Options for opposing Connecticut Avenue changes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live near CT Avenue and am thrilled with the addition of the bike lanes. I think it will be a great transformation of the Avenue and will make it more vibrant.

I continue to be floored by the consistent complaint by people saying "these businesses all will fail because I can't park in front of it". Sounds like you should go move to Gaithersburg or Potomac. Do you forget that you actually live in a city?? There is loads of public transportation, taxis, Uber.... If you can't bike or walk there will be plenty of options for you to get there. That is part of living in a vibrant city. And, may I remind you that many parts of the city have vibrant commercial areas that are patronized by people who do not drive there. Dupont Circle, Georgetown, H Street Corridor. People either drive, park several blocks away after searching for parking or they use another mode of transportation to get there. And its all just fine. Those businesses are fine. So please, your miniscule business will be replaced by much, much more business. This is going to be a great commercial improvement for these businesses.

Same here. I live along CT Avenue and am pro-bike lanes. One reason I don't bike to work is that there's no way around biking down CT and I don't feel safe because there's no dedicated bike lane. I think more people would bike if it were safer. And I think pedestrians would be better off if there was a bike lane, so bikes weren't on the sidewalks, which are often narrow, so it's a win-win. And you already can't park along the street during rush hour, and people already figure out where else to park when they visit CT businesses on the weekends. Lots of people use public transportation in this area or to visit this area. It's really not the end of the world.

I dont believe you for one second. Beach drive has been the go to bike commute road since before bike lanes were a twinkle in anyone's eye.
The sidewalks on Connecticut are not narrow and do not have bikes on them. You don't seem to know anything about the area in question.

So for me to get from Chevy Chase DC to Van Ness, you want me to take Beach Drive? How is that efficient?

You could take the L2 bus. Or, you could take the E4 bus. Or, you could walk to one of the metro stations that we paid $10 billion to build just a few decades ago.

People who drive can do the same things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live near CT Avenue and am thrilled with the addition of the bike lanes. I think it will be a great transformation of the Avenue and will make it more vibrant.

I continue to be floored by the consistent complaint by people saying "these businesses all will fail because I can't park in front of it". Sounds like you should go move to Gaithersburg or Potomac. Do you forget that you actually live in a city?? There is loads of public transportation, taxis, Uber.... If you can't bike or walk there will be plenty of options for you to get there. That is part of living in a vibrant city. And, may I remind you that many parts of the city have vibrant commercial areas that are patronized by people who do not drive there. Dupont Circle, Georgetown, H Street Corridor. People either drive, park several blocks away after searching for parking or they use another mode of transportation to get there. And its all just fine. Those businesses are fine. So please, your miniscule business will be replaced by much, much more business. This is going to be a great commercial improvement for these businesses.

Same here. I live along CT Avenue and am pro-bike lanes. One reason I don't bike to work is that there's no way around biking down CT and I don't feel safe because there's no dedicated bike lane. I think more people would bike if it were safer. And I think pedestrians would be better off if there was a bike lane, so bikes weren't on the sidewalks, which are often narrow, so it's a win-win. And you already can't park along the street during rush hour, and people already figure out where else to park when they visit CT businesses on the weekends. Lots of people use public transportation in this area or to visit this area. It's really not the end of the world.

I dont believe you for one second. Beach drive has been the go to bike commute road since before bike lanes were a twinkle in anyone's eye.
The sidewalks on Connecticut are not narrow and do not have bikes on them. You don't seem to know anything about the area in question.

So for me to get from Chevy Chase DC to Van Ness, you want me to take Beach Drive? How is that efficient?

You could take the L2 bus. Or, you could take the E4 bus. Or, you could walk to one of the metro stations that we paid $10 billion to build just a few decades ago.

With 20 minute headways, I would rather bike. It doesn't emit pollution and I get exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Study after study of grid-connected cycling tracks and traffic calming suggests that this infrastructure is positive to businesses.

In NYC streets with bike lanes saw 24% higher retail sales growth than those without (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2014-09-03-bicycle-path-data-analysis.pdf).

Salt Lake City experienced a 25% increase in sales tax revenue for areas with lanes vs those without (https://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/10/06/salt-lake-city-cuts-car-parking-adds-bike-lanes-sees-retail-boost/)

But sure, there are no studies.

You’re not doing yourself any favors by comparing central Manhattan to upper NW. There are almost zero single family homes in NYC and very few families as compared to Ward 3. Bike lanes are great if your young, childless, and live in a high rise.

