bike sharing in ward 2

Bike Sharing Program in Ward 2

See this 3/17/2008 post from the blog of ANC 2C02 Commissioner Kevin Chapple:

From Paris to Shaw: Bike Sharing Comes to Ward 2

According to a Ward 2 News District Beat article (pdf only), Shaw, Logan, Mt Vernon Sq, U St, Dupont and other neighborhoods will soon be served by a "free" bike sharing program. The program is one way that the District Department of Transportation and Clear Channel Outdoors Smart Bike program are trying to better serve residents and visitors by offering a carbon neutral and generally healthy way to get around the District. If you plan to make use of the program often, it would be wise to also invest in a bike helmet.

Apparently, according to DDOT's bike crash summary, it also helps to avoid accidents if you are female, under 25 and over 35, stay away from vehicles with non-district license plates, and avoid biking on Thursdays.

Initially, the program will make 110 bike available at local kiosks throughout the greater downtown area between 6am and 10pm. The program will require a $39 fee for an annual membership card that, at least initially, will allow users to rent a bike for free for up to 3 hours. The cost per usage may increase to $2 at some point.


Use of a bicycle helmet is the single, most effective preventive measure of reducing head injuries 85%, and brain injuries or serious disabilities by 88% from bicycle accidents.
-- DDOT's 2002 bicycle laws (http://www.ddot.washingtondc.gov/ddot/frames.asp?doc=/ddot/lib/ddot/information/bicycle/laws/bicyclelaws.pdf)

"We are just extremely excited and proud that this is going to be the first system of its kind in the country. DC is really ahead of the curve on this one."
-- Eric Gilliland, Executive Director of Washington Area Bicyclist Association [WABA - www.waba.org]