Thanks to the bike party organizers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Meantime, the mayor's budget also calls for a 12 percent cut in school funding.

"...school leaders are bracing for 200 fewer full-time-equivalent school-based positions, from classroom teachers to janitors. Most of the losses will be among teachers, and the cuts in some of D.C.'s most underserved neighborhoods will be particularly deep, budget data shows."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/14/dc-school-staff-cuts-bowser-budget-proposal/

Yes and the person you're currently talking with is a teacher (whose job is being cut, incidentally) and a biker. Don't try to pretend that this a struggle between money for schools and bike lanes.

Er, that's how budgets work. Budgets are statements of priorities, and every dollar that goes to one thing can't go to another. I'm sure if they were cutting taxes on rich people while cutting school positions you wouldn't make the *absurd* argument that they have nothing to do with each other.

You're using fake numbers to try and create political wedges. Try and talk with dumber people.

"Fake news!" Donald Trump has entered the chat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Meantime, the mayor's budget also calls for a 12 percent cut in school funding.

"...school leaders are bracing for 200 fewer full-time-equivalent school-based positions, from classroom teachers to janitors. Most of the losses will be among teachers, and the cuts in some of D.C.'s most underserved neighborhoods will be particularly deep, budget data shows."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/14/dc-school-staff-cuts-bowser-budget-proposal/

Yes and the person you're currently talking with is a teacher (whose job is being cut, incidentally) and a biker. Don't try to pretend that this a struggle between money for schools and bike lanes.

Er, that's how budgets work. Budgets are statements of priorities, and every dollar that goes to one thing can't go to another. I'm sure if they were cutting taxes on rich people while cutting school positions you wouldn't make the *absurd* argument that they have nothing to do with each other.

You're using fake numbers to try and create political wedges. Try and talk with dumber people.

"Fake news!" Donald Trump has entered the chat.

Nobody has been able to show that there is an $84m budget line for bike lanes, so yes, I consider that number fake. You're welcome to convince me otherwise I'm open to new information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Let's see the citation for $84 million in bike trails.
The va bridge has already been shown to be a federal expense

It's all in the mayor's budget! It's on her web site. (also that $52 million is coming from DC, not the feds, which is why it's in her budget).

Show, don't tell. You made the claim, stand behind it.

I already did. It's in the FY2025 budget. It's on her web site. You can search it using the word "bicycle" and you'll find that and many, many, many other very dubious projects.

I look forward to you actually sharing proof rather than this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Let's see the citation for $84 million in bike trails.
The va bridge has already been shown to be a federal expense

It's all in the mayor's budget! It's on her web site. (also that $52 million is coming from DC, not the feds, which is why it's in her budget).

Show, don't tell. You made the claim, stand behind it.

I already did. It's in the FY2025 budget. It's on her web site. You can search it using the word "bicycle" and you'll find that and many, many, many other very dubious projects.

I've done exactly what you said and all of the capital improvement projects you mention - save Capital Bikeshare, which generates revenue for the city - serve pedestrians as well as cyclists. As for the Long Bridge Project (https://vapassengerrailauthority.org/longbridgeproject/) you've been railing against, DC seems to be providing all of $350,000 towards this $52 million project that - again - serves pedestrians, cyclists, and almost everyone else that is using a mode of transportation other than a motor vehicle, train, boat, airplane, or helicopter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Let's see the citation for $84 million in bike trails.
The va bridge has already been shown to be a federal expense

It's all in the mayor's budget! It's on her web site. (also that $52 million is coming from DC, not the feds, which is why it's in her budget).

Show, don't tell. You made the claim, stand behind it.

I already did. It's in the FY2025 budget. It's on her web site. You can search it using the word "bicycle" and you'll find that and many, many, many other very dubious projects.

I've done exactly what you said and all of the capital improvement projects you mention - save Capital Bikeshare, which generates revenue for the city - serve pedestrians as well as cyclists. As for the Long Bridge Project (https://vapassengerrailauthority.org/longbridgeproject/) you've been railing against, DC seems to be providing all of $350,000 towards this $52 million project that - again - serves pedestrians, cyclists, and almost everyone else that is using a mode of transportation other than a motor vehicle, train, boat, airplane, or helicopter.

