Bike

Explore your two-wheel options.

Bike Bus Rail Car Walk

Explore DC by Bike

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Capital Bikeshare

Bike Lanes

Trails

Shared Lane Markings

Signed Bike Routes

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LEARN THE BASICS

  • Lessons

    Offered for all skill levels, join a certified Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) instructor teaching biking for transportation, fun and fitness.

  • Laws

    Download the Pocket Guide to DC Bike Laws to review the rights and responsibilities of cyclists on DC streets.

  • Advocacy

    From commuter amenities to protected bike lanes, learn more about how to help improve bicycling in the Washington, DC area.

Experience DC on Two Wheels

Download the DC Bike Map

Explore all the bike-friendliness Washington, DC has to offer. The map is colorful and easy-to-read, making it a perfect guide for experienced and new riders to venture out and experience DC by bike.

DC bike maps can be picked up in person at a variety of DC bike shops and at Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) events. Businesses, residents, visitors, and commuters can request a complimentary copy mailed to them by emailing info@godcgo.com.  

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

Biking Benefits:

  • Fast Commute to Work Biking to work saves time and is often the fastest way to get around in the District, especially during rush hour.
  • Meeting People in the Community Biking helps you get familiar with a neighborhood and increases the likelihood of meeting your neighbors.
  • Improved Health Biking improves your health and lowers your risk of serious illness like cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes.
  • It’s Good for the Environment Twenty bikes take up the same space as one car, and biking produces zero pollution.
  • Improved Performance at Work Biking, as a form of aerobic exercise, improves time and workload management, helping you feel motivated and more prepared to deal with stress.
  • Better Sleep Biking for just 20-30 minutes every other day can help you fall asleep faster, sleep better and longer.

Safety Best Practices:

  • Wear a helmet. Helmets dramatically reduce the risk of head injury in a bicycle accident.
  • Ride on sidewalks only when necessary and always yield to pedestrians. Riding on the sidewalk is illegal in downtown Washington, DC.
  • Follow all traffic laws. Bicyclists are required to obey all regulatory signs and traffic lights.
  • Use hand signals. Tell motorists, cyclists and pedestrians what you intend to do. Be predictable!
  • Beware of parked cars. Don’t ride too close to parked vehicles. Ride at least 5 feet away from parked vehicles, if possible, and watch for people exiting—doors can open at any time.
  • Be careful at intersections. Watch for crossing vehicle traffic at intersections, even if you have the right-of-way.
  • Never ride against traffic. Ride with traffic to avoid potential crashes.
  • Ride in single file, except when passing.
  • Be alert. Scan the road. Always know your surroundings.
  • Be Vocal. Give an audible signal when passing other people on bicycles, and pass only on the left

Tips for Getting Started:

  • Start Slow. Go on a few short rides around your neighborhood before you venture out further. Take it easy to start off with, and have fun!
  • Find good routes. Remember: The best route by car might not be the best by bike. Some of the best bicycle routes are hidden from the busy car-filled streets. Use our transit map to plan the quickest safe route.
  • Get the right equipment. Make sure your bike fits your body and is working well. DC has many great local bike shops that can help you get what you need.
  • Make a goal. Take at least one trip a week by bike instead of driving. Add more trips as you feel ready. Practice discipline and self-forgiveness, and remember—the more you ride, the more fun it will be, and…the more you’ll ride.

For more than a decade, the District has been building a citywide network of on-street bike lanes, signed routes and other bicycle facilities. These efforts are successful in not only attracting a rapidly-growing number of cyclists, but also making streets safer for all users—drivers, pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists. moveDC is a collaborative effort led by DDOT to develop a bold and implementation-focused vision for DC’s transportation future. Continued expansion of the bike network, bike parking and the bikeshare program are moveDC priorities that will help ensure a safe and convenient bicycling environment in the District for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

GOAL 1: MORE AND BETTER BIKE FACILITIES

  1. Improve and expand the bike route system and provide functional and distinctive signs for the system.
  2. Provide bike facilities on roadways.
  3. Complete ongoing trail development and improvement projects.
  4. Improve bridge access for bicyclists.
  5. Provide bicycle parking in public space.
  6. Encourage bicycle parking in private space.

GOAL 2: MORE BIKE-FRIENDLY POLICIES

  1. Update District of Columbia laws, regulations and policy documents to address bicycle accommodation.
  2. Provide training to District staff.
  3. Review District of Columbia projects to ensure they provide bicycle accommodation.

GOAL 3: MORE BICYCLE-RELATE EDUCATION, PROMOTION AND ENFORCEMENT

  1. Educate motorists about safe operating behavior around bicyclists.
  2. Educate bicyclists about safe bicycling.
  3. Enforce traffic laws related to bicycling.
  4. Establish a Youth Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program.
  5. Distribute the District of Columbia Bicycle Map to a wide audience.

Learn more about DDOT’s Long-range Bike Master Plan

  • Anacostia Riverwalk Trail

    The backbone of the Anacostia Riverfront in DC, connecting residents, visitors, and communities to the river, one another, and numerous commercial and recreational destinations.

