Tourists Like Bikeshare

I was asking for directions

Welcome to Washington, DC, acc.

“Oh my, I wish I could rent a helmet. I’d feel much safer but I guess that’s not very practical.”

It’s not impractical, but somewhat awkward and probably more expensive than folks might imagine. There’s just no practical way to share helmets (and seriously, would anyone – and look at all these sweaty disgusting people around you in DC right now – want to *share* a helmet?). So the alternative is cheap vending. That’s been the solution (well, attempted solution) in Melbourne, AUS, where helmets are mandatory. Hasn’t been working out all that well.

“Ooohh, I really wish I could rent a lock for it, that way I could take it further.”

That’s understandable, but CaBi’s not really meant for day long rentals. Aside from it being cheaper to just rent for the day from some place like Revolution Cycle’s City HUB or Bike and Roll, CaBi’s model relies upon people using the bikes for short trips. Get it, use it, dock it. That way one bike can serve more people throughout the day.

@jrenaut 5784 wrote:

But this means that the city needs to work out this National Park Service exclusive contract crap so that they can put CaBi stations on The Mall and other prime locations where they currently can’t. It would also be nice to get more signs pointing out attractions that are easily accessible by bike. I got stopped by a large group of CaBi tourists at Hains Point asking me where a particular road went, and I had no idea. They seemed to be having a ball on the bikes.

The biggest problem with the Mall right now is its popularity, esp now that summer is here. I ride the Mall every day on my commute and dodging peds is a real challenge. It would be super helpful if the NPS would install (or paint existing pathways) cycleways with “no peds allowed” signs; that way, peds and cyclists could largely avoid one another. Without some “traffic management” I fear adding CaBi stations will just exacerbate the current congestion.

@KLizotte 5851 wrote:

The biggest problem with the Mall right now is its popularity, esp now that summer is here. I ride the Mall every day on my commute and dodging peds is a real challenge. It would be super helpful if the NPS would install (or paint existing pathways) cycleways with “no peds allowed” signs; that way, peds and cyclists could largely avoid one another. Without some “traffic management” I fear adding CaBi stations will just exacerbate the current congestion.

Jefferson and Madison Drives are good east-west routes on the eastern half of the Mall. Slower traffic than on Independence and Constitution Ave. without too many jaywalkers.