What's sad about the Long Bridge Project is that it looks like it's not going anywhere for the next five years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Let's see the citation for $84 million in bike trails.
The va bridge has already been shown to be a federal expense

It's all in the mayor's budget! It's on her web site. (also that $52 million is coming from DC, not the feds, which is why it's in her budget).

Show, don't tell. You made the claim, stand behind it.

I already did. It's in the FY2025 budget. It's on her web site. You can search it using the word "bicycle" and you'll find that and many, many, many other very dubious projects.

I've done exactly what you said and all of the capital improvement projects you mention - save Capital Bikeshare, which generates revenue for the city - serve pedestrians as well as cyclists. As for the Long Bridge Project (https://vapassengerrailauthority.org/longbridgeproject/) you've been railing against, DC seems to be providing all of $350,000 towards this $52 million project that - again - serves pedestrians, cyclists, and almost everyone else that is using a mode of transportation other than a motor vehicle, train, boat, airplane, or helicopter.

Thanks for doing their HW. I assumed they were just never going to come back after being caught lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this type of driver behavior all.the.time.

But sure, its the bikes that are dangerous

What kind of creep is riding a bike alone on a Saturday night video taping as they cruise past a kids park? Weirdo.

The same people who would drive in a car alone with a dashcam to get from point a to point b

Seeing all those adult male cyclists hanging out at Forest Hills Playground after dark the other night was weird too. These are some strange guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this type of driver behavior all.the.time.

But sure, its the bikes that are dangerous

What kind of creep is riding a bike alone on a Saturday night video taping as they cruise past a kids park? Weirdo.

The same people who would drive in a car alone with a dashcam to get from point a to point b

Seeing all those adult male cyclists hanging out at Forest Hills Playground after dark the other night was weird too. These are some strange guys.

Well, I think I can understand why you might find it weird for a group of people to converse and have a good time after dark. It’s sad that you apparently don’t have much experience with such activity, but you are always welcome to breach your insecurities and join in next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this type of driver behavior all.the.time.

But sure, its the bikes that are dangerous

What kind of creep is riding a bike alone on a Saturday night video taping as they cruise past a kids park? Weirdo.

The same people who would drive in a car alone with a dashcam to get from point a to point b

Seeing all those adult male cyclists hanging out at Forest Hills Playground after dark the other night was weird too. These are some strange guys.

Was Nanny O’Briens closed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Meantime, the mayor's budget also calls for a 12 percent cut in school funding.

"...school leaders are bracing for 200 fewer full-time-equivalent school-based positions, from classroom teachers to janitors. Most of the losses will be among teachers, and the cuts in some of D.C.'s most underserved neighborhoods will be particularly deep, budget data shows."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/14/dc-school-staff-cuts-bowser-budget-proposal/

There's also a sales tax increase in 2026 if $300 million in additional cuts aren't found.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Meantime, the mayor's budget also calls for a 12 percent cut in school funding.

"...school leaders are bracing for 200 fewer full-time-equivalent school-based positions, from classroom teachers to janitors. Most of the losses will be among teachers, and the cuts in some of D.C.'s most underserved neighborhoods will be particularly deep, budget data shows."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/14/dc-school-staff-cuts-bowser-budget-proposal/

There's also a sales tax increase in 2026 if $300 million in additional cuts aren't found.

CFO capitlulated, so this isn't happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have more than 150 miles of bike lanes. Seems like more than enough given how few people ride bikes.

We’ve built an entirely new transportation system, costing billions of dollars, for a tiny number of white guys who think they’re too good for the bus

Political power is getting a city with a 20 percent poverty rate, that’s cutting positions in schools because of budget constraints, to spend billions of dollars on your hobby

A sampling of what's in the mayor's new budget:

$84 million for bike trails
$56 million for Vision Zero
$52 million for bike bridge to Virginia
$32 million for bike safety
$11.5 million for bike bridge to Anacostia
$10 million for Capital Bikeshare

Meantime, the mayor's budget also calls for a 12 percent cut in school funding.

