CommuterPageBlog

It's All in the Math

We are all repeatedly reminded about the increasing gas prices. Every network is covering the increasing rates as a breaking news story.  Every morning as I get ready for work I hear the same headlines echo about how many more cents consumers are paying at the pump.  These headlines don't reveal anything what we don't already know. 

However, if you are interested in seeing how these increases are effecting your budget, there is a nifty online number cruncher that helps you calculate how many miles you are getting per dollar.  For instance, if you have a car that  gets about 20 mpg and gas costs around $3.30 a gallon then you get 6.06  miles per dollar, which doesn't even include car payments, insurance, or maintenance!  So a five minute daily trip to your favorite coffee shop can really add up quickly.  Definitely incentive to enjoy some of the nice weather and walk or even combine errands or try to carpool with friends. 

Carly Nider, Arlington Transportation Partners

Bitter About Arlington's Clarendon Urban Village

Couldn't help but notice that some at the City Paper seem a bit bitter about the good press that Arlington's urban village of Clarendon has been getting from the Washington Post over the years (A Clarendon for Everyone, by Mike DeBoonis and Erik Wemple, May 24, 2007; City Paper). We realize it isn't a perfect place and that there are issues, from affordability to chain stores. However, we like the fact that Clarendon, along with much of Arlington, derives much credit because so much of the good life is within walking distance. Within walking distance of Metro and so many other great transportation options, from biking to carsharing, and the stories simply reflect this. Another great example of being able to Live, Work, Play...No Car Required. And isn't that a better way to go?

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria

What's Your Price?

Today's Washington Post reported on a joint Post/ABC poll that asked people how current high gas prices are affecting or will affect their driving habits.  Only 11 percent said that current prices would curtail their driving in the coming weeks.  In fact, gasoline consumption is up 2.6% over the same week as last year.

I find it interesting that the price at which people say they will start to make changes is always about $0.50 - $1 higher than whatever the price is now.  However, I believe that most people can only make changes on the margins in the short term (moving, buying a new car, etc. are long-term changes that are also freighted with many other factors).  Jackson Landers blogs today about his situation, which is not that atypical for much of America.  In the DC area, more people have more choices than he does, but it's not all that much better.

Trying to change our "addiction to oil" cannot be done by raising fuel prices alone.  $5 or $6 gas will not change the driving habits of most people very much.  It will probably start to change their buying habits; however, even that has only a limited effect.  With the advent of leasing over the last decade or two, the people who are most likely to be affected by higher gas prices are actually buying used cars--not new ones.  Rich people buy new cars, and they are less influenced by gas prices than by gadgets like navigation systems, safety features, style, etc.  Manufacturers don't manufacture cars for the used-car buyers; they manufacture them for the new car buyers.

As much as I like the idea of using economics (I have an MBA after all) to move markets, the only good solution to our oil addiction in the transportation arena is to drastically and rapidly increase fuel efficiency standards.  Unfortunately, that has proven to be politically impossible for more than two decades.  Good luck, and drive safely this weekend.

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Steve Offutt, Arlington resident and Director - Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE), Transportation Projects 

Cycling Skills & Maintenance Classes Offered

Three adult education programs in Northern Virginia are separately sponsoring cycling skills and bicycle maintenance classes taught by Allen Muchnick, a nationally certified League of American Bicyclists
(LAB) Cycling Instructor.  All of these classes will meet on weekday evenings from 6:30-9:30 PM.  The information below is also posted at the Virginia Bicycle Federation's Website.

THE FOUR COURSES ARE (see longer descriptions, fees, dates, and locations below):

* LAB Road-1 (Cycling with Confidence), the essential, comprehensive, and very practical 9-hour cycling skills course for ALL bicyclists;

* Bicycling 101, a 3-hour discussion of bicycling basics for new and intermediate riders.

* Bicycle Maintenance & Repair, a 3-hour lecture and demonstration; and

* Bicycle Mechanics Workshop, a 3-hour hands-on sequel to any other course. 

TO REGISTER, contact the local course sponsor IN ADVANCE, either

* Alexandria Recreation and Parks (703-838-4969 or 703-519-2166),
* Arlington Adult Education (703-228-7200),
* Fairfax County Adult & Community Education (703-658-1201 or 703-658-1225)

For questions about the instruction, contact the instructor, Allen Muchnick, at muchnick@capaccess.org or 703-271-0895.