  • Anacostia Stream Valley Trail

    A link in the national shore-to-shore American Discovery Trail, this trail provides miles of uninterrupted trails along the tributaries of the Anacostia River.

  • Baltimore and Annapolis Trail

    An established recreational greenway following the route of the old Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad from Glen Burnie to Annapolis.

  • BWI Trail

    A 12.5-mile scenic trail that encircles BWI Airport property and connects hikers, bicyclists, walkers and joggers to community resources, public transportation and area attractions.

  • Capital Crescent Trail

    Rails-To-Trails converted the old Georgetown Branch of the C&O Railroad from a railroad bed to this paved trail with gentle gradients.

  • Custis Trail (I-66 Trail)

    This noise-protected trails runs along I-66 in Arlington County and is accessible 24-hours a day and lit at night.

  • Four Mile Run Trail

    An East/West running trail that follows Four Mile Run, linking the W&OD Trail and the Mt. Vernon Trail.

  • Henson Creek Trail

    A scenic, recreational route through Henson Creek Stream Valley Park in southern Prince George’s County.

  • Metropolitan Branch Trail

    An eight-mile linear park and trail running parallel to Metro’s Red Line from Union Station in DC to Silver Spring, Maryland, connecting to the Capital Crescent Trail.

  • Mount Vernon Trail

    An 18.5 mile path along the Potomac River, parallel to the George Washington Parkway, connecting to the Custis and Washington & Old Dominion trails.

  • Rock Creek Trail

    This popular 18-mile asphalt trail runs from Lake Needwood in Montgomery County into DC.

It’s no secret that Washington, DC is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. In addition to the abundance of bike lanes, trails, and infrastructure, there are also multiple biking options accessible in the District. goDCgo has put together a guide to help you navigate which biking system is best for you.

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MAPS & TOOLS

Finding a good route is important when you are trying to get around metro DC by bike. Fortunately, there are maps, apps, websites and tools to help you find your way.

State & District Maps

  • District of Columbia Bike Map PDF 22.8mb
  • Maryland Bike Map PDF 3.61mb
  • State of Virginia Bike Map PDF 8.57mb

City & County Maps

  • Arlington County, VA Bike Map PDF 7.55mb
  • City of Alexandria, VA Bike Map PDF 14.41mb
  • Fairfax County, VA Bike Map PDF 21.75mb
  • Montgomery County, MD Bike Map PDF 41.16mb
  • Prince George’s County, MD Bike Map PDF 4.02mb
  • City of Takoma Park, MD Bike Map PDF 2.4mb

To order a printed version, visit CommuterPage.com. For bulk copies, visit our brochure requests center.

Preview

  • Capital Bikeshare

    Available on:   iOS Android

    Allows you to view all station locations and the number of available bikes and docks, purchase a pass, unlock a bike, and ride right away!

  • Citymapper

    Available on:   iOS Android

    The ultimate transport app that uses open data, mobile, and payment technology to make transport sustainable and hassle free; particularly useful for bike and dock availability.

  • CityMotion

    Available on:   iOS Android

    You’ll be able to get real-time information for all your mobility options anywhere and everywhere you go. Data is sorted by what’s most useful at the exact time and moment you open the app.

  • goDCgo Transit Map

    A robust, interactive transit map that shows metropolitan DC’s complete bike network. From bike-friendly roads to dirt paths and trails, this handy tool will help you get going on two wheels.

  • Helbiz

    Available on:   iOS Android

    Helbiz is your new urban mobility partner. Simply tap to instantly unlock, ride, and leave your e-bike anywhere for the next person to use.

  • RackSpotter

    Web tool identifying bike parking locations throughout the Washington, DC region.

  • Ride The City

    Web tool helping you find safer bike routes.

  • Ride Report

    Ride Report tracks your miles, maps your routes, and awards ride streaks for your daily errands and commutes.

  • Strava

    Available on:   iOS Android

    Social network connecting runners and cyclists through the sports they love.

  • Transit

    Available on:   iOS Android

    Transit is your real-time urban travel companion. Get accurate real-time predictions, simple trip planning, step-by-step navigation, service disruption notifications, and departure and stop reminders. You can also easily find and grab the closest bikeshare.

  • WashCycle.com

    Map specializing in bike shops, trail access, incidents, and DC routes.

Plan your next two-wheel adventure with our Transit Map.

PLAN A TRIP

A membership with Capital Bikeshare offers 24/7 access to thousands of bike at hundreds of stations in Washington, DC; Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church, VA; and Montgomery County and Prince George’s Country, MD.

Visit Capitalbikeshare.com | Download the Capital Bikeshare App iOS Android

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Custom Bike Route Maps

Find the Bike Route for You!

We teamed up with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) to customize the best local routes for cyclists of any skill level. Whether you’re looking for a beginner route, more advanced route, or just a scenic ride, you’ve got options.

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