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Fall from bike spins LA mayor into cycle advocate by Daisy Nguyen submitted: 2010-08-16 Tailpipe fumes are five times worse for bikers than for drivers, study finds by Jonathan Hiskes submitted: 2010-06-11 Obama Bicycle Policy Wins Love From Cyclists, Scorn From Trucking Industry by Joan Lowy submitted: 2010-04-14 Bristol named first cycling city by BBC submitted: 2009-04-24 From back alley to the high street: First cycle accessories line launches in TopShop by Therese Bjorn submitted: 2009-03-24 Republicans Attempt to Remove Bicycle Related Funding from Stimulus Bill by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Congressman from Oregon) submitted: 2009-02-09 Why biking is the best way to get to Obamas inauguration by Adam Voiland, DC Bicycle Transportation Examiner submitted: 2009-01-14 A timely biz idea: Storage and showers for cyclists by Blake Ellis submitted: 2008-10-11 Bicycle Film Festival by Miles Poindexter submitted: 2008-10-10 Bailout gives tax break to bicycle commuters by Rachel Gordon submitted: 2008-10-09 |
Why biking is the best way to get to Obamas inauguration [2009-01-14] Adam Voiland, DC Bicycle Transportation Examiner 1. Driving probably won't be an option. The Secret Service has announced that cars will be banned from large swaths of the downtown area of the District and a slew of critical bridges on Inauguration Day. Even large sections of highway will be off limits, including I-395 north and eastbound I-66. The bottom line: Especially for people coming from Northern Virginia, attempting to drive will be grueling - if not outright impossible. 2. Metro trains will be overwhelmed. Despite limited resources, Metro looks ready to make an honest effort to accommodate the throngs who plan to descend on the Mall by extending service hours and operating trains on a rush hour schedule. But, let's be realistic: with millions of people expected to show up from out-of-town and thousands of Washingtonians schlepping to work on them, Metro trains will be a nightmare. If you're skeptical of this assessment, just ask a DC resident about what usually happens for the 4th of July fireworks. 3. Buses aren't going to pick up the slack. Likewise, Metro plans to up bus service for the Inauguration, but riders can expect to face extremely long waits, crammed quarters, and long walks to and from stops. As the Secret Service release puts it: "With street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, all Metrobuses will be prepared for detours. Bus riders are encouraged to plan significant extra time to travel." 4. Biking will be quicker, cheaper, and less stressful. Washington DC has one of the most extensive networks of bike paths and lanes in the nation. People coming from Northern Virginia can use the Custis Trail or Washington & Old Dominion Trail bike paths that run parallel to Interstate 66 into Rosslyn and across Key Bridge to Georgetown. People coming from points north can follow the Capital Crescent Trail from downtown Bethesda south to Georgetown. People coming from points south can follow the Mount Vernon Trail. A more detailed map of bike paths and lanes is available here. In the areas restricted to cars, which includes large portions of downtown, bikes will be one of the quickest modes of transportation. 5. How often do you have an opportunity to bike on the highway? With eastbound I-66 closed to traffic, Northern Virginians will have a chance to ride a bike superhighway. I've ridden on highways a few other times in Baltimore and Chicago for special events. It's quite a high. There's sure to be plenty of room and most likely the air will be much cleaner than on a typical day of DC gridlock. 6. Your bike will be safe. The Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) has arranged a bike valet service with drop-off points at 16th St (between K and I) and the Jefferson Memorial parking lot. When you drop your bike off, WABA will park it in a secure location and give you a ticket for later pick-up. This page has more information about how the valet program will work. However, bikers shouldn't feel obligated to use this service. Plenty of cyclists bike and park at DC's many bicycle racks (or sign posts or trees or what not) around the Mall with few problems. Just make sure to bring a good U-lock. |