This Week in Bike Reads

Behold, WABA’s weekly roundup of stories and commentary related to cycling, particularly in and around D.C. You might be really happy when you ride a bike, but science isn’t so sure about your feelings yet. Learn how to make cycling irresistible next Tuesday in Alexandria, prior to the city’s monthly Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting. The talk will highlight lessons from North American and European cities, but The Atlantic thinks that Capital Bikeshare has done much of the work increasing D.C.’s irresponsibility factor as a cycling capital. Everyone’s got an opinion about Maryland’s mandatory helmet bill. (Unsurprisingly, libertarians don’t support it.) The BBC knows why drivers really hate cyclists. Really! Once you’ve been convinced that you, as a cyclist, are worthy of derision because 100 percent of you are scofflaws, perhaps consider cleaning up your act with these commuter tips. Or, cities could build better infrastructure, which cyclists will use, and everyone will be happier. Speaking of infrastructure, you may now ride from D.C. to Pittsburgh. The question at the top of Let’s Choose DC, a combined effort of Greater Greater Washington, Prince of Petworth, and DCist, asks how candidates for a D.C. council at-large seat would handle the perceived conflicts between cars, pedestrians, and drivers. Let’s Choose DC readers can view the candidates’ posted answers and rank, by voting, the ones they like until Feb. 18. Photo by Flickr user Rootchopper. Contribute to our Flickr pool!