Bike (Pedal for Wellness)

Bike Bus Rail Car Walk

Pedal for Wellness

May 4 to June 30, 2020

goDCgo is cheering you on to pedal for a better you! The bike culture continues to grow in our nation’s capital, so much that 5% of DC residents bike to work each day. By pedaling for wellness, you will help keep up the momentum while also discovering all the benefits biking has to offer.

 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT & WIN

In the spirit of growing DC’s already prosperous bike community, goDCgo is encouraging you to partake in our "Pedal for Wellness" movement. As a thank you for your pledge, you’ll automatically be entered into our raffle for a chance to win one of our two amazing prizes: a free commuter bike or a bike gear package (a $500 bike gear gift card and bike tune-up gift-certificate)

 

Bonus Gift: The first 100 pledgers will receive a Capital Bikeshare membership or Free WABA class.

 

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PLEDGE TO PEDAL FOR WELLNESS

I pledge to bike more to improve my health and wellness!

The first 100 pledges will receive a Capital Bikeshare membership or Free WABA class.

CYCLISTS HAVE PLEDGED TO PEDAL FOR WELLNESS!

Experience DC on Two Wheels

Download the 2020 DC Bike Map

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

GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

BIKING IN THE DISTRICT

With 150 miles of trails and bike lanes, DC is well on its way to becoming one of the most bike-friendly communities in the nation! In fact, over 18,000 (or 5%) of DC residents bike to work on a daily basis — tracking 5 straight years of increases in bicycle commuting. Here are some resources that can help bicyclists of every skill level navigate biking in the District. 

  • 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 DC metro area.

  • Beginner Basics

    Check out our beginner biking guide for all the information you need to confidently bike in the District. 

  • Build On Your Experience

    Check out our experienced biking guide for all the information you need to keep building your skills and experience.

  • Social Distancing While Biking

    Safety first! Learn how to follow proper social distancing guidelines while biking in the District. Read the blog. 

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

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. Ride at least five feet away from parked vehicles 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 a 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.
  • Share the Trails. Follow these social distancing tips for trails. 

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. Learn more about moveDC’s bike element.

The 2005 Bicycle Master Plan establishes fourteen core recommendations in three goal areas to improve bicycle transportation in the District:

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 Learn about progress made on 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.

Join the Movement:

Let’s all Pedal for Wellness! We’ve got you covered with all the materials you should need to promote biking in DC. We put together some helpful marketing pieces for you to share and spread the word about bike culture throughout the workplace, neighborhood, social media, and beyond!

I take two wheels because....

See what others are saying #bikeDC

Helmet Decorating Contest

Congrats to Our Winner!

On May 25-29, 2020, goDCgo hosted a friendly helmet decorating contest challenging local cyclists and bike enthusiasts to customize their very own bicycle helmet and share a photo of their masterpiece. Congratulations to our winner @volcrano! Your work of art won you a $100 to spend at Amazon.com!

Read More

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