All these new bike lanes that the city put in downturn during the pandemic are dumb

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about this report?

https://www.brookings.edu/research/census-2020-data-release/

"Washington, DC’s high growth rate could be emblematic of other cities

One area—not a state—which did well growth-wise in the last decade is Washington, D.C. The District registered an 14.6% growth rate from 2010 to 2020, far surpassing its 5.2% growth from 2000 to 2010, which had followed population losses in each of the previous five decades (Download Table B). Like other major cities, Washington, D.C. benefitted from early-decade gains as young-adult millennials flocked to cities due to stagnating post-Great Recession housing and labor markets in suburbs and smaller-sized places.

While it is true that early-decade gains in the District and other cities shrank as suburban growth picked up, those early growth levels propped up total decade growth for most cities. When the 2020 census results are released for other cities later this year, it is likely that many of them will show improved growth for 2010 to 2020 compared with the previous decade, following Washington, D.C.’s pattern."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you talking about this report?

https://www.brookings.edu/research/census-2020-data-release/

"Washington, DC’s high growth rate could be emblematic of other cities

One area—not a state—which did well growth-wise in the last decade is Washington, D.C. The District registered an 14.6% growth rate from 2010 to 2020, far surpassing its 5.2% growth from 2000 to 2010, which had followed population losses in each of the previous five decades (Download Table B). Like other major cities, Washington, D.C. benefitted from early-decade gains as young-adult millennials flocked to cities due to stagnating post-Great Recession housing and labor markets in suburbs and smaller-sized places.

While it is true that early-decade gains in the District and other cities shrank as suburban growth picked up, those early growth levels propped up total decade growth for most cities. When the 2020 census results are released for other cities later this year, it is likely that many of them will show improved growth for 2010 to 2020 compared with the previous decade, following Washington, D.C.’s pattern."

Uh, DC is shrinking. The only reason the growth rate was high between 2010 and 2020 is because growth was really high between 2010 and 2015 or so. That growth has been decelerating ever since and the most recent census estimate has us now losing residents. And the census numbers likely understate how much DC is shrinking because if you look at the number of people filing permanent change of address forms with the post office, it is off the charts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you talking about this report?

https://www.brookings.edu/research/census-2020-data-release/

"Washington, DC’s high growth rate could be emblematic of other cities

One area—not a state—which did well growth-wise in the last decade is Washington, D.C. The District registered an 14.6% growth rate from 2010 to 2020, far surpassing its 5.2% growth from 2000 to 2010, which had followed population losses in each of the previous five decades (Download Table B). Like other major cities, Washington, D.C. benefitted from early-decade gains as young-adult millennials flocked to cities due to stagnating post-Great Recession housing and labor markets in suburbs and smaller-sized places.

While it is true that early-decade gains in the District and other cities shrank as suburban growth picked up, those early growth levels propped up total decade growth for most cities. When the 2020 census results are released for other cities later this year, it is likely that many of them will show improved growth for 2010 to 2020 compared with the previous decade, following Washington, D.C.’s pattern."

LOL. Yes and enjoy.

I guarantee that in less than a decade all of this stuff will be ripped up for lack of use and for the DC government to promote itself as “business friendly”.

I’m personally not a big fan of driving but at least I can recognize how important cars are to the economy.

Once electric cars become more common, the suburbs will have a clear structural advantage due to availability of garages.

You might not like it, but that’s denial for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you talking about this report?

https://www.brookings.edu/research/census-2020-data-release/

"Washington, DC’s high growth rate could be emblematic of other cities

One area—not a state—which did well growth-wise in the last decade is Washington, D.C. The District registered an 14.6% growth rate from 2010 to 2020, far surpassing its 5.2% growth from 2000 to 2010, which had followed population losses in each of the previous five decades (Download Table B). Like other major cities, Washington, D.C. benefitted from early-decade gains as young-adult millennials flocked to cities due to stagnating post-Great Recession housing and labor markets in suburbs and smaller-sized places.

While it is true that early-decade gains in the District and other cities shrank as suburban growth picked up, those early growth levels propped up total decade growth for most cities. When the 2020 census results are released for other cities later this year, it is likely that many of them will show improved growth for 2010 to 2020 compared with the previous decade, following Washington, D.C.’s pattern."

Uh, DC is shrinking. The only reason the growth rate was high between 2010 and 2020 is because growth was really high between 2010 and 2015 or so. That growth has been decelerating ever since and the most recent census estimate has us now losing residents. And the census numbers likely understate how much DC is shrinking because if you look at the number of people filing permanent change of address forms with the post office, it is off the charts.

It’s not shrinking but also not growing as fast as it once was either. The reason the estimates were off was because they projected a linear trend in growth when it actually stagnated. Covid has accelerated that. The city spent the last decade building huge apartments to accommodate all of these newcomers. Big problem now is that no one wants to live in them anymore. Hence the fight over density in Ward 3.

In any case, it’s important to note that the growth only came due to the urban migration of this millennial cohort who were also within an age (20s-30s) where biking could be considered a viable option. As they age, the number who will continue biking will inevitably shrink and the use case for all of this wasted spending will disappear.

[Anonymous]

I am very happy about the bike lanes. It will improve my commute downtown immeasurably.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the weirdest thing about all these bike lanes is...barely...anyone...in...dc...even...rides....bikes....

Yup. On a traveler per space utilization metric, when you count the number of cyclists using the bike lanes it is clear that even cars without any passengers aside from the driver are more efficient on a space bass.