What difference does it make whether a family lives in a single family house versus a high rise? (and guess what, there are SFH in NYC and magnitudes more families in NYC than DC)

That would be the fundental difference between an urban and a suburban area.

Uh, last time I checked, DC was a city and urban. Please explain.

Really?

Yes, DC is a city. We want grown up transportation options, not the one-size-fits-all suburban, auto-centric BS from 1950.

You're the one demanding a one size fits all solution

How so? I am supporting the ability to drive, bike or walk safely.

No, you're not. You're calling for a downtown urban plan for an uptown suburban area that will make driving, biking and walking less safe in the area.

The whole 'reimainging CT Ave" is about safety - bike lanes, pedestrian buffer, more crosswalks etc.

That makes it safer for all modes of transportation. Keeping the status quo is dangerous, as the flipped car last week illustrates.

DC streets are quite safe. Only about 40 people per year die on DC streets, out of probably tens of millions of trips. You're 100 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime, statistics show.

It's strange who the boys in spandex act like 4,000 violent crimes per year is a small number, so small that no one really needs to worry about it, but 40 people dying in traffic accidents is a huge number.

The two people killed at Pathenon are not considered in your stats. See the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Study after study of grid-connected cycling tracks and traffic calming suggests that this infrastructure is positive to businesses.

In NYC streets with bike lanes saw 24% higher retail sales growth than those without (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2014-09-03-bicycle-path-data-analysis.pdf).

Salt Lake City experienced a 25% increase in sales tax revenue for areas with lanes vs those without (https://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/10/06/salt-lake-city-cuts-car-parking-adds-bike-lanes-sees-retail-boost/)

But sure, there are no studies.

You’re not doing yourself any favors by comparing central Manhattan to upper NW. There are almost zero single family homes in NYC and very few families as compared to Ward 3. Bike lanes are great if your young, childless, and live in a high rise.

What difference does it make whether a family lives in a single family house versus a high rise? (and guess what, there are SFH in NYC and magnitudes more families in NYC than DC)

That would be the fundental difference between an urban and a suburban area.

Uh, last time I checked, DC was a city and urban. Please explain.

Really?

Yes, DC is a city. We want grown up transportation options, not the one-size-fits-all suburban, auto-centric BS from 1950.

You're the one demanding a one size fits all solution

How so? I am supporting the ability to drive, bike or walk safely.

No, you're not. You're calling for a downtown urban plan for an uptown suburban area that will make driving, biking and walking less safe in the area.

The whole 'reimainging CT Ave" is about safety - bike lanes, pedestrian buffer, more crosswalks etc.

That makes it safer for all modes of transportation. Keeping the status quo is dangerous, as the flipped car last week illustrates.

DC streets are quite safe. Only about 40 people per year die on DC streets, out of probably tens of millions of trips. You're 100 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime, statistics show.

It's strange who the boys in spandex act like 4,000 violent crimes per year is a small number, so small that no one really needs to worry about it, but 40 people dying in traffic accidents is a huge number.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live near CT Avenue and am thrilled with the addition of the bike lanes. I think it will be a great transformation of the Avenue and will make it more vibrant.

I continue to be floored by the consistent complaint by people saying "these businesses all will fail because I can't park in front of it". Sounds like you should go move to Gaithersburg or Potomac. Do you forget that you actually live in a city?? There is loads of public transportation, taxis, Uber.... If you can't bike or walk there will be plenty of options for you to get there. That is part of living in a vibrant city. And, may I remind you that many parts of the city have vibrant commercial areas that are patronized by people who do not drive there. Dupont Circle, Georgetown, H Street Corridor. People either drive, park several blocks away after searching for parking or they use another mode of transportation to get there. And its all just fine. Those businesses are fine. So please, your miniscule business will be replaced by much, much more business. This is going to be a great commercial improvement for these businesses.

Same here. I live along CT Avenue and am pro-bike lanes. One reason I don't bike to work is that there's no way around biking down CT and I don't feel safe because there's no dedicated bike lane. I think more people would bike if it were safer. And I think pedestrians would be better off if there was a bike lane, so bikes weren't on the sidewalks, which are often narrow, so it's a win-win. And you already can't park along the street during rush hour, and people already figure out where else to park when they visit CT businesses on the weekends. Lots of people use public transportation in this area or to visit this area. It's really not the end of the world.

