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I’m surprised by DC’s low fatality rate, although maybe it’s because all the bad drivers stay in Arlington? While walking, I’ve been knocked by cars twice on the west side of Lynn street crossing Wilson in Arlington, and last year had to jump out of the way of a vehicle, losing my shoes and falling over in the process, who was about to hit me speeding through the turn from N. Fairfax onto Lynn street in Arlington (I was crossing Lynn at the time). Had I not jumped in time I would have been seriously injured if not killed–he was going FAST. In all of these instances, I was in the crosswalk, and had the walk signal. I’ve known 2 other people who’ve been hit by cars in Rosslyn and been hospitalized as a result, all of them were in the crosswalk while they had the walk signal.

These experiences are one of the reasons it took me 5 years to buy a bike after moving to Arlington, even though I had wanted one since I moved here. I was literally too scared to ride on the streets after getting knocked and almost hit by cars while in crosswalks. It also influenced me to buy a “tank bike” as my boyfriend calls it (hybrid). I figure if someone is going to hit me, they at least deserve to get their car damaged in the process.

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I strongly suggest trying out tons of bikes at the bike shop. Go to a few shops, and try both new and used models. Try road bikes, hybrids, and everything else they have.

I have come to realize that one bike might not be the answer every bike-need a person has though. I love my trek hybrid and wouldn’t use anything else to commute to work, but for long, faster rides on the weekend, my hybrid is too heavy and slow. I got the hybrid because I did not feel safe riding in DC traffic on a road bike (I like being upright in traffic), and also because I know that at 7am when I am sleep deprived and biking to work, I need something a little more stable and able to handle gravel and uneven pavement. Either end of this season or early next (whenever I can find a good sale and have money), I plan to buy a decent road bike for weekend use. But as a commuter bike and for rides under 30 miles, the hybrid is awesome.

Also, ask your friends what type of bikes they have if you plan to ride with them. One influence on my purchase choice was that all of my friends have hybrids or similar models. It means we all go the same speed and are wary of the same type of obstacles in the path, which makes group riding easier and more fun.

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@consularrider 82384 wrote:

There have been various warnings about using Rain-X with coated lenses. That said, I use it on my riding eyewear which is non-perscription. I’ve also used CatCrap which is marketed for skiing eyewear but has to be applied before each outing.

I don’t think my lenses are coated, hence the dr making the recommendation (I have the cheapest ones available). I know they sell fancier stuff at optometry places that specialize in sports though…My brother used to buy some spray that did the same thing as rain-x since he had to wear his glasses on the track field.

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I wear my contacts JUST for the ride in and home–I switch into glasses once I’m at work since I also can’t wear contacts without enough sleep.

For the rain, they make clear sunglasses, or ones with orange/yellow lenses. The yellow/orange lenses work great on cloudy days. If I have contacts in, even if its pouring rain I need to wear glasses. If water gets into my eyes while I’m wearing contacts I am blind for a few minutes

Also, rain-x your glasses. It really does help…Some vision stores also carry more eyewear specific sprays for this purpose, but my last dr just told me to try rain-x before buying a more expensive one.

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My boyfriend is convinced that soon this will evolve into doctors being able to prescribe bike riding, and our FSAs covering the purchase of bikes.

I’m doubting it, but we can dream The federal agency a friend worked for gave everyone $400 as a health incentive (only to be used on things like gym memberships, bikes, treadmills, etc), and she was able to use it to buy a Nintendo Wii and a Wii fit board, so I guess it’s in the realm of possibilities…

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Meaningful Riders has joined the challenge! We’re ONC (and ONC friends) at HHS. If you’re an HHS person looking for a team let me know. I was able to get 7 people within 2 hours of sending the invite out to ONC staff, so we may fill up, but I doubt it.

I’m surprised HHS didn’t have a team already. The bike racks by our headquarters building is usually full.

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Road ID also has coupons on Retail Me Not quite regularly in case your codes expire before someone needs to order one…I got my parents road IDs for Christmas and got a good deal on them thanks to the coupon codes.

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/roadid.com

My road ID was a gift from my boyfriend after I crashed my bike on my first ride. Quite useful, and makes me feel safer.

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Thank you cyclingfool! I found one that’s eligible for prime (and a light that comes with the backrack mounting gear), so I’ll have it overnighted. I really hate riding without a backlight, especially on days like today.

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@cyclingfool 80396 wrote:

I’ve generally been taking Potomac Ave up through Crystal City from Del Ray to avoid all that, but I may have to detour one of these days just to try out the switchbacks… with one, maybe both feet unclipped in case I need to Flintsone or put down a foot unexpectedly.

OHH thank you for the idea to use Potomac Ave. I bike from Del Ray a few times a week and was wondering what the best route was–Potomac is really easy to access from where I am so I’ll try it. I’ll also probably try the switchbacks on a day I’m not biking with my laptop…

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Thanks everyone! This is very helpful. I’ll spend the next weekend or two riding the routes before I try them in rush hour, and then go from there. I appreciate the advice!

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