WASHINGTON — Cycling as an alternative transportation mode is proving especially popular since Metrorail’s aggressive maintenance plan began last week.
“After a week of single tracking along the Orange/Silver Line between Ballston and East Falls Church, automated counters in the county’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor show an increase of between 70 and 90 percent in bike ridership from the same period last year,” said Eric Balliet, spokesman for Arlington County Transportation.
Use of the local rent-a-bike service Capital BikeShare is up between 20 and 50 percent in Arlington.
Overall bike use in the District also is up. 42 percent more cyclists are using the Key Bridge, for example, between the city and North Arlington.
BikeShare numbers are at a record high and up six percent. The service will be adding additional morning Corral Service near Farragut Square and at the Eastern Market Metro station during the second surge of Metrorail maintenance.
BikeShare’s new popularity corresponds with a new price structure that allows one-way trips of up to 30 minutes for $2.
The service is a partnership among D.C.’s Department of Transportation, BikeArlington, the City of Alexandria and Montgomery County.
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