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Our Blog Has Moved!

info@godcgo.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Thanks for visiting the goDCgo blog. We've moved! Click here for our new blog, districtGoings.
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Promote Winter Commuting by Transit with Fun Incentives!

info@godcgo.com — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

As a regular bus commuter, I notice a distinct drop-off in ridership during the winter months. While it can get quite cold waiting for the bus, I do enjoy knowing that once it arrives, I can warm up rather quickly and read for a bit or check my emails. In contrast, if I drive during the winter, I still get cold while sitting idly in my car waiting for it to warm up, and I usually have to spend a few minutes scraping the windshield. Then throughout my drive I’m blasting the defroster and hoping the few inches of visibility through my side mirrors and back windows (still mostly foggy due to my impatience) aren’t preventing me from seeing another car I may be about to hit. In summary, transit commutes during the winter can be much less stressful – and depending on your driving skill (mine admittedly being questionable at times) – safer!

During the winter months, when work tends to be slower, is a great time to hold a short program or offer incentives to keep your employees interested in taking transit. For example, you can offer weekly $5 Starbucks gift cards to employees who take transit (or bike, walk or carpool) at least twice a week. Or, you can hold a month long contest and award the employees who commuted the most by transit with prizes such as gift cards or other perks. If you don’t have a budget for an incentive, information can go a long way. Educating your employees about the environmental and health benefits of commuting to work other than driving alone (and how they can avoid scraping their windshield and enjoy less of a crowd on the train and bus) can be a great motivator!

Tarryn Lee at goDCgo

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Get Rewarded for Your Efforts – Commuter Connections Now Accepting Nominations

info@godcgo.com — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

This year is the 15^th anniversary of the Commuter Connections Employer Recognition Awards, which is an annual event celebrating Washington Metropolitan area employers that have gone above and beyond in encouraging their employees to commute to work sustainably. Nominations are now being accepted for the three categories:

Incentives - providing incentives that make alternative transportation modes more attractive and easier than driving alone.
Marketing - promotion of alternative commuting options and programs.
Telecommuting - initiation of a successful telecommute program.

The application can be accessed online from the Commuter Connections website.

Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in summer 2012 and recognized in an advertisement in a major newspaper, press release and online video. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2012. If you have questions about the application or would like assistance in filling it out, contact goDCgo Employer Services for complimentary assistance.

By Tarryn Lee at goDCgo

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Walking Is the Path to Making New Discoveries

info@godcgo.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

As posted in an earlier blog, walking is a great all-around exercise that just about anyone can do, just about anywhere. But did you realize there is the added bonus of learning more about the city you call home? Most of the time we pass by monuments, buildings and other points of interest that we think we see, but walking – and dare I say it, walking without electronic devices - allows you to see your surroundings and more of the details that would otherwise be missed.

I found this out while training for a 60 mile charity walk and my training required me to walk many miles, usually in DC as it offered lots of things to look at and people to watch while putting one foot in front of the other. After many years of driving past and over Memorial Bridge, I found myself looking at it while approaching on foot. Memorial Bridge is considered Washington’s most beautiful bridge and is symbolic in its position linking the North (Lincoln Memorial) with the South (Arlington House). But did you know that capping the masonry arches spanning the river there are six-foot tall bison keystones sculpted by Alexander Phimister Proctor. Also, on the abutments (structures that support the arches) are bas-relief eagles in discs 12 feet in diameter flanked by fasces or a bundle of wooden sticks with an axe blade. Fasces are typically symbols of power and authority.

So, check it out next time you’re driving by; or better yet, take a walk and take a look!

By Leslie LaPlace at goDCgo

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Pedestrian Bridge Opens, COnnects Diamond Teague Park and Yards Park

info@godcgo.com — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Photo from The WashCycle.

A brand new pedestrian bridge that connects Diamond Teague Park and the Yards Park will open Tuesday, November 22, at 1:30pm.The new bridge, which is part of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, creates a continuous one-mile riverwalk trail that is publicly accessible within the Capitol Riverfront and allows for easier access between the Yards Park and Nationals Park. Stadium-goers will be able to walk the trail all the way to the Grand Staircase/1st Base Gate, and water taxi customers will no longer have to walk up Tingey Street. Additionally, the new water taxi piers and public piers for canoes and kayaks have been completed.

Join city officials, Forest City Washington and local partners for a ribbon cutting to celebrate this new riverfront connection on November 22 at 1:30pm at the bridge.

Full trail map available at River Walk Trail.

By Leslie LaPlace at goDCgo
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Your Car-Free Holiday Travel Guide

info@godcgo.com — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

The holiday season is upon us, and you're probably thinking about travel plans. If you’re opting to leave the car at home and go for airplane, train or bus travel, we’ve got some tips for getting to your destination as conveniently and affordably as possible using public transit.

