For all those bikers in DC, I ask you this one question - Now that the city gave you all bike lanes on most major streets, why are you still biking on the sidewalks? These days I see more runners in the road and more bikers on the sidewalk. Last I checked, a bike was supposed to follow the same traffic laws as vehicles. This is clearly not the case here in Washington as people are biking on the sidewalks and feel that they can run red lights at intersections just because they on a bike. I wonder if the police are going to start ticketing people that use those DCBikeShares. I have yet to see a police officer pull anyone over for reckless biking in this city. Do you know anyone who has been ticketed on a bike in this town?
Showing posts with label traffic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traffic. Show all posts
Thursday, August 28, 2008
RideTheCity - DC's Biking Score?
For all those bikers in DC, I ask you this one question - Now that the city gave you all bike lanes on most major streets, why are you still biking on the sidewalks? These days I see more runners in the road and more bikers on the sidewalk. Last I checked, a bike was supposed to follow the same traffic laws as vehicles. This is clearly not the case here in Washington as people are biking on the sidewalks and feel that they can run red lights at intersections just because they on a bike. I wonder if the police are going to start ticketing people that use those DCBikeShares. I have yet to see a police officer pull anyone over for reckless biking in this city. Do you know anyone who has been ticketed on a bike in this town? 
Friday, May 9, 2008
Liberté, égalité, velocity?
Recently, while listening to one of my favorite podcasts - American Public Media's Marketplace, I overheard a story about how French citizens are revolting against speed cameras in Paris. It appears the Armed Revolutionary Nationalist Faction (F'NAR) has decided to launch a revolution against Big Brother. This made me think about the ongoing discussion we in DC have about our red light cameras. We think we have it bad with an occasional flash bulb going off as we inch across that intersection. At least we are provided a map with all their locations. Did you know that you can go online and find out where they all are located? How nice of Mayor Fenty to share this with us so we know where not to block the box.Apparently, in France the speed cameras have caused quite an uproar. To date over 30,000 citizens have been fined. Instead of making a citizen's arrest on the camera technology or debating in through political vehicles, the French just destroy, revolt and demand change. Are the speed cameras the new Bastille of the Beltway? I know the French are trying to make a statement invoking historical traditions by destroying first, and asking questions later. While breaking the lenses, pouring in gasoline and lighting them on fire may gain attention, I don't think they will prevent the cameras from going up all over France. After all, these cameras make the government quite a bit of money. I can't help but wonder why they don't simply get up and tape a towel over the lens or place paper over the sensors?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
MarioKart on Wisconsin Avenue?
I hate people who litter. I am rather proud of how clean our city is when compared to cities like NYC or even Philadelphia. This evening, while walking home on Wisconsin Avenue, I saw something that caught my eye. I was standing next to a car waiting to cross at an intersection when a driver so casually threw a banana peel out the window into the right hand lane of traffic. At first, I laughed out loud, because it made me think of Mario Kart 64 when characters would lay down banana peels to make you wipe out as you rounded the race track. Of course in non-N64 world we know this doesn't happen. It was funny nonetheless. I guess she would have been the princess character. I was always Captain Toady O'Hare when I played the game. But, I digress. Thankfully, banana peels are biodegradable and I didn't have to step into oncoming traffic to pick up your trash Mrs. Virginia Driver - Blue Camry - plate ending in 1522. You know who you are. How about next time you hold your trash until you cross the Key Bridge and then you can pollute Rosslyn all you want. Goodnight.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
It WAS The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The nation's capital is often described as a "suitcase town." I had heard of this phrase a number of times, but never had I really developed an appreciation for it. That is, until this holiday season of 2007.
I am not from here, but I have lived here for a few years now. I usually take the holidays off and head out West to defrost and take in my double dose of family. This year was the first time I didn't pack a bag and leave town. Instead, I had people come visit me. I had friends from Europe come to visit. They said it was to spend time with me, but I sensed it had more to do with the phenomenal exchange rate of the Euro to the dollar. I had a growing suspicion when all they wanted to do was go to the mall, and not the one with the grass and museums, but the ones in Tysons and Pentagon City.
