The National Zoo’s Bei Bei is leaving D.C. for China Nov. 19. The week-long goodbye kicks off this Monday.

THE NEWS:

D.C. could see upward of 20,000 dockless scooters and bikes next year. The District Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for its two year old dockless vehicle program, writes Curbed’s Andrew Giambrone.  

That means the number of rides could more than double: Roughly 6,200 dockless vehicles are currently permitted, and DDOT is increasing the number to 10,000 bikes and 10,000 scooters in 2020. 

DDOT solicited feedback for its new policy between Sept. 25 and Oct. 30, and received 270 comments from 133 unique users. The agency says most were concerned about safety. A scan of the comments shows many were concerned about the dockless vehicles obstructing the sidewalks or conflicting with pedestrians and cars. But a lot also expressed gratitude for having a quick way to ride. (While not exact science, a City Paper race shows e-scooters were almost as fast as ride-hailing and a lot less expensive.) 

One comment was especially harrowing: “Last month, I got a traumatic brain injury when I was hit by a pair of young children (aged 10-12) who were riding a rented e-scooter in Columbia Heights. I went in an ambulance to the ER, then spent time in the surgery ICU. My memory has been permanently damaged… If you must expand the number of scooters in the city, please tell me how you are going to do it safely, and where the money will come from for enforcement of safety rules.”

Meanwhile, the Council is working on legislation to regulate dockless vehicles. Lawmakers thought about banning overnight riding, but decided against it. —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • 9:30 Club & The Anthem’s Seth Hurwitz pleads guilty to solicitation. [DCist]

  • Later hours and a flat weekend fare make it in proposed Metro budget. More service hours? Not so much. [Post]

  • Southeast charter school responds to the attempted kidnapping of child that took place during its after-school program. [Twitter]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray is not calling for Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans’ resignation. [Twitter]

  • At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds is on the Kojo Show today. She has yet to say publicly whether Evans should resign after a damning report replete with ethics violations. [Kojo]

  • At-Large Councilmember David Grosso’s former staffer, Christina Henderson, is running to fill his soon-to-be-empty seat. [Twitter]

  • Arlington County Board chair Christian Dorsey filed for bankruptcy. He also sits on the regional Metro board, and failed to report a $10,000 campaign donation. [Post]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • The Conservatory rooftop bar is ready for hot dates and cold temps. [WCP]

  • Small businesses need help competing. How the D.C. Council is trying to help. [DCist]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Shakespeare Theatre Company serves up rotating casts and existential dread in Everybody. [WCP]

  • On May 31, 2020, welcome a museum dedicated to words and language. [WAMU]

  • Art zine La Horchata puts Central American voices at the forefront. [Post]

  • The Washington National Cathedral dedicates a plaque to Matthew Shepard. [Washingtonian]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • It’s MLB awards season, so expect to see several World Series champion Nationals on the lists. Anthony Rendon won his second Silver Slugger award, while Howie Kendrick earned his first Heart and Hustle award given to “active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit, and tradition of the game.” [USA Today, MASN]

  • Those in charge of the Washington football team organization continue to show their pettiness, this time by putting Trent Williams on the non-football injury list, effectively shutting him down for the season. “The bridge has definitely been burned,” Williams told USA Today’s Mike Jones.

  • Frances Tiafoe plays Alex De Minaur in the semifinals of ATP Next Gen Finals today. [ESPN]

  • Former Wizards player Trevor Booker reflects on the truly wild days of his time with the team. “I’m just glad I got out alive,” he told HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy. [Bleacher Report]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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