What would it ACTUALLY take for you to consider biking or taking the bus, in lieu of motoring?

[Anonymous]

I'm in the minority here, but I love DC buses. I live in southern Columbia Heights between the U street and Columbia Heights metros and there are many bus options. So many up and down 14th street, up and down ~11th up to Ft. Totten, the crosstown H buses. I could go on. What makes it great is that there are so many options, so while the H2 may only come every 20 minutes the H4 also takes me just about where I need to go and they both stop a few blocks from my house. I take the bus to work every day because the 8 minute walk to the stop is a nice way to start and end my work day and because the bus ride takes the same amount of time as driving.

I love the buses because they work for me. Most people in the suburbs do not have the density of options that I do. That's what is needed - more buses that come frequently and reliably. Same for the metro, though that's much harder to do.

I don't ride a bike so no informed opinions there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a new trend in public discourse to artfully couch an opinion as fact.
I don't agree with your premise in the bolded--see how easy that is?

OP here. The difference between you and me is that I have data to back up my assertions that autos present (increasing) safety issues to other users of public space, namely pedestrians and bicyclists:
https://www.mwcog.org/newsroom/2022/04/26/increase-in-pedestrian-bicyclist-deaths-prompts-action-across-dc-region/#:~:text=Mirroring%20national%20trends%2C%20the%20region's,in%20the%20region%20in%202021.

See how easy that is?

yes it is true that auto are bigger and faster than peds and bicylist but that doesn't mean that auto activity needs to decrease--one could argue that peds and bikes should stay out of roads that cars use.

One could. But it would be a foolish argument. People need to be able to cross the road without getting in a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a new trend in public discourse to artfully couch an opinion as fact.
I don't agree with your premise in the bolded--see how easy that is?

OP here. The difference between you and me is that I have data to back up my assertions that autos present (increasing) safety issues to other users of public space, namely pedestrians and bicyclists:
https://www.mwcog.org/newsroom/2022/04/26/increase-in-pedestrian-bicyclist-deaths-prompts-action-across-dc-region/#:~:text=Mirroring%20national%20trends%2C%20the%20region's,in%20the%20region%20in%202021.

See how easy that is?

yes it is true that auto are bigger and faster than peds and bicylist but that doesn't mean that auto activity needs to decrease--one could argue that peds and bikes should stay out of roads that cars use.

This is PP, to add, so just because you think really really reallly strongly about something or really really really want it to happen doesn't mean that it is a fact. Artful, clever use of words isn't effective at changing minds. Look at this thread for example, you are trying so hard, but have not changed anyone's opinion.

+1 this

[Anonymous]

++1

[Anonymous]

I would LOVE to take the bus to work, and theoretically, there is one that would work reasonably well. However, 1) it only runs in the AM and PM - so if I need to leave work early I am SOL. and 2) it only comes every 24 minutes, aka sometimes it takes up to an hour to wait for the bus in real life. A bus that runs every 5-7 minutes would make me switch.
So I drive.
I like the metro better but do not live near one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a new trend in public discourse to artfully couch an opinion as fact.
I don't agree with your premise in the bolded--see how easy that is?

OP here. The difference between you and me is that I have data to back up my assertions that autos present (increasing) safety issues to other users of public space, namely pedestrians and bicyclists:
https://www.mwcog.org/newsroom/2022/04/26/increase-in-pedestrian-bicyclist-deaths-prompts-action-across-dc-region/#:~:text=Mirroring%20national%20trends%2C%20the%20region's,in%20the%20region%20in%202021.

See how easy that is?

yes it is true that auto are bigger and faster than peds and bicylist but that doesn't mean that auto activity needs to decrease--one could argue that peds and bikes should stay out of roads that cars use.

One could. But it would be a foolish argument. People need to be able to cross the road without getting in a car.

not every road in existence; some roads peds and bikes should not be on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a new trend in public discourse to artfully couch an opinion as fact.
I don't agree with your premise in the bolded--see how easy that is?