On their way to D.C. my friends stopped in NYC. They loved the city and the concrete skyscapes. I was hoping they would enjoy the nation's capital just as much. When they arrived I took them on a night drive through Georgetown and we had dinner there. Check out my review of the great Vietnamese place we went to on M Street.
At some point during their tourism research project on Washington, they read that over 900,000 people leave the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during the week of Christmas. Although this number seemed a little high at first, I stopped to think about it while I drove them back to their hotel. Sure enough, at times, I was the only car on the road and there seemed to be a ghost town feel to the city. I looked to my right and left and saw parking spaces that even a Californian could parallel park in.
I dropped them off at their hotel and on the way home I hit all green lights. It was starting to feel a lot like Christmas and maybe my gift from the city would be no traffic, plenty of parking, and a sense of peace around town. I must have been in an extremely festive mood, because I tuned my radio to 97.1 WASH FM - you know the one that plays holiday tunes 24 hours a day from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
The next day was Christmas Eve. As I turned in that evening, I thought to myself, it is nice not to be racing through an airport or carrying a car seat or waiting in line at a rental car agency. The next day I got up and took a walk to Friendship Heights - to do my last minute Christmas shopping - yes, I am guilty as charged. I wait to the last minute to get those few items for family. As I approached the intersection of Western and Wisconsin Avenues at around 8:30, I felt like I could have reenacted a scene from I Am Legend or 28 Days Later.
Not a soul around. It was incredible. Had their been snow on the ground, I think I would have been tempted to run down the middle of Wisconsin Avenue yelling, "Merry Christmas Mr. Potter, Merry Christmas Maggianos, Merry Christmas Borders, Merry Christmas Clydes!" It seemed like for those few minutes it was a Wonderful Life here in D.C. It probably helped that I had my iPod playing Christmas tunes in my ears. It made for a wonderful soundtrack while I took my walk/run around Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights that morning.
While all this empty city glee lasted through the 26th of December, once I came back to work after the New Year, it all came to a crashing halt. Once again, horns were blaring, people were pushing and metro cars were busting and I guess all those 900,000 suitcases were unpacking. Now, I am facing the first full work week in a long time and I am dreading it. I look back fondly on that week in D.C. when it truly was the most wonderful time of the year.
I am not from here, but I have lived here for a few years now. I usually take the holidays off and head out West to defrost and take in my double dose of family. This year was the first time I didn't pack a bag and leave town. Instead, I had people come visit me. I had friends from Europe come to visit. They said it was to spend time with me, but I sensed it had more to do with the phenomenal exchange rate of the Euro to the dollar. I had a growing suspicion when all they wanted to do was go to the mall, and not the one with the grass and museums, but the ones in Tysons and Pentagon City.
On their way to D.C. my friends stopped in NYC. They loved the city and the concrete skyscapes. I was hoping they would enjoy the nation's capital just as much. When they arrived I took them on a night drive through Georgetown and we had dinner there. Check out my review of the great Vietnamese place we went to on M Street.
At some point during their tourism research project on Washington, they read that over 900,000 people leave the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during the week of Christmas. Although this number seemed a little high at first, I stopped to think about it while I drove them back to their hotel. Sure enough, at times, I was the only car on the road and there seemed to be a ghost town feel to the city. I looked to my right and left and saw parking spaces that even a Californian could parallel park in.
I dropped them off at their hotel and on the way home I hit all green lights. It was starting to feel a lot like Christmas and maybe my gift from the city would be no traffic, plenty of parking, and a sense of peace around town. I must have been in an extremely festive mood, because I tuned my radio to 97.1 WASH FM - you know the one that plays holiday tunes 24 hours a day from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
The next day was Christmas Eve. As I turned in that evening, I thought to myself, it is nice not to be racing through an airport or carrying a car seat or waiting in line at a rental car agency. The next day I got up and took a walk to Friendship Heights - to do my last minute Christmas shopping - yes, I am guilty as charged. I wait to the last minute to get those few items for family. As I approached the intersection of Western and Wisconsin Avenues at around 8:30, I felt like I could have reenacted a scene from I Am Legend or 28 Days Later.
