Bike Culture
Crystal City represents a great area for bicycle commuting. With direct access to the Mount Vernon Trail via the connector at the Crystal City Water Park, many bicyclers can ride the majority of their trip off of area streets. Once in Crystal City, bicycle lanes and slow traffic help safely transport riders to their office destinations.
The area boasts a series of bicycle friendly events each summer – Bike to Work Day, Bike DC, and the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic with its signature Crystal Ride Challenge. These events highlight Crystal City as a center for bicycle culture in the Washington region.
Capital Bikeshare
The Crystal City BID is proud to partner with Arlington County and the District of Columbia in bringing Capital Bikeshare to the region. The new regional system will launch later this year with roughly 1,100 bikes at 114 stations, with 110 bikes and 14 stations located in the Greater Crystal City Area, making it the largest bike sharing program in the U.S. Here is a map showing all the station locations. The new system will be based on the Public Bike System, commonly known as “Bixi.” Click here to learn more about the new program. Click here to learn about becoming a founding member.
Bike to Work Day
Those interested in trying out a cycle commute can take advantage of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s (WABA) annual Bike to Work Day on May 21. Crystal City will host a pit stop in its beautiful Water Park, with snacks, repairs, and even the option to try out the showers at Sport & Health if they want to get cleaned up before heading to the office.
Bike DC
Bike DC returns on May 23 for its second year featuring one of the best rides from the greatest possible vantage point, the seat of a bicycle. Starting in the heart of Washington, DC and finishing in Crystal City for an awesome finish festival, Bike DC is the perfect casual ride for all ability levels and is not to be missed.
U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic and Crystal Ride
Although open to all, cycling enthusiasts looking to challenge themselves can join in the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic’s Crystal Ride Challenge on Sunday, June 13. Participants can ride up to 3 ½ hours on the car-free, 12.5km course attempting to ride as many as 8 laps in the allotted time. Then the competition heats up as professional cyclists compete on an exciting and fast 1 KM Criterium (Crit) course in Crystal City. In conjunction with the Clarendon Cup held the previous day, the weekend represents one of the largest cycling events in the country with most of the nation’s top cyclists expected to be in attendance.
Shower Solutions at Sport & Health
The Sport & Health Gateway club in Crystal City now offers shower membership programs for cycle commuters. If your office building does not offer shower facilities, call the Gateway Sport & Health club today to sign up. The shower membership is available to cycling commuters Monday through Friday from 5AM - 10AM. There is a $49 enrollment fee, $49 processing fee, and $39.99 per month membership fee (1 year term agreement required).
Cycling Classes
More Arlingtonians are riding bikes now than in recent years. To promote safe and fun riding, Arlington County and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are offering free Confident City Cycling classes to educate you on the skills you need to incorporate bicycling into your daily routine. Three types of classes are offered: CCC1, CCC2 and L2R.
L2R (3 hours) is the entry class to bicycling held in Crystal City at the Revolution Cycles City Hub. This class is designed for adults who have never learned to ride a bicycle. Special technique for teaching balance, steering, starting, stopping and pedaling are employed. There is an 80% success rate with the friendly and encouraging staff of trained instructors. The fee for this class is $10. For more information or to sign up for a class, click here.
The City Hub and Access Bike
Revolution Cycles's City Hub is now open in Crystal City. Located in 220 Twentieth Street, the City Hub features an innovative grab-and-go bike rental program, cycling accessory sales, and repairs.
The City Hub, in partnership with Vornado/Charles E. Smith, has 100 bikes readily available to area residents, workers, and guests. Unlike a formal bike-sharing program, which focuses on short-distance point-to-point trips, Access Bike is designed for longer, fitness-oriented riding and all-day recreational touring. The City Hub also sells cycling accessories and conducts repairs meeting the equipment needs of a growing population of area cyclists. A quick hop off the bike path, cyclists can easily grab a new tire while enjoying lunch in one of Crystal City’s many great restaurants. Crystal City is a great place for riders to start a nice long weekend spin – free parking in select garages and proximity to trail heads make Crystal City the perfect place to Park & Ride Your Bike!
Area Bike Resources
Arlington County Bicycle Map
Alexandria Bicycle Map
Fairfax County Bicycle Map
Washington DC Bicycle Map
Washcycle Regional Bicycle Route Information
Mount Vernon Trail Map
Washington National Airport Access Route
Area Bicycle Rentals
Ride the City
Past Events
Crystal Ride: 4th Annual U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic
Cycling enthusiasts of all abilities are encouraged to try the Crystal Ride Cycling Challenge-3.5 hours on the car-free, 12.5km course.
Bike DC
Bike DC is your one opportunity each year to enjoy our Capital, our community in a very special way--by bicycle on car-free streets.
Bicycle Press Releases
March 10, 2010
October 22, 2009
May 11, 2009
Bicycle In the News
Partners