Getting to BWI:

Metrorail to Metrobus: Take the Green Line on Metrorail to the Greenbelt Station. From there, take the B30 Metrobus to the airport. Click here for the B30 timetable. Note: To accommodate higher airport ridership, Metro will have additional buses ready to place into service as necessary on the B30 route.
Metrorail to MARC Train: Take the Red Line on Metrorail to Union Station, located at Massachusetts Avenue and First Street, NE. From there, take the MARC train via the Penn Line to the BWI Marshall Rail Station, where a shuttle will then take you to the airport entrance. Note: MARC train service is not available on weekends. Amtrak services the airport from Union Station on weekends at a slightly higher fare.

Getting to Dulles International Airport:

Metrorail to Washington Flyer Bus: Take the Metro Orange Line going toward Vienna. Get off at the West Falls Church station and follow the signs to the Washington Flyer bus stop. You can purchase tickets from the bus driver and the bus will take you directly to the front door of the Main Terminal. Click here for more information about the Washington Flyer, including ticket prices and schedule.
Metrobus: The 5A route operates express service to Dulles and arrives at the 2E curb location. You can catch the 5A from the Herndon/Monroe Park & Ride Lot, the Tysons-Westpark Transit Station and the Rosslyn and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail Stations. Click here for a timetable. Note: To accommodate higher airport ridership, Metro will deploy additional buses on the 5A route.

Getting to Reagan National Airport:

Metrorail: Take either the Blue Line going toward Franconia/Springfield or the Yellow Line going toward Huntington and get off at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station. Directions from the station platform to Terminal A, B or C are available on the airport’s website.
Metrobus: Early Morning Weekend Service - The 13F,G provides service to the airport on Saturday and Sunday mornings between the hours of 5:50 and 8:00 am. For more information, including pick-up locations, click here.

Interstate Buses:

Greyhound Bus: The terminal is located at 1005 1st Street NE, which is directly behind Union Station. It does take a while to walk there from Union Station, so be sure to leave in plenty of time if you’re trying to make a connection.
BoltBus: Provides service throughout the East Coast and leaves directly from bus depot at Union Station, accessible from the Metrorail Red Line.
Megabus: Provides service throughout the East Coast and beyond as far west as Toronto, Buffalo, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Knoxville, TN. Departs from Union Station bus depot via the Red Line on Metrorail.
DC2NY: Provides express bus service between DC and New York City. You can catch this bus from three different locations in DC—Dupont Circle (20th Street and Massachussetts Avenue, NW near the Dupont Circle Metro Station via the Red Line), 14th Street, NW between H and I Streets, NW (near the McPherson Square Metro Station via the Orange or Blue Line) and the Union Station bus depot (via the Red Line). There are routes departing from two locations in Northern Virginia (Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station via the Orange Line and Franconia-Springfield Metro Station via the Blue Line) to New York City.
Sprinter Bus: Express bus service between DC and New York City or Norfolk, VA. Departs from the Union Station bus depot.
Washington Deluxe: Provides daily express bus service between DC and New York City. Departs from Union Station bus depot accessible by the MEtrorail Red Line.

Amtrak:
Trains depart daily from Union Station accessible by the Metrorail Red Line. For routes, timetables and ticket price information, visit the Amtrak website.

On a final note, always be sure to confirm your travel reservations and the time you need to be there before heading out. Remember that lines may be significantly longer at airports during the holidays, so plan to arrive even earlier than you normally would. If using public transit during the holidays, be sure to check the transit service’s website for holiday hours or service changes. And don’t forget to bring identification…and your toothbrush!

Anne Factor at goDCgo
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Get Ready for Winter: Tips for Cyclists

info@godcgo.com — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

By BikeArlington

Why Ride in the Winter?
With a little planning and a positive attitude, winter can be a great time to ride, in fact there are several aspects of winter that are advantageous to cyclists:

No sweating! Dress right in cooler temperatures and you will remain comfortable throughout the ride, and finish up dry and ready to go on to the next activity.
Improved views. The lack of foliage and clear crisp weather in the winter allows for some great views of the landscape.
Work off the extra winter pounds. The winter holiday season is a time of indulgence and can often become couch potato season, but even a short bike ride can jump start your metabolism, burn lots of calories, and energize you for the rest of your day. Many people make New Year’s resolutions regarding health and exercise, and cycling year round is the perfect way to stick to them.

Dress for Success
How you dress for winter cycling is the key to comfort, but it doesn’t have to be expensive technical gear. As long as you keep pedaling, the activity of cycling generates a pleasant warming from within. Hold just enough of this heat within your clothing and allow the excess to vent out and you have found the winter riding “sweet spot.”

