Breakfast links: Think outside the car

The right way to talk about performance parking

Michael pointed out this WTOP story on performance parking from before Wednesday’s meeting, which frames the issue in a much better way starting with the lede. “Take a look at the driver ahead of you on the road. There’s a 30 percent chance he’s cruising for a parking space, wasting gas and delaying your trip.” The article quotes DDOT’s Rick Rybeck, who is much more on-message, talking about incentives. (WTOP, Michael P)  (Tip: Michael P)

Sign for streetcars

Streetcars for DC is asking streetcar supporters to send letters to the DC Council, Mayor Fenty, and Eleanor Holmes Norton to get the city moving on streetcars.  (Tip: Michael P)

Do parking spaces vote in Gaithersburg?

Once a bastion of progressive land-use thinking, the Gaithersburg City Council has gotten stuck in black and white car-centrism. A developer wants to build less parking than zoning requires for a site that’s very close to transit and shops, but Councilwoman Cathy Drzyzgula opposes the request because “There is no evidence that Gaithersburg will not still be a car-driven community far into the future.” Even if Gaithersburg isn’t going to become car-free, there’s still such a thing as less car-driven. (BeyondDC)

Tough to shake the cell phone habit

One reporter is having a tough time avoiding talking on the phone as she crawls along the Beltway in traffic. It’s too bad there probably isn’t good transit from her home to Adams Morgan. (Washington City Paper)

Reduce crash injuries, unsafe driving, or just driving?

A VW lawyer writes in a libertarian journal that safety regulations may create more danger than they save by, among other things, focusing attention on building cars that protect occupants from crashes over reducing dangerous behavior like talking on the phone. I’d be curious whether the author also believes in reducing government rules forcing auto-oriented development, a step most libertarians have sadly failed to take. (NY Times, Stephen Miller)  (Tip: Stephen Miller)

The Idaho Stop is safer

After Idaho instituted its law requiring cyclists to slow down and yield but not stop completely at stop signs, injuries went down 14.5%, and Idahoans are pleased with the law. (TheAthletesLawyer, Jaime, Michael P)  (Tip: Jaime)

Hawthorne’s sidewalk “war”

The Post notices the sidewalk debate going on in DC’s northernmost neighborhoods. Residents in Hawthorne, northeast of Chevy Chase, are at “war” over DDOT’s plans to add sidewalks on several main streets. Opponents don’t want the neighborhood to feel urban, while supporters don’t feel streets are safe for children, seniors, and other pedestrians and bicyclists.

And…

A majority of Town of Chevy Chase residents testifying at a recent hearing support filing a lawsuit to try to delay the Purple Line (Gazette) … Arlington will spend $3.3 million to fix up several streets in various neighborhoods (Post) … A new real estate service in Seattle helps buyers find walkable, transit-oriented homes (SGA).