Results tagged “waba”

Yeah, getting around town on two wheels sure can be great. But if you're anything like me, if something goes wrong, you're at a total loss. Just looking at the maze of spokes and gears without some kind of help is enough to drive most normal folks to the brink of insanity.

This Friday, May 15 is the annual national Bike to Work Day (not to be confused with D.C.'s local Car Free DC Day, which happens in September). The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is once again taking the lead in organizing this year's event locally, and they're asking those of you who plan to participate to pre-register before showing up at the relevant "pit stop" on Friday morning. Registration is free, and allows the organizers to make sure each "pit stop" has enough supplies on hand to handle the crowds. Each "pit stop" will offer free breakfast and entertainment, plus the chance to win bicycles and other prizes. Registration also makes you eligible to receive a free T-shirt (the first 7,000 registrants who show up to their pit stops will get the shirts).

In the week since Alice Swanson was tragically killed riding her bike through Dupont Circle, there has been the usual back-and-forth between aggravated cyclists and aggrieved drivers. Cyclists accuse drivers of being two-ton road menaces, while drivers fire back by relaying long-worn tales of cyclists recklessly flying through red lights.

On the blocks around Dupont Circle yesterday evening, there were more bikes than usual for a standard evening commute. Their point of convergence was the corner of 20th and R Streets NW, adjacent to the outdoor diners at La Tomate, most of whom looked on in some confusion as the crowd continued to gather at the corner, and members of the press set up microphones at the Washington Area Bicyclist’s Association’s podium. Organizers reminded the growing group to keep the walkways clear for pedestrians as volunteers handed out packets containing a bicycle safety book and a pocket guide to D.C.’s bike laws, the packets adorned with a small white ribbon as a reminder of the reason everyone was there.

Flickr contributor vassieux snapped this shot of the "ghost bike" for Alice Swanson, who was killed Tuesday morning while riding her bike north of Dupont Circle. WABA is holding a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. to draw attention to bike safety issues and call for a full investigation into Swanson's death.

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association has just announced a press conference for this evening on the death of bicyclist Alice Swanson. Swanson was killed by a garbage truck just before 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

It's a little chilly yet to start dressing like spring is already here, but with this weekend's switch to Daylight Saving Time, it's at least starting to feel like the season is on the verge of being here. And with warmer weather, those of us who are too wimpy to ride our bicycles in the freezing cold (read: me) will once again strap on our helmets and take to the streets. We can't think of a better way to recommit yourself to the biking life than by signing up for Bike to Work Day. Registration for the annual event is now open, via the Washington Area Bicyclist Association web site.