[Lincolnparkdc] Fwd: WMATA Releases Latest Better Bus Changes - Share Your Feedback

Wed May 15 18:13:54 EDT 2024

Why is this thread about WMATA's infuriating plan to eliminate the 96 bus
devolving into a conversation about bike lanes, when a.) WMATA's Better Bus
plans have nothing to do with bike lanes whatsoever, and b.) as Martha
said, it's not a zero-sum game — both bike lanes and good bus transit
options (including the 96) are needed?

I'm an avid user of both the 96 bus *and* the bike lanes around the city.
And with regard to the latter, folks should be advocating for *adding* bike
lanes, not eliminating them — because I and many others absolutely do use
them wherever they're present. But with the way people drive in DC, if a
busy street doesn't have a bike lane, you'd better *believe* I'm going to
be using the sidewalk instead. No way am I risking my life just to avoid a
fleeting moment of mild inconvenience for some random irritable pedestrian
 🤷🏼‍♂️ Sorry, not sorry.

On Wed, May 15, 2024 at 5:50 PM Marche' Maine <markrichardgrace at gmail.com>
wrote:

> And for people who do not want or  cannot ride a bike or drive?
>
> On Wed, May 15, 2024, 5:47 PM Nathan Schuur <nathan.schuur at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Unsafe bicyclists can cause problems and I agree that they should not be
>> on the sidewalk, but would getting rid of bike lanes solve this problem?
>> Would it instead result in fewer people biking and driving a car instead?
>> And how does the problem of unsafe biking compare to the problem of unsafe
>> driving? And isn’t it meaningful that cars move much faster than bikes and
>> weigh thousands of pounds more than a bike, making injuries far more severe?
>>
>> I, for one, use the bike lanes daily. Their existence means I’m safer
>> because I have my own space, where cars know they’re not supposed to go—not
>> so similar from the benefits of a sidewalk for pedestrians. Even though
>> every day I experience cars who pass to close or are driven by someone who
>> is obviously texting, I’m safer because the vast majority of drivers
>> respect my space in the bike lane, just like the vast majority of cyclists
>> respect pedestrians’ space on the sidewalk.
>>
>> If not for the bike lanes, I’d be driving a car. But I ride a bike
>> because my goal is for the environment to be cleaner and I want the streets
>> to be safer and less crowded. I would expect advocates for public transit
>> like increased bus service to share these important goals, and to
>> understand that as we look forward to a future where cars are less
>> necessary, we need to promote a range of options to get there.
>>
>> Nathan Schuur
>>
>> On Wed, May 15, 2024 at 17:30 arabella kohlmeyer <bellak234 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I’m with you Mia. Most people still use the side walks. My neighbor was
>>> hit walking her dog and was pretty banged up. They assumed her husband was
>>> beating her.
>>>
>>> On Wed, May 15, 2024 at 4:29 PM Mia Grosjean <mia at miagrosjean.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Doesn’t look good for bus #96 or for all of Capitol Hill, IMO! Wow, our
>>>> neighborhood is void of transportation options except for bike lanes which
>>>> no one uses. Why build bike lanes if people still only use the
>>>> sidewalks???! Was almost run over by 4 grown men riding their bikes on east
>>>> capitol street sidewalk yesterday. Dear god. Mia
>>>> From Mia's iPhone
>>>>
>>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>>>
>>>> *From:* Charles Allen <Charles at charlesallenward6.com>
>>>> *Date:* May 15, 2024 at 1:47:18 PM EDT
>>>> *To:* Maria Mia Grosjean <mia at miagrosjean.com>
>>>> *Subject:* *WMATA Releases Latest Better Bus Changes - Share Your
>>>> Feedback*
>>>>
>>>> 
>>>>
>>>> Click here
>>>> <https://www.charlesallenward6.com/holding_dangerous_drivers_accountable_and_leading_on_climate?e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=1>
>>>> if this email is hard to read.
>>>> To unsubscribe from all future emails, click here
>>>> <https://www.charlesallenward6.com/unsubscribe?e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=2>
>>>> .
>>>>
>>>> Maria "Mia" --
>>>>
>>>> This week, WMATA released its updated Better Bus plans
