Ridership data demonstrate massive growth in bicycle use in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

Many of these bike lane projects do not remove traffic lanes but rather parking. The removal of parking improves traffic flow and so reduces congestion.

As is discussed in the WaPo article, the removal of traffic lanes to create protected bike lanes is the feature, not the bug. The city has massive problems with speeding and other crazy driving on four lane roads.

Installing a bike lane just happens to be the cheapest way to remove lanes.

We are well aware that the goal is to increase congestion. Many of us think that that is a certifiable policy goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

expanding regional rail would help too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

It's important to understand the concept of "do no harm". Purposefully making something worse today because you think things will potentially be worse tomorrow is exceedingly poor judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

It's important to understand the concept of "do no harm". Purposefully making something worse today because you think things will potentially be worse tomorrow is exceedingly poor judgement.

Nope. It's extremely good judgment.

Also, reducing vehicular trips is, in many respects, making things better. With less trips comes lower emissions, fewer accidents and traffic deaths, a less noisy city, and many other good things.

While you may like to drive without encumbrance at all times across DC, but your doing so creates negative externalities for everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

Many of these bike lane projects do not remove traffic lanes but rather parking. The removal of parking improves traffic flow and so reduces congestion.

As is discussed in the WaPo article, the removal of traffic lanes to create protected bike lanes is the feature, not the bug. The city has massive problems with speeding and other crazy driving on four lane roads.

Installing a bike lane just happens to be the cheapest way to remove lanes.

We are well aware that the goal is to increase congestion. Many of us think that that is a certifiable policy goal.

The goal is to reduce high-speed crashes, injuries, and deaths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

It's important to understand the concept of "do no harm". Purposefully making something worse today because you think things will potentially be worse tomorrow is exceedingly poor judgement.

what is “worse”? you people claim things like dedicated bus lanes on Georgia Ave are “worse” (despite the fact that 50% of trips there are on bus). “worse” means “any change at all” to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

It's important to understand the concept of "do no harm". Purposefully making something worse today because you think things will potentially be worse tomorrow is exceedingly poor judgement.

Sure, but all these things you disapprove are actually not making things worse, they're making things better. Which is great judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

expanding regional rail would help too.

This is something that is often overlooked, but is a very important point. The region is rich in rails, but poor in services. As someone who lives in DC, I would love to be able to take the train out to Harpers Ferry for the day.

[Anonymous]

I'm from Paris, which has terrible congestion problems for a first world country.

Generations of mayors have removed traffic lanes in favor of bus lanes and bike racks, and now the current one has banned cars from the center of the city.

While all this reduces noise and traffic pollution, which is important for a city that's built in a hollow (when clouds come in and sit on the area, it's like a lid that traps pollution in the city), it significantly hampers the mobility of people who cannot easily use car alternatives.

People like my elderly parents, or parents with multiple small kids, who cannot easily navigate the non-accessible metro (no elevators on most of the lines), and cannot walk far. Thankfully the bus system is pretty good, so there's that.

My father used to drive to his favorite shops in the city center all the time, and pay the exorbitant price of parking in the fancy garages. Now he never does that anymore, because he doesn't feel as comfortable in public transport, and in his mind it's extravagant to take taxis everywhere. It's just more of a hassle to go anywhere.

But I acknowledge that for "most" people, the evolution of cities is a long-term heath benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

It's important to understand the concept of "do no harm". Purposefully making something worse today because you think things will potentially be worse tomorrow is exceedingly poor judgement.

Sure, but all these things you disapprove are actually not making things worse, they're making things better. Which is great judgment.

You're the one that keeps saying things are worse than they were pre-pandemic. That's literally your main argument. I agree with you though. Things are much worse. We should look at why things have gotten worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

expanding regional rail would help too.

This is something that is often overlooked, but is a very important point. The region is rich in rails, but poor in services. As someone who lives in DC, I would love to be able to take the train out to Harpers Ferry for the day.

This is almost too perfect a caricature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

expanding regional rail would help too.

This is something that is often overlooked, but is a very important point. The region is rich in rails, but poor in services. As someone who lives in DC, I would love to be able to take the train out to Harpers Ferry for the day.

This is almost too perfect a caricature.

It’s too perfect a dream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a great write up of the bike use records:

https://ggwash.org/view/97337/bikeshare-beat-for-the-fifth-straight-month-cabi-breaks-ridership-record

Awesome stuff. Biking is becoming more and more popular in DC!

Yes, who knew that combining motors and wheels would be such a popular combination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An scientific study shows that bike sharing in DC has actually reduced congestion: https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01452

This is an interesting counterpoint to those who claim that bike lanes have the opposite effect.

Except the physical changes increase congestion, which is what they are designed to do, by over 20% so it's still a large net negative.

Where are you getting 20% from? They certainly aren't allocating 20% of road space to bike lanes.

That's an underestimate. Almost all of the bike lane projects involve taking away a general traffc lane. This study, which was a whopping 3%, is not only statistically insignificant but also has a disengenuous headline. That 3% reduction is not in comparison to the beforehand configuration but rather the new configuration. The new configuration is what increases congestion significantly.

It's also important to understand that the only ways of durably reducing congestion is: (1) depopulation; or (2)make more efficient means of transportation more attractive.

DC is not going to build any new roads or widen existing ones. If the DC economy and/or population grow, increased congestion is inevitable. This is essentially an iron law of traffic.

The only way that we can avoid congestion, therefore, is to encourage drivers to adopt public transport and/or micro-mobility (bikes, e-scooters, walking etc.). This is what the city is doing by adding bus lanes and bike lanes.

You may not plan to live in DC for longer than a few years. In which case, such considerations may not matter to you. But those of us who plan to be here longer can see the wisdom in what the city is doing.

expanding regional rail would help too.

This is something that is often overlooked, but is a very important point. The region is rich in rails, but poor in services. As someone who lives in DC, I would love to be able to take the train out to Harpers Ferry for the day.

This is almost too perfect a caricature.

What's so weird about a day trip to Harpers Ferry by train? There already is a train that runs between DC and Harpers Ferry. Unfortunately, it doesn't run on weekends. It's the same situation with day trips to Frederick by train. And, while we're thinking regionally, train connections to Annapolis and to Ocean City.