NP. We live in CCDC close to Connecticut and are also in favor of the bike lanes. And no, we haven’t waded into the discussion on the listserv. My DH and kids will use the new bike lanes to get to work downtown and school in the neighborhood. Anything that slows traffic down and decreases the accidents and near accidents on our stretch of the avenue is a net positive in my opinion.

I dont believe you for one second. Beach drive has been the go to bike commute road since before bike lanes were a twinkle in anyone's eye.
The sidewalks on Connecticut are not narrow and do not have bikes on them. You don't seem to know anything about the area in question.

So for me to get from Chevy Chase DC to Van Ness, you want me to take Beach Drive? How is that efficient?

You could take the L2 bus. Or, you could take the E4 bus. Or, you could walk to one of the metro stations that we paid $10 billion to build just a few decades ago.

[Anonymous]

It's not Amsterdam here - CT Ave is a pretty steep climb for the average non-Tour de France biker type. I think a dedicated streetcar line/lane would have made a lot more sense if the main purpose is to move people up and down the Ave without cars. I think there is a real concern about traffic being diverted to side streets (where there are a ton of kids).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Study after study of grid-connected cycling tracks and traffic calming suggests that this infrastructure is positive to businesses.

In NYC streets with bike lanes saw 24% higher retail sales growth than those without (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2014-09-03-bicycle-path-data-analysis.pdf).

Salt Lake City experienced a 25% increase in sales tax revenue for areas with lanes vs those without (https://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/10/06/salt-lake-city-cuts-car-parking-adds-bike-lanes-sees-retail-boost/)

But sure, there are no studies.

You’re not doing yourself any favors by comparing central Manhattan to upper NW. There are almost zero single family homes in NYC and very few families as compared to Ward 3. Bike lanes are great if your young, childless, and live in a high rise.

What difference does it make whether a family lives in a single family house versus a high rise? (and guess what, there are SFH in NYC and magnitudes more families in NYC than DC)

That would be the fundental difference between an urban and a suburban area.

Uh, last time I checked, DC was a city and urban. Please explain.

Really?

Yes, DC is a city. We want grown up transportation options, not the one-size-fits-all suburban, auto-centric BS from 1950.

You're the one demanding a one size fits all solution

How so? I am supporting the ability to drive, bike or walk safely.

No, you're not. You're calling for a downtown urban plan for an uptown suburban area that will make driving, biking and walking less safe in the area.

The whole 'reimainging CT Ave" is about safety - bike lanes, pedestrian buffer, more crosswalks etc.

That makes it safer for all modes of transportation. Keeping the status quo is dangerous, as the flipped car last week illustrates.

DC streets are quite safe. Only about 40 people per year die on DC streets, out of probably tens of millions of trips. You're 100 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime, statistics show.

It's strange who the boys in spandex act like 4,000 violent crimes per year is a small number, so small that no one really needs to worry about it, but 40 people dying in traffic accidents is a huge number.

The two people killed at Pathenon are not considered in your stats. See the problem?

Uh, they're not included because 40 is from last year. So far this year, only 24 people have died on DC streets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live near CT Avenue and am thrilled with the addition of the bike lanes. I think it will be a great transformation of the Avenue and will make it more vibrant.

I continue to be floored by the consistent complaint by people saying "these businesses all will fail because I can't park in front of it". Sounds like you should go move to Gaithersburg or Potomac. Do you forget that you actually live in a city?? There is loads of public transportation, taxis, Uber.... If you can't bike or walk there will be plenty of options for you to get there. That is part of living in a vibrant city. And, may I remind you that many parts of the city have vibrant commercial areas that are patronized by people who do not drive there. Dupont Circle, Georgetown, H Street Corridor. People either drive, park several blocks away after searching for parking or they use another mode of transportation to get there. And its all just fine. Those businesses are fine. So please, your miniscule business will be replaced by much, much more business. This is going to be a great commercial improvement for these businesses.

Same here. I live along CT Avenue and am pro-bike lanes. One reason I don't bike to work is that there's no way around biking down CT and I don't feel safe because there's no dedicated bike lane. I think more people would bike if it were safer. And I think pedestrians would be better off if there was a bike lane, so bikes weren't on the sidewalks, which are often narrow, so it's a win-win. And you already can't park along the street during rush hour, and people already figure out where else to park when they visit CT businesses on the weekends. Lots of people use public transportation in this area or to visit this area. It's really not the end of the world.

I dont believe you for one second. Beach drive has been the go to bike commute road since before bike lanes were a twinkle in anyone's eye.
The sidewalks on Connecticut are not narrow and do not have bikes on them. You don't seem to know anything about the area in question.

