BikeDC

Huge Turnout for Tweed Ride

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ll admit, I forgot that the ride was going on Sunday (I’ve been out of town the past few days). Anyway, I saw a few riders around 1st and R St, NW but then when I made it to Adams Morgan – I hit the mother lode on 18th St, NW. Of course they were finishing up for a party in the Stroga space so it finally made sense. And most importantly it looked like it was a ton a fun. And to the commenter who will eventually say – stuff white people like – you couldn’t be more wrong as this was one of the most diverse groups (of this size) that I’d ever seen in DC. First of all I’d say there must’ve been close to a thousand participants, if not more. And during just the few minutes I watched, I saw tons of races and ages. And the weather couldn’t have been better.

Anyone participate?

A few more shots after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – Stolen Bike

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I’m sorry to report that an old friend of mine was stolen from our home at the 2100 block of V Street NW. My Raleigh road bike was in our back yard inside of a 14 foot high locked gate last Saturday night – and gone on Sunday morning. Although the race cycle is probably not worth much money these days, it helped me through several triathlons and a half Ironman over the past 10 years. I had planned on tuning her up again to loan to a friend who is in need of city transportation. Here is a description: Raleigh racer, Bright yellow and black, aerobars for long rides, toe clips, women’s comfort seat.

The bike is too old to still be on the company website, so I’ve attached a photo that looks pretty close. The logo is the same. If you see it, or have any information please contact me; [email protected] Thank you!”

Bike Lane Reconfigured on 15th St, NW – Divided into Two Ways

By Prince Of Petworth

I noticed the new bike lane around 15th and R St, NW. Work was still going on north of U St, NW:

Additional they added a buffer zone by the parked cars so you are less likely to get “doored”:

I assume they’ll add some sort of directional so people know which lane to ride in. You guys like the new set up?

Here’s the old style:

“The Bicycle Thief” by MPD, Shooting Near H St, NE and Muggings on Cap. Hill

By Prince Of Petworth


The Bicycle Thief, Film Poster, 1948

The Bicycle Thief is a classic Italian film so I was intrigued by an MPD email that simply had in the title – The Bicycle Thief. Not as poetic as the film but still an important message:

This was no run of the mill burglary for the sake of stealing bicycles. Yesterday morning at about 8:45 a.m., a suspect was observed on camera breaking into a rear garage in the 4700 blk of Connecticut Ave. N.W. Once inside, he walked two bicycles out the door and moments later was observed cutting away the locks on two more which he promptly rolled out the door and then made good his escape.

As much as it pains me to tell all of you that your unattended bicycles should not be considered safe if locked to railings or fences inside private garages, the fact of the matter is they are not. Our officers canvass alleys and streets for suspicious activity but the reality is, we won’t be able to see it all as it goes down. We rely heavily on your help to bring us to the bad guys. We also need your help with removing the low hanging fruit that allows the benefits to outweigh the costs.

I cannot express with greater emphasis the importance of not doing the things that, once upon a time, sufficed to prevent crime. We live in a very different time and all of us need to ramp up our effort. If you need any pointers on what you can do to make your property more safe, I am happy to give you my undivided attention. Please call me to schedule a visit or to just get some advice over the phone.

Thank You, Lt. Victor S. Braschnewitz

Ed. Note: We discussed some of our favorite foreign films here.


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MPD writes:

“Officers responded to a call for the sounds of gunshots in the rear of 900 blk 10th St NE. Once on the scene, they located 3 shell casings. Crime Scene Search responded and processed the scene. A canvass for subjects was also conducted with negative results.”

MPD Alert of muggings on Capitol Hill after the jump. (more…)

PoP Photo Archives Caption Contest

By Prince Of Petworth

I thought this was a pretty funny sight, and naturally would make for a good caption contest. Your captions in the comments and winner (free PoP t-shirt) picked Friday.

Another Fan of Capital BikeShare – Sign Up by Oct. 31 for $50 Yearly Fee

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

Don’t wait around too much longer. Thanks to a reader for sending a reminder to sign up now because “the $50 annual fee will go up to $75 after Oct 31st.”

“Dear PoP,

I noticed you had mentioned Capital Bikeshare once or twice, but I wanted to share a very positive experience using it and also to remind people that the $50 annual fee will go up to $75 after Oct 31st. This is a great time to sign up.

I used to walk a mile to the metro everyday, but now I take 20 minutes off my total commute time by taking Capital Bikeshare between 16th/Harvard and the Woodley Park metro. While there are times when bikes are not available, they seem to be very good about reshuffling bikes so my stations don’t go very long without bikes or spaces. This website is definitely the best resource for keeping up with bike distribution: http://oobrien.com/vis/bikes/?city=washingtondc Additionally the Spotcycle app for smartphones is very helpful.

