Breakfast links: In memoriam
Survivors remember Metro crash victims
Victims’ families and officials dedicated a park on the 5-year anniversary of the Red Line crash. An unsafe culture at WMATA exacerbated the crash. Has the agency improved since then? (WTOP, Post)
Cuts could hit more than streetcars
The DC Council’s proposed tax cuts were rejected by the city’s CFO, as they may limit the city’s ability to borrow future money and pay for emergency infrastructure. (Post)
Older Americans lead bike boom
60 to 79-year-olds made up 37% of new bicyclists from 1995 to 2009. Bikes provide a transportation option for seniors, though road conditions do not always make it easy to ride. (Streetsblog)
I shall call him ... Mini-Me
Paris is launching a bike share system for children aged 2 to 8 years. The bikes will only be available in parks through a staffed kiosk. (road.cc)
What about pop-ups?
Are “pop-ups,” which add floors to rowhouses, an abomination or a needed way to add housing supply? Jim Graham says it’s “absurd” that it’s about meeting demand. The DC Office of Planning is expected soon release a proposal for how to address pop-ups. (Post)
Bucking trend, developer plans 3-bedrooms
While most new area buildings cater to singles, the renovation of the Blairs in Silver Spring will include larger units. These are intended to appeal to young families priced out of closer-in neighborhoods. (Post)
New app helps estimate bus costs
Have a great idea for a bus route? A new map- based app will calculate its cost based on routing and frequencies. (Human Transit)
Fairfax supervisor’s War on Bikes
One Fairfax supervisor continues to protest funding for bike lanes, even though it is less than 1% of an upcoming transportation bond. Will more auto lanes provide the congestion relief he seeks? (FABB)
Texas high speed rail progresses, quietly
A private consortium including Japan’s JR Central railway is planning a bullet train between Houston and Dallas. The project is undergoing an environmental review and has the support of local officials. (CityLab)
And…
Commute times can remain constant even as cities grow, as long as residents have choices. (CityLab) … 2 DC neighborhoods are in the top 3 for highest average gain in house price after a flip. (UrbanTurf) … A DC startup helps transit agencies better collect data and make use of it. (Post)