Too crowded. DMV governors and mayors: please dedicate streets to walkers and bikers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Hey cray cray. Go back and salt other threads with your drivers VS bicyclists arguments. Good for you. This thread is about pedestrians and bicyclists being able to use streets to socially distance and then bicyclists and joggers apparently believing this means they can disregard pedestrians. Keep your DCUM topics and rants distinct

No. You go find a different hobby than hating on people who ride bikes. This is not a drivers vs bicyclists argument, this is a people shouldn't kill people argument. When you're out walking in the street because there's not enough room on the sidewalk, it's not people on bikes who are the danger, and it's not people out jogging who are the danger. It's people driving machines that go fast and weigh 2 tons or more.

Hmmm...The cars are not nearly running me over. They have their windows closed for the most part. It is the cyclists who keep nearly running me over, whether I am on the sidewalk or in the street and they are rarely wearing masks. So yes it is the cyclists and joggers concerning me. Thank you. I have to say, most drivers have been pretty understanding and wave an acknowledgment unlike the cyclists who stare with a death stare that intones that they would like to run me over.

Funny thing is, I am not anti cyclist. I just think it is funny how now that the pedestrians need some more room, cyclists seem to be showing their true colors.

That's terrific. I'm glad. The drivers are running other people over, though. Over 6,000 pedestrians are killed over year - by drivers. If you, as a pedestrian, are more worried about people riding bikes than people driving cars, I really don't know what to say. Other than that you're the exception. "I would walk there, but I'm too worried that a person on a bike will hit me" is something I have never, ever, ever, heard anybody say.

Can you not separate what is happening now from a general attitude of bicycle safety. Dude. I think everybody here agrees with you. We are simply drawing a distinction from 'normal' and now. Now we would like cyclists to look out as much for us as they would like cars to look out for them every day of the year. That is all. This is not some sort of mutually exclusive affair. We can have both cyclist safety and pedestrian safety. Can't we?

Don't tell me that. Tell the PP at 7:55. The one who posted, "Yes. The biker who thought he could ride down the middle of western ave a few days ago at 25 miles an hour and owns the road just like the cars he’s sharing it with. EXCEPT he thinks he can use the road just like a car until there’s a stop sign. He went flying through every stop sign. Deserves to get in an accident. If he thinks he’s a car and wants to use the car lane he needs to behave like a car."

Incidentally, the speed limit on Western Ave is 25 mph. What percentage of drivers go 25 mph or less on Western Ave?

I agree with you. And incidentally I don't believe that anybody DESERVES to get in an accident. I think that people just think in very 'short' term windows. The bicyclist never believes that his running a red light on a major intersection will put him in danger, or he would not do it. The driver, never believes that turning right in a right turn lane will swipe the cyclist passing on the right. People using short term thinking and taking the easy way out. It is hard to stay 'on' 100% of the time. That is why professional drivers and pilots have time limits and need to keep logs. Unfortunately for us non professional drivers, there really is nothing ensuring that we are not taking driving shortcuts.

I have zero issues with creating more safe cycling infrastructure. It is probably a good idea. Spend our tax money on it as it is for the common good.

However, at zero cost right now. Without any new laws. Just from common courtesy, can we give pedestrians a break cyclists and joggers?

[Anonymous]

My family and I have been doing the daily COVID walk thing. And yes, for all of you anti walkers, we have picked up our pace. We used to walk in the neighborhood, four times a week or so and now we are daily at least. So yes, we are adding to the 'pedestrian traffic'

But a few observations that we have made on our walks We have 'ranked' the things that scare us the most on our walks:

1. LAX Dude: Teenage boy with LAX stick carrying his helmet on his shoulder with earpods in. Walks head down straight forward does not see anything or anybody. Just in his world and is genuinely surprised and apologetic when he runs you over. It is not that he does not care, it just does not occur to him to care. Scariest because you cannot make eye contact or wave at him despite the fact you have seen him approaching for two blocks.

2. Dog Walker: Adult, walking a dog, sometimes leashed, often times not. Again, they care, they just care about their dog so much more than they care about your perception of the impending encounter. They also take up at leas the entire sidewalk width, so there is really no passing them 'socially responsibly'. Scary because you can see them working on their excuse for defending their dog, rather than simply moving.

