Anonymous wrote:
DC is car centered politically but practically speaking DC is second to NY in non car mode share in the US and DC's non car mode share numbers are actually very good.

On transit usage, walking, biking and even car ownership rates DC has very good rates and as all DC residents know most of the cars on our streets (and the carnage that goes with it) are from the suburbs.

There is no reason DC can't further evolve its policies to serve its residents rather than suburban drivers and there are lots of things DC could do to those ends that would not involve banning cars in any manner.

Better public transportation would be the most important step followed by better pedestrian and bike infra and yes all of those things would necessitate taking things away from drivers.

FWIW both Arlington and Montgomery Counties both have some pretty good policies around multi-modality they both make the same mistake as DC in trying to invest in both which practically doesn't really work as you are negotiating against yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Berlin is close to voting on a referendum to allow people just 12 car trips per year in the city.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/07/03/berlin-moves-to-ban-autos-from-inside-the-city-widespread-chaos-looms/

I figure this might solve the problem of congress being too old if everyone has to take a bike.

It will be interesting to watch all the cyclists in DC when the temperature is 25 degrees with a wind chill temp of 18.
And, you expect the Congress members who live in VA or MD - 20+ miles from DC to bike to work?

There's this concept called "clothing appropriate for the weather". I can be very happy riding a bike in 25 degree weather, because I wear that. And its not even fancy/expensive clothing from overprice patagonia or something. Just a fleece, coat, and some bar mitts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Berlin is close to voting on a referendum to allow people just 12 car trips per year in the city.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/07/03/berlin-moves-to-ban-autos-from-inside-the-city-widespread-chaos-looms/

I figure this might solve the problem of congress being too old if everyone has to take a bike.

It will be interesting to watch all the cyclists in DC when the temperature is 25 degrees with a wind chill temp of 18.
And, you expect the Congress members who live in VA or MD - 20+ miles from DC to bike to work?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Er, well, there's not even enough people using Capital Bikeshare for the program to break even. Taxpayers have kick in millions of dollars ever single year just to keep it alive.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/07/01/bike-share-price-hike/

That's true about our road system as well. We keep shoveling money into it year over year and it never turns a profit!

Other major cities' bike share programs can pay for themselves. DC's system is unusual in that it needs to be propped up by taxpayers. The number of cyclists here though has been shrinking for years (unlike in other cities) so it makes sense.

I don't even want to stand still outside in this 95 degree heat with 75% humidity, let alone commute to work on a bike, arrive drenched in sweat and smelly.