>>>> <https://charlesallendc.nationbuilder.com/r?u=Tu5Jh27TUo3qPpE8hO3kIvAOF7RGz4DOY-nte3KiejKTHw3UDF3pZ0GB2cfdg6UuKfa5fLAr4J6mNepkTsLQMQ&e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=3>.
>>>> Last year, you worked with me to review and provide feedback on their
>>>> initial draft plans. That led to a series of recommendations I shared with
>>>> WMATA after hearing from hundreds of Ward 6 neighbors: Click here to
>>>> read last year's recommendations
>>>> <https://www.charlesallenward6.com/read_cm_allen_s_letter_to_wmata_on_ward_6_better_bus_routes?e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=4>.
>>>> Since you helped me shape those, I wanted to share a quick update now that
>>>> we're at the next step in this process.
>>>>
>>>> *Quick reminder what this is all about:* The Better Bus Network
>>>> Redesign is a major project led by WMATA to realign the region's bus
>>>> network to improve frequency, service, and reliability. Their goal is to
>>>> better connect communities by bus and have a more sustainable and equitable
>>>> system to meet our growing regional needs.
>>>>
>>>> *Why this is important:* We've seen bus ridership recover from
>>>> pandemic lows much more quickly than rail ridership. In fact, bus ridership
>>>> is now higher than pre-pandemic levels and continues to grow, while rail
>>>> ridership lags behind (but is still recovering). The Better Bus Network
>>>> Redesign is the first time in decades that WMATA is reworking the entire
>>>> bus system, and the final redesign will determine transit use and growth
>>>> for years, if not decades, to come.
>>>>
>>>> *Quick takeaways on my first review:* Included is an image of the
>>>> routes they propose in Ward 6 (if you want to see the full map for DC, click
>>>> here
>>>> <https://charlesallendc.nationbuilder.com/r?u=WhlTRwBIunf_HPm1n-8HcaaLuvnTzwXow6fJsZfDQiT6Mv6VFhGrCg1nRyhyNt24b-bS5m2w2v81h_TYjXMEBLD5EZI8h4fol1zWmIhLpMc&e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=5>).
>>>> WMATA listened to our recommendations and made several adjustments to their
>>>> initial plans, like ensuring the current D6 line will still connect
>>>> neighborhoods between Ward 6 and downtown. But there are also some new
>>>> decisions that I think will have very detrimental impacts to bus service
>>>> and connections, such as the elimination of routes that serve neighbors
>>>> around Barracks Row, Lincoln Park, and Hill East. I'm seeing big holes in
>>>> service for several neighborhoods. In addition, because the Mayor and DDOT
>>>> did not begin talking with WMATA about their plan to eliminate the
>>>> Circulator until very recently, there is nothing in this proposal that will
>>>> expand WMATA bus service to cover those cuts. Fixing this will be a
>>>> priority for me to continue service and connections, but it isn't reflected
>>>> in WMATA's proposal thus far.
>>>>
>>>> *Continuing to hear your thoughts:* Last year, I hosted public
>>>> meetings and solicited feedback to help me fight for what Ward 6 wanted in
>>>> the process. Now that WMATA has shared their revised plans, they've opened
>>>> a public comment period through July 15th. I plan on holding another town
>>>> hall-style meeting to get your feedback this spring but welcome your
>>>> thoughts now! Check out their new interactive website
>>>> <https://charlesallendc.nationbuilder.com/r?u=Tu5Jh27TUo3qPpE8hO3kIvAOF7RGz4DOY-nte3KiejKTHw3UDF3pZ0GB2cfdg6UuKfa5fLAr4J6mNepkTsLQMQ&e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=6>
>>>> to learn more about the proposed changes. After WMATA gets another round of
>>>> public feedback, they plan to make final revisions in late summer and fall,
>>>> with the WMATA Board approving final changes before the end of the year and
>>>> the actual bus changes taking effect later in 2025.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again, and stay tuned for more!
>>>>
>>>> Charles Allen
>>>>
>>>> -=-=-
>>>>
>>>> Councilmember Charles Allen · 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 110,
>>>> Washington, DC 20004, United States
>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1350+Pennsylvania+Ave+NW,%0D%0ASuite+110,+Washington,+DC+20004,+United+States?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>> This email was sent to mia at miagrosjean.com. To stop receiving emails, click
>>>> here
