[lordofthemark]

@Mtansill 213174 wrote:

I would say don’t over-think it.

What?

[lordofthemark]

@mstone 213101 wrote:

IMO there’s less pushing than pulling. The metropolitan areas can’t compete with exurban greenfields on price per square foot of house (given current policies, which don’t in any way build the long term costs into the price of the house or the taxes).

I’m an economist. I believe in change at the margins. And that people make choices based on the costs and benefits of both alternatives. There are definitely people who would buy or rent closer in/closer to transit/more walkable if those alternatives were cheaper – they command a premium in part because of the multitude of restrictions on creating new supply. These include height limits, FAR limits, SFH only zones, limits on ADUs, abuse of historic districts, etc. Liberalize the restrictions > more supply > lower prices/rents and the added supply gets filled – often with people who instead would “drive till they qualify” (and sometimes with people who would “gentrify till they qualify – pushing out lower income folks)

I do not ask everyone to agree with me and I don’t want to give lists of literature citations, supportive organizatons, etc. All I want is for those who do agree with me to join me in my advocacy and not to be discouraged.

“It is not yours to complete the work, but neither are you free to refrain from it” Pirkei Avot (“Sayings of the Fathers”) 2:16

[lordofthemark]

@mstone 213084 wrote:

I think there is very little, if any, correlation between the metropolitan fabric and how fast greenfield suburbs get built outside of metropolitan jurisdictions. But anyway, that’s a topic better over a beer than a forum.

As a citizen of Alexandria I have no direct say in regulation of the construction of greenfield suburbs (I do support carbon taxes at the federal level – and policies at the state level on transportation project priorities that I believe would help – though I am not hopeful about the latter in the short run, after our last election in Virginia) However as a citizen of a jurisdiction with fairly good transit, many job and activity centers, and good proximity to jobs in DC and Arlington, I can take action to make it possible for more people to live here in Alexandria (where there is certainly demand for housing, esp in walkable areas and areas close to transit) which would mean less pushing of people out to other areas. I can also advocate for the retrofitting of the less walkable/bikeable areas within our city limits.

I think these are good topics for a bike forum, actually. One reason I formed Liveable Alexandria was my sense that more narrowly focused bike advocacy was missing the point on many levels. But mainly I wanted to mention it to invite anyone interested to join one of the urbanist groups – I agree that we won’t solve the issues on this forum.

[lordofthemark]

@mstone 213057 wrote:

It is, for a number of reasons, but there’s zero ability to do anything about it.

I have been working on urbanism/yimby issues in Alexandria, both through a group I founded (Liveable Alexandria) (sic, I was typing fast when I created it) and my YimbyAlexandria twitter account. There are thousands of people in the national yimby/urbanist movements working on a range of issues, and they are starting to get real traction from coast to coast (hopefully not too late to help avoid climate disaster)

Everyone is entitled to their own emotional reactions to things, based on their own lived experiences. But if there are folks out there interested in changing our metropolitan fabric, I encourage them to not give up. If anyone is interested in specific places to get involved in your jurisdiction, ask me and I will try to refer you.

[lordofthemark]

@consularrider 212979 wrote:

#namegame #2 – Consul Parking (for my BA Forum name) in front of the Papal Rep to the UN’s residence of E 72nd St. Again, selfie photos always seem to load upside down no matter what I do.

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Clever use of the forum handle. I have definite ideas for mine, but sadly I will probably not make it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s

[lordofthemark]

@Meh 213054 wrote:

AlanA, great thread idea.

I should probably apologise to my team in advance also. I hate cycling. No, that is not a joke. I despise it, and the only thing I hate more is being on medication while fasting. Which is why I continue to ride.

I think about gear a lot – and I spend unjustifiable sums on it because I keep deluding myself that different might be more fun. It isn’t.

Motivational speeches? Rubbish and lies – and the proof is I go ride when the motivators don’t. No it won’t be awesome. It will be absolutely miserable and my genetics have cursed me to it. Group rides are pointless because I don’t want to be a mood killer by being honest. Solo rides are – solo, and just as bleak as that sounds.

hugs

[lordofthemark]

I feel compassion for all my friends whatever the issues are that keep them from riding (and whatever the issues are that get them to ride more to deal with other stuff in their lives ) This year, I expect to ride more than last year – but last year was IIRC my worst FS since 2015, as I had relied on my commute to get me out the door and riding. (I have some gear, and would have more, if not for some decluttering issues)

Be well, all.

[lordofthemark]

@Judd 212806 wrote:

Yep! Registration is at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/14th-street-bridge-trail-edging-registration-223399342447

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got there late, but enjoyed my time shoveling. I hadn’t read the rules carefully and forgot to take a picture of my own bike, so it won’t count toward the prize, but enjoyed the chance to give back, and especially to hack at ice 😉🙂

[lordofthemark]

@consularrider 212784 wrote:

I’ve got whole island in the East River, at least one street (where the Stonewall Inn is located), and a few churches among other things to chose from. Is there a hashtag to use in the ride title, or just post here?

I probably STILL won’t make it to North Otis, Massachusetts, but I have some ideas.

[lordofthemark]

@pedrocz 212769 wrote:

Lots of cool kids’ books in this one on Potomac Lane near Fort Hunt, including Llama Llama’s Red Pajamas.

Hopefully some books for the nerdy kids as well.

[lordofthemark]

@Gina 212762 wrote:

Abyssinia! I stopped by this afternoon for an americano and an almond croissant.

One of our favorite places, and handy to Jones Point.

[lordofthemark]

@wheels&wings 212739 wrote:

Name Game Pointless Prize

My middle name is the name of a cigar (yuck) so maybe I could find a store named after the cigar. [/B]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Accidental_Tourist#Plot_summary

The character in question lives in a rowhouse in South Baltimore, so a picture in front of such a rowhouse in SoBo could work (or the one used in the movie, which was filmed on location) could work – but of course it wouldn’t bear the name, so maybe that is stretching too far.

[lordofthemark]

@Steve O 202573 wrote:

9 am Monday morning in Colorado Springs.
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I am standing literally in the middle of the road.

Not for the first time.

[lordofthemark]

Men’s small would fit me, I guess? (5 feet not quite 6 inches, just under 140 pandemic pounds – well many of y’all know what I look like)

I’m in I guess.

[lordofthemark]

@VikingMariner 212346 wrote:

With all of the money that the McLean area has and thousands of cyclists in a five-mile radius, there’s no excuse for not having better cycling infrastructure unless laziness is a good excuse.

I mean there are also a lot of entitled motorists in a five mile radius, no?

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