Connecticut Ave bike lanes are back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

That's silly. Transit isn't a lifestyle, it's transportation. Would you say you participate in car lifestyle?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the IDEA of bike lanes. But I have to say that when I was trying to work and raise three kids, at three different schools, with the associated activities, playdates and doctor's appointments, I could barely manage WITH a car. No chance it would have worked on a bike.

If only there was a safe way for some of your kids to get to some of their destination via mode of transportation that they controlled...

Right on. I and a bunch of other kids I went to school with used to ride our bikes to and from school and activities from middle school up through most of high school. Now.. I am a bit older, so back when this was happening pick up trucks were like 2/3rds the size they are today at worst and SUV's didn't really exist.

The whole bigger is better and safer (maybe for the occupants of that vehicle?) craze that has permeated our country has really taken away freedom from both parents and kids and they didn't even consider it.

Kids already bike to all the schools near Connecticut. Doing it on Connecticut is not needed and something no parent would ever allow their elementary school student to do.

More would do it if it were safer.

Where is home/school that would make a major car commuter road your choice for a kid biking to school? Every other option for the local schools is more direct and better.

What if DC transformed Connecticut Avenue from "a major car commuter road" to a street that everyone can use?

Then they would have one less major car commuter road and one more space that’s popular while it’s a novelty but then gets used less as the novelty wears off. The end result is that fewer people would benefit from Connecticut Avenue than benefit from it today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

That's silly. Transit isn't a lifestyle, it's transportation. Would you say you participate in car lifestyle?

Yes.

You participate in a car lifestyle?! I'm so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the IDEA of bike lanes. But I have to say that when I was trying to work and raise three kids, at three different schools, with the associated activities, playdates and doctor's appointments, I could barely manage WITH a car. No chance it would have worked on a bike.

If only there was a safe way for some of your kids to get to some of their destination via mode of transportation that they controlled...

Right on. I and a bunch of other kids I went to school with used to ride our bikes to and from school and activities from middle school up through most of high school. Now.. I am a bit older, so back when this was happening pick up trucks were like 2/3rds the size they are today at worst and SUV's didn't really exist.

The whole bigger is better and safer (maybe for the occupants of that vehicle?) craze that has permeated our country has really taken away freedom from both parents and kids and they didn't even consider it.

Kids already bike to all the schools near Connecticut. Doing it on Connecticut is not needed and something no parent would ever allow their elementary school student to do.

More would do it if it were safer.

Where is home/school that would make a major car commuter road your choice for a kid biking to school? Every other option for the local schools is more direct and better.

What if DC transformed Connecticut Avenue from "a major car commuter road" to a street that everyone can use?

Then they would have one less major car commuter road and one more space that’s popular while it’s a novelty but then gets used less as the novelty wears off. The end result is that fewer people would benefit from Connecticut Avenue than benefit from it today.

The novelty of having a street that works for everyone, instead of just people who want to get from Maryland to downtown DC by car. I don't think that novelty would wear off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the IDEA of bike lanes. But I have to say that when I was trying to work and raise three kids, at three different schools, with the associated activities, playdates and doctor's appointments, I could barely manage WITH a car. No chance it would have worked on a bike.

If only there was a safe way for some of your kids to get to some of their destination via mode of transportation that they controlled...

Right on. I and a bunch of other kids I went to school with used to ride our bikes to and from school and activities from middle school up through most of high school. Now.. I am a bit older, so back when this was happening pick up trucks were like 2/3rds the size they are today at worst and SUV's didn't really exist.

The whole bigger is better and safer (maybe for the occupants of that vehicle?) craze that has permeated our country has really taken away freedom from both parents and kids and they didn't even consider it.

Kids already bike to all the schools near Connecticut. Doing it on Connecticut is not needed and something no parent would ever allow their elementary school student to do.

More would do it if it were safer.

Where is home/school that would make a major car commuter road your choice for a kid biking to school? Every other option for the local schools is more direct and better.

What if DC transformed Connecticut Avenue from "a major car commuter road" to a street that everyone can use?

Then they would have one less major car commuter road and one more space that’s popular while it’s a novelty but then gets used less as the novelty wears off. The end result is that fewer people would benefit from Connecticut Avenue than benefit from it today.

The novelty of having a street that works for everyone, instead of just people who want to get from Maryland to downtown DC by car. I don't think that novelty would wear off.

To that point, the wharf, navy yard, and pennsylvania ave in SE all seem to be doing just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

Lots of tourists would like to take helicopter tours of the mall as well, but no one in the federal government has felt the need to alter the city's airspace regulations to cater to such preferences. DC is not Disneyland and city policies must first serve the residents who have to traverse city streets every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

That's silly. Transit isn't a lifestyle, it's transportation. Would you say you participate in car lifestyle?