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CYCLING WITH CONFIDENCE (LAB ROAD-I).  Learn the craft of cycling with on-bike and classroom instruction in key cycling skills for roads, paths, and groups: equipment use and care, breakdown repairs, efficient pedalling, bike handling, training, vehicular (street) cycling, crash prevention.  Bike and helmet REQUIRED at all sessions.  Nine hours.

Fairfax County Course, $105:
* TI05302-0-0020: 3 M, June 11, 18 & 25, 6:30-9:30 PM, Pimmit Hills Center

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Course, $70
* 40305-01: 3 Fr, July 13, 20 & 27, 6:30-9:30 PM, Nannie J Lee Center

Arlington County Course, $79 residents/$103 non-residents, seniors $60/$79:
* GI-816: 3 M, July 16, 23, 30, 6:30-9:30 PM, Arlington Career Ctr

                              *  *  *

BICYCLING 101.  Performance, equipment, safety, and maintenance basics for new and intermediate riders: comfort and improvement tips, self-sufficiency, use of gearing, and street cycling fundamentals.  One 3-hr session.  No riding. 

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Session, $25
* 40302-01: Fr, July 6, 6:30-9:30 PM, Nannie J Lee Center

Arlington County Session, $38 residents/$50 nonresidents, seniors $28/$38:
* GI-815: M, July 9, Arlington Career Center, 6:30-9:30 PM

                            *  *  *

BICYCLE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR.  Lecture/demonstration on bike fit, breakdown repairs, and the inspection, adjustment, lubrication, and renovation of diverse components.  Bike not required.  One 3-hour session.

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Sessions, $25
* 30303-01: F, May 25, Nannie J Lee Center, 6:30-9:30 PM
* 40303-01: Tu, August 21, Nannie J Lee Center, 6:30-9:30 PM

Fairfax County Sessions, $43, includes Park Tool Manual (a $25 value):
* TI05300-0-0022: W, June 6, Pimmit Hills Center, 6:30-9:30 PM
* TI05300-0-0021: Th, July 5, McLean HS, 6:30-9:30 PM

Arlington County Sessions, $38 residents/$50 nonresidents, seniors $28/$38:
* GI-813B: Tu, Jun 19, Arlington Career Center, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-813C: W, Jul 25, Arlington Career Center, 6:30-9:30 PM

                             *  *  *

BICYCLE MECHANICS WORKSHOP. This self-directed, hands-on sequel to any other bicycle class lets you tune up, fix, or modify your bicycle or practice inspection, maintenance, or repair procedures.  Bring bike, supplies, and inspiration. One 3-hour session.

Fairfax County Sessions, $35:
* TI05301-0-0021: W, June 20, McLean HS, 6:30-9:30 PM
* TI05301-0-0020: Tu, July 17, Pimmit Hills Center, 6:30-9:30 PM

Arlington County Sessions, $38 residents/$50 nonresidents, seniors $28/$38:
* GI-814A: W, May 23, Arlington Career Center, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-814B: Tu, Jun 26, Arlington Career Center, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-814C: W, Aug 1, Arlington Career Center, 6:30-9:30 PM

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Sessions, $25
* 30304-01: Th, Jun 21, Nannie J Lee Center, 6:30-9:30 PM
* 40304-01: Tu, August 28, Nannie J Lee Center, 6:30-9:30 PM

image credit: EcoLocal

by Allen Muchnick

Fun Activities for the Kids at the Community Bike Ride

The 2007 Arlington & Alexandria Community Bike Ride will have lots of fun family activities. Of course there's the Family Ride itself, which is a short 7-mile jaunt up to Bluemont Park and back. Snacks and beverages will be provided at Bluemont Park.

After the Ride there will be: a bike safety rodeo which teaches children how to safely ride a bike, a moonbounce, the Traveling Bicycle Museum which has a history of bikes from 1816 to the present - bike by bike (see image), face painting, the famous Kinetic Bike Sculpture which is a merry-go-round composed of bikes (see image), and live music.

The Community Bike Ride is for all ages. Register by May 31st for only $30 per family. We'll see you on June 3.

by Paul DeMaio, BikeArlington

Introducing the Bike-sharing Blog

With much recent interest on bike-sharing and the race for American cities to be Number 1 - the first to offer this 21st century transit service - I've created what I believe is the first blog on the subject, The Bike-sharing Blog. The Bike-sharing Blog is all about bike-sharing, or public-use bicycle services, around the globe. 2007 has been a big year for bike-sharing with programs launched in a variety of European cities, including Barcelona and soon, Paris.
by Paul DeMaio

Bike to Work Day a Success

Unseasonably cold weather didn't stop Bike to Work Day '07 from being a resounding success. About 500 people got on their bikes and made it to Rosslyn's Gateway Park on May 18 for one of many regional Bike to Work Day pit stops, which served up hot and cold beverages, bagels, t-shirts, and many great bike accessories donated by our sponsors.

