L’Enfant Plaza Right Now

Columns

by Prince Of Petworth June 20, 2016 at 5:33 pm 14 Comments

metro

Thanks to Vera for sending: “RIGHT NOW: #safetrack madness at L’enfant plaza”

AsAMother

A woman just a short while ago got on the Red Line at Metro Center, bringing her bike on with her, and stood by the door. Everybody was packed in like sardines.. When we got to Dupont Circle, she refused to budge out of the way of the door as people were trying to get on and off. There wasn’t anywhere on the train for her to move, but given that she was standing right next to the open door, she could have easily stepped off to let people off. Instead, she ended up not being able to stand up to the pushing throngs of people of people trying to get off the train, and she fell over on top of her bike.

I understand that she probably didn’t want to get off the train and risk not being able to get back on with her bike, but that’s the risk that she should have understood she was taking when she brought her bike during peak rush hour, during Safe Track.
- neighbor
  
  It’s literally against the rules/law (you can get a ticket for it!) to bring your bike on the metro before 7pm. That was dumb of her and bad that the station manager where she got on didn’t notice her going through with it. I wish they’d display that policy prominently at metro stations.
  - textdoc
    
    +1.
- Ms. D
  
  Bikes are prohibited during rush hour. That used to be pretty well enforced by station managers (I’ve witnessed them turning people with bikes away at the gates numerous times in the past), but that, like most other rules, don’t seem to matter anymore.
  .
  My red line ride tonight involved a woman with a large stroller in the door who wouldn’t move (people were making space for her to back into the opposite door space, but she refused) forcing a single-file exit and entry at 3 stations, other doornacles at two more stations, and people who wouldn’t move into the train even though there was space for them to take another several steps in. Also a guy who I suspect by looks was at least 5 years younger than me calling me “young lady” when asking if I wanted an open seat… :/
  - Ms. D
    
    And, no, I’m not that upset by being addressed as “young lady,” but it was an odd parlance, at the least. Miss/ma’am or just “hey” with a tap on the shoulder would have worked (or nothing since I *am* young enough that I should be able to stand and don’t *think* I was showing any signs that I was having trouble standing (I wasn’t) and had just turned down an offer of a seat from another (younger) woman at the previous stop, so there was no obvious reason to offer me the seat). He said it with my back turned to him and I turned around expecting someone at least 50+…instead I got someone who was late 20’s, *maybe* 30. More just weird phrasing than complaining…
    - SWChick
      
      I also am not to fond of the “young lady” phrase. It never really seems to fit in any circumstance. It sometimes comes off condescending. (not necessarily in your case though)
  - textdoc
    
    Yep — “miss” or “ma’am” would’ve been the appropriate term in this case.
- JohnH
  
  During Rush Hour it’s not allowed and I’ve seen station managers stop people. However, it’s also rush hour at one of the busiest stations – one person can’t keep an eye on every last thing. Doesn’t automatically make them lazy….
- John
  
  It’s hard to feel sorry for her, she really should have gotten off the train. I’ve never seen anyone fail to get on after getting off to let others out.
- jumpingjack
  
  During rush hour I’ve seen a driver announce “Man with bike three cars back, get off the train,” and refuse to close the doors until the guy with the bike got off.
justinbc

Doesn’t look all that bad, all things considered.
Effie

It’s just going to be bad all around, they’ve tried to prepare us and we just need be very mindful and considerate of each other during this process to make it as painless as possible. The problem arises when you have people who use the metro, who don’t properly know how to use the metro. Every bicycle rider should know not to be anywhere near the doors until you’re trying to get off. And yes, illegal during rush hour.. there are far too many people to be having bicycles down there at that time (unless you have the folding kind, which I believe is legal during rush hour).

Summer is going to bring the tourists, who will always stand on the wrong side of the escalator, not know how to enter the trains, not know how to purchase cards, block the doors, not give up seats to elders and pregnant women… it’s going to be a mess.
- justinbc
  
  Yes, folding bikes are legal.
Caroline

I transferred at L’Enfant Plaza around the same time last night and it wasn’t crowded at all! I must have been on the other side. Eastern Market was a sardine can, but considering everyone who normally goes east of there had to get off it wasn’t terrible. Today I thought I’d avoid the overcrowding by driving, and boy was that a mistake.

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