Yes.

You participate in a car lifestyle?! I'm so sorry.

Appreciate your concern, but I enjoy my car lifestyle!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

That's silly. Transit isn't a lifestyle, it's transportation. Would you say you participate in car lifestyle?

Yes.

You participate in a car lifestyle?! I'm so sorry.

Appreciate your concern, but I enjoy my car lifestyle!!

I used to enjoy my smoking inside at restaurants lifestyle, but the government doesn't have an obligation to legislate around things that are bad for people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

That's silly. Transit isn't a lifestyle, it's transportation. Would you say you participate in car lifestyle?

Yes.

You participate in a car lifestyle?! I'm so sorry.

Appreciate your concern, but I enjoy my car lifestyle!!

I used to enjoy my smoking inside at restaurants lifestyle, but the government doesn't have an obligation to legislate around things that are bad for people

Not having a tax base is bad for people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

That's silly. Transit isn't a lifestyle, it's transportation. Would you say you participate in car lifestyle?

Yes.

You participate in a car lifestyle?! I'm so sorry.

Appreciate your concern, but I enjoy my car lifestyle!!

I used to enjoy my smoking inside at restaurants lifestyle, but the government doesn't have an obligation to legislate around things that are bad for people

Not having a tax base is bad for people.

I don't think anyone here disagrees with you on that. Stop being a chicken little

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good job making sure Connecticut will never be changed from where it stands now.

Never underestimate how profoundly dumb Charles Allen is as a politician. He should be recalled for that alone.

+1. This isn’t the first time Charles Allen went against the advice of the police. How’d the last time end up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good job making sure Connecticut will never be changed from where it stands now.

Never underestimate how profoundly dumb Charles Allen is as a politician. He should be recalled for that alone.

+1. This isn’t the first time Charles Allen went against the advice of the police. How’d the last time end up?

The police acted like babies and stopped doing their job, as evidenced by the stark increase in arrests since the new chief took over, despite no increase in staffing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

To me, that makes Connecticut Ave a GOOD idea for bike lanes. Think about all of the tourists who DON'T arrive or get around DC by car. They use Metro, walk, use Bikeshare bikes, use e-scooters...

The zoo alone gets 2,000,000 visitors a year. They have 3,400 parking spots that are full by 10am every day of the year. Plus the folks who park in the neighborhoods. Plus the tourists driving to the mall. That’s a lot of clueless drivers to have on a road along with thousands of kids riding bikes to school and neighbors snacking on Vace pizza while they cruise wistfully along on their beach cruisers, which seems to be the utopian vision of the proponents. It’s kind of a really bad idea and deep down inside you know it.

In other words, the vast majority of zoo visitors arrive by not-car.

Plus if there are really so many clueless tourists driving dangerously around the touristy parts of DC, DC really needs to do a lot of work immediately to make the streets safer for everyone, tourists and non-tourists.

You might want to check your math. There are 1.2 million day/spaces available, and probably 2+ people in a car for visitors. And a spot can be used by more than 1 car in the course of a day. It may be true that less than half come by car, but its unlikely.

The bolded cannot be close to accurate.

How many days of the year is the zoo open? 364. How many parking spaces do they have? 3,400. What is 364 times 3,400? 1,241,000. A standard car can hold five people, vans and SUVs more. A space could be used by more than one visitor in a day as well. So there are in fact plenty of spaces to accommodate 2,000,000 visitors in a year.

I was misunderstanding the metric and calculation you were articulating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the one thing that makes Connecticut Ave such a bad idea for bikes lanes is that it is the gateway for millions of tourists each year. Most of whom are not familiar with DC roads nor used to driving in any city. So to mix those tens of thousands of tourist cars each year with a project that will induce thousands of new cyclists each day seems like a total death wish. For that reason Connecticut Ave is fairly unique as compared to other roads where this has been attempted. It’s just a really bad idea.

Think of how much better it would be if the tourists were not driving cars but on other modes of transportation? You are making the argument FOR bike lanes, thank you.

The people who drive to the zoo are most definitely not interested in participating in transit lifestyle you covet.

Lots of tourists would like to take helicopter tours of the mall as well, but no one in the federal government has felt the need to alter the city's airspace regulations to cater to such preferences. DC is not Disneyland and city policies must first serve the residents who have to traverse city streets every day.

I have yet to meet a visitor who would think a helicopter tour of DC is the best way to the the city. A volcano in Hawaii? Sure. But not DC. Nice strawman, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good job making sure Connecticut will never be changed from where it stands now.

Never underestimate how profoundly dumb Charles Allen is as a politician. He should be recalled for that alone.

+1. This isn’t the first time Charles Allen went against the advice of the police. How’d the last time end up?

The Police Union is not the same as MPD.