Dedicated bike lanes, running the course of Pennsylvania Ave NW from the White House to the Capitol Dome, were officially dedicated yesterday afternoon. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty was joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood along with two DC city council members and two U.S. congressmen for speeches and an inaugural ride yesterday afternoon. Two way bike lanes have replaced the the avenue’s no-mans-land median.

Bikes following lanes and painted arrows, will ride in the same direction of traffic but between the car lanes. Signs alert cyclists to follow the red/yellow/green traffic signals and to turn using crosswalks, following pedestrian signals. It is the latest in a series of bike friendly projects undertaken in the District, including contraflow lanes on 15th Street NW, the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a Union Station bike center, and a bike sharing program.

“I believe that by having a bike lane on Pennsylvania Avenue, literally connecting the Capitol to the White House,” said Fenty, “that all over the world people will know that not only is Washington DC a bike friendly place but that this country is catching up with our European and other neighbors that have long been committed to bicycling.” That’s in biking and in soccer, Mr. Mayor! Fenty also spoke of his commitment to having a leg of the Giro di Italia take place in Washington in 2012.