Cycling to Work
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Written by admin on July 15, 2008 – 10:25 am
I’ve been cycling to work pretty much since I moved to DC 10 years ago.
I came to DC from New York right out of college, without a car, because I didn’t think I could afford one. I was making just under $30K and was concerned about how I was going to pay rent and living expenses, let alone car payments and gas. I knew I was going to need to live by public transportation in order to get to work every day so I chose an apartment on the Orange line.
I was working for a company that had 70-80 fresh-out-of-college kids working for them and it was just a matter of time before one of them posted an email to the group about selling a bike. I thought it would be a good way save some money and to get in some exercise.
I still remember test riding that bike - a green Trek hybrid. I bought it off a girl who was about my size for a couple hundred dollars and set about learning about the local bike paths and ways to get to work. Within weeks I was riding in every day! It was a great feeling to be outside and to get the blood pumping.
In the intervening 10 years, I’ve moved numerous times and switched jobs but the one constant has been my bike ride. It has been the main criterion in my decisions about where to live and work. I wouldn’t give up my bike ride for anything - it relaxes me, I get exercise, I save money, and I sometimes even figure out that nagging problem at work I couldn’t solve!
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Special for September 16-22
Bike the Sites is offering free rentals to
* DC city council members
* the heads of DC agencies
* WABA members
* $15 day rental for all others
Details:
* All rentals include comfort mountain bike, helmet, lock, map and handlebar bag
* Offer is good for one 24 hr rental during the week Sept 16 – 22
* It is not necessary to reserve a bike, but if you would like to claim your before the Council members and agency heads rush Bike the Sites, call 202-842-BIKE or reserve online at Bike the Sites and mention coupon code “carfree”
Going carfree is cheap and easy, especially in Washington, DC, and there are lots of resources available to help you do so. More than 10% of DC residents already get to work by bike or walking so chances are you know someone who does it and more than likely, they love it! Transit is also an excellent option in DC. With far reaching infrastructure, you can take the metro, bus, or even commuter trains such as the Marc train or VRE to get where you’re going. Check back here frequently, we’ll be constantly updating the site with resources and ideas from your neighbors. Have a great time or money saver in your commute you’d like to share? Pass it on!
DC has some of the worst traffic and worst commutes in the nation. Every person that gets out of their car and gets in a train, on a bus, on a bike, or car shares is taking another vehicle off the road and improving the quality of life for the area.
For some tips on breathing cleaner air, check out our resources!
Metro and bus
For information on riding DC’s fabulous and clean metro system, check out WMATA’s website. You can use their Trip Planner to schedule your trip down to the minute and receive updates about any maintenance that may be scheduled.
goDCgo is a fairly new resource which has information on transit, roads, and area events. With an interactive downtown map, it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Biking
Washington, DC is an excellent area for biking. Downtown there are few hills and especially during rush hour, it is much faster to get through the city on a bicycle than in traffic. Biking is a great way to get exercise, move quickly to your destinations, make friends, and the most sustainable form of transportation short of walking.
Check out the Washington Area Bicyclist Association to find out more about starting to ride in the city. They offer Confident City riding courses to equip the new or experienced rider with knowledge about riding safely in the city. They plan area rides, advocate for better bike facilities and legislation, and are an excellent resource for anyone who likes to get around by two wheels and their own power!
Walking
Walking is the most sustainable form of transportation. It requires no resources other than ourselves and also helps maintain our bodies in great shape. Walking to work, or to the train is a great way to get in some exercise before work. This is also a great time to clear your mind, enjoy the scenery around you and start experiencing where you live in a completely new way. Curious about the “walkability” of your home or work? Take the Walk Score to see how your neighborhood matches up? Unsatisfied with your score? Do something about it! Get involved with CarFree DC or contact national walking advocates America Walks.
Coming from further away? Perhaps you don’t live close to a bus or metro stop, and work is not quite accessible by bicycle or walking. There are still ways to get around without driving alone in your car.
Trains
Virginia Railway Express for Virginia residents.
MARC for Maryland or West Virginia residents.
Amtrak For all other starting points!
Bus
The Commuter Page has an almost exhaustive list of buses around the region.
Car-Sharing
Although we do have excellent and clean public transit, we know that sometimes driving is necessary so why not do your part to reduce the amount of traffic on the road and participate in Car-Sharing? You can locate people going to your destination and make some new travel buddies using GoLoco.
Another option for commuting from Virginia is “slugging”. According to slug-lines.com, Slugging is a term used to describe a unique form of commuting found in the Washington, DC area sometimes referred to as “Instant Carpooling” or “Casual Carpooling”.
If you’ve already made the leap and gone carfree, sometimes you need a car anyway to pick up that couch you’ve just purchased, or found on the side of the street. That’s when rental companies, such as Zipcar come in handy. Sign up for a small annual fee and rent cars by the hour or day. There are different subscription plans available and you can usually find one by your home or office.
Cost
Of course cost is a factor for everyone when making transportation choices, and making informed choices is the best way to do it. Find out how much it costs:
Commuter Connections offers a calculator to see how much your average commute is costing you.
Slug Lines can tell you how much you’d be saving if you shared a ride rather than drove in yourself.
How to Contact My Representatives
First you need to know which Ward you live in. Find the neighborhood you call home and click on it to find out more about your Ward, your neighbors and who you can get in touch with to support CarFree Day and other local initiatives.
Find Out More About Where You Live
Did you know that the District of Columbia is divided into eight wards and 37 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) within these wards. The total number of named neighborhoods is 127?
