The Bike Lobby is too powerful in DC...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the kids on the main roads? Do "we" not care about them? Are they not "our kids"?

Why would you want kids playing in the main roads?

Because they live there. Why would you want main roads that are too dangerous for kids?

This is like saying we should make it safer for 10 year olds to shoot handguns.

No, we shouldn't. I mean, I'm sure there's lots of things we could do to make shooting guns safer and I'm sure there's lots of 10 year olds in this country who shoot guns all the time. But the correct answer is we should tell 10 year olds to stay the hell away from handguns because it's incredibly dangerous.

Ditto kids riding bikes on busy streets. This is a major city. Kids don't belong on bikes anywhere near main roads. If you want to do that or if you want to be able to throw a football in the middle of the street or chase fireflies even if they cross into busy roads, move elsewhere back to Indiana. City living ain't for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the kids on the main roads? Do "we" not care about them? Are they not "our kids"?

Why would you want kids playing in the main roads?

Because they live there. Why would you want main roads that are too dangerous for kids?

This is like saying we should make it safer for 10 year olds to shoot handguns.

No, we shouldn't. I mean, I'm sure there's lots of things we could do to make shooting guns safer and I'm sure there's lots of 10 year olds in this country who shoot guns all the time. But the correct answer is we should tell 10 year olds to stay the hell away from handguns because it's incredibly dangerous.

Ditto kids riding bikes on busy streets. This is a major city. Kids don't belong on bikes anywhere near main roads. If you want to do that or if you want to be able to throw a football in the middle of the street or chase fireflies even if they cross into busy roads, move elsewhere back to Indiana. City living ain't for you.

Wow.

Alternatively: Kids live in DC. DC roads should be safe for kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

100%

This is the “plan.” This is intentional. These folks hate your kids, your single family home and private car ownership. Every little change is an attempt to get you to move. Drip, drip drip….

What are you talking about? I live in a single-family home with my kids and own two cars. And I bike downtown and back on Connecticut Avenue at least once a week and would love to be able to do it in a protected bike lane instead of in traffic. I don’t hate anyone’s kids or their homes or their cars, you just can’t believe anyone might not want things to be exactly the way you do.

Then move downtown and live the life you say you want. Leave the rest of us alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

100%

This is the “plan.” This is intentional. These folks hate your kids, your single family home and private car ownership. Every little change is an attempt to get you to move. Drip, drip drip….

What are you talking about? I live in a single-family home with my kids and own two cars. And I bike downtown and back on Connecticut Avenue at least once a week and would love to be able to do it in a protected bike lane instead of in traffic. I don’t hate anyone’s kids or their homes or their cars, you just can’t believe anyone might not want things to be exactly the way you do.

Then move downtown and live the life you say you want. Leave the rest of us alone.

That's harsh. I'm sure that poster is being quite honest. They're not pushing congestion in the name of safety. They're not demanding that driving and parking become punishing as a means to an end. They just want a bike lane for their occassional use and are agnostic about where it is. They'd like a bike lane as an amenity just like others might want a dog park.

There's nothing wrong with that. They're not the problem and they're likely embarrassed by the things some of their more out there ostensible allies push.

[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: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%

This is the “plan.” This is intentional. These folks hate your kids, your single family home and private car ownership. Every little change is an attempt to get you to move. Drip, drip drip….

What are you talking about? I live in a single-family home with my kids and own two cars. And I bike downtown and back on Connecticut Avenue at least once a week and would love to be able to do it in a protected bike lane instead of in traffic. I don’t hate anyone’s kids or their homes or their cars, you just can’t believe anyone might not want things to be exactly the way you do.

Then move downtown and live the life you say you want. Leave the rest of us alone.

That's harsh. I'm sure that poster is being quite honest. They're not pushing congestion in the name of safety. They're not demanding that driving and parking become punishing as a means to an end. They just want a bike lane for their occassional use and are agnostic about where it is. They'd like a bike lane as an amenity just like others might want a dog park.

There's nothing wrong with that. They're not the problem and they're likely embarrassed by the things some of their more out there ostensible allies push.

That poster was actually very specific about where they want the bike lane for their regular transportation use: on Connecticut Avenue.

