Our nation’s capital and its sprawling surroundings have a lot to offer. Pedestrianized (read: old) streets, top-tier museums, parks, iconic eating and drinking establishments, architecture and numerous accessible landmarks. Washington, D.C. is an outstanding place to visit.
One caveat: How do you get where you’re going, especially in the middle of the city? Because, from experience, I know that driving there should be a last resort.
Last October I was able to attend a three-day work conference at shiny-but-isolated (car-dependent) National Harbor in Maryland. If you love chain restaurants and copy-pasted New Urbanism, you’ll love National Harbor!
Washington’s WMATA transit system includes a robust (by U.S. standards) network of heavy rail transit lines. In many cases, the lines lead to the places you want to go, provided you’re willing to walk a little to get to your specific destination. But there are exceptions, especially in newly developed and outlying areas, which have contributed to the sprawling and fragmented geography of the Washington metro area. National Harbor is one of these exceptions.
Having had no work travel in years, I was eager to rekindle my love for one of my oldest friends I met in … London?
The Challenge of the ‘Last Mile’ While Traveling
Uber/Lyft-style ride hailing has mostly supplanted the traditional taxi model as the default last mile option for business travel. At this point, it’s all but assumed that you’ll rent a car or take an Uber between airport and hotel. Maybe it was having been cooped up for years, but I started to ask: Why not consider a non-motorized option?
Later, when I submitted invoices to our accountant at work, she asked, “Will you be taking an Uber to the hotel?”
I smirked a little. “Nope, I won’t need one. I’m taking my bike.”
“You’re doing WHAT?”
Oh yeah, I should mention: I’m a folding bike enthusiast and evangelist. Check out Perennial Cycle to learn more! I bought my used Brompton M3L folding bike for cash in a dark street in London back in 2011. It was love at first ride! I also lived in the Washington area for a year, during which I commuted 15 miles daily on my trusty British friend.
Washington’s DCA (Reagan National Airport) is one of my favorite airports. Not because of its namesake or its amenities. Location, location, location.
The Washington metro area has a renowned network of off-street trails and bike infrastructure. As with many places, there are weak points or “gaps” in the system, crumbling and rutted paths overdue for maintenance, and some comically narrow sections where a sidewalk masquerades as a high-traffic trail. However, one gap it doesn’t have? It connects directly to the centrally located Reagan airport.
Airport Security
TSA security was my biggest “question mark” for the trip. A brief search for precedent, especially among Brompton enthusiasts, promised me that not only could I fly with a Brompton bike, but that I could do so for free. Provided some key steps were taken.
First, pack your bike in a bag and never utter the word “bike” unless absolutely necessary. It’s a mobility device from now on. Airlines often add a surcharge for checking bikes as luggage. This, however, assumes a typical bicycle. Folding bikes exist in a gray area in many ways, but the spirit of the surcharge stems from the large, bulky nature of a typical bike.
Second, be ready to remove your bike and potentially unfold it for the TSA agents. Expect to be directed to another/empty security lane once they notice something unusual. Unloaded from its bag, the bike just barely squeezes through some metal detector conveyors, but don’t count on it. Twice, I had to remove the bike in its folded state so it could be run through the metal detector.
Third, as someone who’s flown with small children and strollers, the “pink tag” is your friend. You just gate-check the mobility device (in its carrying bag) and don’t ask unnecessary questions.
Getting Out of the Airport
Airports don’t make it a priority to cater to bike riders. How many people do you know who would even consider biking to or from an airport?
To its credit, DCA has a section on its website to help guide you and does offer a somewhat useful map of the terminal’s bike trail connections for download.
Signage and wayfinding are generally lacking, to no one’s surprise. Unless I missed something, you’re required to lug all your stuff through a very full parking ramp (shown above), after which you can unpack and start your ride.
Time to Ride!
Each airport is different. But eventually, you’ll want to find a place near your starting point to get organized and get loaded. Again, expect questions from curious passersby in the process.
Packing light and compactly is your friend. With large luggage, your transportation options would be significantly reduced.
Note the “Dismount Before Crossing” sign.
The return trip was significantly easier since I knew where to go, where to turn and more importantly, where not to turn!
The actual ride was the easiest part, aside from the navigational challenges. I barely noticed the extra suitcase weight on the bike. Passing through Old Town Alexandria was a joy. It’s filled with low-speed streets with lots to look at. I also got lots of stares there.
The Arrival!
One “oopsie” moment and sidebar: There are Capital Bikeshare stations at both DCA and my destination. I might have considered using those instead, but transporting the suitcase might have been complicated. If you’re flying with just a small carry-on, though, taking a bikeshare is worth considering.
Conclusions: I’d made it! I’d checked in to my hotel. It worked! So what’s the downside? I can’t find many.
The bike bag was pretty bulky and heavy, but it has wheels. All I had to do now is take the elevator and roll the bike bag into my hotel room’s closet, ready for use at a moment’s notice when my stay was over. That’s it!
The bottom line: You’ll save cash, but mostly I recommend taking your bike if you have a penchant for adventure. Or really like getting attention. Now I just need to drum up more work travel ASAP!
All photos by the author
I love how you turned getting from the airport to a hotel into a fun adventure, and all the photos are great! I like to think of getting weird looks while doing something unexpected by bike as part of the “bike evangelist” experience. Now all those people know you can put a suitcase on a bike!
I lived in D.C. in the 1980s well before they changed the name of the airport. It will always be Washington National to me.
Good article… but “Buying a Brompton for cash in a dark street” indicates you may have known it was stolen. Not happy as I had my precious M3L (Which I had from new) stolen off me (‘bike jacked’ – is what they call it) last summer. It was never recovered and the Police closed the case. It might well have also ended up being sold for cash in a dark street or somewhere similar…just like ‘your’ one .
A lot of bike shares have cargo options that work alright for suitcases! I have fond memories of zooming up and down the hills of Seattle one rainy midnight on a Lime bike after getting off a plane.
I’ve been seriously wanting to get a Brompton, but not for trips quite like this. As you noted, the DC area has bike share, and I have full confidence in being able to get around via public transit. I mostly want a Brompton to visit small to medium sized towns where transportation options are limited.
Ironically, one of my most common Brompton-specific use cases? Dropping off and picking up cars that are in for service. Just pop it in the trunk and go!