3. Cyclists: Adult still earning a living during COVID sponsoring 'Discovery Channel' or whatever other advertising they are wearing, oh and wearing earpods. (They are getting paid right?) Cyclist are so used to being on the defensive from cars that they simply cannot wrap their heads around the fact that now they pose a threat to somebody out there. They are scary because as they approach you, they are not looking for a way to drive into the street or ride on the grass, but are totally concentrating on coming up with a reason for why they are going to run you over. "a car got too close to me a mile ago, there is not enough bike infrastructure protecting me from cars, therefor I can run you over, because there is not enough infrastructure." If they took just ten percent of their mental energy they could see that they are best equipped to eliminate a scary 'passing' situation.

4. Joggers: Jogger with earpods in, head on a swivel looking out for 'cars'. Unfortunately joggers have been so conditioned to look out for cars that they simply don't recognize the fact that pedestrians are scared of them right now. Why should pedestrians be scared? "I am just staying in shape. Look at me." is what they are thinking. This should be an easy one. The Jogger still has the pedestrians mobility so they should be able to run to the side or jump into the street, but the earpods prevent thinking, so most of the time they simply barrel through, wet and sweaty with the slightest look of disdain that their iwatch time will be slower than yesterday because you they ran you over.

5. Amazon delivery drivers, Door Dash, Grub Hub, Post men/people/ladies (all with earpods in): They have a package under one arm, some sort of data entry device in the other hand and are deeply engrossed in some sort of phone call through their earpods. Scary, just because they are taking the shortest distance to the porch and will not see you until they look up from their device. When they do, they are typically polite and mean very well. They are just in a hurry.

6. Pedestrians: There is a group of clueless or maybe militant or maybe a combination of both pedestrians (predominately wearing earpods) who believe that because they are on the bottom of the F=ma pyramid they are completely absolved from paying attention. They resist any sort of rational organization to adopt such control measures as walking on a particular side of the street. (Pedestrians can walk anywhere they want at all times is their rallying cry!) Scary because as you approach them you can see them look at the street and realize that they are on the 'wrong' side, but then they dig their heels in. So you cross with your family now causing a 'wrong' side situation with the poor family approaching ahead.

7. People pushing strollers: I only add this in here to point out that these people are walking terrified. I just see them and try and give them a pass. I'll jump out into traffic, jump in front of a cyclist, or even tackle a LAX dude when I see the stroller people because they just seem to be walking in a nightmare. As soon as they see somebody else, they are covering the baby up with a blanket, pushing the stroller into the azaleas and then placing their bodies between the baby and your potential spittle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family and I have been doing the daily COVID walk thing. And yes, for all of you anti walkers, we have picked up our pace. We used to walk in the neighborhood, four times a week or so and now we are daily at least. So yes, we are adding to the 'pedestrian traffic'

But a few observations that we have made on our walks We have 'ranked' the things that scare us the most on our walks:

1. LAX Dude: Teenage boy with LAX stick carrying his helmet on his shoulder with earpods in. Walks head down straight forward does not see anything or anybody. Just in his world and is genuinely surprised and apologetic when he runs you over. It is not that he does not care, it just does not occur to him to care. Scariest because you cannot make eye contact or wave at him despite the fact you have seen him approaching for two blocks.

2. Dog Walker: Adult, walking a dog, sometimes leashed, often times not. Again, they care, they just care about their dog so much more than they care about your perception of the impending encounter. They also take up at leas the entire sidewalk width, so there is really no passing them 'socially responsibly'. Scary because you can see them working on their excuse for defending their dog, rather than simply moving.

3. Cyclists: Adult still earning a living during COVID sponsoring 'Discovery Channel' or whatever other advertising they are wearing, oh and wearing earpods. (They are getting paid right?) Cyclist are so used to being on the defensive from cars that they simply cannot wrap their heads around the fact that now they pose a threat to somebody out there. They are scary because as they approach you, they are not looking for a way to drive into the street or ride on the grass, but are totally concentrating on coming up with a reason for why they are going to run you over. "a car got too close to me a mile ago, there is not enough bike infrastructure protecting me from cars, therefor I can run you over, because there is not enough infrastructure." If they took just ten percent of their mental energy they could see that they are best equipped to eliminate a scary 'passing' situation.