While Bike to Work Day '08 is a year away, if you didn't make it out on May 18, realize that any day is a good day to try biking to work. BikeArlington.com has many great resources for newbie bike commuters, including information on how to get to work by bike, what to wear while biking, what to do with your work clothes, etc. For additional questions and for a bike commuting buddy who can assist you by riding with you on your first bike commuting days, contact the Washington Area Bicycling Association.

Another fun bike riding opportunity is the upcoming Arlington & Alexandria Community Bike Ride on June 3.  The Ride  has both a 23-mile and 7-mile route option for cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

No bike? No problem. Bike the Sites will be offering a discounted bike and helmet rental and will even be bringing the bikes to the start location in Shirlington.

by Paul DeMaio, BikeArlington.com

Back to my future

When I was a kid, my bike was my transportation. Then I grew up and was able to drive myself to wherever I needed (or wanted) to go. Now I've seen my future and it's back in my past!

Biking in Arlington is awesome. When I originally thought about getting a bike, I thought I would be doing more recreational, fun biking -- e.g., on the many trails around here.

But now that I'm becoming more comfortable on the bike and more familiar with the bike lanes and bike ways, I'm discovering that bike as transport is incredibly convenient. And, yes, fun.

I found this neat wire basket that snaps right onto the rear rack of my bike. It's sturdy and has a handle, so I can carry it right into the store, into work, and even around the Farmer's Market, as pictured here. And since it snaps onto that standard rack, my husband can use it, too.

The other morning, I biked to a meeting at Central Library, then I biked to my office at Courthouse Plaza. A quick commute in the gorgeous weather, and fun, too!

Have you signed up yet for the Community Bike Ride?  I did it last year and I really enjoyed it -- it is a great way to see all sorts of corners of Arlington. See you there!

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Diana Sun is Director of Communications for Arlington County, a walking commuter, a brand-spanking-new biker, and a happy resident of the urban village of Clarendon.   

13 Days Until the Community Bike Ride

Only 13 days until the Arlington & Alexandria Community Bike Ride on Sunday, June 3. This ride is the largest fun ride in the D.C.-area. There are two route options riders get to choose from. There's a 23-mile Community Tour which will take you on the W&OD, Custis, and Mount Vernon Trails as well as bike lanes through the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and Old Town and Del Ray. The route shows off much of the region's natural beauty and urban chic. The shorter Family Ride is only 7-miles, all on the flat W&OD Trail. It's a perfect ride for families with children.

After the Ride, don't go home! Hang out in Shirlington. We'll be providing free valet bike parking, so leave your bike secured on South 28th Street, and enjoy lunch one of the many great restaurants. In fact, some of the restaurants will be offering a discount to riders showing their rider bib number. We'll have music by Schizophonic, the Traveling Bicycle Museum displaying a history of bikes, the famous Kinetic Bike Sculpture, face painting for the kids, and lots more.

Register now at BikeArlington.com and click on "Community Bike Ride". See you there!

Paul DeMaio, BikeArlington.com

Are We Neglecting Our Transportation Investment?

The Washington Chapter of ULI - the Urban Land Institute is hosting a session entitled "Neglecting Transportation Investment: Are We Turning our Back on the Country's Greatest Economic Development Story?" on Wednesday, May 23 at 7:30 am at the JW Marriott downtown. The session is open to non-members of the developer's association. Panelists include local developers and transportation officials such as Gerry Connolly, Chair of Fairfax County Board, Maryland Secretary of Transportation John Porcari, James Todd of the Peterson Companies and Anthony Downs of the Brooking Institute. From the session description:

"Learn from our experts what strategies are being implemented nationally, regionally, and locally to address this imminent issues, as well as who will pay for our roadways, mass transit and other transportation improvements. Determine  how these region-changing projects will add or create value as they unfold. Will they keep up with regional growth and , if not, what geographical areas will benefit or suffer as a result.?"

This looks like it could be interesting. If anyone out there attends, please let us know.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria