Community Corner
Arlington’s Bike Month Events
May is nationally celebrated as Bike Month, and Arlington's in on the action. From events encouraging commuting by bike to lazy recreational rides through the city, there's something for everyone.
The first major Bike Month event in Arlington was Bike to School Day, which took place on Wednesday this year. Across Arlington County, some kids did what they do every day — they rode to school. Others joined with their peers to form bike trains to school. Arlington’s generally compact school districts and multiuse paths make .
This Sunday, Bike DC will provide a chance for a car-free ride through both Washington and Arlington. Several thousand cyclists will roll along a closed circuit that starts near the National Mall, heads up Rock Creek Parkway, comes back down and across the Roosevelt Bridge, heads up the George Washington Parkway, and drops back down to the Air Force Memorial before returning to the district.
Bike DC registration ranges from $15 to $40, but kids 12 and under ride for free. With no cars, plenty of rest stops, and course marshals to assist with problems, it's a very low-stress way to spend a Sunday morning. And really, the George Washington Parkway on a bike? Fantastic.
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May also brings Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 18. Bike to Work Day has grown to see more than 10,000 area residents participating last year. In the hopes of giving hesitant commuters some encouragement to try it out, Bike to Work Day sponsors provide "pit stops" with food, speakers and entertainment.
Bike to Work Day is a great opportunity to test bike commuting. Not only do riders get the extra support of the pit stops, but – especially in Arlington – they can be assured that they'll have plenty of extra company on the streets and trails. Sure, that’s not how your everyday commute will go, but why not give it a whirl in such an easy environment?
Find out what's happening in Clarendon-Courthouse-Rosslynwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
There are Bike to Work Day pit stops throughout the D.C. area. Arlington will have three this year:
- Rosslyn (Rosslyn Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Highway)
- Ballston (, 3924 Wilson Blvd)
- Crystal City (Crystal City Water Park, 1750 Crystal Drive)
Rosslyn is traditionally the biggest pit stop in Arlington, but last year saw plenty of action at the Ballston and Crystal City stops. Local bike shops Freshbikes and have contributed bikes to be raffled at each Arlington pit stop. Riders are asked to register for Bike to Work Day here (the free registration will get you a raffle ticket).
Finally, Bike Arlington will be continuing its Two Wheel Tuesdays throughout the month, meeting at 7 p.m. inside the Arlington County building at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard. While each week has a theme, they’re intended to be informal drop-in sessions that help answer basic questions for new riders. Next week’s safety tips session would be a great place for riders thinking about joining Bike to Work Day.
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Live or work in Crystal City? The Crystal City Business Improvement District is going all out, making it Bike to Work Week. Check out what’s on offer here.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association's annual BikeFest fundraiser — a regional gathering of advocates and cyclists — takes place at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets and information available here.
Mark Blacknell is chairman of the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee, president of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and a League Cycling Instructor.