Walk

Active Travel After Dark: Traffic Rules and Tips to Stay Safe

Get ready for shorter days and longer nights as Daylight Saving Time will end on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2am. In addition to setting your clock back to standard time, goDCgo suggests staying extra alert once the sun goes down so you can stay safe while walking, biking, or driving. While this may or may not be the final ending to Daylight Saving Time (per the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021), we want you to be prepared to take the proper precautions when traveling around the District of Columbia after dark. Review the traffic laws and tips below, so bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians can coexist peacefully on the road both day and night.

Part III: Clean Commutes to DC-Based Cafés and Coffee Shops

This blog references DC Circulator. Please note, as of 1/1/2025, DC Circulator no longer provides bus service.

As they say, all good things must come to an end, right? While this will be the final piece of our blog series, the list of Washington, DC coffee shops is ongoing and here to stay! You never know what new shop will pop up in the city, so stay on the lookout. In the meantime, goDCgo recommends reviewing these local cafés below and grabbing your next cup of joe by foot, bike, bus, streetcar, or Metro. And in case you missed it, you can still check out Part I and Part II of this series for even more coffee stops.

Part II: Clean Commutes to DC-Based Cafés and Coffee Shops

This blog references DC Circulator. Please note, as of 1/1/2025, DC Circulator no longer provides bus service.

Now that the weather is cooler, there's nothing like a hot cup of coffee to warm you up! Even if you prefer iced over hot, black, with or without cream, or any variation in between, Washington, DC has plenty of spots to get a quality cup of joe. And since the city has so many staple coffee shops and cafés, goDCgo encourages you to take a tour of all of them! Continue following our blog series to discover more of DC's popular coffee spots and learn about the best ways to get to each of them by bike, bus, or Metro. Stay tuned for more café commutes to come!

Honoring DC’s African American Transportation Professionals

This blog references DC Circulator. Please note, as of 1/1/2025, DC Circulator no longer provides bus service.

In honor of this year's Black History Month, goDCgo wants to shine a spotlight on some of the African American leaders and professionals who help shape transportation in the District today. From city infrastructure, sustainable transportation promotions, transit operations, vehicle management, road safety, bike education, and much more, they're involved in nearly every aspect of DC's transportation systems and make a strong impact on the commute options that we use every day including Capital Bikeshare, DC Circulator, Metrobus, Metrorail, and even personal bike riding experiences.

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.

5 Reasons Why Students Should Walk to School

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.  

Navigating to Black-Owned Businesses in the District

This blog references DC Circulator. Please note, as of 1/1/2025, DC Circulator no longer provides bus service.

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.

Commuting to School During Covid-19

Although teachers, staff, and students no longer will be returning to school this month, it's important for school administrators to plan and prepare for safe commuting when students do return. We've compiled a list of ways your school administration can prepare to support the commutes of your teachers, staff, and students.

Promote Commuting with Care
No matter what form of transportation your teachers, staff, or students use, encourage them to commute with care. That includes wearing a face covering/mask, using hand sanitizer, and staying 6 feet away from other passengers when possible.

Bus, Bike, or Rail to the Ball Games

Who's ready for fall sports?! This year, all six of Washington, DC's professional sports teams are expected to be playing at the same time, including DC United, Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and the Washington Redskins. Avoid traffic, know your options, and take sustainable transportation to the games so you can focus your energy on rooting for your team!

Below are the sporting venues and their respective transportation options:

How to Create a Comfortable Workspace

Since we're spending so much time working from home, it's important that your workspace is comfortable so that you can feel your best and maintain productivity. The efficiency of your work environment, or ergonomics, plays a major role in how you get work done. In other words, create a workspace that meets your needs.