As mentioned in my Bicycling to Work blog - I biked into D.C. on Inauguration Day - it was the best and easist way to get to and fro! :) People who tried to drive in the area were met with many closed highways, roads, bridges, etc. On the other hand, thousands of people biked into DC for the Inauguration, which is great! There were two free bike valets set up by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and about 2,000 bikers took advantage of that option. Many others, like myself, just locked up our bikes to posts, etc. nearby, and then walked to the festivities on the Mall. Perhaps some of the people who gave biking a chance that day, will continue to use the bike in getting to and from work, or running errands locally. That'd be great, and in fact, is mentioned on the "Urban Policy" page of The White House's website:
Build More Livable and Sustainable Communities:
Our communities will better serve all of their residents if we are able to leave our cars to walk, bicycle and access other transportation alternatives. President Obama will re-evaluate the transportation funding process to ensure that smart growth considerations are taken into account.
Hopefully the new Administration will help to bring about this change, and help to change people's thinking as to how they get around town! We'd all be better off!
