DC Bike Party on Streetfilms

Rarely does Streetfilms produce videos on bike events or bike culture. They tend to feature policy issues. But Clearance Eckerson was in town to cover other policy related issues in our capital so he stopped by the montly ride.

DC Bike Party recently celebrated their one year anniversary. The ride is a once a month ride with a theme each month. This month the theme was Toga, Toga, Toga.

DC Bike Party and DC bikeways just keep getting better

DC Bike Party on
Wednesday evenings.
A Bike Party first.

Next Wednesday, a week from this evening DC (that's Washington) takes off on their fourth bike party ride in some would call a monument-tal task. A few years ago DC, a city you would not think of as bike friendly has made a number improvements to a city that is already tourist friendly. But since the coming and going of Gabe Klein as DC's Director of Transportation, things just got a bit more bike friendly.

DDOT has a very progressive Bicycle Program with some of the most innovative initiatives in the nation, including the first self-service bike parking program and the Bikestation at Union Station. The Bikestation offers secure, protected parking for more than 100 bikes right next to the District’s busiest transit hub. DDOT has also installed more than 1000 outdoor bike racks across the city and is constantly adding more. Additionally the city now has bike lanes linking the White House to the Capitol as well as the Capitol Bike Share program, which has been incredibly successful.

BikeStation at
Union Station

DC also has a successful BikeBrand Your Biz  program. The program focuses on increasing the number of bicycle-friendly organizations in the city in order to reduce traffic congestion and fuel consumption and improve the overall quality of life for those who live and work in the District.

Elements of a successful bike-friendly program may include the installation of streetside bicycle racks, secure bicycle parking Capital Bikeshare corporate memberships, education and information for employees, transportation fringe benefits for bicycle commuters and more.

The BikeBrand Your Biz program is part of goDCgo, an initiative of the District Department of Transportation’s sustainable transportation program, offers free consultations and other services to organizations and businesses throughout the District to promote the use of alternatives to driving as a single occupant.

In the coming weeks, I plan to highlight more about DC Bike Party and its chief instigator Lia who, go figure is from San Jose, the home of Bike Party. Good luck on next weeks ride and many more.

San Jose Bike Party BIRDS meeting

Selecting themes for the next three months Bike Party rides tonight at Stanley's Sports Bar at Logitech with a curling exposition going on down below. Curlers sure use a lot of brooms.

Themes to be announced later.