Is it okay if I post about walking and biking? (Alexandria: credit, neighborhoods)

[brooklynborndad]

I have tried very, very hard not to post about RE issues in places in NoVa where I would not choose to live myself, though sometimes I fail.

I have posted some positive things about actual, proposed, or speculated "urbanist" developments in parts of NoVa from Alexandria to Reston, including the politics of them. Some may find this offensive. I will attempt to avoid posting about such developments in any place more than two miles outside the beltway, as that seems to elicit the most controversy. I would like to continue to post about new developments inside the beltway, and in areas adjacent to it (like Tysons Corner).

I would like to continue to post items related to biking and walking (but not "walkability", other than positive things about "pedestrian friendliness" and maybe some critiques of walking in my own neighborhood)

I will try to avoid posting about nonlocal politics, even when a local politician is involved.

I don't particularly think of myself as very liberal (I am a moderate who likes markets) or as an elitist (though I do make aesthetic judgements, but not on this forum) I do confess to being an "urbanist" of sorts, though of the broad minded variety.

If I violate these rules feel free to post this to me in response.

Can I become a valued poster here this way?

[themommy]

::shrugs::

I like your posts just fine the way they are now.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Can I become a valued poster here this way?

I think you are a valued poster here already.

[Caladium]

What I'd love to see is more posts about Annandale. Also the general area within 5-10 miles of Annandale. That area doesn't get covered nearly enough on this forum. People like Tiger Beer are moving here and are interested in learning about all the great little communities in your neck of the woods. You could provide a real service telling him (and us) all about walking, biking, and every other aspect of life there.

[dkf747]

You can post on whatever you want to, as long as it's related to NOVA area.

[Carlingtonian]

I have benefited from some of your posts. (E.g., you were helpful in my query about bike routes to Mark Center.) It does sometimes feel like you only come on here to advocate for your pet cause. OTOH, people are free not to read those threads. And your right to express your ideas supercedes others' right not to be annoyed on the internet. And to your credit, you are always polite and even-tempered.

[CAVA1990]

I'm always up for more threads on biking and walking - two of my favorite activities. I thought the post about the new bikeshare was very helpful. I wish we could get more discussion going on how to revise existing zoning to allow small businesses to open within shorter distances of residential neighborhoods so more folks had something to walk or bike to.

[Jayess1]

1) Ask the mods - it's their place
2) If you post in public, don't be shocked or surprised if others disagree

It's that simple. And no, I find the new urbanism to be beyond distasteful, smacking of a desire to control populations. YMMV.

[oneasterisk]

How's that saying go about asking for forgiveness or permission?

[brooklynborndad]

The reason I posted this - I AM very interested in topics related to urbanism, to policy, to development, to walking and biking. Thats why I'm here, for the most part.

I have been told that I am an urbanist, a liberal, and an elitist. And that the sum of my posting reinforces the notion that those categories naturally overlap.

I confess to being an "urbanist" though I do not think that entails not respecting the suburbs, even "non neo urbanist suburbs" as a perfectly valid choice for many.

I don't usually think of myself as a libaeral, but I guess I am libereral, at least by today's standards.

I don't think of myself as an elitist, but I guess I can see where some could see me that way.

I strongly believe that urbanism is not intrinsically liberal (I have read too many insightful things from libertarian leaning "market urbanists" to think that). I also strongly believe that it is not intrinsically elitist. I do not want my own personality or inclinations to lead people to think that urbanism is those things. I also do not want my own tendency to get sucked into long debates to detract from the things I support.

Ergo, I intend to pare down my posting, and in particular to reduce posting on politics (except as it relates to my key issues) and on topics involving any place more than 2 miles beyond the capital beltway. I find those are the areas where I tend to most get caught up in fruitless discussion. That will mean no posts on issues related to the outer part of the W&OD say - but its not like there are many policy questions coming up about that, and for narrower biking related topics on that, there are better forums than CD for discussing those. Ditto, I can pass on discussions of metro extensions to places more than 2 miles beyond the beltway, though I may find that harder.