The Washington Post today launched America Answers, a new live event series which brings together a variety of innovators to discuss major national issues. The first in the series, “Fix My Commute,” focused on transportation issues. There were a wide range of topics discussed, from bike lanes and ride-sharing to high speed rail and flying cars. Mobilizing the Region wasn’t able to attend in person, but we were able to watch live online and follow along on Twitter. If you weren’t able to tune in, here’s some of what you missed:
Flying cars
Post's #americaanswers about to start. Check out the flying car in front of the studio pic.twitter.com/X88cLzSGOp
— Mary Jordan (@marycjordan) October 21, 2014
Bike lanes
Bikes, bikes, and more bikes. Also bike lanes. And then some more bikes. #americaanswers
— All-Powerful Bicycle Lobby (Retired) (@BicycleLobby) October 21, 2014
"Protected bike lanes do cost $ but are worthwhile investment" @MayorHancock at #americaanswers @BikeDenver @BikeWalk @GreenLaneProj
— Jeff Miller (@JeffreyBCMiller) October 21, 2014
Flying cars in bike lanes
https://twitter.com/andrewjh/status/524544107549839360
How flying cars may or may not have impacted Vice President Joe Biden’s arrival
@revswatkins @VP Awaiting his arrival… Might he be stuck in traffic? #AmericaAnswers
— Forgotten Witch (@SignyTheSage) October 21, 2014
https://twitter.com/TDMWendy/status/524623626520506368
Access to information and technology
How do we ensure transpo info from various sources is public, displayed for all, not privatized for smart phone users? #americaanswers
— Andy Clarke (@Andybikes) October 21, 2014
Much talk about new transpo tech models. Will they increase access/mobility for people w/disabilities? #americaanswers @NJDC07 @policylink
— Delegate Melissa Wells (@ElectWells) October 21, 2014
Freedom machines
Former Sec. Andrew Card just called the car a freedom machine. #AmericaAnswers #FixMyCommute
— AAA (@AAAnews) October 21, 2014
@AAAnews LOL at "freedom machine." #AmericaAnswers #FixMyCommute pic.twitter.com/62eKHajga9
— Tri-State Transportation Campaign (@Tri_State) October 21, 2014
When it’s no longer OK to ride a bicycle
https://twitter.com/StreetsblogUSA/status/524570416120360960
https://twitter.com/MoCoDanHoffman/status/524570799341334529
The Northeast Corridor
Amtrak VP Stephen Gardner: Northeast Corridor is best rail market in US, but its operating at crush load. #AmericaAnswers
— Dr. Gridlock (@drgridlock) October 21, 2014
Steve Gardner, Amtrak VP: "With 13 million more people expected by 2050 we have to build capacity for the future." #NEC #AmericaAnswers
— David Miller (@themilman) October 21, 2014
Vice President Joe Biden on the Northeast Corridor
Why @Biden has more @Amtrak frequent traveler miles than you do: "I’ve made over 8000 round trips on Amtrak."
— Kate Hinds (@katehinds) October 21, 2014
.@JoeBiden never came to a meeting unprepared because he had a productive 1.25 hour commute on @AmtrakNEC. #AmericaAnswers #transit
— Tri-State Transportation Campaign (@Tri_State) October 21, 2014
Driverless cars vs. transit
https://twitter.com/StreetsblogUSA/status/524600610038218752
"Driverless cars will let us be productive when stuck in traffic" says Raj Rajkumar @CarnegieMellon at #AmericaAnswers – Heard of Transit?
— Jeff Miller (@JeffreyBCMiller) October 21, 2014
And finally, Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns nicely summarizes the nation’s transportation problems and needs:
We don't have a capacity problem, we have a distribution problem. #AmericaAnswers
— Charles Marohn (@clmarohn) October 21, 2014
We don't need growth: we need productive growth. Invest in walkable, bikeable, urban places. @clmarohn at #AmericaAnswers @Studio_Theatre
— Urbanish | D.C. (@urbanish_) October 21, 2014
