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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why the snark is so strong on this post. NYC has already closed some (not all, SOME) roads to cars, so that people can get fresh air without being on top of each other. It’s a good idea. There’s far less traffic these days than usual.

You're right, PP. I live near AU. Given the dramatic reduction in car traffic, why not close the residential side streets. It wouldn't be that difficult to stick to to Mass, Van Ness, Nebraska, etc. when driving. (Unless, of course, you park on those residential side streets cause you live there.)

I love this completely one-sided argument. Why is a lack of traffic an argument for expanding bike lanes? Is the reverse also true? Is the fact that hardly anyone even uses our bike lanes (even before coronavirus) an argument for expanding access for cars?

Because crowded sidewalks are a bad idea, especially when there are empty roads for people to use.

[Anonymous]

Well you got what you wanted. Maryland has issued a shelter-in-place rule commencing at 8 p.m.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well you got what you wanted. Maryland has issued a shelter-in-place rule commencing at 8 p.m.

Actually a stay-at-home* order.

Not sure how that's relevant to this thread, though.

*applicable exceptions apply

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why the snark is so strong on this post. NYC has already closed some (not all, SOME) roads to cars, so that people can get fresh air without being on top of each other. It’s a good idea. There’s far less traffic these days than usual.

This is a good idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why the snark is so strong on this post. NYC has already closed some (not all, SOME) roads to cars, so that people can get fresh air without being on top of each other. It’s a good idea. There’s far less traffic these days than usual.

This is a good idea

Close 15th NW to cars

[Anonymous]

I am not sure why Rock Creek Park is not closed to cars. It is regularly closed during the summer months on Sundays. I see no reason why it should not be closed now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure why Rock Creek Park is not closed to cars. It is regularly closed during the summer months on Sundays. I see no reason why it should not be closed now.

No, it isn't. Beach Drive north of Broad Branch is closed to cars on weekends year-round, but Rock Creek Parkway is not.

Bowser said she's not going to close roads to cars because she thinks it would encourage people to leave their houses and ignore proper social distancing procedures. People need to be staying home right now, not congregating on closed roads.

[Anonymous]

I disagree. People act so entitled about “their” streets but streets belong to the driving public. It’s annoying to have people walking in the streets when essential personnel are driving to work or trying to dash to the supermarket. The other day I had to slow almost to a crawl to dodge joggers and walkers on one of the approach streets to Cathedral Commons in NW DC. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

This is an extremely stupid idea. This will just encourage people to go outside -- because hey it's a party in the streets! - and completely ignore social distancing. Bowser was right to reject this hare brained idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. People act so entitled about “their” streets but streets belong to the driving public. It’s annoying to have people walking in the streets when essential personnel are driving to work or trying to dash to the supermarket. The other day I had to slow almost to a crawl to dodge joggers and walkers on one of the approach streets to Cathedral Commons in NW DC. Sheesh.

The street with like 10 speed bumps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But aren't we safer in an enclosed car driving than walking or biking? I'm not sure how this would help to flatten the curve. In fact it might encourage more people to be out and about.

Bingo. Far safer in a car. Not even an argument can be made that it’s not. None. Zero. Nada.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. People act so entitled about “their” streets but streets belong to the driving public. It’s annoying to have people walking in the streets when essential personnel are driving to work or trying to dash to the supermarket. The other day I had to slow almost to a crawl to dodge joggers and walkers on one of the approach streets to Cathedral Commons in NW DC. Sheesh.

No doubt you were headed to the Giant to intubate someone rather than buy groceries? Right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But aren't we safer in an enclosed car driving than walking or biking? I'm not sure how this would help to flatten the curve. In fact it might encourage more people to be out and about.

Bingo. Far safer in a car. Not even an argument can be made that it’s not. None. Zero. Nada.

Right - and of course once you get to the grocery store you drive your car right through the store right and never have to get out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an extremely stupid idea. This will just encourage people to go outside -- because hey it's a party in the streets! - and completely ignore social distancing. Bowser was right to reject this hare brained idea.

Exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But aren't we safer in an enclosed car driving than walking or biking? I'm not sure how this would help to flatten the curve. In fact it might encourage more people to be out and about.

Bingo. Far safer in a car. Not even an argument can be made that it’s not. None. Zero. Nada.

Right - and of course once you get to the grocery store you drive your car right through the store right and never have to get out?

It’s about minimizing your exposure.

You are exposed for a much smaller amount of time driving to the store than walking to it.



But you already knew that.