Take a Look at DC’s Growing Bicycle Culture

This post is also available in: English

In an effort to diversify content, I’ve decided to create a spotlight at Washington DC and its bike friendly culture:

These days, it seems that every city, big and small, wants to be “bike friendly”. Seems easy enough to put in a few bike lanes, open a bike shop, and promote helmet use. Many communities think that’s enough and an automatic “in” on the long list of bicycle friendly cities. While these are great steps at bringing bicycle awareness to a community, bike friendly cities aren’t created overnight.

Take a look at the ever popular bike friendly city, Amsterdam. In the 1950’s, cars were a popular mode of transportation until the Middle East Oil Crisis arrived and too many pedestrians and bicyclists were killed by cars. Bicyclists in Amsterdam quickly became a priority and to this day have the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists. In fact, bicycles are more popular than cars, making the streets a bicyclist’s paradise. So, Amsterdam has all the makings of a bike culture, but guess what? So does DC.

What Makes Up a Bicycle Culture?

Bicycle culture is more than a general appreciation of bicycling or riding around on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Bicycle culture focuses on the safety of bicyclists and the harmonious relationship between bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. DC ranks in the Top 5 of Bicycle Magazine’s “Bicycle Friendly Cities” as well as “America’s Fittest City” (which can be partly attributed to the thriving bicycle community). DC is a “Bicycle Friendly City” because:

• Bike Lanes and Other Designated Spaces: Any bicyclist that attempts to share the road with a motorist knows how tricky and dangerous is can be. Bike lanes are crucial. Separated or protected bicycle lanes are even better as traffic keeps moving and cyclists ride safer.

Take the 15th St. Bicycle Lane, for example. The initial goals were simple: reduce speed and increase bicycle use. The result? Bicycle use increased and more “casual” cyclists considered becoming more serious/frequent.

• Advocacy and Awareness is Essential: After 40 years, Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) continues to work hard, striving to make DC a bicycle friendly city and improving its bicycle culture. WABA is one of DC’s oldest and most reputable bicycle advocacy groups and offers valuable advice to new riders or what to do in the event of an accident.

In reality,even in the friendliest of bicycle cities, accidents with vehicles are always a possibility, particularly when drivers and bicyclists share the road and are treated as equals. Unfortunately, even in cities with a large bicycle population, other motorists may continue to be careless and clueless.

“A driver who operates a vehicle without a reasonable level of concern for the safety of others has acted in a negligent manner, which can give rise to a legal claim,” says Mani, Ellis, & Layne. Bicycle advocacy groups are well versed in road rules and can be an ally if you’ve been struck by a negligent driver. DC bicycle culture may not be as established as some other cities, but it’s a worthy competitor and getting closer each day.

Nik Donovic (37 Posts)

Nik Donovic believes that what may be good for business today may negatively impact the environment tomorrow. He believes it's time to stop being selfish with the environment and start being sustainable.