OP here. The difference between you and me is that I have data to back up my assertions that autos present (increasing) safety issues to other users of public space, namely pedestrians and bicyclists:
https://www.mwcog.org/newsroom/2022/04/26/increase-in-pedestrian-bicyclist-deaths-prompts-action-across-dc-region/#:~:text=Mirroring%20national%20trends%2C%20the%20region's,in%20the%20region%20in%202021.

See how easy that is?

yes it is true that auto are bigger and faster than peds and bicylist but that doesn't mean that auto activity needs to decrease--one could argue that peds and bikes should stay out of roads that cars use.

One could. But it would be a foolish argument. People need to be able to cross the road without getting in a car.

not every road in existence; some roads peds and bikes should not be on.

Agreed. Namely: roads in the interstate highway system (not including the interchanges, because people have to be able to cross those too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biking works well for people who don't have to pick up and drop off kids, don't have to carry a lot of stuff, can roll into work looking like they just biked there and have that be professionally acceptable, live relatively close to work, don't have to do grocery shopping for a family after work, have place to safely store their bike at home and at work, have a safe route to work (bike lanes alone don't do it, unless they go door to door), and who know how to ride and bike and feel comfortable and are physically able to do so.

Biking doesn't work for me for the vast majority of these reasons. But I will admit; I am physically fit and could ride a bike, especially if I practiced, but it seems hella dangerous and sweaty and unpleasant to me. I'd rather live a mile from work and walk, which I'd do happily when it's over 30 and under 85 degrees.

There are people who do pickup/dropoff, carry stuff on a bike, look professionally acceptable, and grocery shop on a bike. So it's definitely possible to do all of those things on a bike. Especially on an e-bike! I think the most important things are a safe route and secure bike storage.

Just this week I had to pick up my kid after school at 5:30 PM in NWDC and get them to an appointment at 6:00 PM in Kensington. So no, it’s not possible. Thanks for the advice though.

[Anonymous]

NP. I couldn’t help but notice that the PPP disputed your environmental claims and you posted a link about traffic fatalities. Doesn’t look like you’re backing anything up with data. Instead you are obscuring and obfuscating. I feel sad for you that you feel the need to go through so much effort to lie anonymously online like this. You’re here posting 24-7 about bicycles and lying about it to boot. So weird.

What a truly bizarre response. Are you really going to contest that walking and cycling are less environmentally damaging than driving? Off the top of my head cars are environmentally damaging in the following ways:

Air pollution: Cars emit harmful pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can contribute to smog, acid rain, and respiratory problems for humans and animals.

Climate change: Cars are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. The main greenhouse gas emitted by cars is carbon dioxide, which is produced when fossil fuels are burned to power the vehicle.

Water pollution: Cars can also contribute to water pollution when oil, gasoline, and other fluids leak from the vehicle and enter waterways. In addition, rainwater runoff from roads can carry pollutants into streams, rivers, and other bodies of water.

Habitat destruction: Roads and highways can fragment natural habitats and disrupt wildlife migration patterns. In addition, the noise and air pollution caused by cars can disturb and harm wildlife.

Resource depletion: The production and disposal of cars require significant amounts of natural resources, including raw materials, energy, and water. As the global demand for cars increases, the strain on these resources will only continue to grow.

Overall, the environmental damage caused by cars is significant and widespread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

NP. I couldn’t help but notice that the PPP disputed your environmental claims and you posted a link about traffic fatalities. Doesn’t look like you’re backing anything up with data. Instead you are obscuring and obfuscating. I feel sad for you that you feel the need to go through so much effort to lie anonymously online like this. You’re here posting 24-7 about bicycles and lying about it to boot. So weird.

What a truly bizarre response. Are you really going to contest that walking and cycling are less environmentally damaging than driving? Off the top of my head cars are environmentally damaging in the following ways:

Air pollution: Cars emit harmful pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can contribute to smog, acid rain, and respiratory problems for humans and animals.