Not a soul around. It was incredible. Had their been snow on the ground, I think I would have been tempted to run down the middle of Wisconsin Avenue yelling, "Merry Christmas Mr. Potter, Merry Christmas Maggianos, Merry Christmas Borders, Merry Christmas Clydes!" It seemed like for those few minutes it was a Wonderful Life here in D.C. It probably helped that I had my iPod playing Christmas tunes in my ears. It made for a wonderful soundtrack while I took my walk/run around Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights that morning.
While all this empty city glee lasted through the 26th of December, once I came back to work after the New Year, it all came to a crashing halt. Once again, horns were blaring, people were pushing and metro cars were busting and I guess all those 900,000 suitcases were unpacking. Now, I am facing the first full work week in a long time and I am dreading it. I look back fondly on that week in D.C. when it truly was the most wonderful time of the year.
Friday, November 30, 2007
What Do You Think of the Usual DC Delays?
As I mention many times in my blog, I am a public transportation junkie. I would sooner take two buses and transfer twice on the metro than drive to and from work. Sure, it takes more time, but I would rather spend my time relaxing on public transportation than sitting in traffic stressing and riding the brakes.
Yesterday was a first for me. I drove to work. I had a series of errands I had to run that required my vehicle. The usual - dry cleaning, picking up gifts, and of course getting the car fixed. I thought I was being so efficient by arranging it so I could do it all right near work - Crystal City. Being a district resident, I know all too well that I cannot find oil changing places or even cheap dry cleaners in the city, so it seemed smart to outsource to the suburbs of Virginia.
Well, what I saved in money, I paid for in frustration. After running all my errands, I quickly dashed out on to Jefferson Davis Highway, prepared to zip up to Memorial Bridge, over the Potomac and through the city to hit Rock Creek Pkwy. It was a beautiful day for a drive and I was feeling lucky. Just as I rounded that first bend after the on ramp (you know the one right past where you have one last option to get on 395 north into the city), I came to a screeching halt. I mean HALT, like the German command for STOP NOW! I thought for a second...could this be right? Was there really this much traffic daily on 110?
About 10 mins passed and I noticed something strange. The opposite side of of 110 was completely empty. I mean no traffic. None. It looked like the day I ran the Army 10 miler. No cars on the road whatsoever. I said out loud, as if someone was listening..."This is not good." It had to be an accident, I thought. A really bad accident. I turned my car off. No point wasting gas, not in today's economy anyway.
I started thinking about how someone could get into an accident so bad that would close both sides of 110. I expected to hear sirens, see firetrucks, about 10 ambulances. Sadly, that would have made me feel better - knowing what caused the parking lot that I was now experiencing. I looked to my right to see the other cars - the drivers didn't look phased one bit. I started to panic. Could this be the daily commute and I was just the rookie in the crowd here? When others starting turning off their cars too, I felt better. A few people got out of their cars to see over the horizon. No luck. It was gridlocked.
I looked to my left. I was in the shadow of the world's largest office building. The five sided symbol of world domination. Funny, I am not sure I have ever looked at the Pentagon that long. In fact, I have never even been near it for more than a few seconds, zipping by on a bus or in a car. I had seen it from the air of course, taking off from National Airport on one of my many trips. I watched as the droves of people streamed out of the building getting ready to head home. No point in rushing I thought, we are not going anywhere.
About 15-20 mins passed and I was speechless. I had exhausted all profanity and it seemed silly yelling it to myself in my car. Like a four letter word was going to move the car in front of me? Nope. Just then, I noticed on the left hand side of 110, a parade of lights and sirens came flying down the road. I read the sides of the squad cars as they zoomed by...Arlington Police...Pentagon Police. That's it?! No, firetrucks, no ambulance...that is when I knew.
