The Bike Lobby is too powerful in DC...

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
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Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s over. The project isn’t happening. The businesses are against it. The police are against it. Thousands of neighbors are against it. The mayor gets it now.


*Thousands of MD residents who enjoy speeding on Conn Ave without any repercussions are against it.

FIFY


After the news of last night, maybe we should start listening to the business owners? Pretty please.


If anything, it negates the need for cars to have priority to get downtown. Maybe the city should be focused on strengthening the neighborhoods and the people who live and work in them, particularly those working from home who want to run quick errands during the day by bike.


Here’s some advice: if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

Bike lanes have become the symbol of progressive policies run amok.


Maybe you should get outside more. This is a certifiably insane thing to say.


I hate that transit/safety is seen as a culture wars issue. So incredibly toxic. Can we please not? I know at least one uber-conservative pundit in this area who is very much in favor of traffic safety since he has a ton of kids and realizes that family life sucks if your kids can’t be safely independent and play outside. It’s truly not partisan.


I think the issue is more than people think bike lanes are a giant waste of transportation resources. All this real estate reserved for a vanishingly small share of the population reeks of special interest politics.


It's not that much space and not that much money. And the whole point is to help encourage more people to use non-car modes of transportation. People who already use their bikes to get around are currently riding in the street in unprotected lanes all over the place (including on Connecticut Avenue). The special interest being catered to here is the people who would ride if the infrastructure was better.


The only people who give a fkc about protected bike lanes are people who already bike.


And people who would like to bike, but don't feel safe right now. And people who would like it to be safe for people to bike. And people who would like it to be safe for kids to bike. And people who use scooters, or other mobility devices. And, gee, actually, that's adding up to a lot of people.


If DC like Paris had a referendum to ban the scooters and similar devices, it likely would pass. They are a menace to pedestrians, bikes, other road users and even our city street trees and planter boxes. Enough already.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s over. The project isn’t happening. The businesses are against it. The police are against it. Thousands of neighbors are against it. The mayor gets it now.


*Thousands of MD residents who enjoy speeding on Conn Ave without any repercussions are against it.

FIFY


After the news of last night, maybe we should start listening to the business owners? Pretty please.


If anything, it negates the need for cars to have priority to get downtown. Maybe the city should be focused on strengthening the neighborhoods and the people who live and work in them, particularly those working from home who want to run quick errands during the day by bike.


Here’s some advice: if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

Bike lanes have become the symbol of progressive policies run amok.


Maybe you should get outside more. This is a certifiably insane thing to say.


I hate that transit/safety is seen as a culture wars issue. So incredibly toxic. Can we please not? I know at least one uber-conservative pundit in this area who is very much in favor of traffic safety since he has a ton of kids and realizes that family life sucks if your kids can’t be safely independent and play outside. It’s truly not partisan.


I think the issue is more than people think bike lanes are a giant waste of transportation resources. All this real estate reserved for a vanishingly small share of the population reeks of special interest politics.


It's not that much space and not that much money. And the whole point is to help encourage more people to use non-car modes of transportation. People who already use their bikes to get around are currently riding in the street in unprotected lanes all over the place (including on Connecticut Avenue). The special interest being catered to here is the people who would ride if the infrastructure was better.


The only people who give a fkc about protected bike lanes are people who already bike.


And people who would like to bike, but don't feel safe right now. And people who would like it to be safe for people to bike. And people who would like it to be safe for kids to bike. And people who use scooters, or other mobility devices. And, gee, actually, that's adding up to a lot of people.


This is like saying everyone really wants to skateboard to work, and the only reason they don't is because we don't have protected skateboarding lanes.


The reason so few people bike in D.C. is because we don't have climate controlled bike lanes. People don't want to get too sweaty and they don't want to be cold either. If we had bike lanes that were air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter, you'd see not just more people on bikes but people using scooters and other mobility devices. And, gee, actually, that would add up to a lot of people.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.


Just stop, please. Biking is politically neutral. Safe streets are neutral. Public transport is neutral.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


One would think the CEO of a commercial real estate management company would have better things to do than to rage on the mommy forum, but alas, I guess Mr. Dougherty has nothing better to do since many govt workers enjoy working remotely and interest rates are elevated.

Sir, "bike lanes" did not destroy the city. That is laughable. There was a pandemic. It shocked the system. It woke people up to the fact that suffering 60 to 80 minutes in soul crushing traffic crammed on 395 and I-66 listening to a chorus of horns two times a day really, really sucked and that if they could work in their pajama bottoms while little Timmy played soccer in the back yard from their home three days a week, life would be much better.

