I’m in Washington for a few days at an I.T. Conference but I’m making some time here and there to get out into the City and see some things. Not the touristy things but your more everyday things.
A couple of observations:
1. D.C. is lousy with bikes. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m more aware of it but there are bikes everywhere. There are bike lanes, bike racks and bikes locked to just about everything that is nailed down. You see, as you might expect, lots of young folks riding and some actual hipsters as well as reasonably well dressed people on a bike. Some with helmets and some without. Saw one guy drinking a Starbucks on his bike going to Connecticut avenue – busses whizzing around him and he was just cruising along. It drives me to distraction – I’m always looking to see what everyone is riding. Certianly cyclists are killed and injured in DC but drivers seem to be pretty comfortable with them overall. Saw a women in heels and a skirt on a bike.
2. The Capital Bikeshare program must be going gangbusters. Those bikes are everywhere and look to be very well designed to me – built in flashing red lights on the back!!
3. I’m not from the city so maybe I don’t understand the rules but a primary rule seems to be that you simply ignore everyone else. A majority of people go everywhere with earbuds jammed in their heads. So many so that I wondered if they are not standard-issue (although I didn’t get mine when i crossed the river). I can’t imagine being around that many people and not being able to hear what’s going on around me. Hell, I don’t like running with the things in and can’t tolerate cycling with them. What are all of those people listening to?
4. The other wierd thing that you don’t see much in our area is bluetooth headsets for cell phones. Honestly, it’s so normal here that people are completely comfortable with it. I was walking down the sidewalk yesterday behind a guy I was certain was unhinged – he was gesticulating and generally having a very spirited debate with himself when I noticed the little dongle in his ear. If you did that in Manassas it might generate several calls to the non-emergency hotline for the PD.
5. The City looks better at night than it does during the day.
6. Traffic signs and lights are more like “suggestions” than actual rules or laws that you’re supposed to obey. If it fights into your plan, you can roll with it but if not, lay on your horn and hope for the best….
All in all I really like the City but I can’t abide being around this many people. I’m also becoming convinced that the people that are here can’t abide it either because each seems to be ensconced in their own cacoon of auditory isolation. In a hurry to get from wherever they came from to where they want to be. Ignoring everything in between….
August 1, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Reminds me of a golden book (or some such) that I read when I was a kid: “Andy Goes to the City.” It’s a good things there aren’t many tall buildings in DC or you might hurt your neck!
Well, all kidding aside, your post serves as a reminder that we live in a decent town out here where people tend to say (or at least nod) hello. That was especially evident during last week’s festivities.
And you sure are right about those isolating earbuds. Makes me wonder how many go home wondering why they’re having a tough time meeting other people.
We’ll see you when you return home. In the meantime, be careful in the big city. Remember to pack a lunch every day, hide your money in your shoes, and don’t let anyone steal your fishing pole.
-R
August 2, 2011 at 7:21 am
That’s why we moved to Manassas 30 years ago instead of Fairfax – people are friendly here like they are in North Carolina.
1,110 bikes at 110 stations and expanding:
http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/
I used to write articles for Courier Magazine about bike couriers. Imagine your business being your bike!
August 2, 2011 at 7:34 am
I did a trial last summer (or maybe 2 years ago) where I rode my bike to all my clients – at least when I didn’t have to tote a computer. It wasn’t bad but it isn’t practical in the dead of summer or winter. Most of our clients are close enough that distance wasn’t a problem. Getting to the airport was a bit of a hump but manageable.
August 2, 2011 at 8:46 am
Oh that whole earbuds in and bluetooths in all time irks me! I use my bluetooth when I drive, that’s it. I use my earbuds when I am busy doing data entry, that’s it. I make my friends put their phones away while we out at dinner cause its so rude to use your cellphone when you are on my time. Some of the people in my generation depend way to much on technology. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it just as much (facebook addict) but sometimes you have to just walk away.
I agree, DC is so much prettier at night. Traffic is crazy. We went to a concert a few months ago and I couldn’t wait to get back to Manassas where the people are pretty much sane 🙂
August 2, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Andy,
Did you see the ghost bike? If you did, can you get a picture of it? Agree with your observations on earbuds. Didn’t encounter any bluetooth crazies. Funny, when I ordered my new hearing aids, the audiologist was trying to “upsell” me to getting built in bluetooth. I said “are you kidding me? I talk to myself enough already”.