Sure enough, then came the universally recognized black Suburbans, Lincoln Towncars and Chevy Tahoes. I was relieved to know what it was, but that lasted about two second before I threw my hands up and said, "damned dignitaries!" The one day I chose to drive to work I got stuck in a freeze while they moved dignitaries from the Pentagon to wherever they were going. I proceeded to inch all the way to the bridge. Once I made it back into the district I was happy to be battling the usual traffic caused by lights and bad drivers. No black suburbans in sight.
I know it comes with the territory, being in the capital city and all. What ever happened to helicopters? Oh, you didn't feel like using it today? Well, by all means, on those days, do me a favor. Give me a call, I will trade you my car for your helicopter and you can enjoy the view of the gridlock from my level. Deal?
Yesterday was a first for me. I drove to work. I had a series of errands I had to run that required my vehicle. The usual - dry cleaning, picking up gifts, and of course getting the car fixed. I thought I was being so efficient by arranging it so I could do it all right near work - Crystal City. Being a district resident, I know all too well that I cannot find oil changing places or even cheap dry cleaners in the city, so it seemed smart to outsource to the suburbs of Virginia.
Well, what I saved in money, I paid for in frustration. After running all my errands, I quickly dashed out on to Jefferson Davis Highway, prepared to zip up to Memorial Bridge, over the Potomac and through the city to hit Rock Creek Pkwy. It was a beautiful day for a drive and I was feeling lucky. Just as I rounded that first bend after the on ramp (you know the one right past where you have one last option to get on 395 north into the city), I came to a screeching halt. I mean HALT, like the German command for STOP NOW! I thought for a second...could this be right? Was there really this much traffic daily on 110?
About 10 mins passed and I noticed something strange. The opposite side of of 110 was completely empty. I mean no traffic. None. It looked like the day I ran the Army 10 miler. No cars on the road whatsoever. I said out loud, as if someone was listening..."This is not good." It had to be an accident, I thought. A really bad accident. I turned my car off. No point wasting gas, not in today's economy anyway.
I started thinking about how someone could get into an accident so bad that would close both sides of 110. I expected to hear sirens, see firetrucks, about 10 ambulances. Sadly, that would have made me feel better - knowing what caused the parking lot that I was now experiencing. I looked to my right to see the other cars - the drivers didn't look phased one bit. I started to panic. Could this be the daily commute and I was just the rookie in the crowd here? When others starting turning off their cars too, I felt better. A few people got out of their cars to see over the horizon. No luck. It was gridlocked.
I looked to my left. I was in the shadow of the world's largest office building. The five sided symbol of world domination. Funny, I am not sure I have ever looked at the Pentagon that long. In fact, I have never even been near it for more than a few seconds, zipping by on a bus or in a car. I had seen it from the air of course, taking off from National Airport on one of my many trips. I watched as the droves of people streamed out of the building getting ready to head home. No point in rushing I thought, we are not going anywhere.
About 15-20 mins passed and I was speechless. I had exhausted all profanity and it seemed silly yelling it to myself in my car. Like a four letter word was going to move the car in front of me? Nope. Just then, I noticed on the left hand side of 110, a parade of lights and sirens came flying down the road. I read the sides of the squad cars as they zoomed by...Arlington Police...Pentagon Police. That's it?! No, firetrucks, no ambulance...that is when I knew.
Sure enough, then came the universally recognized black Suburbans, Lincoln Towncars and Chevy Tahoes. I was relieved to know what it was, but that lasted about two second before I threw my hands up and said, "damned dignitaries!" The one day I chose to drive to work I got stuck in a freeze while they moved dignitaries from the Pentagon to wherever they were going. I proceeded to inch all the way to the bridge. Once I made it back into the district I was happy to be battling the usual traffic caused by lights and bad drivers. No black suburbans in sight.
I know it comes with the territory, being in the capital city and all. What ever happened to helicopters? Oh, you didn't feel like using it today? Well, by all means, on those days, do me a favor. Give me a call, I will trade you my car for your helicopter and you can enjoy the view of the gridlock from my level. Deal?
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