tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post6737740686323602723..comments2024-02-28T11:29:36.860-05:00Comments on just up the pike: on-street capital crescent trail could be a better experience for bikes and pedsDan Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-58179232526003750062011-11-17T16:48:29.527-05:002011-11-17T16:48:29.527-05:00The idea of ending the Purple Line east of the tun...The idea of ending the Purple Line east of the tunnel and having transit users walk came up during today's Planning Board hearing. The MTA has been asked to at least look at this some more.<br /><br />But I think the idea should die on the fairness issue alone. The Purple Line Bethesda station is estimated to have 11,500 boardings each week day. If you assume and equal number of people get off there, that would be 23,000 people using the station every day. Times five workdays in a week, and we have 115,000 transit users each week without counting weekends. <br /> <br />The trail use has been counted and is 10,500 each week. So - there are more than 10 times as many transit uses as trail uses.<br /><br />Most transit riders will want to go to the Metro south entrance elevators to transfer, or to points west of Wisconsin Ave. For them there will be a walk of 1000' because the Purple Line stops short. For trail users, the alternative trail route on the surface will be about 400' longer than using the tunnel. And about 1/2 of the trail users are on bikes where 400' is no big deal.<br /><br />As a trail user, I just don't feel comfortable asking 10 transit users to walk 1000' so that I don't have to go an extra 400' and wait at one light to cross Wisconsin Ave.silverspringtrailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12142254843465970449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-63114371924893808322011-11-17T16:22:18.358-05:002011-11-17T16:22:18.358-05:00@Robert
Ending the Purple Line before the tunnel ...@Robert<br /><br />Ending the Purple Line before the tunnel would put it in the middle of Elm Street Park in Chevy Chase. Commuters wouldn't like that very much, but I'm sure the Town would have a lot to say about it as well.<br /><br />Bicyclists are going to have to go off-trail regardless. So what are we going to do? Let them speed through the tunnel and fend for themselves on the road once they get out? Or provide an on-street trail network that, while a little slower, gets people to their actual destination in one piece?Dan Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-20421470466746436512011-11-17T16:15:55.267-05:002011-11-17T16:15:55.267-05:00Completing the trail and doing it above ground wit...Completing the trail and doing it above ground with separate bike lanes as on 15th Street or as on Pennsyvlania Avenue in DC would be preferable. Agree with the point made that it sends a message that bikes belong and it is much more convenient to able to hop off and stop in a store. I (try) to commute year around and the CCT doesn't feel that safe after dark, where riding on city streets after dark is fine with the right lights/reflectors.Lee Goldberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09985529700523174598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-81799470335977621992011-11-17T16:11:13.743-05:002011-11-17T16:11:13.743-05:00On street bike lanes can never equate with a dedic...On street bike lanes can never equate with a dedicated bike path through the tunnel with no need to stop for traffic on cross streets, etc. You can simply get on your bike and ride through the tunnel. No stops, no traffic, no problems. The experience is going to be very different if the bike lane is on the streets. <br /><br />Why not stop the Purple Line before the tunnel and have the patrons walk to their destination (they'd have to do that anyway) or the Metro station?Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00180733496678026590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-81939611544795256282011-11-17T11:15:14.769-05:002011-11-17T11:15:14.769-05:00@Robert
Removing the trail is a break of faith wi...@Robert<br /><br /><i>Removing the trail is a break of faith with trail users.</i><br /><br />Of course, so would not building the trail out to downtown Silver Spring. Or not building the Purple Line, which was a promise the County made before the Capital Crescent Trail was even built.<br /><br />We're going to have to provide on-street bike and ped facilities (bike lanes, sidewalks, etc.) regardless of what we do with the trail. Making streets like Wisconsin Avenue (and Georgia, Connecticut, and so on) safer to cross is a must.Dan Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-41457647202079535082011-11-17T11:08:16.928-05:002011-11-17T11:08:16.928-05:00You have to be kidding.
I've used the trail...You have to be kidding. <br /><br />I've used the trail tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue. I've also crossed Wisconsin Avenue on the surface. Maintaining the tunnel for the trail is absolutely essential, especially for bike riders. Removing the trail is a break of faith with trail users.<br /><br />Maybe the solution is to stop the Purple Line before Wisconsin Avenue.<br /><br />Of course, why are we worrying about this? Given the federal and state budgets, the Purple Line is far from a done deal until there is actually money for construction.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00180733496678026590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-47430143038703134722011-11-17T09:59:03.029-05:002011-11-17T09:59:03.029-05:00Very thought-provoking article. I'm glad you m...Very thought-provoking article. I'm glad you mentioned the safety aspect. As someone who was involved in efforts to improve the safety of the Forest Glen Pedestrian Bridge AFTER the muggings I believe it is very important for the county and state to plan for the security on the trail and on access paths to the Purple Line stations.Woody Brosnanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05396619795756337811noreply@blogger.com