>>>> <https://charlesallendc.nationbuilder.com/unsubscribe?e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=7>.
>>>>
>>>> You can also keep up with Charles Allen on Facebook
>>>> <https://charlesallendc.nationbuilder.com/r?u=RdxTBQqnJndKt9COdfP1scMCtovcpC8dqrd6T-iBez8s4h7hERo6jsJ4eLV6rGlO&e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=8>.
>>>>
>>>> -=-=-
>>>>
>>>> Created with NationBuilder
>>>> <https://charlesallendc.nationbuilder.com/r?u=Ze6rUF3WmFH0yCSfE7ZV9WRpLXp2qCdjK-ewZw9zCLM&e=c64ba23311bd486dedfb02bb18098f22&utm_source=charlesallendc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=betterbus2025&n=9>,
>>>> software for leaders.
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> LincolnParkDC mailing list
>>>>
>>>> To post to the list address your message to:
>>>> LincolnParkDC at lincolnparkdc.info
>>>> When replying, please consider whether to reply to the sender only, or
>>>> to the list, which is the default.
>>>> Not all replies are appropriate for the entire list.
>>>>
>>>> Please do not send administrative requests to the list. Please click on
>>>> the following link to
>>>> switch to digest mode, change your password, or otherwise manage your
>>>> subscription:
>>>> https://vps.woteki.com/mailman/listinfo/lincolnparkdc_lincolnparkdc.info
>>>>
>>>> If you need assistance managing your subscription, please address your
>>>> request to: towncrier at lincolnparkdc.info
>>>> Please do not address assistance requests to the list. Thank you for
>>>> your cooperation.
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> LincolnParkDC mailing list
>>>
>>> To post to the list address your message to:
>>> LincolnParkDC at lincolnparkdc.info
>>> When replying, please consider whether to reply to the sender only, or
>>> to the list, which is the default.
>>> Not all replies are appropriate for the entire list.
>>>
>>> Please do not send administrative requests to the list. Please click on
>>> the following link to
>>> switch to digest mode, change your password, or otherwise manage your
>>> subscription:
>>> https://vps.woteki.com/mailman/listinfo/lincolnparkdc_lincolnparkdc.info
>>>
>>> If you need assistance managing your subscription, please address your
>>> request to: towncrier at lincolnparkdc.info
>>> Please do not address assistance requests to the list. Thank you for
>>> your cooperation.
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> LincolnParkDC mailing list
>>
>> To post to the list address your message to:
>> LincolnParkDC at lincolnparkdc.info
>> When replying, please consider whether to reply to the sender only, or to
>> the list, which is the default.
>> Not all replies are appropriate for the entire list.
>>
>> Please do not send administrative requests to the list. Please click on
>> the following link to
>> switch to digest mode, change your password, or otherwise manage your
>> subscription:
>> https://vps.woteki.com/mailman/listinfo/lincolnparkdc_lincolnparkdc.info
>>
>> If you need assistance managing your subscription, please address your
>> request to: towncrier at lincolnparkdc.info
>> Please do not address assistance requests to the list. Thank you for your
>> cooperation.
>>
> _______________________________________________
> LincolnParkDC mailing list
>
> To post to the list address your message to:
> LincolnParkDC at lincolnparkdc.info
> When replying, please consider whether to reply to the sender only, or to
> the list, which is the default.
> Not all replies are appropriate for the entire list.
>
> Please do not send administrative requests to the list. Please click on
> the following link to
> switch to digest mode, change your password, or otherwise manage your
> subscription:
> https://vps.woteki.com/mailman/listinfo/lincolnparkdc_lincolnparkdc.info
>
> If you need assistance managing your subscription, please address your
> request to: towncrier at lincolnparkdc.info
> Please do not address assistance requests to the list. Thank you for your
> cooperation.
>

-- 
John M. Becker, M.Mus.
he/him/his (what's this?
<https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/GLSEN%20Pronouns%20Resource.pdf>)
920.265.6023
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lincolnparkdc.info/pipermail/lincolnparkdc_lincolnparkdc.info/attachments/20240515/1bd3d19e/attachment.htm>