Thursday Morning Commute - bass fishing and rail trails

I startled a pair of raccoons on my ride last night. At first I thought they were cats, but then one of them stood it's ground for a little while and I almost hit it. In the end, everyone made it out OK, but I'm sure that right now, they're bad-mouthing cyclists in the comment section of the Post.

• Check out my latest post on the M Street SE/SW cycletrack proposal at the Green Lane Project. It includes an animation of the proposal not seen on this blog. And, you can read about Memphis' first green lane as well. 
• jdland provides data on Near SE's three docks (What no data on the warehouse dock that's also in near SE? She really is semi-retired.)
• Speaking of CaBi data, Capital Bikeshare set a one week record with 7831 riders on average per day. And Arlington Staff check on possible future locations. 
• The Capital Crescent Trail east of Bethesda is nice, tranquil even, but it is not "a model to other urban areas in America."
• "County government officials tout how the rail trail and bass fishing are drawing people to the county. The idea to link the rail trail with other trails in St. Charles and even those in St. Mary’s County is a good one, and it seems as if those plans are moving forward."
• Car Free Day coverage.

Comments

[david]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtKlybm6GaU&feature=share&list=ULAtKlybm6GaU
This is the only way I know of to have both trail and rail. This monorail has been in use for more or less 100 years.

[Wayne Phyillaier]

@david

I suggest you look closer to home to figure out how we can have both trail and rail. Rails-to-Trails counts over 200 trails with rails in this country, http://www.purplelinenow.com/proven_idea.html And what is the MetBranch Trail here at NoMa, chopped liver??

[Crikey7]

I wonder how many of the current opponents will sheepishly use the new trail, with its greater connectivity, safer street crossings, better surface and greater personal safety. I predict trail use will increase by several orders of magnitude, and many of those will be nearby residents who barely use it now.

[SJE]

There are German cities have light rail and paths at the same grade (I think Frankfurt is one) They make them leafy and green. Its not the same as an idyllic walk in the woods, but its also not a hellish nightmare.

[washcycle]

Mount Vernon Trail is rail with trail for part of the way as well.

[david]

The Momorail is the best way to have both rail and trail and yet perserve green space , i.e. trees, for the line between Silver Spring and Bethesda.

[I forgot]

If only they would consider monorail over Columbia Pike rather than streetcars. Micky Mouse ears optional.

[Daniel Gohlke]

Isn't the bikeshare warehouse in SW, not SE?

[SJE]

A tunnel is even better than monorail. Both are extremely expensive.

[washcycle]

Daniel, I thought it was in SE, but perhaps I'm wrong. I've actually never been there.

SJE, I was going to say the same thing. Light rail is not the best option unless you care about money. Then it is.