So for me to get from Chevy Chase DC to Van Ness, you want me to take Beach Drive? How is that efficient?

You could take the L2 bus. Or, you could take the E4 bus. Or, you could walk to one of the metro stations that we paid $10 billion to build just a few decades ago.

With 20 minute headways, I would rather bike. It doesn't emit pollution and I get exercise.

Exactly. These bike lanes area anti transit and will lead to the collapse of WMATA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live near CT Avenue and am thrilled with the addition of the bike lanes. I think it will be a great transformation of the Avenue and will make it more vibrant.

I continue to be floored by the consistent complaint by people saying "these businesses all will fail because I can't park in front of it". Sounds like you should go move to Gaithersburg or Potomac. Do you forget that you actually live in a city?? There is loads of public transportation, taxis, Uber.... If you can't bike or walk there will be plenty of options for you to get there. That is part of living in a vibrant city. And, may I remind you that many parts of the city have vibrant commercial areas that are patronized by people who do not drive there. Dupont Circle, Georgetown, H Street Corridor. People either drive, park several blocks away after searching for parking or they use another mode of transportation to get there. And its all just fine. Those businesses are fine. So please, your miniscule business will be replaced by much, much more business. This is going to be a great commercial improvement for these businesses.

Same here. I live along CT Avenue and am pro-bike lanes. One reason I don't bike to work is that there's no way around biking down CT and I don't feel safe because there's no dedicated bike lane. I think more people would bike if it were safer. And I think pedestrians would be better off if there was a bike lane, so bikes weren't on the sidewalks, which are often narrow, so it's a win-win. And you already can't park along the street during rush hour, and people already figure out where else to park when they visit CT businesses on the weekends. Lots of people use public transportation in this area or to visit this area. It's really not the end of the world.

NP. We live in CCDC close to Connecticut and are also in favor of the bike lanes. And no, we haven’t waded into the discussion on the listserv. My DH and kids will use the new bike lanes to get to work downtown and school in the neighborhood. Anything that slows traffic down and decreases the accidents and near accidents on our stretch of the avenue is a net positive in my opinion.

I dont believe you for one second. Beach drive has been the go to bike commute road since before bike lanes were a twinkle in anyone's eye.
The sidewalks on Connecticut are not narrow and do not have bikes on them. You don't seem to know anything about the area in question.

So for me to get from Chevy Chase DC to Van Ness, you want me to take Beach Drive? How is that efficient?

You could take the L2 bus. Or, you could take the E4 bus. Or, you could walk to one of the metro stations that we paid $10 billion to build just a few decades ago.

So could people who drive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not Amsterdam here - CT Ave is a pretty steep climb for the average non-Tour de France biker type. I think a dedicated streetcar line/lane would have made a lot more sense if the main purpose is to move people up and down the Ave without cars. I think there is a real concern about traffic being diverted to side streets (where there are a ton of kids).

Other places have transformed. Many of them have hills too, or do you think only DC has hills?

[Anonymous]

If you live along Conn Ave you are perfectly situated to take metro to work

Just take it, stop driving everywhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not Amsterdam here - CT Ave is a pretty steep climb for the average non-Tour de France biker type. I think a dedicated streetcar line/lane would have made a lot more sense if the main purpose is to move people up and down the Ave without cars. I think there is a real concern about traffic being diverted to side streets (where there are a ton of kids).

Every street has a ton of kids. I agree, they should ALL be safer. Starting with the main drag.

And CT Ave itself is not very steep. In fact, it used to have a streetcar!

That is why it is perfectly suited to have a bike lane.

[Anonymous]

take it from another working mom with small kids that used to live on conn ave. move. that's the only choice. DC is in free fall anyways and is a totally unsafe place to raise children anymore anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you live along Conn Ave you are perfectly situated to take metro to work

Just take it, stop driving everywhere

This isn't about commuting to work. It is about getting from one neighborhood to another. It is about our kids being able to bike safely to school, etc.

Stop thinking about it solely as a "need to get downtown" thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:D.C. started building protected bike lanes in 2009. You'd think that after almost 15 years and spending who knows how many billions of dollars on bike lanes, if bicycling was going to catch on, it would have caught on by now. And yet all these bike lanes are mostly empty. The number of people who actually use them is pathetically small.

People here just aren't into bikes. The only people who use the bike lines are a tiny number of white guys from Ward 3.