Photo by reway2007 on Flickr.

Helmets good, mandatory bad

WABA outlines why they oppose Maryland’s proposed mandatory bike helmet law: where it’s been passed, bike ridership dropped, and it distracts from the real needs. But individuals should still wear helmets on their own.  

Hybrid protest

Drivers of less-polluting vehicles protested Governor McDonnell’s plan to tax them $100 a year (while eliminating the gas tax for other drivers). (NBC4)  

Last in, first fixed

Some of Metro’s newest escalators at the NoMa station will need to be replaced by 2020. The escelators are unreliable and replacing them will reduce the number of escalator manufacturers in the system. (Examiner)  

Around the at-large race

Matthew Frumin raised $82,000, while Michael Brown took in $9,500. (@dcist_martin) … John Settles filed for bankruptcy in 2011. (City Paper) … Harry Jaffe thinks vote-splitting will benefit Patrick Mara. (Examiner)  

MBT gradually moving ahead

DDOT is getting a staging area to build the bridge from the Rhode Island Avenue Metro to the Metropolitan Branch Trail. They’re also working on extending the trail to CUA and Fort Totten. (TheWashCycle)  

Cool Disco Donuts not so cool

A Dupont Circle donut shop owner tried to name his store after graffiti artist Cool “Disco” Dan, but changed it after artists objected to the “swagger-jacking,” reusing African-American culture for commercial purposes. (Post)  

Who pays the most?

DC families making $22,000-62,000 pay the greatest share of income in taxes, about 11%; the top 1% and lowest 20% pay a little over 6%. (DCFPI)  

High-speed hit piece

An Anderson Cooper “expose” of a “high-speed rail” project in Vermont totally got the story wrong, in many ways. (Streetsblog)  

Fearersome new task force

There’s a new task force to look at Ward 5’s industrial land and it’s future. Among the members are Greater Greater Washington editor, Trinidad resident, and Greenbelt planner Jaime Fearer. Congrats Jaime!  

And…

DC has started adding more Capital Bikeshare stations. (TheWashCycle) … Richard Sarles is really sorry about the Green Line fiasco. (City Paper) … Groundhog Day is tomorrow, and Potomac Phil will make an appearance in Dupont Circle. (Borderstan)