Washington Area Bicyclist Association

In recent weeks I have ventured downtown in the late afternoon to early evening for the purpose of photographing and capturing the pedestrian and vehicular traffic, mass transit and perhaps other means of transportation. And as a result wish now to bring attention to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

In 1972, more bicycles were sold than automobiles for the first time in the century. That same year, WABA founder Cary S. Shaw realized that the urban transportation system in the Washington DC Area was not friendly to cyclists. While other cyclists shared the same problems he did, “they did not perceive it as a general problem,” Shaw recalled. “Someone caught their bike in a grate—they thought, well, they just caught their bike in a grate—but I could relate to the fact that that was a problem in grate design.

The greater Washington DC area is one of the greatest metro areas for riding a bike. WABA has been proactive in creating an ever-expanding network of scenic bike paths great for getting a workout or just getting to work. Highlights of this network include Virginia's Mount Vernon Trail, DC's Capital Crescent Trail, and Maryland's Anacostia Tributary Trail System. See a clickable map of the bike path network.

On Sunday, August 6, City Bikes will hold Washington DC’s only professional bike race. This annual event races around RFK Stadium’s old gran prix course. Come watch the exciting, fast pace racing or participate yourself! Along with Categories 1-5 racing, WABA is sponsoring an open course fun ride at 1:30pm for active members, and will be grilling up food for all the racers.

To join or learn more about WABA visit www.waba.org.