Photo by from-the-window on Flickr.

Are we “yuppies”? Are streetcars “toys”?

Harry Jaffe realizes our voice matters a lot in this year’s mayoral race, but chooses to dismiss and label us partly because he doesn’t like streetcars. (Examiner) … But more longer-time and black residents are leaning Gray despite marked improvements in schools, crime, and government services. (Yglesias)  

Papers without patience

It’s another article insisting the ballpark area is a failure, only the stats actually show vacancy rates are lower there than elsewhere in the city, and aren’t we in a major real estate downturn? (Examiner via @jdland)  

Google made them build an unsafe road?

A woman is suing Google for giving her walking directions that included a Park City, Utah highway without a sidewalk. A driver hit her along the route; she’s also suing the driver. How about the road designers who didn’t put in a sidewalk? (Search Engine Land, Joey)  (Tip: Joey)  

No videotaping police misconduct?

An LA police officer was caught on video kicking a cyclist for no apparent reason (WashCycle) … but at least three states have prosecuted people who videotape police, including Maryland, which went after a motorcyclist after he posted helmet video that embarrassed a state trooper. (The Freeman)  

Riding it all

Em Hall is trying to ride every Metrorail station and Metrobus line in a year. She’s chronicling her adventures on her blog Metro-Venture. (Post)  

Georgetown streetcars tonight

Georgetown’s ANC will finally discuss streetcars on K street and Wisconsin Avenue tonight. The meeting at Georgetown Visitation School starts at 6:30pm, with streetcar discussion expected to begin at 7pm. (ANC2E, Ken Archer)  (Tip: Ken Archer)  

Bike bits

The feds have a report on how agencies can encourage cycling, but agencies don’t have to follow it … The Woodrow Wilson Bridge project was supposed to create a pedestrian crossing on Route 1, but closed the project without finishing it, and now VDOT is dragging their heels … Post letter writers continue to object to bike lanes and any use of Beach Drive other than as a megafreeway, even off peak. (WashCycle)  

Can the best congestion model sell congestion pricing?

New Yorker Charles Komanoff has created a detailed spreadsheet analyzing New York’s traffic congestion and the effect any congestion pricing scheme would have. However, the biggest obstacles to congestion pricing are political, not scientific. (Wired)