Thanks to the bike party organizers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looked like a lot of fun unless you needed to use on of the major arteries in the city to get somewhere

This.

Quite a few riders had no light or reflector on their bikes, very dangerous when weaving in and out of traffic in the dark.

Just to be clear, Bike Party announcement invite reads like this, every time:

"Special Event Notes:
Leave No Trace: Please check for trash/recyclables and dispose of them properly—thanks!

We appreciate your help in making the evening go as smoothly and as joyfully as possible! Please be kind to the volunteers, other riders, other road users, and our neighbors.

No outside food or alcohol is allowed at the end-point venue.
FAQs:

What is DC Bike Party? DC Bike Party is a celebration of the bicycle and Washington DC bicycle community, run 100% by volunteers for the last 10+ years!

Do I need a helmet? That’s probably wise.
Do I need lights? Yes.
Do I need spandex? No.

What’s the distance/time? It’s a comfortable “party pace” ride. We usually go around 8 miles in 2 hours (including a midpoint party).
Where will we go? Stay behind the volunteers at the front (wearing neon yellow shirts). They know where to go.

Will the ride return to the starting point? No. But our endpoints are always a short ride from a metro station.

Is this a “no drop” or “supported” ride? No. You may find that there is a Good Samaritan in attendance who has the knowledge or tools on hand, but you shouldn’t rely on that possibility or that someone will have the correct size tubes or other parts that your bike needs. Before you leave the house, you should, at minimum, do an ABC check: Air; Brakes; Chain/Cables.

Can I ride on the sidewalk? If you want to be a jerk.

Can I ride my motorcycle? No gas-powered vehicles. If you are comfortable taking it on the highway, we are not comfortable having it with us."

That's a really great message! I'll have to take my long dormant bike in for a tune up and then join sometime.

[Anonymous]

I despise entitled cyclists. But I despise entitled scooter riders even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looked like a lot of fun unless you needed to use on of the major arteries in the city to get somewhere

This.

Quite a few riders had no light or reflector on their bikes, very dangerous when weaving in and out of traffic in the dark.

Just to be clear, Bike Party announcement invite reads like this, every time:

"Special Event Notes:
Leave No Trace: Please check for trash/recyclables and dispose of them properly—thanks!

We appreciate your help in making the evening go as smoothly and as joyfully as possible! Please be kind to the volunteers, other riders, other road users, and our neighbors.

No outside food or alcohol is allowed at the end-point venue.
FAQs:

What is DC Bike Party? DC Bike Party is a celebration of the bicycle and Washington DC bicycle community, run 100% by volunteers for the last 10+ years!

Do I need a helmet? That’s probably wise.
Do I need lights? Yes.
Do I need spandex? No.

What’s the distance/time? It’s a comfortable “party pace” ride. We usually go around 8 miles in 2 hours (including a midpoint party).
Where will we go? Stay behind the volunteers at the front (wearing neon yellow shirts). They know where to go.

Will the ride return to the starting point? No. But our endpoints are always a short ride from a metro station.

Is this a “no drop” or “supported” ride? No. You may find that there is a Good Samaritan in attendance who has the knowledge or tools on hand, but you shouldn’t rely on that possibility or that someone will have the correct size tubes or other parts that your bike needs. Before you leave the house, you should, at minimum, do an ABC check: Air; Brakes; Chain/Cables.

Can I ride on the sidewalk? If you want to be a jerk.

Can I ride my motorcycle? No gas-powered vehicles. If you are comfortable taking it on the highway, we are not comfortable having it with us."

That's a really great message! I'll have to take my long dormant bike in for a tune up and then join sometime.

Hell yeah!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This discussion is stupid. The vast majority of motorists will waive cyclists through the intersection - even when they get there before the cyclist - because they understand the fundamental differences between the two vehicles. Occasionally you’ll have the occasional driver - a few of whom have apparently found their way here - who were traumatized by a bicycle early in life and see fit to take out their issues on every cyclist they encounter, even when cyclists are fully compliant with the law.

This.

As a driver, I will always wave a cyclist through and as a cyclist, I appreciate the same treatment and usually receive it and respond with a wave.

As a cyclist, I appreciate the thought, but if you're at a stop sign already and you can see me coming to a stop, then it's easier for me if you just go. I usually end up stopping, starting at you for a beat, then going.

Agree — also, if I’m approaching the stop sign and you already are there, you have the right of way anyway, and I’m expecting you to go. I’ve got to stop regardless, it’s not easier for me to stop and then suddenly realize you want me to go.

[Anonymous]

God I wish we could ban cars on Connecticut Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, and Georgia Avenue. Better yet, erect a wall on Western and Eastern Aves and block all Marylanders