A Virtuous Cycle: Bicycling in DC

This 4 minute video was created for Round 2 of the YouTube and Pulitzer Center "Project:Report" competition (www.youtube.com/projectreport).

"A Virtuous Cycle: Bicycling in DC" examines how Washington, DC is incorporating bicycling into its transportation infrastructure. Much like cities across the world, DC is feeling the effects of years of dependence on cars: pollution, congestion, obesity. This documentary takes a look at why DC sees bicycles as part of the solution to some of these issues and what challenges it is facing with the increased popularity of biking.

I would like to thank everyone who agreed to be interviewed for this documentary, including:

Eric Gilliland, Executive Director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Jim Sebastian, Manager of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs for the DC Department of Transportation

Paul DeMaio, Bike Sharing Consultant, MetroBikes LLC

Diane Roche, a bicycle commuter

Lauren Smeeding, a car commuter

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Bicycling
• Biking
• Washington
• DC
• District
• of
• Columbia
• Areas
• Bicycle
• Association
• Department
• Transportation

[luc59457]

I wish YouTube would promote MORE knowledgeable videos and less Entertainment. This is very knowledgeable. The world isn't always a circus you know. Make it Electric! Come see my channel, Comon, what are you waiting for Youtube help the world! You make enough money to do so!

[FIT2BIKEiT]

Great message, but the only thing missing is ALL cyclists wearing a HELMET. Almost two months ago I was hit by a vehicle while riding my Bianchi with a NJ Bike Club. I was knocked unconscious and had several fractures, but credit wearing a helmet with saving my life. It was riddled with dents, cracked and the inside torn out. Without the helmet my head could have looked like that! IF ON A BIKE, WEAR A HELMET!

[empiretotalwar1]

nice to see more people rinding a bike i hate fat people!!!

[NightHawk877]

If only San Antonio had more bike lanes. Most of their lanes are near or in the downtown area. If they added more lanes on loop 1604, I could in theory ride my bike to my college. It would take a long time, but I think it would be worth it.

[The19thMile]

JOIN ME IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY. Check out feature video for details.

[ruffianxc]

I had a similar experience this year and have been told numerous times i would not be alive without it. except i was not riding a bianchi or in new jersey but same idea. I also am a med student and if there is one thing I have learned by seeing people come into trauma/ed its that helmets greatly increase your chance of not needing the hospital at all or getting out early and not having critical injuries. same goes for seat belts.

[samatention]

Just kill some more bikes there will be more room.

[camoran81]

first, there ARE a lot of people who live in DC who also work in DC.

second alot of the "'burbs" are closer in than many parts of DC (Rosslyn is a hell of a lot closer to downtown (Metro Center) than Takoma (DC, not MD) or Friendship Heights is.

third, you CAN bike commute from the close in or far out suburbs if you just try and get a little creative with transit options.

[ryanz4]

I completely disagree with those who said they don't ride or ride as often because they sweat too much and need showers at work.

Look at ANY European city where bicycle commuting is high. Somehow they get to work without sweating.

Stop trying to race to work.

And if you want to encourage more people to ride, stop these ridiculous helmet laws once and for all.

[smmashes]

suburban buses are having bike racks mounted on front

[maddfurey]

i'll compromise.

i love to ride my bicycle but becoming a sweaty mess takes some of the fun out of any ride that isn't just for fitness. i personally love the danger because i am constantly hyper alert to what is happening around me.

Honda motorcycles makes a model called the Innova 125i that probably gets at least 80mpg and if it was sold in the U.S. i would buy 2 for transportation. 2 wheels and little sweat.

.

[bicycledriver1]

Those bike lanes are safe? Right next to the parked cars where the cyclist is harder to see and to the right of right turning cars? These bike lanes are a violation of traffic rules. I have yet to see any study of cycling behavior and reveal which is healthy: riding in bike lanes or learning to follow the rules of the road and riding with traffic. Best evidence: Cyclists who ride with traffic are significantly more mobile, confident and accident free