Alternative Transportation: Bike to the Inaugural!

Not on one of the 10,000 buses that might show up Jan. 20? Don't want to brave the record ridership expected on Metro's trains that day? Not interested in walking two miles to see Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony?

Well, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is trying to look out for you. As Washington City Paper reported last week, the organization has been negotiating with District government and Metro officials to create a bike valet and bike parking area as close as possible to the Mall and parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue.

Henry Mesias, a program assistant, tells Inauguration Watch that progress is being made on securing a location for bikes, though he declined to be specific about the location. "It'll be right outside of the security perimeter," Mesias said.

Under one scenario being discussed, bicyclists would be able to hand their bikes over to valets, who would give them a claim receipt. The service would be free, paid for through sponsorships sold by WABA. If that doesn't work out, Mesias said people would be allowed to lock up their bikes in a reserved area.

"The problem with that is you'd have to pay attention to details, such as where the security perimeters are, or you'd risk having your bike lock cut," he said.

Mesias said his organization hopes to have all the details worked out within a couple weeks.

By David A Nakamura  |  December 9, 2008; 1:03 PM ET  | Category:  Transportation
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