30 Sep 2010

The Future of Capital Bikeshare at Lincoln Park

Image Courtesy of Capital Bikeshare

Greater Greater Washington has a post on what many of you have already seen on our neighborhood listservs: the Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) location planned for the island at the SE corner of Lincoln Park has been scrapped. Neighbors voiced concerns ranging from biker safety to crime to noise (really?) to aesthetics (the only one to which this writer sees any merit). Oddly, the fact that it can be very difficult for parents with toddlers and or strollers to cross there without the aid of the island (which may or may not have been taken up almost entirely by the CaBi station) wasn’t brought up. `

There is the possibility of putting a location at the Northeast triangle at the park or even in the park itself, but the latter is complicated by park being operated by the National Park Service. Some people suggest that with planned and current stations at the Safeway, RFK Stadium/Armory and 13th and D NE, there is no need for a CaBi station at Lincoln Park at all.

As you can see here, there are stations at or planned for locations all over the Hill, but the area of our neighborhood in the Northeast quadrant between Lincoln Park and Union Station is completely devoid of CaBi stations. My personal opinion is that Lola Beaver Park at 9th and Massachusetts NE is a perfect spot for a CaBi station.

So what do you think? Vote in our poll and let us know what you think about a Capital Bikeshare location at or near Lincoln Park!

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10 responses to “The Future of Capital Bikeshare at Lincoln Park”

  1. Jay says:

    I voted for SE corner of the park (the original proposed location), but I’d be fine with it in the NE corner or in the park itself.

    I think the objections being raised to the Bikeshare rack are absolutely ridiculous.

  2. CR says:

    Having followed discussion this for a few days, I’m still confused about who opposed this location and how the opposition was conveyed to DDOT. Looking at the posts on the newhilleast and Lincoln Park listservs, the ratio of comments in favor seems much larger than comments opposed (or even slightly concerned). And the concerns as described seemed really overblown. Did ANC 6B play a roll formally, or informally via Commissioner Jarboe? Did DDOT bail at the first hint of opposition?

  3. IMGoph says:

    more, more, more. we had one proposed for trinidad as well, and it’s been revoked. so we get NOTHING in our neighborhood.

    i can’t believe that people would willingly say no to more neighborhood-serving amenities.

  4. @CR – I honestly don’t know the answer to that, but will look into it (sadly, probably not until tomorrow – the day job is really eating into my time today). I only read the New Hill East back and forth, b/c despite emailing the moderator of the Lincoln Park listserv multiple times requesting to be added, I’ve been repeatedly ignored and thus am not on said listserv.

  5. HM says:

    Thanks for the piece. Guess we’re still trying to hunt down the anti’s and get some explanation for the opposition. I’d like a CaBi in/near the park and the NE corner seems optimal. Lola Beaver would be a great second location.

  6. CR says:

    Those pedestrian islands at the NE and SE corner are really quite large, and the movement from ramp to ramp is along one edge. I’m pretty sure you could fit a CaBi station and not interfere with strollers (even the double-wide SUV monsters) or wheelchairs.

    I think aesthetic preference is really the only somewhat viable objection, although not one I agree with. . .kind of like windmills in Nantucket Sound. Someone pointed out that the houses across from the NE pedestrian island are more screened by trees than those across from the SE island.

    Lord help us if DDOT feels that they need to consult the church before dropping a station on the NE island.

  7. Katie says:

    I’d really like to see it at lincoln park. It’s such a hub for the neighborhood. i live about 3/4 of a mile, enough that I don’t visit as much as I’d like but if there a bike station there I could scoot between there and the RFK station near my house. The SE corner really is quite.

  8. Trulee Pist says:

    I would also like to know if any member of ANC-6B was in contact with anyone at DDOT about this before the SE Lincoln Park CaBi disappeared. ANC-6B is so secretive about everything they do, you almost feel like assuming the worst if they don’t come forward and spell out in detail their involvement.

    What about it, Ken? Dave? Did ANC-6B have anything at all to do with this?

  9. rg says:

    Even by the NIMBY standards of Capitol Hill, this situation is ridiculous. Noise?!?! Yes, those bicycle will be so much noisier than cars and buses. Aesthetics?!?! Really?!?! I was not aware that Capitol Hill is so precious that something that works just fine all over Paris and Montreal is just too aesthetically jarring our our neighborhood.

  10. M. says:

    I actually don’t get the aesthetics argument. Aren’t asphalt, street lights, cars, and street signs hideous? Why not try to get cobblestone streets with fancy iron work lights, etc.? Why focus on getting rid of a bike rack?

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