The proposed bike lane in NW Washington, DC.
As Washington, DC officials consider adding a bike lane, the United House of Prayer is firmly opposing it in the name of freedom:
The District government is going through the rather municipally boring process of determining where to build a bike lane on the east side of downtown.
And one church has given a charged response to some proposals, saying that a bike lane near its property would infringe upon “its constitutionally protected rights of religious freedom and equal protection of the laws.”
Are they serious? Yes. Yes, they are.
The parking loss would place an unconstitutionally undue burden on people who want to pray, the church argues, noting that other churches already have had to flee to the suburbs because of similarly onerous parking restrictions. The church says that DDOT lets cars park diagonally on the street during busy times, which would be seemingly impossible if a protected bike lane were on the street.
The city says is it listening to all sides and hasn't made a decision yet. The debate is
going to continue to heat up:
Jimmy Russell, who attends Bethel Baptist nearby, says its not fair what the city is doing. The church was there first and should not have to lose its parking. But, Martin Moulton, resident and vice president of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, cites the need for hundreds of people to get to work and school by bike in the area of 6th St..
Spokesman for DC's Transportation Department, DDOT, Sam Zimbabwe said, "Sixth street is interesting because it is one of the few streets that connects all the way north and south."
But, he said the city is conducting a study and till take into consideration the concerns of various groups. He said the study would be completed in the winter and a decision, selecting one of numerous options, would be made by spring.