[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:

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%

This is the “plan.” This is intentional. These folks hate your kids, your single family home and private car ownership. Every little change is an attempt to get you to move. Drip, drip drip….

What are you talking about? I live in a single-family home with my kids and own two cars. And I bike downtown and back on Connecticut Avenue at least once a week and would love to be able to do it in a protected bike lane instead of in traffic. I don’t hate anyone’s kids or their homes or their cars, you just can’t believe anyone might not want things to be exactly the way you do.

Then move downtown and live the life you say you want. Leave the rest of us alone.

That's harsh. I'm sure that poster is being quite honest. They're not pushing congestion in the name of safety. They're not demanding that driving and parking become punishing as a means to an end. They just want a bike lane for their occassional use and are agnostic about where it is. They'd like a bike lane as an amenity just like others might want a dog park.

There's nothing wrong with that. They're not the problem and they're likely embarrassed by the things some of their more out there ostensible allies push.

That poster was actually very specific about where they want the bike lane for their regular transportation use: on Connecticut Avenue.

Let them speak for themselves. They said that they want a north-south protected bike lane for their semi-regular occassional use. I take them at their word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the kids on the main roads? Do "we" not care about them? Are they not "our kids"?

Why would you want kids playing in the main roads?

Because they live there. Why would you want main roads that are too dangerous for kids?

This is like saying we should make it safer for 10 year olds to shoot handguns.

No, we shouldn't. I mean, I'm sure there's lots of things we could do to make shooting guns safer and I'm sure there's lots of 10 year olds in this country who shoot guns all the time. But the correct answer is we should tell 10 year olds to stay the hell away from handguns because it's incredibly dangerous.

Ditto kids riding bikes on busy streets. This is a major city. Kids don't belong on bikes anywhere near main roads. If you want to do that or if you want to be able to throw a football in the middle of the street or chase fireflies even if they cross into busy roads, move elsewhere back to Indiana. City living ain't for you.

Wow.

Alternatively: Kids live in DC. DC roads should be safe for kids.

If you take kids on bikes on main roads, you are a bad parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the kids on the main roads? Do "we" not care about them? Are they not "our kids"?

Why would you want kids playing in the main roads?

Because they live there. Why would you want main roads that are too dangerous for kids?

This is like saying we should make it safer for 10 year olds to shoot handguns.

No, we shouldn't. I mean, I'm sure there's lots of things we could do to make shooting guns safer and I'm sure there's lots of 10 year olds in this country who shoot guns all the time. But the correct answer is we should tell 10 year olds to stay the hell away from handguns because it's incredibly dangerous.

Ditto kids riding bikes on busy streets. This is a major city. Kids don't belong on bikes anywhere near main roads. If you want to do that or if you want to be able to throw a football in the middle of the street or chase fireflies even if they cross into busy roads, move elsewhere back to Indiana. City living ain't for you.

So your vision of “city living” is that it is too dangerous for kids to cross the street?? Even older kids walking to school, which is very normal to do at 10?

[Anonymous]

The city has implemented a lot of YIMBY and bike policies over the past 10 years and its economy and economic prospects are markedly worse than they were 10 years ago. I know these groups haven’t gotten everything they wanted but it’s hard to see why the city should keep listening to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The city has implemented a lot of YIMBY and bike policies over the past 10 years and its economy and economic prospects are markedly worse than they were 10 years ago. I know these groups haven’t gotten everything they wanted but it’s hard to see why the city should keep listening to them.

If you look at the most recent transit data, cycling is becoming *less* popular, even after accounting for the rise of remote work. Driving is way up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The city has implemented a lot of YIMBY and bike policies over the past 10 years and its economy and economic prospects are markedly worse than they were 10 years ago. I know these groups haven’t gotten everything they wanted but it’s hard to see why the city should keep listening to them.

Yes, it's all the fault of bike lanes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the kids on the main roads? Do "we" not care about them? Are they not "our kids"?

Why would you want kids playing in the main roads?

Because they live there. Why would you want main roads that are too dangerous for kids?

This is like saying we should make it safer for 10 year olds to shoot handguns.

