STANDING BEFORE A GLEAMING, helmet-shaped glass structure next to Union Station last Friday, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty boasted, "You don't every day get to come to the biggest, best, coolest Bikestation in the country." It makes sense that Fenty, an avid cyclist, would be on hand for the opening of the building, which houses covered, secure parking for about 130 bikes, and offers retail, repairs and rentals. But work to install the first Bikestation on the East Coast has taken six years.
The wait has been worth it for commuters such as George Mino, 56, who — contrary to what the mayor announced — hopes that his visits do happen every day. He takes the MARC from Columbia, Md., then hops on his bike to ride to work in Crystal City. But leaving his wheels out in the open at Union Station has been a bumpy ride. "I've had my bike stolen, vandalized and had the air let out of my tires," he says. "Now I can finally buy a bike that costs more than my lock."
Mino has signed up for an annual membership ($96, plus a $20 administrative fee), which means he has access to the facility 24/7, including a small changing room. Non-members can park for $2 a day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., when Bike the Sites staffers are on hand to handle tune-ups, sales of accessories and rentals. Guided tours from Bikestation kick off in the spring.
Photo courtesy DDOT
IT'S OFFICIAL — D.C. has taken its first step towards becoming America's answer to Amsterdam — well, second step. Amsterdam Falafel Shop was the delicious, vegetarian first step. In addition to today being World Car Free Day, Union Station's new Bikestation is now accepting online memberships (the grand opening is slated for Oct. 2).
Created to foster bike use in our transit system, the Bikestation will offer secure indoor and outdoor bike parking, a changing room, lockers, bike rentals, repairs and a small retail shop selling bike accessories to members and one-time users. This is the first bike station of its kind on the East Coast, and users can chose annual, monthly, or daily memberships.
Now if we could just improve (ahem) our coffee shop situation ....
» Membership through Bikestation 562-733-0106. (Union Station)
Written by Express' Anne Polsky
Photo courtesy Bike Station
MC SPANDEX, I think I love you. (Hat tip to the Practical Cyclist.)
ALICE SWANSON. Ask any cyclist in the D.C. area and they'll know her story.
On July 8, 2008, the 22-year-old was struck and killed by a garbage truck while commuting to her job at the International Research & Exchanges Board via bicycle. Over the last year, Swanson has evolved into a symbol of cycling safety in the city. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association placed a bike painted white — called a ghost bike — at the scene of Swanson's crash (Connecticut and R streets NW) as a memorial and reminder for others on the road.
On Aug. 28, the Department of Public Works removed the bike. Speculation swirled that nearby businesses had considered it unsightly.
Now, the ghost bike is back — and it's brought friends. The bikes were unloaded this morning by Legba Carrefour, a 27-year-old Columbia Heights resident, who says their number is significant.
"[Swanson] was 22 when she was hit," he explained. "So we're putting out one bike for each year of her life."
WHEN A PARKING DELIVERY TRUCK hit a cyclist pedaling past Clyde's in Georgetown at around 9:15 a.m. this morning, sous chef Estaban Gonzalez didn't hesitate.
"One of my line cooks came in asking me for a towel because this guy was bleeding a lot," he said. "So we took two aprons, put them together. ... It stopped the bleeding. Then the ambulance came and that's it."
Just an extraordinary act from an ordinary guy. Had he done anything like this before?
"This was my first time."
Gonzalez says the cyclist was conscious and mostly shaken up. So, D.C. bike folks, if you're pedaling past this restaurant any time soon, buy this fella a brew!
STOP BY THE Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market Saturdays at Lamont Park (17th & Lamont Streets NW), and you'll see familiar piles of leafy greens and scrumptious fruit. You'll also find Ben West peddling a service of a different sort. The 35-year-old has been offering free bike tune-ups (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) since April. "It works perfectly for the markets," he says. "It's friendly, low-key, green."
What began as a help-your-fellow-neighbor effort grew to a weekly venture for the D.C. resident. It wasn't much of a stretch: West's day job consists of promoting cycling activism and events as the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's bike ambassador.
