A good example that DC doesn't have a transportation plan and transportation demand management policies

because if we did, why would City Council have to pass a bill to put bicycle lockers at a DC government building and other government agencies?
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Lifted from Washcycle:

June 22nd - the DC Council will be holding a public hearing on the "Bicycle Commuter and Parking Expansion Act of 2007" which was introduced by Councilmember Tommy Wells. The bill has the immediate goal of increasing the number of bike parking locations available for visitors and employees at the Wilson Building in downtown DC, but would also require Mayor Adrian Fenty and DDOT to study the availability of bike parking at ALL DC government buildings. The bill would also require that new residential building provide bike parking spaces for residents. This is similar to the current requirement that all commercial buildings that provide car parking also provide bike parking.

This bill has been referred to the Public Works and Environment Committee chaired by Councilmember Jim Graham. WABA strongly encourages DC cyclists to write to Councilmember Graham at jim@grahamwone.com to express support for the bill. Please send a copy of your letter to Councilmember Tommy Wells at twells@dccouncil.us.

To sign up to testify, please contact Mrs. LaDorsa Willis at 202-724-8195 before 5 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2007.
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This is an important step forward, but why isn't it being done without requiring legislation?

Similarly, why would Councilmembers introduce a bill to provide dedicated street parking to firefighters, without the agency having a TDM plan for each station?

Why would DC Government agencies be moved from places with rich transit infrastructure and proximity to other government agencies with which they work, to isolated places somewhat distant from transit and located by no other DC Government agencies (i.e., moving the Police Department to the old Washington Star printing plant south of the Southeast-Southwest Freeway)?

Why would City Council introduce legislation to toll entrances into the city? But City Council hasn't passed a resolution putting the separated blue line subway proposal back on the table.... meanwhile, yesterday's Examiner reports that the new "Silver" Line Dulles extension will cost $46 million in annual operating costs... where's the support for transit in DC? (See "Dulles extension to cost $46m a year to run, Metro estimates.")

Proposed changes for the WMATA system, 2001. Washington Post graphic. WMATA's Core Capacity Study recommendations were dropped in 2003, in the face of a local economic downturn. WMATA subsequently devolved responsibility for expansion planning to the local jurisdictions--kind of like if everybody is responsible for planning many don't plan.

All DC Government agencies should be required to practice transportation demand management planning.

All DC Government agencies should be required to implement transportation demand management plans.

And the city needs a Transportation Plan.

One is in the works, but the city also needs elected and appointed officials that understand the necessity and are committed to broader, visionary, and comprehensive (transportation and land use) planning more generally.