4. Joggers: Jogger with earpods in, head on a swivel looking out for 'cars'. Unfortunately joggers have been so conditioned to look out for cars that they simply don't recognize the fact that pedestrians are scared of them right now. Why should pedestrians be scared? "I am just staying in shape. Look at me." is what they are thinking. This should be an easy one. The Jogger still has the pedestrians mobility so they should be able to run to the side or jump into the street, but the earpods prevent thinking, so most of the time they simply barrel through, wet and sweaty with the slightest look of disdain that their iwatch time will be slower than yesterday because you they ran you over.

5. Amazon delivery drivers, Door Dash, Grub Hub, Post men/people/ladies (all with earpods in): They have a package under one arm, some sort of data entry device in the other hand and are deeply engrossed in some sort of phone call through their earpods. Scary, just because they are taking the shortest distance to the porch and will not see you until they look up from their device. When they do, they are typically polite and mean very well. They are just in a hurry.

6. Pedestrians: There is a group of clueless or maybe militant or maybe a combination of both pedestrians (predominately wearing earpods) who believe that because they are on the bottom of the F=ma pyramid they are completely absolved from paying attention. They resist any sort of rational organization to adopt such control measures as walking on a particular side of the street. (Pedestrians can walk anywhere they want at all times is their rallying cry!) Scary because as you approach them you can see them look at the street and realize that they are on the 'wrong' side, but then they dig their heels in. So you cross with your family now causing a 'wrong' side situation with the poor family approaching ahead.

7. People pushing strollers: I only add this in here to point out that these people are walking terrified. I just see them and try and give them a pass. I'll jump out into traffic, jump in front of a cyclist, or even tackle a LAX dude when I see the stroller people because they just seem to be walking in a nightmare. As soon as they see somebody else, they are covering the baby up with a blanket, pushing the stroller into the azaleas and then placing their bodies between the baby and your potential spittle.

+1000. Love this!

You forgot 8. Families with kids: Often on bikes, scooters, or other means of conveyance -- who fail to rein themselves in and spill out over the whole sidewalk. the parents are completely oblivious to the fact that you -- as a single passer-by -- are now forced to step entirely into the street and are not able to simply "walk the curb tightrope" next to the street to maintain a six-foot distance. Of course, they pass you with a benevolent smile as if to say: "Aren't we so cute, all of us walking around in the middle of the weekday when our kids would typically be in school, with our uncontrolled, rambunctious special snowflake kids." A special kind of privilege.

[Anonymous]

As a parent who walks with my 2 elementary age kids daily, we are regularly forced into the road and/or bike lane due to a solo female millennial (all different people BTW) pedestrian who is absolutely clueless about how wide 6 feet is. And this is on a part of a sidewalk that has a wide grassy area as well.

[Anonymous]

You know what would be really great? If DC would open streets for people who are walking and biking, so that people wouldn't have to try to keep 6 feet apart on a 5-foot-wide sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know what would be really great? If DC would open streets for people who are walking and biking, so that people wouldn't have to try to keep 6 feet apart on a 5-foot-wide sidewalk.

Walking through upper NW neighborhoods, I am not worried about cars. Most of the MD traffic has not returned yet. It is slowly coming back but even they are waving. No my number one concern is militant bicyclists and the occasional runner.

But I had to laugh at the 'LAX Dude' description because I see them every day. Where are they going? Sidwell, St. Albans, GDS. They are like Borg or something on autopilot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what would be really great? If DC would open streets for people who are walking and biking, so that people wouldn't have to try to keep 6 feet apart on a 5-foot-wide sidewalk.

Walking through upper NW neighborhoods, I am not worried about cars. Most of the MD traffic has not returned yet. It is slowly coming back but even they are waving. No my number one concern is militant bicyclists and the occasional runner.

But I had to laugh at the 'LAX Dude' description because I see them every day. Where are they going? Sidwell, St. Albans, GDS. They are like Borg or something on autopilot.

It's nice that you live in a neighborhood where people can walk without having to worry that a driver will hit them.

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/05/07/do-i-have-to-wear-a-mask-while-jogging-the-coronavirus-ethicist-has-the-answer/

Do I Have to Wear a Mask While Jogging?

The Coronavirus Ethicist Has the Answer.