Your business model is dated. It died with the Coronavirus. Time for you to get creative and figure something else out.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


One would think the CEO of a commercial real estate management company would have better things to do than to rage on the mommy forum, but alas, I guess Mr. Dougherty has nothing better to do since many govt workers enjoy working remotely and interest rates are elevated.

Sir, "bike lanes" did not destroy the city. That is laughable. There was a pandemic. It shocked the system. It woke people up to the fact that suffering 60 to 80 minutes in soul crushing traffic crammed on 395 and I-66 listening to a chorus of horns two times a day really, really sucked and that if they could work in their pajama bottoms while little Timmy played soccer in the back yard from their home three days a week, life would be much better.

Your business model is dated. It died with the Coronavirus. Time for you to get creative and figure something else out.


Bike lanes are the primary cause of soul crushing traffic.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


One would think the CEO of a commercial real estate management company would have better things to do than to rage on the mommy forum, but alas, I guess Mr. Dougherty has nothing better to do since many govt workers enjoy working remotely and interest rates are elevated.

Sir, "bike lanes" did not destroy the city. That is laughable. There was a pandemic. It shocked the system. It woke people up to the fact that suffering 60 to 80 minutes in soul crushing traffic crammed on 395 and I-66 listening to a chorus of horns two times a day really, really sucked and that if they could work in their pajama bottoms while little Timmy played soccer in the back yard from their home three days a week, life would be much better.

Your business model is dated. It died with the Coronavirus. Time for you to get creative and figure something else out.


Bike lanes are the primary cause of soul crushing traffic.


Yea, all those pesky bike lanes on 495, I-66, 395, Georgia freaking Avenue. Causing all those problems.

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


One would think the CEO of a commercial real estate management company would have better things to do than to rage on the mommy forum, but alas, I guess Mr. Dougherty has nothing better to do since many govt workers enjoy working remotely and interest rates are elevated.

Sir, "bike lanes" did not destroy the city. That is laughable. There was a pandemic. It shocked the system. It woke people up to the fact that suffering 60 to 80 minutes in soul crushing traffic crammed on 395 and I-66 listening to a chorus of horns two times a day really, really sucked and that if they could work in their pajama bottoms while little Timmy played soccer in the back yard from their home three days a week, life would be much better.

Your business model is dated. It died with the Coronavirus. Time for you to get creative and figure something else out.


Bike lanes are the primary cause of soul crushing traffic.


Yea, all those pesky bike lanes on 495, I-66, 395, Georgia freaking Avenue. Causing all those problems.



Exactly. The traffic starts when you arrive at the DC roads with bike lanes. Appreciate you pointing that out
Anonymous
boohoohoo I lost my sports teams! Me so sad! Eat it DC. Virginia: "look at me, I am the city now"
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.


Just stop, please. Biking is politically neutral. Safe streets are neutral. Public transport is neutral.


It is neutral and there is nothing wrong or partisan with opposing this vision of intentional congestion.

There is nothing wrong with wanting traffic on the main roads and not the side streets. We like that our kids are bicycling up and down the sides streets and want to keep them free of spillover traffic.

There is nothing wrong about wanting to be part of a region and not just a village. The DMV is a fantastic region and one of the most diverse racially, ethnically, and culturally in the country but it's spread around. It's ok to want to get around without a big hassle.

There is nothing wrong with being concerned for the local businesses that have been around for decades and don't have a parking lot. Just as we want to go to other parts of the city and region we also want them to come to ours. Our businesses need a variety of customers.

That's the distinction.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.


Most of the time these races aren't even contested, or they're a choice between multiple candidates who all basically agree on everything, so I really don't see how you're blaming people like me (who have never voted for Bowser but does want bike lanes) for every policy you dislike.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


One would think the CEO of a commercial real estate management company would have better things to do than to rage on the mommy forum, but alas, I guess Mr. Dougherty has nothing better to do since many govt workers enjoy working remotely and interest rates are elevated.

Sir, "bike lanes" did not destroy the city. That is laughable. There was a pandemic. It shocked the system. It woke people up to the fact that suffering 60 to 80 minutes in soul crushing traffic crammed on 395 and I-66 listening to a chorus of horns two times a day really, really sucked and that if they could work in their pajama bottoms while little Timmy played soccer in the back yard from their home three days a week, life would be much better.

Your business model is dated. It died with the Coronavirus. Time for you to get creative and figure something else out.


Bike lanes are the primary cause of soul crushing traffic.