In addition to commuting to the metro, I’ve taken the bikes around the city for errands and it is super easy and, dare-I-say, fun.

The first 30 minutes are free, and then the price goes up every 30 minutes. I’ve never gone over 30 minutes on any ride, but if you find yourself taking a trip across the city, you can stop at a bikeshare station and dock the bike and take it back out again to start a new 30 minutes.

The bikes are nothing fancy and don’t go very fast, but I find that to be best for cycling around the city. They do come equipped with three gears, a flashing light that comes on at night, and a bungee-corded holder on the front for jackets or small bags. I like how sturdy the bikes are because I don’t feel like I’m going to go flying if I accidentally bike over a pothole.

There is also a station near the back entrance of the zoo – on Rock Creek Trail – which makes for easy bike rides to Georgetown (where there is another bike station right off Rock Creek Trail).

Currently there are around 650 bikes in circulation, but I read that they’re planning to up the numbers to 1100 once they put in all the stations. I noticed on Saturday and Sunday that over 100 of the 650 bikes were being used during the day. That is pretty awesome for such a new program!

I own a bike, but it can be very inconvenient and unsafe to use it for short distance biking.

I’m interested to hear what other people think about the program – it has totally changed how I get around the city.”

Dear PoP – If You See Something, Say Something

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

“Dear PoP,

What is wrong with people these days?!? Seriously! I am so completely disheartened with people as I write this story. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this city, but after last week I am really disappointed in the people of this city. I met up with two friends at a tattoo shop near the corner of 14th and U streets, NW. It was a Thursday night and the streets are pretty well lit and populated. I chain my bike to a tree right in front of the shop. As we are leaving, I say to my friends jokingly “Hope no one steals my bike!” As I say this a guy walks by and says, “Oh if it isn’t chained up they totally will.” I reply with “My bike is such a POS, who would bother to take the time?” He says “Once as a test I left two really old rusty bikes, one with flat tires out front of this shop just to see. The bikes were gone in under 5 minutes. They will take the bike too if it isn’t locked up.” Well I know this, that’s why my bike is chained to the tree. So I thank the guy and assure him it is locked and we head down a couple blocks to grab some grub.

Less than 2 hours later we return to the tree and my bike is GONE! All that is left is my bike lock…still locked but sliced in two as if it were butter, mocking me on the ground. I picked it up and my two friends and I start laughing at the irony of it all. One of my friends offers to drive me home and as we walk around the corner of U to 14th, what do I see? Some asshole sitting on my bike not even half a block down 14th. Before my friends even knew what was up I am running at the kid who doesn’t see me coming. I shove him off my bike and then a tirade of swear words that would make a sailor blush burst out of my mouth. The guy is so shocked he sort of just stands there still half on my bike. I grab the handle bars and say THIS IS MY BIKE! He has the audacity to tell me it is HIS bike. Then I tell him he is a POS that stole my bike after cutting my lock. His reply of “I didn’t steal no bike.” has me so convinced of his innocence…riiiiight. So then he tries to climb back on the bike at which point I again shove him off and bombard him with more curses.

As I walk off with my bike and my friends back around the corner to U, I notice he has the nerve to start following us. So again I turned around and screamed at him. This time telling him to stop following us or I will call the cops because I have all night to waste, but does he?!? I guess he decides he does not because he crosses 14th and heads the other direction.

Now as excited that I am that this guy is an idiot who stole a bike then stuck around, and as excited as I am that I got my bike back, WTF people?!? Why did no one do a damn thing the entire time? First the bike was stolen in good light, on a busy street where tons of people were walking around. Why did no one do a thing! And then when I was screaming pretty loudly at some asshole who stole my bike, everyone just stood there?!? How come no one bothered to ask if I needed help or anything? How come a small woman who is only 5’2, was not offered any type of assistance? Yes, my friends (a guy and another small woman) would have jumped in had there been a problem, but where was everyone…anyone else?”

Dear PoP – “joined bikeshare, need advice!”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user kevnkovl

“Dear PoP,

I joined Bikeshare this week, and I’m totally excited to whiz around the city, hair aflutter (under a helmet, of course). I’m also terribly nervous! I’ve never biked in DC, and as a pedestrian and occasional driver I’m constantly frustrated with DC bikers. I want to be the good kind! Unfortunately, I’m not totally sure how to avoid pissing off everyone in the road (I suppose I do in theory, but I imagine in practice it will be completely different) and I’m hopeful your biking readers will have some suggestions. I’ll stay off major roads until I get the hang of it, but what should I know to be a good biker?”

While I’m a pretty novice rider myself, I’d say the most important thing is to follow the rules of the road. IE stop a red light, don’t swerve across lanes etc. What do experienced riders recommend in how to be a good responsible rider?

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