Photo by Smudgie’s Ghost.

Worst deal ever

Tax shelter agreements may have impeded replacing the 100-Series rail cars. (These tax shelters also almost caused a fiscal crisis last fall when AIG’s failure led a Belgian bank to call in the loans). (NY Times via Loose Lips Daily)  

Disneyification, literally

Disney plans to build a theme resort at National Harbor. DC tourism officials say this is a good thing, but Richard Layman disagrees. The area is already designed to keep visitors inside the walled garden and not connect to the rest of the region; Disney will surely continue that bad planning paradigm. (NY Times, WBJ, RPUS)  

Smart Growth is green and cheap

A study by the Center for Clean Air Policy argues that Smart Growth reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves money at the same time. Good development patterns can reduce VMT by 10%, saving 154 million metric tons of CO2. Unlike many programs to reduce emissions, it saves money in lower infrastructure costs as well. (NRDC, Gavin Baker)  (Tip: Gavin Baker)  

No room to expand. What parking lots?

One parent at Bethesda Elementary School says the school has “little land to build an addition,” which the school will need to support planned development. However, despite being right near Metro, numerous buses, and many walkable residences, it’s surrounded by parking lots.  

Numbers on SmartBike

SmartBike conducted a survey of members, and just released the results. Bike-sharing Blog notes some interesting results: Most (62%) use the system less than once per week. About 70% of the trips replace walking trips, but a significant number replace driving (16%) or taxi (19%). Few people use SmartBike and transit in the same trip. 60% of users already own a bike. (Bike-sharing Blog via WashCycle)  

BamBike?

Bikes made of bamboo are lighter, more shock-absorbent, and sustainable if grown right. They’re not cheap, though. (Guardian, Ben)  (Tip: Ben)  

Paths not lanes

Max Fisher of the Atlantic argues that bike lanes aren’t that safe; a minivan driver hit him while he was riding a bike in DC. Instead, he says, cities should create a network of separated bike paths. (Ben)  (Tip: Ben)  

Desire of Detroit

People in Detroit have been creating “desire lines”, the paths that don’t follow traditional roads which crop up when many people want to cross a public space in a different way than the design intends. With increasing numbers of destroyed and demolished homes, the street grid reflects less and less the paths remaining residents wish to take. (Sweet Juniper, Jaime)  (Tip: jaime)