Breakfast links: The value of bike lanes
Mixed-use and cycle track for Herndon
Herndon is planning a walkable, mixed-use area around its future Silver Line station. Along Herndon Parkway, planners are considering a 2-way cycle track instead of on-street bike lanes. (Gazette via WashCycle)
Fewer bike and pedestrian scofflaws
Cyclists and pedestrians have received fewer tickets this year. New infrastructure like bike lanes and better crosswalks could be making it safer. Police might also be more knowledgeable about bike laws. (Examiner)
On bike lanes
Reacting to Alex Baca’s story on bike lanes, Richard Layman thinks complaints about the process for designing them is really about “the dominant mobility paradigm of automobility.” Lydia DePillis says bike infrastructure can make Washington greater; Mike DeBonis believes more bikers can change bike culture in DC; and Rob Pitingolo argues biking is more affordable than driving and not just for the rich.
Evans paying for sports tickets
Jack Evans spent nearly one-third of his constituent services fund on sports tickets last year. Evans says he gives them away to the community, which is legal, but some question if it should be. (Post)
Another round of campus plans
Catholic University is beginning its campus plan process. The university generally wants to improve pedestrian safety and increase density. There’s no word yet on neighborhood reactions. (City Paper)
Clean up or close coal plant?
An environmental group is proposing to use funds to close an Alexandria coal plant and redevelop the site. The money would otherwise pay for plant upgrades but some environmentalists oppose the plan because the group has ties to the gas industry. (WAMU)
Fighting homelessness in Fairfax
Fairfax County has set a goal to end homelessness by 2018. The Connection interviews service providers and recipients explores what the county still needs to do to accomplish the goal.
And…
VRE is trying to combat fare evasion (Post) … A new book looks at the history of lettering in the NYC subway, from mosaics to Helvetica (Brain Pickings, Stephen Miller) … Amtrak is opening an exhibit on the Great Migration at Union Station (NBC Washington) … Vienna moving forward on bike parking. (FABB)