"If you find wearing a mask while running insufferable, then you’ll have to find a safe time or a safe place to run."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what would be really great? If DC would open streets for people who are walking and biking, so that people wouldn't have to try to keep 6 feet apart on a 5-foot-wide sidewalk.

Walking through upper NW neighborhoods, I am not worried about cars. Most of the MD traffic has not returned yet. It is slowly coming back but even they are waving. No my number one concern is militant bicyclists and the occasional runner.

But I had to laugh at the 'LAX Dude' description because I see them every day. Where are they going? Sidwell, St. Albans, GDS. They are like Borg or something on autopilot.

It's nice that you live in a neighborhood where people can walk without having to worry that a driver will hit them.

If you're not blindly walking down a busy street where cars drive your worry should lessen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

7. People pushing strollers: I only add this in here to point out that these people are walking terrified. I just see them and try and give them a pass. I'll jump out into traffic, jump in front of a cyclist, or even tackle a LAX dude when I see the stroller people because they just seem to be walking in a nightmare. As soon as they see somebody else, they are covering the baby up with a blanket, pushing the stroller into the azaleas and then placing their bodies between the baby and your potential spittle.

We are terrified. And we are really, really grateful when you step aside so we don't have to push the stroller into oncoming traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what would be really great? If DC would open streets for people who are walking and biking, so that people wouldn't have to try to keep 6 feet apart on a 5-foot-wide sidewalk.

Walking through upper NW neighborhoods, I am not worried about cars. Most of the MD traffic has not returned yet. It is slowly coming back but even they are waving. No my number one concern is militant bicyclists and the occasional runner.

But I had to laugh at the 'LAX Dude' description because I see them every day. Where are they going? Sidwell, St. Albans, GDS. They are like Borg or something on autopilot.

It's nice that you live in a neighborhood where people can walk without having to worry that a driver will hit them.

If you're not blindly walking down a busy street where cars drive your worry should lessen.

As with so many other things, access to streets you feel comfortable and safe walking in is a function of income. Affluent people are more likely to get it. Poor people? Sorry, you shoulda had more money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When everyone’s working from home, there are too many people on city sidewalks to achieve proper 6 foot spacing.

We need to dedicate streets to walkers and bikers, and close them to cars. Traffic is way down already.

Bowser and the DC council could do this right now.

Dedicate some streets to walkers, runners, and bikers.
Promote social distancing.

Truly, this is a most ridiculous request! Thanks for the laugh, OP!

Seattle did this temporarily and now they are considering some permanent changes. Which generally is considered a well-run, better practice city? Seattle or Deecee?

[Anonymous]

Seattle’s healthy streets plan to close designated streets to most vehicles during the current crisis has been so successful that the progressive city plans to designate 20 miles of streets permanently. People are encouraged to skate, walk, jog, bike and roll down the closed streets. Only vehicular traffic from delivery drivers, first responders, sanitation crews and residents are allowed access.

Washington, DC needs to do something like this!

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/seattle-streets-closed-stay-healthy-trnd/index.html

[Anonymous]

So we are now going to take cars off the roads built for cars (and shared with peds and bikers) but the cars can't drive on the sidewalk or trails. Am I getting this right? How many people driving in a car are spreading a virus as opposed to how many people walking, biking and jogging in close proximity?? What about people who work and don't want to use public transportation right now for obvious reasons? This is so silly. Beach Dr in CC is closed all weekend and I have no problem with this. Yesterday (Thursday) I had to swerve around two women and a dog literally walking in the street and was almost hit by an oncoming car. Let's apply a little common sense here. Sharing the road doesn't mean closing the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we are now going to take cars off the roads built for cars (and shared with peds and bikers) but the cars can't drive on the sidewalk or trails. Am I getting this right? How many people driving in a car are spreading a virus as opposed to how many people walking, biking and jogging in close proximity?? What about people who work and don't want to use public transportation right now for obvious reasons? This is so silly. Beach Dr in CC is closed all weekend and I have no problem with this. Yesterday (Thursday) I had to swerve around two women and a dog literally walking in the street and was almost hit by an oncoming car. Let's apply a little common sense here. Sharing the road doesn't mean closing the road.

Many vehicles would still be allowed just not through traffic. This is likely to apply just to streets classified as “local” and not collectors or arterial streets. And by definition (under the federal functional road classification which most jurisdictions follow) local streets are not appropriate for through traffic.