No, we shouldn't. I mean, I'm sure there's lots of things we could do to make shooting guns safer and I'm sure there's lots of 10 year olds in this country who shoot guns all the time. But the correct answer is we should tell 10 year olds to stay the hell away from handguns because it's incredibly dangerous.

Ditto kids riding bikes on busy streets. This is a major city. Kids don't belong on bikes anywhere near main roads. If you want to do that or if you want to be able to throw a football in the middle of the street or chase fireflies even if they cross into busy roads, move elsewhere back to Indiana. City living ain't for you.

Wow.

Alternatively: Kids live in DC. DC roads should be safe for kids.

If you take kids on bikes on main roads, you are a bad parent.

If you take a small child in a car on Connecticut Avenue, that child is surrounded by two tons of steel, multiple airbags and is required by law to be strapped into a government approved car seat.

But if you take a small child on a bike on Connecticut Avenue, then there's basically no rules whatsoever.

It's insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What about the kids on the main roads? Do "we" not care about them? Are they not "our kids"?

Why would you want kids playing in the main roads?

Because they live there. Why would you want main roads that are too dangerous for kids?

This is like saying we should make it safer for 10 year olds to shoot handguns.

No, we shouldn't. I mean, I'm sure there's lots of things we could do to make shooting guns safer and I'm sure there's lots of 10 year olds in this country who shoot guns all the time. But the correct answer is we should tell 10 year olds to stay the hell away from handguns because it's incredibly dangerous.

Ditto kids riding bikes on busy streets. This is a major city. Kids don't belong on bikes anywhere near main roads. If you want to do that or if you want to be able to throw a football in the middle of the street or chase fireflies even if they cross into busy roads, move elsewhere back to Indiana. City living ain't for you.

Wow.

Alternatively: Kids live in DC. DC roads should be safe for kids.

If you take kids on bikes on main roads, you are a bad parent.

If you take a small child in a car on Connecticut Avenue, that child is surrounded by two tons of steel, multiple airbags and is required by law to be strapped into a government approved car seat.

But if you take a small child on a bike on Connecticut Avenue, then there's basically no rules whatsoever.

It's insane.

Yes, it is insane that you need all of that expensive body armor just to transport your child a few miles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The city has implemented a lot of YIMBY and bike policies over the past 10 years and its economy and economic prospects are markedly worse than they were 10 years ago. I know these groups haven’t gotten everything they wanted but it’s hard to see why the city should keep listening to them.

Yes, it's all the fault of bike lanes.

With the results your advocacy has put on the board, I can see why you would choose snark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some proponents of the Connecticut bike lane plan have admitted that a feature — not a bug — of the plan is to create more vehicle congestion and that resulting trafficdiversion to other, lesser capacity streets is a good thing. They talk about traffic “equity” and taking traffic and spreading it through the street grid. They view as unfair and inequitable that boulevards intended as the major radial arterials for through traffic serve that purpose and and that it’s somehow progressive to burden more streets (especially with more single family homes) with diverted traffic.

that is quite the distortion…

in fact part of the plan does involve diverting traffic to *other arterials* like Wisconsin. if you actually look at the DDOT materials (which you won’t but whatever) you can see the projections, which actually reduce volume on many side streets. I have been involved in these discussions for years and have heard stupid sh*t about equity (like not enforcing traffic laws) but I have literally never heard anyone say that “spreading traffic out” is an equity goal. Probably because it is a certifiably stupid assertion given the map. there’s no way to route say traffic on Alabama Ave through your Cleveland Park “side street” although that is a fun new iteration of your absurd claims.

No one (including some bike lane proponents) took the DDOT traffic diversion document seriously. It wasn't a study and one of its key assumptions, that Beach Drive would be an alternative route for commuters, is no longer operative. North Cleveland Park, Cleveland Park and Woodley Park side streets already get a lot of cut through traffic, drivers seeking to go between Connecticut, Reno, Wisconsin, Mass., to find the fastest way downtown or home to Maryland. Constipating Connecticut Avenue will make a bad situation untenable. It will make safety on these side streets and the named arterials worse, with almost no discernible safety benefit to pedestrians crossing Connecticut Avenue.