Getting to the National Mall
Travel smarter, not harder to enjoy summer in the city! ☀️ Getting around by foot, bike, bus, scooter, and Metro can save you time, money, and stress so you can get back to the things you love — like the National Mall sites. Timed entry passes and face masks are still required to enter most museums, so plan your trips accordingly.
You have the power to make the difference! goDCgo encourages you to commute smarter, not harder. Make the choice to walk, bike, scoot, or take public transit instead of driving alone.
While Washington, DC has reopened for the summer, there's even more coming in the fall! We're getting back to our regularly scheduled programming and looking forward to the return of in-person music and food events, art shows, and neighborhood festivals throughout the city. There's a long list of upcoming events, so goDCgo has highlighted five popular fall festivals that you should attend and the best ways to get there without a car. Please be advised that face masks are required for ALL riders when using public transit while on board, within stations, and at bus stops. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a face mask indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
Whether you live in the District or visiting to experience the culture, goDCgo highly suggests leaving the car behind to avoid traffic and the search for parking. Get to the fall festivities using sustainable transportation instead! In addition to the public transit options below, you can easily get around by walking, bikeshare, or scooter.
Ready to get real? Real-time transit displays, that is! Transit display screens show real-time information about local buses, trains, subways, bikeshare, and weather. Here in DC, that includes public transportation information about Capital Bikeshare, DC Circulator, Metrobus, Metrorail, Lyft, and Uber.
Despite challenges presented by the pandemic, many residential properties in the District have remained resilient over the past year. Whether it was an existing multi-family property or new development, goDCgo appreciates these properties' commitment to providing and promoting sustainable transportation for staff and residents.
As of Saturday, May 1, Washington, DC has transitioned to the use of 11 high-capacity, walk-up, no appointment needed vaccination sites. Please be advised that designated walk-up sites are for first vaccination doses ONLY. After you receive your first dose, you still need to make an appointment to get your second dose. The walk-up sites are available in addition to pharmacies, clinics, and health care providers that are administering the vaccines throughout the District. These sites will operate their own scheduling systems.
When students walk to school, they're setting good habits and a positive tone for the day. Although distance, weather, and infrastructure can make walking challenging for some, those that do live within walking distance (typically 1 mile or less) can reap some amazing benefits from getting their stride on each day. Here are five ways walking to school can benefit your children and family.
1. Improve Test Scores
Adding just 20 minutes of physical activity (approximately the time it takes to walk a mile) into a child's day can increase test scores. In a 2015 study, researchers found that after just 20 minutes of physical activity students tested better in reading, spelling, and math and were more likely to read above their grade level. By having your child walk to and from school you can help them perform better.
2. Fewer Sick Days
Walking just 30 minutes a day can boost your child's immune system and cut their risk of catching a cold in half. Walking to school could mean fewer sick days for your child and fewer missed work days for you.
3. Improve Mental Health
With mental health issues rising in children throughout the past decade, it's important to find small ways to combat these issues and improve mental health on a daily basis. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, children have been sheltered from their normal interactions with peers such as playing during recess and the overall social aspect of being in person. Walking can help to reduce the severity of mental health issues. Just an hour of physical activity a day can help reduce stress and reduce depression and anxiety.
4. Improve Sleep
Sleep is crucial for children and teens who are developing both mentally and physically, but unfortunately students, especially teenagers, can have issues with sleep and often don't get a good night's rest. Walking to school can help children and teens sleep more soundly and improve their sleep quality. Getting an adequate amount of sleep in turn can contribute to higher test scores, better moods and behavior, and improved mental and physical health.
5. It's Good For You, Too!
It's advised that children under ten are walked to school by a parent, trusted adult, or as a part of a walkpool (similar to carpools but walking instead of driving). By walking your child to school, you can reap the health benefits that walking brings as well. Walking just 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, certain cancers, Alzheimer's and dementia, osteoporosis while improving fatigue, blood pressure, strength, and boosting endorphins and the immune system. Walking your child to school can make you healthier and happier!
Worried About Safety?
Safety can be a big concern for many parents when it comes to walking to school. Parents can ensure their child is safe by helping them understand and obey traffic signs and signals. Walking in groups and adopting a buddy system can also increase safety. Walkers should also avoid using electronics that could distract them during their route.
In addition, the District's Safe Routes to Schools program works year-round to advance safe walking and biking to and from schools and address problem areas. DC's Safe Passage initiative has also identified safe spot locations that are local stores and businesses known to welcome students who encounter safety issues on their way to and from school. Find safe spot locations along your route to school.
Since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the District has experienced a decline in traffic due to many of us working from home. However, there's evidence that people may actually be driving more for non-commute trips. Many individuals have shifted to driving outside of work for recreation and to run errands, visit stores, workout at the gym, go out to eat, etc., leading to an increase in personal vehicle trips. And as people start returning to workplaces, our commute choice plays an integral role in helping to mitigate traffic congestion. goDCgo encourages you to do your part and travel sustainably by foot, bike, bus, scooter, Metro, or rideshare.
Additionally, being able to telework has major implications for the environment, because in the U.S., transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gases. So, if you have the option to work remotely, you can help fight climate change and improve the air quality in DC and beyond.
Our nation's capital boasts a number of sustainable transportation options including public transit and active modes like biking, walking, and scooting. This makes it easy to get around, no matter the mode you choose. In fact, Washington, DC ranks the 4th most transit-friendly city, 7th most walkable city, and 9th most bike-friendly city in the U.S.!
Many unsung heroes of the pandemic are our low-wage workers. More than 53 million people, or 44 percent of all workers ages 18 to 64 in the United States, earn low hourly wages. According to the Brookings Institute, a low wage is $17.26/hour, which working full-time equates to roughly $36,000/year. These are people who work at grocery stores, restaurants, and retail establishments; in building security; and at countless other jobs.
Over the past year, telework has certainly provided value as a safe alternative work arrangement in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whether it’s one day a week or every day, teleworking can save you time and money, reduce air pollution, and even help stop the spread of COVID-19. We understand that many people can’t telework due to the nature of their job and recognize that the telework experience differs from that of pre-COVID times, however, we encourage everyone to take time for wellness which can start with recapturing the personal time that commuting to the office previously offered.
Black History Month is nationally observed every February to recognize the great contributions of African Americans in US history -- past, present, and future. This year, goDCgo is celebrating Black History Month in a new way by highlighting some of the black-owned businesses in the District and how to get to their storefront locations using sustainable transportation.