Update at 11:05 a.m. — A record 12,700 people in the D.C. area biked to work today, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Hundreds of bicyclists — from the young to the old, bike novice to expert — gathered at Gateway Park in Rosslyn this morning for the D.C. area’s annual Bike to Work Day.
Rosslyn, along with Ballston and Crystal City, hosted “pit stops” for Bike to Work Day participants. Giveaways at the event included bananas, nutrition bars, coffee, water, t-shirts, water bottles and free bike maintenance.
Among those who spoke at the Rosslyn pit stop were Rep. Jim Moran and County Board member Jay Fisette, both of whom rode their bikes there.
“Welcome to one of the most bike-friendly communities in the country,” Fisette said.
Moran asked the gathered crowd to become advocates for new bike projects. The congressman expressed support for widening the Mt. Vernon Trail, which runs along the George Washington Parkway, and for extending the trail from Roosevelt Island up to Chain Bridge and the C&O Canal trail.
Both projects would happen “in a perfect world,” Moran said, but for now federal funding isn’t available for it. Shortly after his speech Moran and a staffer pedaled off to Capitol Hill, where he was expected for a 9:00 vote.
