Photo by jaymallinphotos.

Good morning, Washington, and happy Bike to Work Day! According to the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, close to 11,000 people are taking part this year, which is great news. Of course, as WTOP reports, the more people on the road, the more safety concerns become an issue for cyclists and drivers alike — a number of jurisdictions and institutions are working to teach bike commuters how to get to work safely every day. Sadly, D.C. Fire/EMS tweeted this morning that a cyclist was hit at the intersection of 18th and Columbia Road earlier this morning; stay safe out there.

Gray Orders Spending Freeze: The Examiner reports that Mayor Vince Gray has ordered a spending freeze for city agencies and departments on pretty much everything but salaries, a move that’s expected to save $70 million. (A key detail, though, that tells us all something about the D.C. government — the measure isn’t aimed at stopping agencies from spending money they have, but rather overspending money that they don’t have but charge to the city accounts anyhow.) Some independent agencies like the D.C. Public Library are exempted, and some might get blanket exemptions on certain expenses so they can implement programs. But otherwise, all spending requests will have to be submitted to Gray’s office.

Virginia Parents Sue Four Loko: Remember when Four Loko was briefly a thing? Well, it’s back in the news, this time because a Virginia family is suing the company, claiming that the alcoholic energy drink was responsible for their son’s death. Last fall, 15-year-old Bo Rupp sat down on a dark road in Centreville and was hit by an SUV, an act his parents claim was facilitated by the two cans of Four Loko he had consumed. The drink’s manufacturer, which has since removed caffeine and other ingredients from the drink, rejects the claims.

O’Malley Signs Law Closing Texting-While-Driving Loophole: The Washington Times reports that Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley yesterday signed a bill that would strengthen the state’s ban on texting while driving. The new law will prohibit reading text messages at stop signs or traffic lights, which until this point was allowed. Violations of the law bring a $500 fine and one point on your license, and you can be pulled over for little more than being spotted working your phone while driving. The enhanced law goes into effect on October 1.

Briefly Noted: D.C. officials not happy with Anacostia-Bolling base plan…Floating bar in Inner Harbor allowed to stay open…Trial in Lululemon killing scheduled for October 24.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, Mayor Adrian Fenty praised gains in reading scores (with typos!) and former DCist Editor-in-Chief Sommer Mathis broke the news that she’d be leaving for a position at the now defunct TBD.com. In 2009, a ride of silence honored fallen cyclists and Murky Coffee’s Nick Cho moved on to Chinatown Coffee Company.