Rain or shine, Friday, May 18th is Bike to Work Day. The League of American Bicyclists began Bike to Work Day as part of Bike Month in 1956. Over the years, Bike to Work Day has grown into a widespread event with countless bicyclists taking to the streets nationwide in an effort to get commuters to try bicycling to work as a healthy and safe alternative to driving alone. In the Metropolitan Washington region, Bike to Work Day has grown from a small group of a few hundred in 2001 to 11,000 participants in 2011.
For more information and to register, visit Bike to Work Day.
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Oh God, great -- more bikes on the sidewalks, knocking pedestrians about, whistling at pedestrains to get out of THEIR way, bikers cursing at pedestrian when pedestrians don't get out of their way, speeding through parks and running into little kids (happens every day of the week in Rose Park). Bicyclists have a self-centered, inflated ego as to their biking - they think because they are "green" and "athletic" that they have more rights than pedestrains. Well, I understand that the Ofice of Inspector General is quietely investigating the Capital Bikeshare program for posible fraud. Interesting that the city is giving millions of dollars so white people can ride a bikle every so often while cutting back on meals for seniors and health care benefits fo the disadvantaged. Tommy Wells created a nightmare with the Bikeshare program and it should be tossed aside and the money put to better use.
I agree, to some degree. We need to find a better way for bicyclists and motorists to co-exist. The fact is, the roads were built for cars, not bicycles. When a bicyclist rides on a road, he is at risk. Why? It's simple. The automobile is much heavier than a bicycle and in a collision, the bicyclist will be killed or injured.
I say this as someone who both drives a car and bicycles. I don't think Washington has carefully thought through how to integrate the two. Ideally, bicycles should be on separate rights of way and not sharing the road with motorists.
Right now, we have a risky scenario where both modes share the roads. I see bicyclists who weave dangerously in and out of traffic everyday. And, I see many bicyclists who do not wear helmets, which is just plain foolish.
I also see motorists who do not pay attention to bicyclists.
I would start by mandating that all bicyclists wear helmets. It's in their own interest. It must be a law that is enforced.
But the bigger picture also must be addressed. We have a tremendous increase in the number of bicyclists sharing the roads with motorists, and greater risks for all.