Wed. December 5, 2007
Washington, DC – Fresh from being lauded by the Brookings Institution for supporting the best walkable urban area at the National Press Club earlier this week, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID) is now offering street smarts for a safe pedestrian holiday experience.
“December is a wonderful time to visit Downtown DC. Our Holiday Market, window displays and cultural events invite shoppers and visitors to experience this special time in the heart of the city,” said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown DC BID. “Tending to safety on the streets for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists is great insurance that everyone will be able to enjoy it.”
In cooperation with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and other DC BIDs, the Downtown BID is raising awareness of the ground rules for street safety, which are frequently ignored during the busy holiday season. “Street safety is a community effort. We’re pleased to have the BIDs join us in our efforts to reach many thousands of people with this message during the holidays,” observed Emeka Moneme, DDOT director.
Downtown Safety/Hospitality SAMs will be distributing a safety tip sheet for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists in English and Spanish. The safety tips were developed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Street Smart campaign, a public safety program of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. More information on that program can be found at www.streetsmart.mwcog.org.
About the Downtown DC Business Improvement District
The Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID) is a private, non-profit organization that provides safety, hospitality, maintenance and beautification, homeless, economic development, transportation, streetscape and marketing services to Washington’s center city. Property owners agree to tax themselves to provide services to the Downtown BID area, which covers 140 blocks from Massachusetts Avenue on the north to the National Mall on the south, from Louisiana Avenue on the east to the White House on the west. For more information, visit www.downtowndc.org.
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