Yea, all those pesky bike lanes on 495, I-66, 395, Georgia freaking Avenue. Causing all those problems.



Exactly. The traffic starts when you arrive at the DC roads with bike lanes. Appreciate you pointing that out


LOL. We've got a real one here, folks. Dougherty, this is how you spend your evening trying to ignore the giant blood red on your CRE portfolio summary?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.


Just stop, please. Biking is politically neutral. Safe streets are neutral. Public transport is neutral.


It is neutral and there is nothing wrong or partisan with opposing this vision of intentional congestion.

There is nothing wrong with wanting traffic on the main roads and not the side streets. We like that our kids are bicycling up and down the sides streets and want to keep them free of spillover traffic.

There is nothing wrong about wanting to be part of a region and not just a village. The DMV is a fantastic region and one of the most diverse racially, ethnically, and culturally in the country but it's spread around. It's ok to want to get around without a big hassle.

There is nothing wrong with being concerned for the local businesses that have been around for decades and don't have a parking lot. Just as we want to go to other parts of the city and region we also want them to come to ours. Our businesses need a variety of customers.

That's the distinction.


why is driving fast in your car the only definition of “getting around without a hassle”? It’s a city - there will be traffic even if there were zero bikes. And it’s impossible to build parking lots everywhere. I won’t even get into the main roads/side streets thing since you won’t be interested in the facts.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.


Just stop, please. Biking is politically neutral. Safe streets are neutral. Public transport is neutral.


It is neutral and there is nothing wrong or partisan with opposing this vision of intentional congestion.

There is nothing wrong with wanting traffic on the main roads and not the side streets. We like that our kids are bicycling up and down the sides streets and want to keep them free of spillover traffic.

There is nothing wrong about wanting to be part of a region and not just a village. The DMV is a fantastic region and one of the most diverse racially, ethnically, and culturally in the country but it's spread around. It's ok to want to get around without a big hassle.

There is nothing wrong with being concerned for the local businesses that have been around for decades and don't have a parking lot. Just as we want to go to other parts of the city and region we also want them to come to ours. Our businesses need a variety of customers.

That's the distinction.


100%
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If bike lanes weren't dead already, they're gone with the wind now - or at least gone with the Wizards and the Caps. People have finally had it up to here with all of Bowser's bad agenda: not just bike lanes that create traffic jams, out of control crime that has spread to formerly safe neighborhoods; allowing the police department to become hollowed out; a misguided voucher program that works only to enrich glorified slumlords while spreading the aforesaid crime around; truancy and further declining DC public schools (if that's possible); selling out the DC government to real estate developers; poor quality appointed officials; and "urban vibrancy" that has become code for a declining quality of life in many areas. The list goes on.


If anything, the reduced demand for going downtown undermines the downtown business lobby's arguments.


Your policies destroy the city and now you want a prize?


The bike lanes are not the reason the Wizards and Caps are leaving, and just because Bowser supports the bike lanes doesn't mean everyone else who does supports Bowser.


The people who support the bike lanes are the reason the Caps are leaving. Because those same people keep electing pro crime and anti business elected officials.


Just stop, please. Biking is politically neutral. Safe streets are neutral. Public transport is neutral.


It is neutral and there is nothing wrong or partisan with opposing this vision of intentional congestion.

There is nothing wrong with wanting traffic on the main roads and not the side streets. We like that our kids are bicycling up and down the sides streets and want to keep them free of spillover traffic.

There is nothing wrong about wanting to be part of a region and not just a village. The DMV is a fantastic region and one of the most diverse racially, ethnically, and culturally in the country but it's spread around. It's ok to want to get around without a big hassle.

There is nothing wrong with being concerned for the local businesses that have been around for decades and don't have a parking lot. Just as we want to go to other parts of the city and region we also want them to come to ours. Our businesses need a variety of customers.

That's the distinction.


why is driving fast in your car the only definition of “getting around without a hassle”? It’s a city - there will be traffic even if there were zero bikes. And it’s impossible to build parking lots everywhere. I won’t even get into the main roads/side streets thing since you won’t be interested in the facts.



Yeah I don't understand the main roads vs side streets in response to driving without hassle...when I drive in this city (which is rare bc biking is so much more pleasant), the hassle comes from the fact there is tons of traffic on all streets. Main and side.

We're on like the fourth spin off bike lane ct ave thread and nobody has been able to share a real study or piece of data about how adding bike lanes makes driving harder. They just think less space for cars means more traffic, despite so many studies being shared that disproves that theory.
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