Climate change: Cars are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. The main greenhouse gas emitted by cars is carbon dioxide, which is produced when fossil fuels are burned to power the vehicle.

Water pollution: Cars can also contribute to water pollution when oil, gasoline, and other fluids leak from the vehicle and enter waterways. In addition, rainwater runoff from roads can carry pollutants into streams, rivers, and other bodies of water.

Habitat destruction: Roads and highways can fragment natural habitats and disrupt wildlife migration patterns. In addition, the noise and air pollution caused by cars can disturb and harm wildlife.

Resource depletion: The production and disposal of cars require significant amounts of natural resources, including raw materials, energy, and water. As the global demand for cars increases, the strain on these resources will only continue to grow.

Overall, the environmental damage caused by cars is significant and widespread.

I drive an electric car. You should take a break because this is an unhealthy obsession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would bike more if there wasn't an expectation in my office of not being a sweaty mess.

Workplace access to showers would solve this challenge.

And increased security to ensure nothing happened to people in the showers/locker rooms. Many people shower at home after working out at gyms due to safety concerns. Not all but plenty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Biking works well for people who don't have to pick up and drop off kids, don't have to carry a lot of stuff, can roll into work looking like they just biked there and have that be professionally acceptable, live relatively close to work, don't have to do grocery shopping for a family after work, have place to safely store their bike at home and at work, have a safe route to work (bike lanes alone don't do it, unless they go door to door), and who know how to ride and bike and feel comfortable and are physically able to do so.

Biking doesn't work for me for the vast majority of these reasons. But I will admit; I am physically fit and could ride a bike, especially if I practiced, but it seems hella dangerous and sweaty and unpleasant to me. I'd rather live a mile from work and walk, which I'd do happily when it's over 30 and under 85 degrees.

There are people who do pickup/dropoff, carry stuff on a bike, look professionally acceptable, and grocery shop on a bike. So it's definitely possible to do all of those things on a bike. Especially on an e-bike! I think the most important things are a safe route and secure bike storage.

Just this week I had to pick up my kid after school at 5:30 PM in NWDC and get them to an appointment at 6:00 PM in Kensington. So no, it’s not possible. Thanks for the advice though.

How late were you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I drive an electric car. You should take a break because this is an unhealthy obsession.

Electric cars solve one of the problems with cars, namely: tailpipe emissions. But that's the only one.

[Anonymous]

Not having children. Before kids we rented an apartment in Cleveland Park (no yard, no home maintenance) and walked or took the Metro almost everywhere. What else did we have to do besides eat brunch and workout? Nothing!
I lived for years without a car in Cleveland and Chicago as well.

I live in a fairly walkable area. I can walk to the post office, library, bank, hair salon, dentist, a few restaurants, and a small grocery store that has basics like milk and eggs.

It is not practical to use the bus to shop at Target or to pick up a week of groceries for a family of 4. My kids have activities and I work full time. My office and my home are both a block from Wilson Blvd in Arlington and are less than 3 miles apart. I could take the bus except my kids need to be places at specific times and I don’t have time to wait for the bus and then walk from the bus stop to their school. Even if a bus came every 7 minutes, it only takes me 6 minutes to drive from my office to their school.

I can use my car to carpool in my fuel efficient car and plan my errands to batch them up and shop as close and local as possible - OR I could use the bus and Metro and buy everything from Amazon. I am pretty sure having shampoo shipped to my doorstep in a cardboard box is more wasteful than a shared trip to Costco with my neighbor every 3 months.

Public transit is not always automatically better.

[Anonymous]

You’d need to fundamentally change expectations around womens fashion and hairstyling such that I could be considered professional with very short hair and flexible clothes. Not to mention substantially change the infrastructure of roads between my house and my work. Oh and nice clean, private showers with hot water at work. Good luck.