NACTO 2025 (DC) Streetfilms & Highlights!
As usual it was great to see so many familiar friends and meet new people at the 2025 NACTO Conference in Washington, DC! I did just about as much as I could during the 3-day event, listening to speeches, going on walking tours and discussing the state of the country when it comes to federal funding but also setting out solo by bike to see the newest stuff.
I was able to already post a number of cool things for my blog report. But please know: in the works are two really big films 1) looking at DC’s year-round outdoor dining as I took a Street Eatery tour and 2) a nifty developing piece looking at the ubiquitous daylighting - not allowing cars to park on corners - and also how they evolved while including some of the art they use to decorate them and history going back to the parklets and food truck movements!
Hear Inspiring Things from NACTO 2025 Attendees!
One thing I wanted to do was in the light of the current deep federal administration cuts and how funding for projects might be affected I wanted to find good/great stories around the country that could inspire us all. So I talked with a dozen attendees who offered tales of cool firsts and investments in transit & bicycling. (And there were plenty more I didn’t get to record!)
Riding the Bike Bus in DC: Dunbar High School
It wasn’t part of NACTO, but due to some fortunate scheduling (and their final Bike Bus ride of the season) a few VIPs got to attend this awesome ride with high school students from DC’s Dunbar High School. What a bonus! To quote Coach Clark their physical education teacher, "It's beautiful to see how something like a bike can be so inclusive. It's not like trying out for the basketball team or the football team or something that can sometimes be intimidating for students. This provides a space for every student to be a part of it, every kid to be a part of it."
The Fantastic 15th Street Bike Lane Became Fabulous for Pride!
I was told by more than a few residents to go check out the art installation along the 15th street protected 2-way bike lane to celebrate World Pride DC 2025. The entire city has been beautified in so many ways, but I couldn't stop riding the lane (implemented as a one-way in 2010, and then quickly converted to two way shortly after requests from residents!) I tried to capture as many angles of the beauty using my nimble gimbal!
DC is one of the few U.S. cities with camera-enforced Stop sign Intersections!
In the final hours before I had to check out of my hotel to catch Amtrak, I grabbed a Lime e-bike and went out for a 2+ hour random excursion. I was mainly looking for daylighting footage which is why I initially stopped at this intersection above, but quickly found out the true highlight was that the stop signs was monitored by cameras! I was stunned to see how most motorists came to complete, real stops. So I stuck around for a few minutes to record a short.
Riding thru Bus Stops integrated with Bike Ramps!
DC has big game when it comes to finding ways to minimize the spaces where bus & bikes mingle at bus stops. That’s why they sometimes run a protected bike lane behind a bus shelter and other times need to use this inventive Zicla bike ramp design to more safely manage where the conflict occurs. Wheeee! It was fun too. I realized as I rode around the city I had gathering numerous shots, so why not weave them together here for those who have never experienced it.
More to come folks! Like I said I have two more solid Streetfilms on the way!
