Speaking of bikes, the facebook group for the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) shared DDOT’s rough timetable for extending the trail from Brookland. The timetable breaks up the next phase into two segments: (1) Bates to Gallatin Street and (2) Gallatin Street to Maple Avenue. Based on this timetable, looks like those of us near Fort Totten should expect to be able to ride south on a permanent trail in 2018, while the ride north on a permanent trail will have to wait until 2019.
MBT Phase II Schedule Source: metbranchtrail.com
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
It would be nice if we could get the Capital Bikeshare at Walmart on Riggs Road.
If we are to get any of the MBT completed, folks needs to write to their Council Members: Brandon Todd (Ward 4) and Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5). Mr. Todd has been especially luke warm on the section north of Fort Totten, after initially claiming his strong commitment for the MBT when he was running for election.
Let us not forget about the pedestrian improvements needed near the Fort Totten Metro Station and cited in this blog on June 21st. These improvements include a pedestrian pathway connecting Gallatin and Galloway Streets, NE to provide Metro Station access, and a sidewalk connection the 400 block of Galloway Street, NE to South Dakota Avenue, NE. Both projects were somehow neglected during the 1978 Fort Totten Station construction.
I ask your help in illuminating these projects by contacting the members of the DC Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment. This group is led by Councilmember Mary Cheh, and it includes Charles Allen, Jack Evans, Kenyan McDuffie and Brandon Todd of the DC Council. The committee acts as a liaison to the city agencies under its purview, but it has no direct oversight. Still, it is worth making your thoughts known on these long overdue pedestrian projects.