Sure "theoretically" you can fit more bikes into the same space as one car. But that is not what actually happens in practice.

Riding a bike is extremely unappealing to most people.

Not true. Look at Holland. If safe infrastructure is there, people will ride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Uh, DC is shrinking. The only reason the growth rate was high between 2010 and 2020 is because growth was really high between 2010 and 2015 or so. That growth has been decelerating ever since and the most recent census estimate has us now losing residents. And the census numbers likely understate how much DC is shrinking because if you look at the number of people filing permanent change of address forms with the post office, it is off the charts.

It’s not shrinking but also not growing as fast as it once was either. The reason the estimates were off was because they projected a linear trend in growth when it actually stagnated. Covid has accelerated that. The city spent the last decade building huge apartments to accommodate all of these newcomers. Big problem now is that no one wants to live in them anymore. Hence the fight over density in Ward 3.

In any case, it’s important to note that the growth only came due to the urban migration of this millennial cohort who were also within an age (20s-30s) where biking could be considered a viable option. As they age, the number who will continue biking will inevitably shrink and the use case for all of this wasted spending will disappear.

Yogi Berra is posting on DCUM from the grave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the weirdest thing about all these bike lanes is...barely...anyone...in...dc...even...rides....bikes....

Yup. On a traveler per space utilization metric, when you count the number of cyclists using the bike lanes it is clear that even cars without any passengers aside from the driver are more efficient on a space bass.

Sure "theoretically" you can fit more bikes into the same space as one car. But that is not what actually happens in practice.

Riding a bike is extremely unappealing to most people.

Not true. Look at Holland. If safe infrastructure is there, people will ride.

There are maybe 60 days per year that the weather is perfect for biking to work. Who wants to bike to work in July in DC? Or when it is freezing in January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the weirdest thing about all these bike lanes is...barely...anyone...in...dc...even...rides....bikes....

Yup. On a traveler per space utilization metric, when you count the number of cyclists using the bike lanes it is clear that even cars without any passengers aside from the driver are more efficient on a space bass.

Sure "theoretically" you can fit more bikes into the same space as one car. But that is not what actually happens in practice.

Riding a bike is extremely unappealing to most people.

Not true. Look at Holland. If safe infrastructure is there, people will ride.

There are maybe 60 days per year that the weather is perfect for biking to work. Who wants to bike to work in July in DC? Or when it is freezing in January.

Lots of people, as it turns out - if there are safe and convenient routes to do so.

Also, why only biking to work? There are plenty of other trips a person can make by bike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My favorite places I've ever lived (all abroad) had bike lanes everywhere. So civilized.

Awesome. That’s great for you, your choices and preferences.

Yes, for the millions who live in bike friendly cities and take advantage of them, thank goodness for that choice for the preference to ride a bike everywhere! Without bike lanes it wouldn't have been as easy.

I hope you're not implying that DC residents are too lazy or unsophisticated to want a bikeable city like the many wonderful bikeable cities around the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My favorite places I've ever lived (all abroad) had bike lanes everywhere. So civilized.

Awesome. That’s great for you, your choices and preferences.

Yes, for the millions who live in bike friendly cities and take advantage of them, thank goodness for that choice for the preference to ride a bike everywhere! Without bike lanes it wouldn't have been as easy.

I hope you're not implying that DC residents are too lazy or unsophisticated to want a bikeable city like the many wonderful bikeable cities around the world.

I understand why you promote this belief. Part of it is the evangelism. But a big part of it is the policy justification that the government is not spending all of this money just on you and a small group of hobbyists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My favorite places I've ever lived (all abroad) had bike lanes everywhere. So civilized.

Awesome. That’s great for you, your choices and preferences.

Yes, for the millions who live in bike friendly cities and take advantage of them, thank goodness for that choice for the preference to ride a bike everywhere! Without bike lanes it wouldn't have been as easy.

I hope you're not implying that DC residents are too lazy or unsophisticated to want a bikeable city like the many wonderful bikeable cities around the world.

I understand why you promote this belief. Part of it is the evangelism. But a big part of it is the policy justification that the government is not spending all of this money just on you and a small group of hobbyists.

Is going from Point A to Point B by car a hobby? Is going from Point A to Point B on foot a hobby? Is going from Point A to Point B by bus a hobby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My favorite places I've ever lived (all abroad) had bike lanes everywhere. So civilized.

Awesome. That’s great for you, your choices and preferences.

Yes, for the millions who live in bike friendly cities and take advantage of them, thank goodness for that choice for the preference to ride a bike everywhere! Without bike lanes it wouldn't have been as easy.

I hope you're not implying that DC residents are too lazy or unsophisticated to want a bikeable city like the many wonderful bikeable cities around the world.

I understand why you promote this belief. Part of it is the evangelism. But a big part of it is the policy justification that the government is not spending all of this money just on you and a small group of hobbyists.

The people who you're talking about as hobbyists -- dudes in Lycra on expensive bikes -- don't ride in bike lanes, and they mostly don't ride on downtown streets, lest a pothole break their $2,000 carbon-fiber forks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The people who you're talking about as hobbyists -- dudes in Lycra on expensive bikes -- don't ride in bike lanes, and they mostly don't ride on downtown streets, lest a pothole break their $2,000 carbon-fiber forks.

Plus this obsession with Lycra is decades out of date. Lycra is just spandex, and what doesn't have spandex in it, these days?

[Anonymous]

I love biking to work and really appreciate the bike lanes ... Just bought a close-in place so I can bike to work every day. Glad they are putting in more bike lanes to make DC such a bike-friendly city.