By goDCgo . on
3/29/2011
We’ve talked before about all the benefits of going car-free or car-lite. It’s a topic we love, and we take advantage of every opportunity to spread the word that there is another way to live and travel. We recently stumbled upon another study (we love studies!) that puts a new and intriguing spin on this topic, one that focuses not only on the rewards of using different modes of transportation to get around—namely health, financial savings, local economic growth, reduced traffic congestion and environmental improvements—but also on how technology can encourage people to switch up their travel routines and change perceptions about the necessity of car ownership. To summarize, the study found that technology, specifically apps, made all the difference in the world to 18 car owners, volunteers from San Francisco and Boston, who agreed to live car-free for one week.
Conducted by Latitude...
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By goDCgo . on
3/24/2011
It’s no secret that even some of the most seasoned District veterans can find navigating the District confusing (thank you Pierre L’Enfant). But now we have data to back it up. According to TeleNav, the primary provider of GPS for AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon Wireless cell phones, drivers in the District were the most frequent users of mobile GPS technology last year. All of those chances for eyes taken off the road may have contributed to a report from Allstate Insurance released in September of last year that Washington drivers have a better than average chance of getting into an accident. Drivers in the District get into crashes an average of every 5.1 years versus the national average of once in every 14.5 years. So now, in addition to topping the list for worst traffic congestion in the country, the DC area also tops the list for drivers who use GPS systems and for having a significantly higher chance of getting into an auto accident. Conclusion: DC leads the country for having the most directionless and distracted drivers clogging up the roads and crashing into each other. Still on top—keep reaching for the stars, DC! ...
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By goDCgo . on
3/23/2011
Why buy some newfangled bikes, gear and other thingies when you can purchase bikes for a fraction of the cost, find clothing and swap parts all in one place? If this sounds like a perfectly reasonable and practical use of a Saturday to you, head on down to the North Hall of the Eastern Market on April 2nd for the First Annual Pedal Pusher’s Bike Swap. Hours are 8:30 am -2 pm and you can find it at the corner of 7th Street NE and North Carolina Avenue.
If you’ve never been to a bike swap before, it’s a great way to get gently used bicycles and other things on your wish list, as well as to mingle with the DC bicycle community. Seasoned bike-swapper Chris Eatough of BikeArlington reports that these events are “fun and colorful.” Several bicycle-related nonprofits will also be onsite to keep you in the loop about what’s happening with biking in the District, and perhaps, how you can get involved.
If you’re interested in being a vendor, 10’ x 10’ booth spaces are available for the nominal fee of...
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By goDCgo . on
3/18/2011
Someone here at goDCgo was profoundly moved by a particularly gruesome scene of intense traffic that she witnessed last night as she jauntily strolled along the outskirts of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (they have palm trees inside!). Her heart went out to the victims of the senseless car-entrapment so much, in fact, that it spawned this kind of random Friday list of 15 things that you could be doing that you can’t do in your car. Note: we speak for the masses in hypothetical terms, and none of these reflect our personal experiences. At all. Except maybe #2. And also #10.
1) Chillin’ with the crew on the alleged MARC train “happy hour.”
2) Being home in time to not slide into a pee-pee puddle, left courtesy of your otherwise charming dog.
3) Taking advantage of the opportunity to get a workout in by repeatedly running up those broken escalators.
4) Experiencing the secret...
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By goDCgo . on
3/17/2011
Capital Bikeshare is teaming up with the National Cherry Blossom Festival to promote the use of bicycles throughout the festival's events in our "Bike to the Blossoms" campaign. To encourage bicycling as one of the easiest and most convenient way to see the blossoms, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has added a number of convenient options for those who bike.
The Capital Bikeshare station at Independence Avenue and 12th Street will be staffed all three weekends of the festival to assist with increased demand for bikes. In addition, valet bike parking will be available at the Jefferson Memorial on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm throughout the festival. For visitors with their own bikes and locks, the National Park Service will place...
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By goDCgo . on
3/16/2011
We couldn’t be more excited about the results of the Winter Weather Warrior contest—on every level: it kept our members engaged and communicating with us and with each other; it gave them something fun to do during some pretty dreary months; and it contributed to Capital Bikeshare’s increased ridership. Participation exceeded our expectations, and competition was fierce but friendly. And it all ended in an exciting surprise win with Robert Solorzano’s mad dash to finish first, followed closely by Scott Maberry and Michael Hurley—all warriors extraordinaire. Each was kind enough to offer statements, both about their experiences with the contest and about commuting in general. They really had some great comments (and yes, they all work full-time—and no, not as bike couriers).
Robert Solorzano, an avid cyclist since age three and who once rode cross-country from DC to Eugene, Oregon,...
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By goDCgo . on
3/16/2011
There are no bragging rights associated with being 4th place, but especially not when it has to do with being at the top of the list for regional traffic congestion. You may recall that goDCgo recently posted the results of a study by the Texas Transportation Institute that found the DC area tied with Chicago as having the worst traffic in the country. Ouch! But, you know, numbers are funny. Using a completely different methodology employing GPS devices, another study by INRIX, a private firm that monitors nationwide traffic, reported that Washington, DC ranked behind Los Angeles, New York and Chicago in time wasted sitting in traffic. goDCgo’s conclusion: we’re not the worst! We’re just really, really bad!
The report included rankings for the most congested routes locally, with the 24 miles of I-95, south of I-395, taking...
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By goDCgo . on
3/9/2011
Big changes may be in store for the DC Circulator, and DDOT wants to hear from you. The District Department of Transportation’s Progressive Transportation Services Administration (it’s a mouthful, we know) is holding a public input session to discuss critical issues affecting the future of the Circulator next Thursday, March 17th.
DDOT is looking to get rider opinions on current operations and will discuss the following issues:
Potential expansion of the Union Station – Navy Yard loop
A proposal to end service on the Smithsonian – National Gallery of Art route, which has so far been impeded by restrictions to run on outer loop roads and lack of publicity to tourists.
Possible changes to the Convention Center – SW Waterfront route.
The current $1 Circulator...
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By goDCgo . on
3/8/2011
After hearing rumors that gas prices are poised to reach $5/gallon, Karyn LeBlanc from the DC Downtown BID recently posted her personal experience using Capital Bikeshare for the first time. $5 Pushed Me Over the Edge - In a Good Way is a must read for anyone wishing they could ditch their car! 
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By goDCgo . on
3/7/2011
Acknowledging that we are now dealing with what she calls a “changed” Metro, new Metro board chair Catherine Hudgins issued a statement recently outlining WMATA’s goals for the near future. Although not a transit professional herself, Hudgins shared her history of a close relationship with public transit since childhood through her last four decades in the District, where she witnessed the building of the very first Metro rails. She now looks forward to another 25% increase in MetroRail lines, including the Dulles extension.
At the heart of her statement, Hudgins echoes those of recently hired CEO Richard Sarles’ regarding the commitment of everyone involved in operating WMATA to turn it around. Hudgins states,
I believe we have turned the corner by the hiring of new CEO, Richard Sarles. His focus on rebuilding the infrastructure while instilling in the organization a culture of safety and strong customer service reflects...
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