Red Line Rides: Bike Commuting & Bikeshare during the Red Line Shutdown

You’ve probably already seen the news, but in case you missed it: the Red Line is closed between Glenmont and Takoma from Saturday, June 1, through Saturday, August 31, and the segment between Takoma and Fort Totten will be closed June 1 through Saturday, June 29.

The shutdown’s silver lining is an opportunity to promote bike commuting and Bikeshare, so question #1: Are you a Metro Red Line (east side) commuter? 

Do you already bike commute or are you curious about bike commuting along part or all of the Red Line stretch that’s closed, between Glenmont and Fort Totten? Would you like to join commuter rides during the closure? Given the Red Line station closures, WABA is weighing organizing Red Line Rides during commuter hours. 

Please respond via this form (https://forms.gle/CgbjDMZmUFRkyQ6dA)!

Our aim is to help connect community members interested in bike commuting, especially those who may be hesitant to ride alone.. We’d like to gauge interest in ride participation, whether you already bike commute or would like to get started, regularly or occasionally. Respond here and we’ll see what we can organize.

Alternative #2 is Bikeshare. We’re thrilled that the Montgomery County Dept. of Transportation (MCDOT) has arranged a free 30-day Capital Bikeshare subscription for Montgomery County residents who live within 3 miles of one of the summer-2024-closed Metrorail stations. MCDOT will offer a minimum of 100 free subscriptions. To learn more and apply, visit https://ow.ly/B6Ep50S0Cga.

There are Capital Bikeshare stations in and around downtown Wheaton and downtown Silver Spring, and at the Takoma Metro station and downtown Takoma Park. Check out the online system map. From Silver Spring or Takoma, or can ride south into DC; west to Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and upper Northwest; and east into Prince George’s County. And e-bikes are an option for just $0.15/min extra.

Note that Capital Bikeshare offers free annual memberships for qualified individuals in Montgomery County and $5 memberships for qualifying residents outside the county. You must be 16 or older in a household receiving SNAP, WIC, TANF, SSI/SSDI, LIHEAP, Veterans disability (60%+), or Medicaid assistance.

Finally, please respond to a brief MCDOT survey about shared e-bikes and e-scooters. The county would like  feedback that will help them improve their “micromobility” program, which complements Capital Bikeshare. Lime, Bird, and Spin are currently authorized to provide shared e-scooters in the County and in Rockville, and Lime also offers shared e-bikes.

Whether or not you use these services, your feedback is important. Please click here to respond to the Montgomery County E-Scooter/E-Bike Program Survey and feel free to share with others – but please complete the survey only once.  

Thank You!