When you ride a bike, you open the world from the 3-dimension. You are not only a pedestrian or driver, you are also someone who looks at current events from the different perspective. Before coming to the U.S. I asked the main question: could I ride a bike during the winter? Now, I can answer by myself: it is possible. Moreover, this is the most amazing thing which I do almost every day! Even I did not receive my American visa, I had already had my DC bike :)
Here, in D.C. I have already experience to ride my bike in the “Indian Summer”, Siberian Winter, and American Autumn. Even me and Deepa Khatri can give you advice how to ride a bike if you have only one cycle, two handbags, a long umbrella-stick and an enormous wish to have fun and Change the World!
Somebody told me that where there is a source or energy for biking. The answer is very simple, the cycling will give that energy!
In December 2015, just before Christmas time, I received a list of questions about biking.
So, here are F.A.Q. and ANSWERS:
Should I bike here in DC? Why?
DC is a very bike-friendly city with bike-lanes and great bike trails. Definitely, you should ride YOUR bike in D.C. and not wait for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Why? Independence, health, good mood and saving money :)
Can I bike in winters?
Yes, you can ride a bike in winter.
How much does it cost to have a bike (New or Old) and how much are the accessories. How much can I save per month if I bike to office?
At first, you spend about 100 USD at total, and then save about 100 USD every month. To buy a new bike could be very costly (200-300 USD), however, you can buy a cycle for 50-60 USD via craigslist (please follow the link: https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/i/bikes). The helmet, locker and two lights could cost 40 USD from the rest of 100 USD.
- second-hand bike = 50-60 USD
- helmet = 20-25 USD
- lights = 5-10 USD
- locker = 20-30 USD
TOTAL: = 100-120 USD.
What should I know about biking to start? What are the basics of biking?
At first, do not to be afraid to fall over and again get up! Yes, to ride a bike can seem a difficult and scary thing from the beginning, but then you just enjoy!
For more information I can recommend you to read this article: http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/getting-into-biking.html
How to wear the right clothes for biking?
There are no rules what kind of the right clothes to wear for biking. I can prove that even it is possible to ride a bike in the dress and high heel stiletto shoes.
The one significant rule is to wear something BRIGHT! Don’t expect drivers to see you! I can give some tips how to wear in the winter. You should wear by layers: cotton, wool and water proof/wind proof clothes, and have appropriate gloves. I experienced to cycle at a temperature (-10 C /14F) here, in D.C. However, I will not recommend it to you. The most minimal weather where you can try to ride a bike is sunny, not windy (0 C / 32 F).
Is it dangerous to bike in DC?
I should answer: yes and no. The first advice which I received from my friends and colleagues from YFU if I had or bought a helmet. So, before to ride a cycle here in D.C., please buy YOUR helmet. During the night ride your bike along the walk side ONLY. Never cycle on the North Capitol near the cars, only on the walk side. Try to avoid riding a bike near the cabs, sometimes they can hit you or scare by horns and signals.
What are the benefits of Biking?
I cannot say better than these great people told:
“My two favorite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library.”
― Peter Golkin
“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle
“You know, bicycling isn’t just a matter of balance,” I said. “it’s a matter of faith. You can keep upright only by moving forward. You have to have your eyes on the goal, not the ground. I’m going to call that the Bicyclist’s Philosophy of Life.”
― Susan Vreeland, Clara and Mr. Tiffany
Can we make a bike group in DC for Atlas Corp and non-Atlas Corp people?
We can make a bike group in D.C. for the Atlas Corps and non-Atlas Corps people. However, you can join numerous D.C. bike-groups via Facebook. We even can organize a bike trip/tour dedicated to #AtlasCorps10! :)
There are some links:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/501453953219258/
Bikewashington.org can be used as the web-site which includes of a lot area trails, events and area organizations.
For social rides, please check: the D.C. Bike Party or go to Bicycle Space or City Bikes . Arrow Bicycles in Prince George’s County, the Bike Lane in Springfield and Reston, and Freshbikes in Bethesda, Arlington, and Fairfax.
Why every fellow should bike?
The Atlas Corps’s moto is “Change Your Perspective, change the World”, so riding a bike is one step to change Your perspective and the World together with fun and joy!
P.S. If I did not convince you, ask Deepa, Mosab, Pablo, Alecia, Adriana about their experience!
References:
- St. John Barned-Smith. D.C. area bike shops offer rides and resources. August 16, 2013. URL: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-area-bike-shops-offer-rides-and-resources/2013/08/16/0451b218-068b-11e3-9259-e2aafe5a5f84_story.html (access date: 02/29/2016)
- http://www.goodreads.com/ (access date: 02/29/2016)
- Photos (Credit: vintagecountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com, www.pinterest.com)