The DC Traveler

Biking in DC

by Jon on June 4th, 2007

May was National Bike Month and as a biker, I thought I’d provide some fun information about biking DC’s sites and the surrounding area, plus offer a few great resources.

The DC area is a fun place for biking. Within an hour or so drive from the Mall, you can find hundreds of miles of trails, paths and bike routes that travel through rural horse country, farmlands and the winery region. If you enjoy the water, there are trails that travel the Chesapeake Bay and it’s tributaries.

If history is your passion, you can bike some of the area’s Civil War battlefields. Or if you want to stay closer in, you can bike the monuments on the National Mall on your own or with a guide. You just need to be able to dodge the summer tourists.

For something different, you can even ride Maryland’s 40-mile segment of the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail that runs from Maine to Georgia.

Some of the more popular local paths include:

• C&O Canal Path (184 miles) is part of the National Park system and starts in the heart of Georgetown and runs northwest to the Pennsylvania state line.
• W&OD Path path (45 miles) that follows the route of the Washington and Old Dominion railwayand starts in Alexandria, VA and runs west through Northern Virginia to Hamilton, VA, west of Leesburg.
• Mount Vernon Trail (17 miles) from across the Potomac River from the National Mall to Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.

Bike Rental - Bike rental companies are located all over the area and rent a variety of bikes for adults and kids. Rental Fees vary by the type of bike you select and how long you keep it. Generally, you can rent a basic single-speed cruiser for $4 - $10 per hour, or a nicer mountain or hybrid bike for $25 - $50 per day. Specialty bikes (road bikes, tandems, kid’s bikes, tot trailers, etc.) are also available. I even found a company that rents a basic multi-speed comfort bike for $9.99 a day, weekdays only (with a 4-day minimum).

Biking Resources 

• List of some of the bike rental companies in the area.
• The Virginia and Maryland Departments of Transportation and Tourism Offices (MD, VA) offer online information and biking maps.
• Bike Washington offers a wealth of area biking info, routes, trails and maps.
• The Potomac Pedalers Touring Clubhas some great area biking resources and about 250 downloadable ride routes for DC, Northern VA and suburban Maryland.

Biking Safety and Laws - Biking in the downtown and Mall area of DC can be dangerous, as many tourists on foot and drivers simply don’t pay attention to bikers. Metro buses are notorious for pedestrian and biker accidents (and deaths) so pay careful attention and follow local biking laws.

NOTE: Helmets are required in DC and MD on all kids 16 and under, and on kids 14 and under in most Northern Virginia counties.

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POSTED IN: City History & Information, Family Fun, Great Walks, Scenic & Short Trips, Sports & Recreation