Alexandria Driver Thinks Roads are for Driving

Scott Brenner of Alexandria wrote in to the Post to complain about the new bike lanes and the all-way pedestrian crossing.

the D.C. government has transformed a city with sufficient road capacity into a jumbled mess of special-interest carve-outs that penalize the average driver who may not have an alternative mode of transportation.

I'm sorry, but if you live in Alexandria and work in DC, you have a plethora of options to get to work. Driving might work best for you, but I just can't imagine the scenario where the lack of a car traps you in Alexandria. 

And ignoring that Mr. Brenner's status as a taxpaying citizen in another state kind of limits his right to complain, it's worth noting that one of the stories he referenced included this.

George Branyan, the District's pedestrian program coordinator, who was on the scene this morning, noted that the new strategy might get drivers through the intersection faster. Without vehicles turning and without having to wait for pedestrians in the crosswalks, the through traffic might flow better.

There are few places where DC has removed traffic lanes to add bike lanes. Off the top of my head I can only think of 15th St NW (though I know there are others and Penn NW should happen). That change is being studied and we'll see if it slowed down traffic or not. But many drivers on 15th were speeding anyway, so it's possible that all it did was limit one's ability to break the law.

If Mr. Brenner wants an unimpeded drive across the region (which actually has the 2nd worst congestion AAA tells us) he's living in the wrong decade.

photo by M.V.Jantzen

Comments

[Brendan]

I bet Mr. Brenner would really flip out if the NPS ever enforced the 35 mph speed limit on Independence.

[Lorin]

So pedestrians are a special-interest group? Does Mr. Brenner EVER leave his car? Does he do all his shopping/dining in drive-thrus? Does he travel from his home garage to his work garage without ever setting foot in the outside world? If this is the case, we have to cut him a little slack because a life like that would certainly drive one insane...

[contrarian]

His point isn't just that pedestrians are a special-interest group -- motorists aren't.

[Max]

I'm visualizing my child's preschool on any given day, and that inevitable tantrum cry for exclusive use of the train set.

[SJE]

There are two "special interests" that causes most traffic problems in DC.
1. Multiple sudden closures and blockages for VIPs, special events etc.
2.Too many cars for a city designed around a c1800 plan

#1 is inherent in the capitol of the USA, and the Western World.
The solution to #2 requires either a time machine, or alternative transportation.

Alternatively, Mr. Brenner could move to Houston, Atlanta or LA which has neither problems #1 or #2 (but nevertheless still have traffic)

[jj]

"the average driver who may not have an alternative mode of transportation" says a lot about the assumption that having a car is the norm, and that getting around by car is the norm. What about all those of us DC residents and visitors to the city who are average pedestrians, average transit riders and average cyclists who may not have an alternative mode of transportation (=car)?

[smg]

15th St. had way too many travel lanes for cars, so no loss there, and I say that as a frequent driver on that road.

How about 7th St. NW, which has bike/bus only lines painted on, the most ignored "exclusive" bike lane in the city.

[RS]

It seems obvious from some of the posts that most commenters are so close minded to even consider that there are people in this town that do IN FACT need a car. We have family responsibilities that require us to pick up our children in the middle of the day. Not everyone has the luxury of biking to work/class and parking their bike for the whole day.

[washcycle]

RS, I'm sure there are people for whom a car is critical - there may even be people who NEED a car - but they are few. Imagine that tomorrow that person who NEEDS a car, suddenly lost their driver's license. Would they still be able to live their lives? With some inconvenience perhaps, but yes I think they would - in most cases. In your scenario, one can pick up a children on a bike. People do it all the time.

If you have a job that requires you to drive all over the metro area visiting clients, then you almost surely do need a car. But most people do not.

[Lynn McFadden]

After reading the responses to Mr. Brenner remarks I must fully agree with him. Save the world, save the whale, peddle your butt to work, get sweaty, stink all day. Stay out of my office. Bet you even drink Gatoraid

[Ron Alford]

Lynn: Your reasoned and articulate comment is nigh-worthy of the Washington Post forums!

[SJE]

I fail to see how a pro-bike comment is anti-car, or against people who need to use a car. Instead, I see people seeking the OPTION not to use a car.

I, for one, need a car this week if I am to get into the office. And, as I drive, I will be careful for pedestrians, children, animals, and cyclists.

[SJE]

Lynn, who said anything about saving the whales?

I am a red-meat eating, clean shaven, capitalist, married male, with kids, in a two-car family. I also happen to ride a bike. When I ride to work, I shower and get changed into my business clothes.

What's this about whales?
or is it about gatorade? OK, I admit, I do drink gatorade sometimes.

[jj]

@RS- It seems obvious that some of the commenters complaining about making streets safe for cyclists and pedestrians are too close minded to even consider that having a car and/or driving is not an option for some people. And that those people also have a right to safety in the streets.

[Pauline]

In this economy with today's oil prices, who can even afford to own a car? Oh, yeah -- the same over-spending, over-consuming people who got us into this mess in the first place, whose budgets are still stretched too tightly, and whose budgets are further depleted by rising health care costs due to their refusal to choose a healthier mode of transportation.

[Froggie]

Pauline: might want to double-check your sources before you hit the stereotypes. For example, I can definitely afford to own a car (even on Navy enlisted pay!), but I am anything BUT the "over-spending, over-consuming" people you accuse car owners of being.