Capital Bikeshare
A new(ish) Park in DC
The Yards Park has already won a list of awards, but I’ve just discovered it.
I can see why it’s won awards–there are so many things I love about it–the variety of spaces, the classic Holly Whyte bits of urbanism (movable chairs, touchable water, something to eat, people to watch), and its connections, running from Diamond Teague Park at National’s Stadium and through the Navy Yard, with a few bikeshare docks along the way.
Along with a great lawn, there are also intimate spaces, emphasized with the use of residential planning materials like hosta, boxwood, and birch
Is this not the ultimate in "touchable water"? It is also my idea of heaven, Sunday morning, newspaper, pastry, a shady seat, and a place for the kids to have safe fun
The detailing is thoughtful too; what a nice way to signal that you won't be able to sleep here, while echoing the river's ripples
from initimate spaces to dramatic walkways (underneath it, in the shade, are lots of movable chairs)
from drama, to lots of drama; the park was able to coordinate with the Navy Yard to make a continuous path
Planners in Montgomery County are working to determine how to best accommodate bicyclists as the county continues to grow. They’ve created a tool known as a “heat map” to figure out the best places to invest in bike infrastructure.
Red indicates higher demand. Click for full version (PDF).
With limited funds, planners have to prioritize bike infrastructure, just like other types of infrastructure. This tool should help planners figure out which projects will have the biggest impact.
As expected, the primary bicycle hot spots are in the more urban communities in the downcounty area. Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Friendship Heights top the list of areas with high cycling demand.
Wheaton, White Flint, and Rockville also have high demand for cycling infrastructure.
Click for full version (PDF).
The map was developed by measuring proximity to trip attractors such as Metro stations and public facilities. Density and the mix of land uses also factored into the analysis.
Montgomery is the third jurisdiction in the region to develop a bicycle demand map. It follows efforts in the District of Columbia and Arlington County, to develop demand maps for locating Capital Bikeshare stations.
Planners will be able to use this tool to prioritize Capital Bikeshare stations, bike lanes, and other cycling facilities.
We’re still looking for input into the methodology. If you have ideas about how to improve the study, please share them.
Crossposted on Greater Greater Washington.
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