WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, DC

Two-Wheel Tips: Bicycling Through the Seasons

Season's greetings bicyclists! Now that it’s officially fall, we know the change in weather can present some challenges, but we want to keep you on two wheels year round. With a little planning and a positive attitude, the cool fall season presents an ideal time to take bike rides. In fact, there are several benefits to riding a bike during the fall and winter seasons:

goDCgo Impact: Contributing to a Greener City

As an initiative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), goDCgo's top priority is to encourage the use of sustainable transportation among DC commuters, residents, and visitors by providing complimentary resources and consulting services that help raise awareness and educate the public about the many ways to get around the city besides driving alone. Our goal serves to decrease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create a better quality of life for everyone in the DC area.

2021 Commuter Challenge Results!

Thank you and congratulations to all the DC employers and commuters who participated in the goDCgo Commuter Challenge! Participating organizations included GoRove Slade, Brookfield Properties, American College of Cardiology, Ballard Spahr LLP, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), So Others Might Eat (SOME), and Washington Gas. This year, commuters that were unaffiliated with a participating employer were also allowed to sign up. We hope everyone enjoyed the competition and was inspired to turn this challenge into a lifestyle. 

Walktober Spirit Weeks: Walk and Be Rewarded

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.

Travel Tips for Touring Washington, DC

Planning a trip to visit the District? Get the true DC experience by learning about the available transportation options to navigate the city with ease. Our Program Director, Danelle Carey, planned a weeklong stay in the District with a goal to have a car-free experience. During her stay, she was able to get to meetings, events, and visit iconic sites using bikeshare, scooters, and public transit. However, she discovered some details that can help visitors like you avoid the hassles and inconveniences that she experienced. To help you happily explore DC, we've outlined some travel tips below.

Employer Tips: Transitioning Back to the Workplace

The District of Columbia has officially re-opened and many organizations and businesses are planning their transition back to the physical worksite. As more employees return to their regular commute, there are many ways that you can help increase their confidence in using public transit again.

While employees are planning their trips to work, they may have questions about reinstating their pre-tax benefits or subsidies for transit or vanpools. Additionally, over the past year, we've received some questions related to DC Commuter Benefits Law compliance that we've addressed below in order to help you meet those requirements.

Kids Ride Free: Getting Back to the Classroom

Now that students have recently returned to school, we want to make sure you know about all the ways they can get there -- for FREE! The Kids Ride Free (KRF) transit subsidy program allows students to ride the Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator to school and school-related events and activities within the District at NO COST. Have questions? goDCgo has the answers! Review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below for more information.

Sharing the Love: New Concepts in Carsharing

Here at goDCgo, we love the freedom that Zipcar, car2go and Enterprise Carshare offer District residents who choose to live car-free. Today, some companies are looking to add to that list by putting an interesting spin on traditional carsharing with  “peer to peer” or "neighborhood" programs. The idea is simple: allow individual car owners to rent out their vehicles when they're not in use to non-car owners.

Benefiting both owner and renter, “neighborhood” carsharing has taken off across the US and is causing a positive shift from personal to shared transport. Car owners are able to offset the cost of ownership and maintenance—potentially earning up to $10,000 a year depending on the type of car and number of rental hours, while renters gain access to lower rates and more conveniently located vehicles.

As an added bonus, every shared car replaces approximately 14 cars on the road, leading to less road congestion and pollution.

Commute with Care and Confidence

#DCisOpen and resuming your commute to work is one of the things you are likely thinking about these days. If you haven't noticed already, traffic congestion is growing in the DC metro area, so you can save a ton of time by opting to take public transit instead. We understand any looming concerns, and we're here to assure you that the safety, health, and wellness of riders and the community continue to be the District's priority. To help you feel safer about using public transportation, goDCgo, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), DC Circulator, DC Streetcar, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) have teamed up to provide you with the latest information and updates to help you feel confident resuming your commute on public transit.

Getting to the Fall Festivities in DC

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.