May is National Bike Month! Established in 1956, this month-long celebration honors biking as a form of transportation and recreation, and as essential to our well-being and everyday lives. National Bike month gives us a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more folks to give biking at try.
Capital Pride is back in person this year! The Nation’s annual Capital Pride celebration recognizes its LGBTQ+ communities in an effort to unify, educate, and preserve the history and rights of citizens. From June 10 through June 12, there will be a variety of festivities such as the Pride Parade, block parties, and concerts. Whether you are going solo or traveling with a group, we encourage you to travel sustainably. Check out the transportation options below that will get you to Capital Pride events sustainably.
goDCgo is here to support sustainable transportation needs for all DC commuters and residents, regardless of age, ability, or income. In addition to providing complimentary resources about the alternative travel options available in the District, we have information on affordable, easily-accessible programs that can break down transportation barriers and help those with special mobility needs get to/from their communities and around the city. From adaptive vehicles, to shared rides, to the Metro, there's no limit to where you can go.
Living in Washington, DC can bring you closer to car-free living with all of the sustainable transportation options available to get you to, from, and around the city. In fact, Redfin ranked DC the 4th “Best City for Living Without a Car” in 2017. If you still aren’t quite ready to hang up your car keys, here’s the bigger picture of car ownership -- the average cost to own and operate a new car is nearly $10,000/year or $805.50/month. This estimate is calculated based on considerations for vehicle value and depreciation, finance/loans, and the price of gas, insurance, licensing, registration, taxes, maintenance, and repairs. It's no wonder that buying a car is one of the biggest purchases a person will make in their lives! Try calculating your own driving costs to see how much you're spending every year.
Bring on the blossoms! The world-renowned National Cherry Blossom Festival is making an in-person return this year, so be sure you're prepared to make the most of this popular experience. Since this annual spring celebration attracts thousands of visitors, goDCgo encourages you to plan ahead for the events you want to attend and we'll tell you the best ways to get there. We highly recommend leaving the car behind due to increased traffic and limited parking across the city. Instead, try one of the many alternative transportation modes available in the District like Capital Bikeshare, DC Circulator, Metrobus, Metrorail, or electric scooters. Review the routes you can take below or download our 2022 Getting to the Blossoms Guide.
In addition to the festival events, some of DDOT’s transit services will be unveiling their one-of-a-kind vehicles to get you in the spring spirit, too! You can't miss DC Circulator's "Blossom Bus," externally wrapped in themed decor. While it's perfect for post-worthy pictures, the "Blossom Bus" can also get you to the blossoms for just $1 and it will be staged at a few events, so be on the lookout. You may also find Capital Bikeshare's "Bike in Bloom" making its way around the city. The "Bike in Bloom" is a specially wrapped cherry blossom bike that you should keep your eye out for while participating in the festivities.
Do you work hard as an organization to ease your employee’s commutes through commuter benefits, on-site amenities, and promotion of sustainable transportation? If so, goDCgo and Best Workplaces for Commuters are here to help you get the recognition you deserve and showcase your organization as a leader in sustainable transportation.
Two years into the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, most DC employees and managers are extremely familiar with working remotely. Although many of us would consider ourselves work from home experts, it’s probable that we’ve all picked up some bad work from home habits or have forgotten the tips we originally incorporated when first adjusting to remote work. In honor of this year’s Telework Week DC, we’re unpacking some oldies but goodies along with some NEW teleworking tips to help your employees continue to telecommute productively.
The District of Columbia has over 100 miles of bike lanes and more than 60 miles of trails to discover, providing bicyclists with lots of space to get around town. For added security and confidence, there are 24 miles of protected bike lanes, so even the most novice of bicyclists can feel safer riding throughout the city. And there's more where that came from! The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) plans to install an additional 20 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of this year, ten of which are already completed.
While it's always important to practice proper bike etiquette and follow the rules of the road, there are even more safety precautions that bicyclists should know since the COVID-19 pandemic. goDCgo encourages you to be a "roll model" for others and use your best biking judgement. That means staying alert, maintaining safe speeds, keeping right and passing left, standing aside if standing still, and being courteous and considerate when sharing the road. Review more of the bike safety tips so you're properly prepared for your next ride and beyond.
As teleworking continues into the new year, many remote employees are looking for space outside of their home or hotel rooms to telework occasionally or on a regular basis. Whether you need a change of scenery, to get away from distractions at home, or are visiting the area and need a place to work, the District has many free teleworking spaces that residents, commuters, and visitors can use.
goDCgo encourages you to get outside and walk for wellness. October, also known as "Walktober," is ideal for walking outdoors because the temperatures are cool and the fall foliage reaches its peak, so you can experience the beautiful changing leaves. In addition to the fall feels, walking for at least 30 minutes a day is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health.