Chris Militzer/Miliman12 Photography
The Metro rail shutdown of all Metro stations south of Reagan National Airport between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year will set off a scramble for many commuters to find alternative ways to get to work.
It may even push more people to start pushing the pedals. '
Alexandria resident Brian Schwatken rides to work almost every workday from his West End home to his office near the White House – about 12 miles each way. As a part-time professional triathlete, Schwatken spends hours on his bike every week, but even non-athletes can bike to work with the right preparation and equipment, he said.
more bicycle-friendly than most other areas in the United States, and it shows in how many people bike to work.
According to Census data, the District has the second-highest bike commuting rate in the nation with 4.6 percent of commuters reporting bicycling as their primary commute method. The City of Alexandria has the second highest rate in the region, at 1.8 percent.
In 2018, Alexandria was re-awarded Silver Status as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists in 2018. Washington, D.C. earned Gold Status, moving up from Silver.
“The City’s expansion of the Bikeshare program, installation and designation of new bike lanes and routes, as well as the continual installation of bicycle parking throughout the City are just a few of the initiatives that make the City of Alexandria a nationally-recognized Bike Friendly Community,” according to Alexandria’s online bicycling guide at www.alexandriava.gov/Bicycling.
Planning It Out
Schwatken, who rides in any weather that isn’t dangerous (primarily thunderstorms or ice), said being prepared is the most important thing when it comes to biking to work.
Both Schwatken and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s Colin Browne recommend planning out your route using local bicycle and trail maps. (WABA has links to maps for the entire region available at www.waba.org/resources/maps-and-documents.)
Keep in mind that your best bicycle route is unlikely to be the route you normally drive. See if you can stick to trails or roads with dedicated bicycle lanes for safety, Schwatken recommended.
It’s a good idea to take a test ride into work so you know how long it will take and what you may encounter along the way. “Try out your route on a weekend, or whenever you can allow some time to get lost,” Browne said.
When you arrive at work, you’ll need somewhere safe to park your bicycle. Some buildings offer indoor bicycle parking or parking in a nearby garage. Or, there may be a bicycle rack outside. You may want to ask your employer’s human resources department about this, or find a colleague who has been biking to work for advice.
“Once you’re parked, will you need to change your clothes? Give yourself some time to do that, too,” Browne said.
Some buildings have a shower room, locker room or a relationship with a local gym where you can shower and get dressed. You’ll want to check to see if you need to provide your own soap, tow-els, hairdryer and other essentials to get ready for work after bike commuting.
You may consider bringing a few days’ worth of clothes into the office on the weekend so you can bicycle commute in during the week without worrying about how to transport a suit.
Before You Take Off
“Do an ABC Quick Check, and if anything seems wrong, take it to your local shop or a look,” Browne said. “Especially in the spring, many shops have a very busy repair schedule, so make sure to allow a few days for this.”
The ABC Quick Check involves checking the tires for air (the tires should feel firm, and use the tire’s PSI recommendation as a guide). The B is for brakes: Test both hand brakes “making sure the whole brake pad squeezes tightly on the wheel’s metal rim, not on the rubber tire or on empty air,” according to guidance from WABA. C is for the bicycle chain, which should be rust free and move smoothly. Quick is for quick check on the rest of the bicycle, looking for any other problems.
In addition to videos on the WABA website, many bicycle shops in the area offer basic maintenance classes, guidance on the best routes for riding into D.C. (or elsewhere), and more. Beyond selling you a new bike and equipment, bicycle shops can be a great resource for information.
Knowing how to change your tire (and bringing a spare tube and CO2 canister) is critical, Schwatken said. WABA offers a special City Cycling class for commuters that’s perfect for those who may be comfortable on their bike but nervous about riding in the City. WABA’s spring education season starts in late April. Classes and rides are listed at waba.org/classes.
Must-Have Equipment
Aside from a bicycle, there are a few things you’ll want to have with you for your ride.
A light. “A single white light on your handlebars and a red light on the rear of your bike make you much more visible, not just at night, but if it’s raining or foggy. A white front light and red rear light or reflector are required by law if you’re riding after dark in most of the region. If you’re riding on a trail, make sure to angle your front light down a little so you’re not blinding oncoming riders,” Browne said.
A lock (or two). Even if you’re parking your bike in a bike room or locked cage in a parking garage, you really should lock up your bike securely so it doesn’t get stolen. Pick up a secure U-lock or heavy-duty chain lock (or two) and make sure you lock your bike to a secure, grounded structure, avoiding bus stop signs and trees. If you have two locks, be sure to lock both the front and back tires as well as the frame. For more information on bicycle security, go to waba.org/resources/preventing-bicycle-theft.
A SmartTrip Card. Sometimes the weather changes during the day unexpectedly, especially in the spring and summer. If you don’t want to ride home in the rain, you can put your bike on the front of a Metro bus and ride home. Or, leave your bike at work (preferably inside somewhere safe) and use other means to get home.
Water. Even in the early morning hours on a relatively easy commute, biking can be a workout. Have water with you.
Helmet. Technically, helmets are not required by law anywhere in the region, according to Browne. However, it’s a really very good idea to wear one if you can. You only get one brain and you need to protect it in the event of an accident or crash.
Cell phone. Sometimes things go wrong. You should know how to change your tire, Schwatken said, so you can continue with your commute after getting a flat tire. However, other serious malfunctions may stop you in your tracks. Always have your lock with you so you can lock up your broken bike some-where safe, and use your cell phone to call someone for a ride or look up the closest bus stop. And remember you can put your bike on the front of a Metro or DASH bus if you need to.
Optional: Bike shorts, biking shoes, etc. While not necessary, having properly fitting bike clothing can make your commute more comfortable.
Go Electric
For longer bike commuting trips or for those who may worry about their en-durance while bike commuting, electric bikes are a good option. The motor-assisted bicycles, like those sold by Pedego Electric Bikes and other shops in Alexandria, can make riding up hills or going long distances easier and faster.
In fact, a study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology in 2016 showed that using an electric bike (or e-bike) can result in better fitness, improved blood sugar control and less body fat.
Todd Ketch’s Pedego Electric Bikes shop in Old Town Alexandria offers a variety of electric bikes that make riding easier without taking away the fun. The bikes range from road bikes to mountain bikes to heavy-duty tricycles.
If you want to try out an electric bike, Pedego offers a variety of guid-ed tours in addition to test rides and hourly rentals. Learn more at pedegoalexandria.com.
Bikeshare Programs
You don’t need your own bike to cycle to work! The Alexandria area has more than 30 Capital Bikeshare stations – part of a regional bike sharing system with more than 500 stations in the District, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and nearby Maryland.
Capital Bikeshare users use an app con-nected to a financial service to unlock a bike from a docking station, ride it to the Capital Bikeshare station closest to their destination and return the bicycle. Learn more at CapitalBikeshare.com.
A number of companies are providing dockless bikeshare programs, including Lyft and Lime.
