A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019) • Hacker News Board

Re: A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019)

#171

Post by prepend » Fri, Aug 05, 2022, 2:24 PM UTC

rektide wrote: post #158

prepend wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not a yard company but I’ve talked to the team that does my yard and they said (two of them) that they do 12-16 houses a day and each house takes about 30 minutes. Usually one is blowing the whole time while one mows and weedwhacks and then the second puts on a backpack. They have a long day from like 7am to 6pm. So my example certainly isn’t contrived. But it’s just one example and the only one I know.

If these teams start at 7am, they should be executed/shot without legal reprecussions if they start at 7am in most areas with gas bullshit. You've specified an 11 hour work window. If, between two people, they spend 50% of that day working with full-throttle leaf blowing, I'm very impressed with their efficiency. Getting around & blowing being that dominant a factor in the day is impressive. That's still 9 batteries…

I certainly wish they wouldn’t be so loud early in the morning, but don’t agree on execution :)

I think the issue is that buying and managing 9 batteries is much harder than a tank of gas. Not that it’s impossible, but that’s not a realistic path for professionals. We need better batteries before this is a feasible replacement.

This is also just a two person company and they own their own business.

Re: A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019)

#172

Post by rektide » Fri, Aug 05, 2022, 4:27 PM UTC

prepend wrote: post #171

rektide wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If these teams start at 7am, they should be executed/shot without legal reprecussions if they start at 7am in most areas with gas bullshit. You've specified an 11 hour work window. If, between two people, they spend 50% of that day working with full-throttle leaf blowing, I'm very impressed with their efficiency. Getting around & blowing being that dominant a factor in the day is impressive. That's still 9 batteries…

I certainly wish they wouldn’t be so loud early in the morning, but don’t agree on execution :) I think the issue is that buying and managing 9 batteries is much harder than a tank of gas. Not that it’s impossible, but that’s not a realistic path for professionals. We need better batteries before this is a feasible replacement. This is also just a two person company and they own their own business.

They need to deal & adapt. Having batteries in the truck is not hard. They have a social obligation to a huge number of people to not be disruptive in doing their jobs & it's not at all hard for them to meet that. Gas is not that much easier.

Re: A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019)

#173

Post by susiecambria » Sat, Aug 06, 2022, 1:13 AM UTC

Woberto wrote: post #110

This is excellent and I greatly appreciate the write-up as it encourages and helps others see how they might accomplish the same in their own cities or districts. I'm literally listening to gas leaf blowers outside my apartment right now while I work from home; it's something I've never quite gotten used to, and this article is great motivation for trying to bring about change and improvement

Go forth and advocate!

As someone who was a paid policy and budget advocate in DC on local DC issues for 20+ years, this is a sweet example of activism at its best. Citizens (in the sense of the citizenry, not in the sense of legal status) working together to make a change. Coupled, of course, with an outstanding and effective legislator who is masterful at working with the public and working her colleagues.

The several nonprofits with which I worked had some major wins over the years but it's community-driven efforts that make my heart sing. So please, take action for or against something!

Re: A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019)

#174

Post by tifik » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 10:05 AM UTC

galdosdi wrote: post #92

tifik wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the point was that since they banned gas leaf blowers, they might as well have banned all leaf blowers, leaving nothing but hand tools. Of course someone could invent a hand-cranked blower or something... would be interesting to see exactly what loopholes in the legal wording people would find.

What? No. There's still electric leaf blowers allowed. They exist and work fine (but are a little more expensive)

Yes, I know. Parent was proposing a hypothetical scenario.

Re: A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019)

#175

Post by rektide » Sun, Aug 07, 2022, 9:14 PM UTC

The #1 thing I think I wish to add, that I missed the first time around, is that I think a lack of standard batteries & chargers is a huge limitation that- if we dont see progress in ~3 years- needs legal action. The 1/3rd to 3kWh battery sizes in particular needs some standard sizes, standard charge/discharge practices. Everyone being beholden to their brand will keep prices artificially high & reduce practical adoptability. Scooters, mowers, backpack leaf blowers should all have some common-norm pack-sizes available for use.

Re: A group of activists got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital (2019)

#176

Post by kazinator » Mon, Aug 08, 2022, 5:41 PM UTC

showerst wrote: post #32

I live in DC, a few bits of info about why it makes sense here, and may not make sense in your home: 1. They didn't ban leaf blowers, the banned _gas_ leaf blowers. Electric ones are quieter, inexpensive, and work just as well nowadays. My building has an electric Milwaukee that was 200 bucks and lasts all afternoon on a battery or two. 2. This isn't about people wanting to manicure their lawns out in the burbs at 7a…

> have to buy new leaf blowers and batteries

Or, you know, leave the god forsaken leaves where they are instead of blowing them ten feet over?

Most useless activity ever.