DC protesters demonstrate for more safety for pedestrians, bicyclists

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - In hopes of grabbing the attention of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a large group of protesters held a rally and die-in at the Wilson Building on Friday.

The demonstration was part of an effort to make the streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Since January 1, there have been eight traffic fatalities in D.C. - last year, there were 36.

With the high-profile deaths of a cyclist and a pedestrian last week, hundreds of people descended on the Wilson Building to ask for more bike lanes, lower speed limits, and cross walks painted to make them more visible with flashing lights.

One of the protesters hoping to get the attention of the mayor was Sherri Joyner, who held up her damaged bike from when she was hit last October.

"There are too many who do not care-share the road. The road! Our city streets are not just for vehicles. They are also for cyclists," Joyner said.

Joyner was fortunate - she survived but was badly injured when she was hit from behind while riding on Michigan Avenue.

The protestors took over the steps of the building, many of them holding handmade signs, and some wearing bike helmets and biking gear.

The protest also included what are now commonly referred to as ghost bikes - which are painted white and left at intersections as reminders of lost lives.

With D.C. police blocking off the road, the group then held a die-in and a moment of silence.

Holding a sign that read "Survived - 14th and Riggs - 12/7/18," Aysha Ghadiali participated in the demonstration. Ghadiali was hit by a car and seriously injured when she crossed a street in a marked crosswalk late last year.

"Accidents will happen but it doesn't have to cost you your life. So infrastructure, street, multiple street use, protected bike lanes, raised cross walks, flashing yellow lights where there is a cross walk - there are so many infrastructure changes that you can do so that if accidents do happen it doesn't cost a life," Ghadiali said.