Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bike Sharing

Over Previous Objections, Bike Share Is Coming to the National Mall

Bikeshare is coming. Photo: http://thecityfix.com/blog/capital-bikeshare-expansion-stunted-in-the-national-mall/##Mr. T in DC##

Readers, all that awful news about Republicans trying to kill active transportation's tiny share of federal support is getting me down. So even though I don't normally post anything new this late in the day, I just can't leave you without some good news.

In July, the Park Service made an inscrutably ridiculous decision to keep Capital Bikeshare off the National Mall because it would "violate the National Historic Preservation Act" -- because, you know, there wasn't bikeshare in the time of our forefathers, but there sure were lots of cars and charter buses!

If you've never been to the National Mall, let me say this: it's a little over a mile from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, and then another half mile to the Lincoln Memorial. That's a lot of walking, and please believe you can't drive it -- you'll end up parking a mile away anyway. Bikeshare is the perfect way to get around the Mall, and with daily memberships of just $5, it's tailor-made for tourists.

Luckily, the Park Service seems to be coming to its senses. A spokeswoman for the National Mall and Memorials Park branch of the National Park Service was quoted in the Washington Post acknowledging that the question is no longer "if" but "how and when" the iconic red bikes will appear. “There are still a number of issues we need to work out, but we are hoping we can resolve those issues so we can start it up early next year,” said spokeswoman Carol Johnson. “Earlier, we were looking at whether they can get on the Mall, but now we are looking for a way to get them on the Mall.”

According to the Post, the only bike-share station currently located on Park Service property is on the grounds of the White House, accessible only to its staff.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Climate Change Is Making Waiting For Transit Worse — And It’s Hurting Ridership

Transit isn't only a key solution to confronting climate change; it's also one of its victims.

March 12, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Are About Elon-ed Out

While President Trump tries to pump up Tesla stock prices, Elon Musk wants to privatize Amtrak.

March 12, 2025

How Highways Rend Our Social Fabric — and the Challenge of Mending It

Roads are supposed to connect us. So why do so many highways tear our social networks apart?

March 11, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Walk the Line

Pedestrian deaths were trending slightly downward at the midway point of last year, but the trend over the past decade is still terrifying.

March 11, 2025

Massachusetts Lawmakers Are Still Spending Millions to Subsidize Elon Musk’s Car Company

In the three months between Election Day and February 5th (the last date for which data is currently available), Massachusetts taxpayers have sent $8.6 million in direct payments to buyers at Tesla dealerships.

March 10, 2025
See all posts