Got a dusty cruiser in your garage that may need some oil? Or a Schwinn with gummy tires? Cruise on over. The aim is to help folks get air in their wheels and oil on rusty bike chains, and to offer cycling route suggestions. It's a quick fix — not a comprehensive mechanical overhaul. (West recommends those with serious technical issues hit up a local cycling shop.) In the three-hour time span he's at the market, West and fellow volunteers put a positive spin on things for typically 30 cyclists.
BEING AT THE Tour de France would be money — if you had the funds to attend. Here's how to feel like you're in the presence of that yellow jersey without leaving town.
At Arlington's Rhodeside Grill (1836 Wilson Blvd.; 703- 243-0145) on Thursday (5-7 p.m.), it's $5 for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association happy hour, where you'll watch a video replay of the Tour's 12th stage on a dozen hi-def TVs. WABA members get drink discounts ($10 Miller Lite pitchers, $12 for Sierra Nevada). Join WABA on the spot and you'll get a free drink. Those who triumph in Tour trivia also get free WABA merch.
Area Revolution Cycles stores are hosting a free raffle July 17-26 that gives you a chance to win a Trek Madone 6.9 — the same wheels as Lance Armstrong. There's a limit of one ticket per customer a day, and cyclists can fill out a "virtual" ticket online at Revolutioncycles.com.
Continue Reading "Tour de Washington: Local Tour De France Events" »
WHILE TAKING A LEISURELY ride along the Mount Vernon Trail on Saturday, a cohort and I happened upon a 1,200-foot eye catcher. In lieu of the unattractive chain-link fence that once bordered the Mirant power plant, we were greeted instead by a mural of George Washington-themed historic scenes.
Completed in May, the artwork had become a subject of local controversy — some Alexandria officials called it a public relations stunt and worried it would mar the area's natural landscape — but as we leaned our Fujis against an adjacent hill, took a break to eat delish sandwiches bought at Shirlington's Best Buns and mugged like helmeted maniacs for camera phones, we found it a fantastic stopping point.
Now all the trail needs is a George Washington re-enactor to set up a lemonade stand.
More photos: Courtesy of Rootchopper's Flickr pool.
Photos by Kris Coronado/Express
UPDATE: Apparently a 'Real World' cast member did in fact sign the sidewalk. We just received the following statement from MTV publicist Tamika Young: "I just got confirmation from production that one of the roommates did sign the sidewalk."
Mystery solved!
ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, a memorial ceremony was held for Alice Swanson — the 22-year-old cyclist who was killed by a garbage truck a year ago — at 20th and R streets. Strolling by the spot today, Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Ben West found condolence messages scrawled in chalk — including one that caught his eye: "R.I.P. Luv Real World."
Was the message really left by the cast of "The Real World: D.C."? We called MTV to find out.
"Unfortunately I can't give you any information," said publicist Lameka Lucas. "It's a documentary. It's not something that we publicize all throughout the taping. Of course, if there's anything you want to talk to producers about the franchise as a whole, that's something we can do now. But specifics about anything taping for the season, I can't speak on it."
If the message did come from the cast, West says he isn't happy about it.
Continue Reading "Did the 'Real World' Cast Really Sign Cyclist's Memorial? Apparently, Yes" »
IF YOU BUILD IT, they will bike it — or walk it or jog it. Trailblazers are always hungry for a new route, and they got a beaut in the new 1.1-mile stretch alongside the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which connects Old Town Alexandria to the National Harbor development in Prince George's County. Here's our spin on the trip:
» Getting There
The Virginia side is a cinch to access from the Mount Vernon Trail. Just head south from Rosslyn. When you arrive in Old Town, follow the bicycle signage along North Washington Street that leads you to a half-mile path that winds to the mouth of the bridge. (Currently, no trails connect to the Maryland side.)
» The Ride
Whether you're on foot or wheels, don't rush the trip. As you're headed into Maryland on the wide lanes (enough room for riders to zoom two abreast), a mesh-style wall lets you scoff at cars on your right, and a chest-high railing at your left makes it safe to gaze at the Potomac without toppling into it. Three overlook locations offer resting spots for an extended gander. Bonus: Free telescopes let you spy on passing boats.
As you reach your destination, the packed gravel morphs into seashell bits, and a sign directs riders to dismount and pull over at two large temporary bike racks. Then you're free to show off your glorious helmet hair.
Continue Reading "Be a Bridge Commander: The New Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail" »
Addison Road