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DDOT, National Park Service discussing bike share stations on National Mall
DDOT, National Park Service discussing bike share stations on National Mall
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
There are more than 110 Capital Bikeshare stations in D.C. and Arlington, but none on the National Mall. The District Department of Transportation wants to change that.
DDOT's Chris Holben hopes several bike stations can be placed on National Park Service property along the edge of the mall. Talks with the park service have been underway for a few months.
"We have not reached a resolution or reached a decision on it yet," says Bill Line with the National Park Service.
Line says any permanent additions that may change the character of the mall must be carefully considered under laws like the National Historic Preservation Act.
"Significant changes in viewsheds, significant changes in historical arrangement of the public space, must be undertaken and evaluated very seriously," Line says.
Whether or not the stations are eventually allowed, Line says bicycling on the National Mall is an everyday occurrence, enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
"Not only is there not any prohibition on bicycling (on the mall), we encourage bicycling," he says.
Line himself is an avid bicyclist who does not own a car.
Holben says Capital Bikeshare, which is a public-private partnership, now has more than 16,000 members.
Since it's launch in September 2010, people have made 700,000 trips between stations, and more than 52,000 people have rented a bike for a day.
Holben says these "day users" are most likely tourists or visitors to the city.
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