[Justin Antos]

Agreed – Capitol Hill is an extremely bike-friendly neighborhood, and you can get to Rosslyn almost entirely on trails. http://tinyurl.com/69eot5n

[Justin Antos]

I agree that the majority of cars on Scott are turning left/west onto Lee Highway, so an all-red for the trail is not necessary. I think the problem can be helped by adding a phase to the light, after Scott gets a green, where Scott left-turners get a green arrow, Scott straight-throughers get a red, and Custis trail gets a green?

[Justin Antos]

Brilliant. I vote for a Wednesday.

[Justin Antos]

Great video! I was the guy who walked by with a cup of coffee and an unnecessarily-skeptical look at 3:48. I blame the lack of caffeine up to that point. nice setup!

[Justin Antos]

@PotomacCyclist 3651 wrote:

Once the sod has been planted, I think a lot of people will make the turn while riding on the grass. It would be much better for the trail designers to understand this and add extra pavement now.

I agree – bicyclists will cut the corner anyway; no amount of design can stop them. Widening the intersection would be helpful to avoid conflicts. It would also give us more time to signal our turns with hand outstretched, before we need both hands to brake/steer. I also agree with DaveK that a stop line and a bit of signage can be a big help too.

[Justin Antos]

I’m not sure of the exact rules, although I’ve been riding through the Capitol Grounds nearly every day for three years without a problem. Just ride cautiously, avoid mobs of tourists, and expect cars and pedestrians after 9am. The Capitol Police are pretty tolerant of bikes in my experience. Here’s a map of the northern route I take every day, and the southern route that might help you more. Then there’s an inner route that has a nice brief view over the Mall, but these are all variations on a theme!

I’ve also occasionally used the roads adjacent to the grounds (1st Street(s), New Jersey Ave, etc), and the cops have let me ride by the white blockades without issue.

[Justin Antos]

Thanks everyone for their feedback and ideas! I’ve posted a quick update on our thought process and decision since then.

[Justin Antos]

Ellie,
I also live on the Hill and make this trek frequently by bike. I think your routes sound good, but it depends on your level of comfort riding in mixed traffic, especially at rush hour. I would find the Mass. Ave. route a little daunting because the parking lane is a travel lane in rush hour, especially west of Union Station. It’s a matter of personal taste, for sure!

The route I would choose is actually a bike lane or a dedicated cycletrack most of the way. I’d go over the Capitol, then along the Pennsylvania Ave. NW cycletracks, up the 15th St. cycletrack, and then left on Q St NW.

This way is perhaps less direct than the routes you describe, but it’s pretty safe and minimizes your battling with cars . This is my preferred route from the Hill to most areas in NW.

Here’s a map! http://tinyurl.com/68y3r4p

You can actually do a little jigger through the White House grounds too that I couldn’t get Google to show properly – when the cycletrack on 15th ends at G, take a left onto the pedestrianized area north of the white house, then a quick right, and pass through the bollards at the gatehouse at H St. and Vermont, and pick up the 15th St. cycletrack again on Vermont.

[Justin Antos]

Hi Lacey! I am also a Hill resident and was a bike commuter to Arlington for years. After trying a bunch of different ways to Arlington, here’s my favorite! Thankfully, between the nice bike lanes on the Hill, Madison/Jefferson Drives on the Mall, and the Mt. Vernon Trail, you can bike most of the way on lanes, and dedicated trails, with very little riding in mixed traffic. There’s a nice path from the Mt Vernon trail under the train tracks and the Parkway at Crystal City, and it puts you out right on Crystal Drive.

I prefer this way no matter where I am on the Hill, even if on the south side. It is do-able to go south from Seward Square towards the ballpark, across on I St, and out by the fish market and SW waterfront, but the traffic isn’t as calm. It is also do-able to cross on the Memorial Bridge,but I dislike the crossing of the GW Parkway and the crowds on the Mall, and it’s further out of your way for Crystal City.

Let me know if you ever want a ride guide!

http://tinyurl.com/3h3otvv

[Justin Antos]

Will,
We very recently revamped the bicycle section of http://www.wmata.com. To answer your question, the rule has not changed. During peak periods, folding bikes should be encased. “Folded bicycles are allowed on Metrorail during all operational hours, but must remain folded and inside a carrying case or bag during weekday peak hours: 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.”

Hopefully this clears things up!

Justin Antos
Office of Long-Range Planning, WMATA

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