Transit in Washington DC pros/ cons request

[FireChiefsBride]

We're headed to DC this week, staying across the street from the zoo, without a rental car. We'll mostly be just going down to the capital complex area. There's both a metro and bikeshare access right at our hotel. It looks like they'll be close to the same cost per day. Is anyone familiar with the pros/ cons of using Metro vs. bikeshare? Any help or tips are greatly appreciated.

[jenn248]

Well, Metro is ostensibly air conditioned (some cars better than others), and it's already 90 degrees here this week. Metro is also pretty easy to use; to get to the Capital, you would just take the red line to Metro Center and then transfer to the blue or orange lines.

Re. the bikes, the roads in DC are confusing if you're not familiar with them (I've lived here nine years and still get confused), and not all roads in DC have bike lanes. Unless there's a site that you can use to google a safe bike route, I personally would be more comfortable taking the Metro.

[dana2006]

I haven't used the bikeshare system myself, but hear from friends that sometimes it's very hard to find parking at popular tourist spots. Unlike regular bikes, you can't park it anywhere except in designated slots. I think the concern for parking is most accute during the cherry blossom season.

If you decide to go with the bikeshare, one tip is bike downhill on Connecticut Ave to downtownto and bike back on the Rockcreek trail, which is pretty flat (and scenic) until just below the Connecticut Ave bridge. Or you can bike on the Rockcreek trail both ways to bypass any traffic stops.

Check the weather forecast for the days of your stay; biking in 90 degree heat is not fun.

The metro is a good way to get around. There are also the Circulator buses that goes between the Mall area and Georgetown.

[stephm0188]

I've not used the bikeshare, but the Metro is very user friendly. Avoid it at times when locals are commuting for work if you can, but most of the time it's easy peasy.

[catsarecute]

The Metro is awesome. So easy to use and a huge relief from the heat!!

[stingsharkruns]

Riding a bike in DC would scare the shit out of me. We were just there in April, and I was amazed at all the people riding bikes in traffic. Once we figured out how to get passes, the metro system was pretty easy to navigate. We stayed in Arlington and used the metro to get all over the place.

[Mxolisi]

I live in DC and ride a bike every day, so I'm pretty partial to it. Taking the metro puts me in a terrible mood--it's insanely overcrowded, air conditioned in name only and has such frequent delays that I can't actually rely on it to get me anywhere at a given time.

Biking in DC isn't bad at all--it's one of the most bike friendly cities in the country. That said if you guys aren't accustomed to biking in an urban environment you may find it stressful. If you are confident cyclists (and pack your helmets) I think it would be an ideal way to see DC. My second choice would be walking and my third would be taking a bus. Metro is tied with taxis for absolute worst value and pleasure for the money IMO.

Bonus--the temps are about to drop (thank god). So it will actually be really nice walking/biking weather for your trip!

[Mxolisi]

I meant to add that google maps has a bike route function (just like their walking directions function). It's in beta, but I've found it to be on point for routes in DC. You can also download a map of DC's bike lanes and bike routes and use it as a cross reference.

I've been riding daily in DC for nearly a decade and have had no accidents and only a few close calls. In general DC drivers are very respectful of the right of cyclists to use lanes of traffic. I have more problems with jaywalking, earphone using pedestrians who step out in front of me than I do wih cars.

[FireChiefsBride]

May 29, 2012 13:03:28 GMT -5 @Mxolisi said:

I live in DC and ride a bike every day, so I'm pretty partial to it. Taking the metro puts me in a terrible mood--it's insanely overcrowded, air conditioned in name only and has such frequent delays that I can't actually rely on it to get me anywhere at a given time.

Biking in DC isn't bad at all--it's one of the most bike friendly cities in the country. That said if you guys aren't accustomed to biking in an urban environment you may find it stressful. If you are confident cyclists (and pack your helmets) I think it would be an ideal way to see DC. My second choice would be walking and my third would be taking a bus. Metro is tied with taxis for absolute worst value and pleasure for the money IMO.

Bonus--the temps are about to drop (thank god). So it will actually be really nice walking/biking weather for your trip!

I'm super excited about the cool-front bonus! I've been following the weather and couldn't believe our luck. Not that I'm expecting perfection, but it's a vacation from Central Texas.

Thanks for all the info. I'm keeping track of everything and will evaluate against the conditions when we get there.

[sunshinedaydreams]

I'm sort of torn on this one. On one hand, the Metro is super easy to navigate, has A/C and you wouldn't have to go that far, so it would be fairly cheap. Also, driving in DC scares the shit out of me, so I can't imagine being in all that mess on a bike when I'm not familiar with the streets. On the other hand, I hate the Metro and avoid it all costs when I can. The Red Line is the absolute worst for track work and delays, IMO.

[lizo11]

May 29, 2012 10:46:48 GMT -5 jenn248 said:

Well, Metro is ostensibly air conditioned (some cars better than others), and it's already 90 degrees here this week. Metro is also pretty easy to use; to get to the Capital, you would just take the red line to Metro Center and then transfer to the blue or orange lines.

Re. the bikes, the roads in DC are confusing if you're not familiar with them (I've lived here nine years and still get confused), and not all roads in DC have bike lanes. Unless there's a site that you can use to google a safe bike route, I personally would be more comfortable taking the Metro.

I agree with a lot of this. It is rather confusing, if you don't know your way around!