biking to the inauguration

more on the inauguration later tonight (or maybe tomorrow) after i have my training from the presidential inaugural committee.

but i am planning to ride my bike to the mall that morning. i thought this was SUPER helpful. well okay, this is only slightly helpful, but the google map they link to is SUPER helpful... so i will just put that here



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America Bikes to the Inauguration!
WABA Announces Free Valet Bike Parking for Inauguration

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is pleased to announce it will be providing free valet bike parking services at two locations during the 2009 Inauguration festivities on January 20th, as a way to encourage more people to travel that day by bike. The bike valets are being made possible through the support of America Bikes, Dero Bike Rack Company, and the District Department of Transportation. America Bikes, a coalition of national bike advocacy organizations based in DC, is working on incorporating the needs of cyclists into the forthcoming economic stimulus package as well as the future reauthorization of the federal transportation bill. Dero, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of commercial bike parking racks, will be supplying the bike racks that will be used to hold bikes in the valets.

According to WABA's Executive Director Eric Gilliland, cycling could prove to be the ideal way to get around on inauguration day. "Many roads will be closed to vehicular traffic, access to bridges into the city will be restricted, and Metro will be packed. If you have a bike, we encourage you to ride it that day and we hope to make it as easy as possible for you to do so," Gilliland said. WABA has also created a special inaugural web page with information about the safest routes to the valets, a map of security closures, information on safe cycling and bike rentals, as well as other tips to make riding safe and enjoyable. That page can be found at www.waba.org/events/inauguralbikevalet.php. While supplies last, cyclists who take advantage of the bike valets will receive a free commemorative claim check and bicycle wheel spoke card courtesy of WABA, America Bikes and Dero.

The bike valets will be located on the south side of the Jefferson Memorial and on 16th Street NW between I Street and K Streets NW. Both will be open from 7am to 5pm. In case of extreme weather, the valets will be closed, but the unattended bike parking racks will still be available for use.

For up to date information please check the WABA website for details.