DC bike scene

I'm in Washington DC on a work trip. I'm just in awe of the bike scene here. Not as many bike lanes, but waaaaay more bicycle traffic than Chicago. I'd venture to say that DC's traffic is worse than the traffic in NYC. Another thing I have noticed is the lack if single speed bicycles. This area is so hilly that people are mostly on fully geared bicycles. Anyone else been to DC and noticed anything similar?

I'm actually jealous of all the bikes that pass me. I'm a teacher and walking all over the city. Wish I could rent bikes for my 8th graders. I think they'd love it. Miss my bike!

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on May 23, 2013 at 6:48am

I have -not- noticed this on my travels to DC.

 

Though there is a Dearborn-esque cycletrack down the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, I believe?

Permalink Reply by Sarah Lewert on May 23, 2013 at 6:53am

I was just there two weeks ago and was also blown away. The number of bikers, the different types of people using Capitol BikeShare (residents, tourists, etc) was awesome. The best part though? Drivers were incredibly polite. It makes me realize how unbelievable aggressive and dangerous Chicago drivers are. 

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on May 23, 2013 at 6:54am

I used to ride in DC on a daily basis.  LOTS more hills, particularly if you are commuting out toward Arlington. Its why I am used to a multispeed bicycle and why everyone I know rode one.  I remember the daily climb up Wilson from Key Bridge to Clarendon.  Great going down, nasty going up.  DC has some very good bike paths and trails and some "unusual" bike lanes such as the one down the MIDDLE of Pennsylvania Avenue.  They also have the "Bike Share" program already in place.  Admittedly, those are also single speed bikes and at least the stations in Arlington/Roslyn were on steep hills.  

That being said, DC also has a lot of great "flat" riding.  The C&O Canal towpath is flat the whole way and good dirt.  I used to use it on one of my commutes.   The paths through the mall are flat.   The path out to Mt. Vernon is pretty flat (although it is scarier than the LFP on a summer weekend when you look at traffic and the like).  One of my old century buddies broke a collar bone when he rounded a turn and saw the path blocked all the way across and hit a tree. 

That being said, the downtown traffic (and the traffic through Georgetown to Key Bridge) is "fun" in a bad way.

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on May 23, 2013 at 6:59am

I would point out that one reason may well be that the numerous cops in DC do write more than parking tickets... and they also have occasional jay walking ticket blitzes.   But yes, DC car drivers (and Maryland and Virginia drivers) do tend to be a bit less aggressive than Chicago.   Chicago-style car driving requires a certain degree of aggressiveness and rudeness.  I have had people visit from out of town and they can NEVER make it over from the right lane of the Kennedy at the Eden's merge in time to make the Irving Park exit.   I have one older relative that ended up all the way past Fullerton before she was able to make it over those three lanes.

Its part of the culture that needs to change in Chicago in order to promote the safety of all of the users of the roads.... particularly those not in large caged machines...

Sarah Lewert said:

I was just there two weeks ago and was also blown away. The number of bikers, the different types of people using Capitol BikeShare (residents, tourists, etc) was awesome. The best part though? Drivers were incredibly polite. It makes me realize how unbelievable aggressive and dangerous Chicago drivers are. 

Permalink Reply by Casey Carnes on May 23, 2013 at 8:16am

If you have some free time, DC has a great bikeshare by Bcycle.  You can pay $10 a day or $25 a week to sign up and get free bike trips under 30 minuntes from kiosk to kiosk.  Its a great way to get around and check out some of the sights!

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on May 23, 2013 at 9:24am

Every time I travel to another city, I have this same realization. I've yet to see another city with such unchecked aggressive driving.

Sarah Lewert said:

..... It makes me realize how unbelievable aggressive and dangerous Chicago drivers are. 

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on May 23, 2013 at 9:30am

I have been in a couple of cities with pretty aggressive drivers -- Naples, Italy, Lusaka, Zambia and Mumbai, India pop to mind.  But Chicago takes the cake.   (Well... the folks in Naples and nearby might be in the team photo..  but its a little like comparing the 2012 Cubs and the 1924 Yankees.)

Cheryl said:

Every time I travel to another city, I have this same realization. I've yet to see another city with such unchecked aggressive driving.

Sarah Lewert said:

..... It makes me realize how unbelievable aggressive and dangerous Chicago drivers are. 

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on May 23, 2013 at 10:07am

Gabe Klein was hired away from DC to come to Chicago to improve our transit.

Permalink Reply by Fafolguy on May 23, 2013 at 11:08am

Atlanta, Los Angeles, Orlando, Birmingham Alabama, just to name a few.  Which is not to say that there are not aggressive drivers here too, but let's not get carried away...
 
Cheryl said:

Every time I travel to another city, I have this same realization. I've yet to see another city with such unchecked aggressive driving.

Sarah Lewert said:

..... It makes me realize how unbelievable aggressive and dangerous Chicago drivers are. 

Permalink Reply by Amanda on May 24, 2013 at 5:32am
After seeing how they utilize the bike share program in DC, I'm interested to see how it goes for Chicago. People all over DC use the program. Seems like a great investment, and lessens the car traffic on these already insanely crowded streets. I think that the Divvy program will be awesome in Chicago, and I can imagine so many uses for it! I hope it takes off!!

Stefanie said:

I used to bike commute daily in DC. Bike share completely changed the city and bicycling culture. Riding a bike for transportation was accepted before CaBi, but it became a legitimate (and incredibly popular) mode of transportation after. I'm really excited for the same thing to happen here in Chicago.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on May 24, 2013 at 8:51am

Try Houston. If you can't get out of the way of trucks fast enough, you're going to get run over!

Fafolguy said:

Atlanta, Los Angeles, Orlando, Birmingham Alabama, just to name a few.  Which is not to say that there are not aggressive drivers here too, but let's not get carried away...
 
Cheryl said:

Every time I travel to another city, I have this same realization. I've yet to see another city with such unchecked aggressive driving.

Sarah Lewert said:

..... It makes me realize how unbelievable aggressive and dangerous Chicago drivers are. 

Permalink Reply by Haddon on May 25, 2013 at 8:49am

What is the theory on our mayor being in DC (chief of staff for Obama) and seeing the bike culture in DC and then trying to bring that to Chicago? What is the timeline on all the bike lanes, was this all in the works under Daley or was this mostly a projet under Rahm.

H/

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