D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty may be seen by his constituency as young, technologically savvy and constantly making personal appearances at even the smallest neighborhood events. But unlike his pal up in New York, rarely can he be seen riding public transportation, preferring to be whisked around town in his big, black Lincoln Navigator. And we’re willing to concede that it probably makes more sense for the most part, seeing as how Fenty needs to get around quickly with staffers and security in tow.

But yesterday, reports the Post, the Mayor’s office realized that Fenty couldn’t show up at a press conference announcing some of the city’s environmental initiatives, including the upcoming Car Free Day event on Tuesday, Sept. 18, without looking like a hypocrite.

The Metro was an option, but Fenty was running late and would have to walk several blocks. Someone offered a vehicle from the city’s fleet of hybrids, but the mayor ruled that out. He countered by offering to hop on the expensive Cannondale bicycle he uses for triathlons, but then aides reminded him that he might become sweaty in his navy business suit.

Fenty ended up hopping on a No. 52 bus (see below) near the Wilson Building and took it up to Clifton, just a block away from his destination, Cardozo Senior High School. He then took the Metro back to work (see above.)

Like we said, it’s understandable that Fenty would need to rely on a large vehicle to get to his various meetings and public appearances on a regular basis. But it would be nice if the Mayor and his staff had the sort of conversations about public transportation options like the one in Post story just a little more often. Making decisions to skip the car and take Metro or a bus sometimes is exactly the kind of behavior events like Car Free Day are meant to promote. We’re not saying give up the Navigator, Mayor Fenty. But when it turns out getting to a meeting is as easy as hopping on a No. 52 bus, why not do it?

Photos by Lateef Mangum, courtesy of the Mayor’s Office