As an AU student who travels throughout the D.C. area for jobs, internships, dining, general sightseeing or the occasional class in lieu of participating in one of the previously mentioned activities, I was pleased to hear of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's decision to expand and improve the Metrorail system.
I was, however, disappointed to learn that the improvements would not include improvements to accommodate a specific type of mixed-use commuter: bicyclists. Mixed-use commuting by bike is often more convenient and efficient for students and others with daily schedules that range from helter-skelter to short on time. Mixed-use commuting by bike is also better for individual and environmental health. Because of its flexibility, the mixed-use commuter is able to decide why mixed-use commuting is practical. Metrorail's accommodation of mixed-use commuters is in need of improvement, especially during rush hour. Issuing a fine if a mixed-use commuter brings his bike on the Metro during rush hour, the Metrorail system is unaccommodating and needs to improve how it encourages mixed-use commuting.
Designating a specific car for bicycles during rush hour and designing the new $2.76 million Metro cars to better accommodate bikes would remove key impediments facing mixed-use commuters. At the minimum, allowing a car on particular lines or portions of these routes to accommodate bicyclists during rush hour would be a vast improvement. Understanding the Metrorail system plays an important role in the promotion of mixed-use commuting, WMATA should take advantage of their recent decision and design the Metrorail system to better accommodate the needs of mixed-use commuters. Doing so will allow WMATA to "touch" a big portion of D.C. without spending billions to build tunnels, displace residents or service new bus lines.
D.C. is currently rehabilitating its neighborhoods into mixed-use, multi-social, cross-cultural areas and using the Metrorail system to promote mixed-use commuting by bike will aid this process by making these areas convenient to access. Because promoting mixed-use commuting aids rehabilitating D.C. communities, it is practical and beneficial for all D.C.'s residents.
Ryan Lee School of International Service, 2010
