Photo by BikePortland.org on Flickr.

DC becoming bike-friendlier

As Fenty prepares to leave office, he and his predecessor Anthony Williams can take credit for vastly improved bike facilities across the district that have led to significantly increased numbers of residents commuting by bike. In particular, the success of Capital Bikeshare has been “stunning.” (Post, Joey)  (Tip: Joey)  

A lot to be thankful for in DC neighborhoods

We Love DC explains why they love DC neighborhoods: festivals, proximity to action, restaurants, parks, and front porches.  Social interaction is the common thread that ties them all together. (Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

Breakthroughs in 2010

Volvo’s new pedestrian detection system, which can spot people 160 feet away and begin braking if the driver doesn’t respond to an audible alert, and Arena Stage’s new acoustically pure stage, were listed in Popular Science’s Best of What’s New in 2010.  

Bike hit-and-run in Mt. Vernon Triangle

A man on a bicycle struck an elderly couple walking in an alley, injuring them both, the man critically. The Post acknowledges that Police are “seeking a bicyclist.” Now if only they’d acknowledge that cars, too, don’t drive themselves. (Joshua D.)  (Tip: Joshua D.)  

Gray’s slow transition irks some

Vince Gray is taking his time making decisions about his transition into the Mayor’s office, particularly in comparison to the current mayor. Some officials say this is a problem, others say it’s just a manifestation of his different leadership style. (Post)  

Full body scanners on the Metro?

DHS is looking at expanding the controversial full-body scanners to other modes of transportation, including transit, boats and more. Also, the TSA’s head defended not telling the public about the scanners ahead of time since terrorists might have found out, but doesn’t seem to realize they found out anyway once they went into effect. (The Hill)  

BWI rail platforms reopen

After months of work, the northbound platform at the Thurgood Marshall BWI rail station reopened on Wednesday, marking the end of the major rebuilding and lengthening project. (Progressive Railroading)  

Is there a subtext to parking debates?

Many people who complain about a lack of parking seem to be complaining about something else, either a lack of free parking or a lack of parking extremely close to their destinations. In downtown Roanoke, which has recently been subject to this debate, most parking is closer to main destinations than the parking lots at a regional mall are to the stores. (RIDE Solutions)  

And…

Wired takes a look at the design elements that make the Bixi bike great for bike sharing. (Wired Magazine) … Hertz launched a one-way car-sharing service in New York City that allows customers to pick up a car at the region’s three airports and drop it off at downtown locations.  Will Zipcar follow suit? (Transportation Nation) … Sure they’re locally-owned franchises, but why is it Columbia Heights’ development non-profit can only attract and support national chains? (Housing Complex)