"...school leaders are bracing for 200 fewer full-time-equivalent school-based positions, from classroom teachers to janitors. Most of the losses will be among teachers, and the cuts in some of D.C.'s most underserved neighborhoods will be particularly deep, budget data shows."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/14/dc-school-staff-cuts-bowser-budget-proposal/

There's also a sales tax increase in 2026 if $300 million in additional cuts aren't found.

CFO capitlulated, so this isn't happening.

Are we still going to be in a deficit and therefore at risk for a tax hike?

Honestly, there's a lot of small group giveaways and seemingly wasteful spending in there. It's funny, you can tell who she is giving spoils to. But bicycles do seem to be overrepresented.

I'd much prefer that we pare back on all the giveaways and that we build back our buffer instead. We shoud wait and see how the CRE and election issues play out because there's a major risk of a tax implosion and a generalized federal assault on our local government. Consolidation not expansion should be the theme of 2025.

[Anonymous]

I would like to pose an honest question to those finding fault with the cyclist here and/or who generally oppose bike lanes. Which of the following behaviors do you find least objectionable:

1. A cyclist rides down the middle of the lane to avoid getting “doored” but impedes faster moving vehicular traffic.

2. A cyclist rides to the right of the lane as is possible in order to allow traffic to pass but runs the risk of serious injury if a driver opens a door in their path.

3. A cyclist rides to the right of the lane and pulls into open parking spaces to allow traffic to pass more easily but runs the risk of serious injury or even death when rejoining the lane to get around the next parked car.

4. A cyclist rides on the sidewalk to limit their risk but endangers pedestrians in the process.

5. A cyclist advocates for a protected bike lane so that they can limit the risks to themselves and others while not impeding traffic.

6. A cyclist gives up cycling and instead uses a vehicle for all their transportation needs, further congesting the roadways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to pose an honest question to those finding fault with the cyclist here and/or who generally oppose bike lanes. Which of the following behaviors do you find least objectionable:

1. A cyclist rides down the middle of the lane to avoid getting “doored” but impedes faster moving vehicular traffic.

2. A cyclist rides to the right of the lane as is possible in order to allow traffic to pass but runs the risk of serious injury if a driver opens a door in their path.

3. A cyclist rides to the right of the lane and pulls into open parking spaces to allow traffic to pass more easily but runs the risk of serious injury or even death when rejoining the lane to get around the next parked car.

4. A cyclist rides on the sidewalk to limit their risk but endangers pedestrians in the process.

5. A cyclist advocates for a protected bike lane so that they can limit the risks to themselves and others while not impeding traffic.

6. A cyclist gives up cycling and instead uses a vehicle for all their transportation needs, further congesting the roadways.

The obvious choice is #7. The cyclist gives up their childish toy and gets a car like a real member of society, rather than making everyone else suffer for their silly hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to pose an honest question to those finding fault with the cyclist here and/or who generally oppose bike lanes. Which of the following behaviors do you find least objectionable:

1. A cyclist rides down the middle of the lane to avoid getting “doored” but impedes faster moving vehicular traffic.

2. A cyclist rides to the right of the lane as is possible in order to allow traffic to pass but runs the risk of serious injury if a driver opens a door in their path.

3. A cyclist rides to the right of the lane and pulls into open parking spaces to allow traffic to pass more easily but runs the risk of serious injury or even death when rejoining the lane to get around the next parked car.

4. A cyclist rides on the sidewalk to limit their risk but endangers pedestrians in the process.

5. A cyclist advocates for a protected bike lane so that they can limit the risks to themselves and others while not impeding traffic.

6. A cyclist gives up cycling and instead uses a vehicle for all their transportation needs, further congesting the roadways.

This is insane. Your options are follow the law or don’t follow the law. That’s it.