Capital Bikeshare bikes

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rode a bike on Thursday evening, presumably on his commute from the Department of Transportation headquarters in Navy Yard.

Bike Twitter lost their damn minds.

https://twitter.com/alanzilberman/status/1365299957947899905

Getting on a bicycle seems like small potatoes for the internet’s attention, but Pete’s public pedaling is a stark shift from Elaine Chao, the prior secretary who kept a notoriously low profile. Buttigieg also has a large fan club from his presidential run that has helped blow up his profile in D.C.

Buttigieg was spotted with a security detail (also cycling) near New Jersey Ave and M Street, which has a new bus/bike only lane. (A bike lane on New Jersey Avenue is expected in 2021.) DDOT has promised 20 miles of protected bike lanes by 2022, but the Washington Area Bicyclists Association has said that’s too slow. Will a cycling secretary increase pressure on the local transportation department?

Buttigieg did get skewered online for having his seat too low for optimal riding.

But for the most part, locals were excited to welcome the former Mayor Pete to Bike Twitter

While the secretary’s husband, Chasten Buttigieg, just wished he’d made a quick stop before heading home.

The USDOT Twitter account also asked for cycling tips for the new secretary.

Here are some of our suggestions:

Oh, also don’t forget those lights at night.

In an Axios interview earlier this month, Buttigieg discussed shifting USDOT’s focus. “We think of trains, planes and automobiles [when it comes to the USDOT], but what about bikes, scooters, wheelchairs for that matter?” he told Mike Allen. “Roads aren’t only for vehicles … we’ve got to make sure that pedestrians and individuals and bicyclists and businesses can all co-exist on the same roadway.”

Buttigieg has reportedly been taking a “mini motorcade” to work, but he’s also said he hopes to take Metro to work, too. Will he continue to try all modes of transportation to get around? We’ll have to wait and find out.

Filed Under: capital bikeshare, navy yard, pete buttigieg,