Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks

Bike mom, Architect, Armchair Urbanist, Feminist. Originally from suburban Houston, lived in the Netherlands, now in DC

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Also shout to the Wolf Trap shuttle. We got there by metro and when the concert ended, the bus bypassed the crazy traffic jam getting us home to the babysitter so much faster.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Went to see @respektor last night and I’m still reeling this morning over how much incredible music can come from one person. She performed entirely solo, just her and the piano filling Wolf Trap Auditorium, an Olympic performance.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

The arches are charming, but slow streets, wide sidewalks, lots of trees, and awnings are WAY more adaptable. Shade is good, but we do not need to build this again.

[YIMBYLAND @YIMBYLAND]

Arcades have been used for thousands of years to shield pedestrians from the elements... but then we just stopped building them.

This is why we stopped – and why we should start building them again...

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@barenakedladles @ScreechySayWha @YIMBYLAND @ANCCostello Bologna is like this and it’s charming, but I still prefer to be under the sky and shaded by trees as I walk through a city. Arcades were mostly built during periods when city streets had no trees, and I find them kind confining and disorienting when they’re everywhere.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@ScreechySayWha @YIMBYLAND @ANCCostello Not to mention that the columns create extra hiding places for shenanigans

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@ScreechySayWha @YIMBYLAND @ANCCostello Making it deeper wouldn’t really improve it much IMO. It’s hard for people passing by to see inside the retailers and makes the retail spaces kinda dark. Awnings and outdoor market structures serve the same function, but can adapt to the season and sun angle.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@ericmiller_dc I trained my older kid just using sidewalks, but this time I cheated and outsourced the teaching to a Pedalheads day camp. They use a local church parking lot. This is only her second day there!

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

My sweet girl learned to ride today!!! She was glowing she was so proud! 🥳

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Honestly, July was pretty hot so I think the news is that much more exciting! People will bike more if you give them the infrastructure to do so!

[Capital Bikeshare @bikeshare]

Huzzah! We broke a lot of records last month. Cue the music:

🎉🚲Most rides in one day: Over 19K rides on 7/4
🎉🎉🚲Most rides in one week: Over 112K rides the week of 7/17
🎉🎉🎉🚲Most rides in one month: Over 461K rides for the month.

Any personal bests?

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@MomentumMag Depending on the distance, do what you can to avoid a full wardrobe change. Find work clothes that are stretchy and breathable like Ministry of Supply and pack some wet wipes. Packing clothes or showering at work is a drag and may become a barrier that keeps you from biking.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@randomduck Especially as an architect, working with metric measurements was an absolute breeze. I never got used to the Celsius though.

[YIMBYLAND @YIMBYLAND]

Build the Texas T shinkansen 🚄

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Even in 2023 as an architect, I’m still often the only woman in the room. Today I corresponded with a contractor, civil engineer, structural engineer, and development project manager for separate projects and all of these people were women 🤯🥳

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Visual proof that parking in DC is too cheap. This Jeep might as well be on blocks it’s been here so long.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@ElleryKlein Flying has become so so bad. I long for the train every time now

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

A better shot of the double rainbow!

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Double rainbow!!

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

Let’s do it! Where should we implement some play streets on the Hill? @theHillisHome

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

@DDOTDC @MayorBowser I LOVE the Open Streets events, but that’s not what the video I posted was about. The “play streets” in the video are are individual urban blocks that are closed to car traffic for a few hours at least once a week. It’s much simpler and not a big festival production.

[Katherine Widen-the-sidewalks @bakfietsdc]

DC needs a play streets program! Closing down certain local streets at strategic times so kids can play freely and their parents can chat without fear would do wonders! @DDOTDC @MayorBowser