480,000 contract; the Washington Area Bicyclist Association is coordinating the rides. For more information on the bike plan, contact Jim Sebastian, DC Bicycle Program Manager at (202) 671-2331 or go to the website. To sign up for the rides, contact Eric Gilliland by calling (202) 628-2500 or by email. The ride and workshop dates and times can be found here.