Bike to Work Day in DC

May 20, 2011 is Bike to Work Day in the Nation’s Capital.

“Bike To Work Day demonstrates the many transportation benefits of bicycling,” US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, The Fast Lane blog.

Image (“Bike 2 Work in DC, after Abel Brunyer”) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Busload

Was your bus ride a bit crowded this morning? It’s not the bus, it’s us. We’re … um, bigger. Heavier. Bus capacity is still measured using our old average weight, 150 lbs., and bus testers pretend we can still cram into 1.5 square feet of standing room. But why do so many bus seats seem to be single-occupancy these days?

The Federal Transit authority thinks the old standards compromise safety. FTA wants to test new buses using a 175-pounds-per-passenger measure and calculate standee area as 1.75 square feet.  But don’t get too comfy. All those old buses will be on the road for some years yet. If you want more room, you’ll have to take it off your waistline.

 

Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

Comments are welcome if they are on-topic, substantive, concise, and not boring or obscene. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.

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Bikeshare Begins

Capital Bikeshare began rolling out its fleet of red rental bicycles Monday in Washington DC and Arlington Virginia. By late October 1,100 cycles will be available at 114 bike stations across DC and Arlington (see the full map here). The annual membership rate is $50 (reduced from $75) and rides 30 minutes or less are free (see the rates here).

While the program is aimed at serving daily commuters, there are daily rates for tourists.  

The $4 million project, chiefly funded through federal grants, takes advantage of DC’s new bike lanes and bike signals and connects with Metro stations and Circulator bus routes. Alta Bicycle Share operates the system.