Start out with a wicking base layer on your torso (cotton is not the best), then a medium weight layer such as a light fleece or wool shirt. Finish off with a jacket. A light windbreaker will be enough for temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and a heavier jacket can be used for temperatures around freezing and below.
If the jacket is a bright color and/or has reflective strips, you will be more visible to others, which is important on dull winter days and dark mornings and evenings.
Legs should be covered completely in the cold, but thick layers are not usually necessary. Workout pants, athletic tights, jeans, or slacks are generally fine.
Warm gloves are important, especially when the temperature dips close to freezing, since the hands do not generate much heat when cycling and extremities can have poor circulation. Medium to heavy weight gloves which block the wind are best, such as ski gloves.
If it’s really cold, a thin fleece hat can be worn, and most fit beneath a bike helmet comfortably.

Experiment with clothing combinations, and don’t overdo it. It can be surprising how much heat is generated when cycling, especially uphill where efforts are higher and wind chills are lower. Find the sweet spot and keep moving!

Winter Bike Setup Tips
There are a few simple bike modifications that can make winter cycling safer and more comfortable. The most important is lights, since the days are short, and riding in darkness is much more common.

A white light up front facing forwards, either on the handlebar or the helmet, and a red rear flasher on the rear of the bike facing backwards is the minimum to see and be seen.
Fenders make a huge difference on wet days and do a great job of keeping the rider dry. Capital Bikeshare bikes take this one step further with a full enclosed skirt guard and chain cover.
Wider tires with some tread add stability, traction, and control on winter surfaces that can sometimes be wet, snowy, or even icy.
Mountain bike tires work great for 26 inch wheel sizes, and cyclo cross tires are a good winter option for bikes with 700cc wheels.

Plan Ahead and Enjoy!
The most important advice for cycling in the winter is check the weather forecast! If it looks like conditions are going to be snowy and icy, then that is not the best day for riding. But if the roads and bike paths are clear, and the temperatures are above freezing, it’s probably a great day to ride! If you do encounter snow or ice, don’t panic since sudden braking or swerving can cause a slide. Be light and delicate on the brakes and ride in a straight line if possible. If the slippery area is short, it’s often best to dismount before it and walk the bike around. A little preparation and planning goes a long way with winter cycling, so keep these guidelines in mind, and enjoy biking in the winter wonderland.

By BikeArlington
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How to play it cool and not look ridiculous when exiting the bus - featuring guest blogger Em Hall!

info@godcgo.com — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

The scientific name for a fear of riding buses is bustrophobia. I know this because WikiAnswers told me so, although they didn’t elaborate because it’s not actually a real word. But we know the fear is out there, and it cripples countless would-be bus commuters every day. Perhaps you have experienced the heartbreak of watching someone you love travel by car needlessly, day in and day out, when they could have just caught the 10B.

Indeed, riding a bus can be intimidating the first time. Unlike riding Metrorail, where everyone kind of just crams in together at the same time and tries to act like they aren’t really trying to beat you to the last empty seat, on a bus you have to endure what you might perceive as a crowd of judgmental eyes watching you fumble around trying to figure out how to pay, or perhaps ask the driver a “stupid” question, like "where does this bus go?"

Self-described “bus-riding bon vivant” Em Hall offers just the remedy for your bus-riding phobia in her Metro-Venture blog, which she updates regularly with tales of her adventures riding buses around town. She is like comfort food for the weary commuter's soul. We loved her topic yesterday about bus-exiting best practices and wanted to share her thoughtful tips on how to exit a bus gracefully with all of our devoted blog fans. Click here to read on, and then go have your own bus adventures! Thanks for tips, Em!

Anne Factor at goDCgo

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Be Safe, Be Seen: End of Daylight Savings Time Brings Higher Rate of Pedestrian Accidents in November

info@godcgo.com — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Photo: Jørgen Schyberg/Trygg Trafikk.

Pedestrian fatalities due to motorists rise by 186% in the month of November directly following the Daylight Savings time change. According to the two scientists from Carnegie Mellon University who reported these findings, the dramatic increase in pedestrian-vehicle accidents is not due to the darkness by itself as much as the timing of the darkness. That is, it takes a few weeks for both pedestrians and motorists to adjust their walking and driving habits to being extra cautious an hour earlier than normal.

Please review these helpful tips to walk more safely in reduced light so you can make it home all safe and snug.

Follow all pedestrian traffic laws, like crossing at marked crosswalks and walking only with the “Walk” signal.
Be visible! If that means wearing something ridiculously bright, do it! If you don’t have a reflective jacket, you can add reflective stripes to one you do have or wear reflective shoes or wristbands. Basically, the more reflective elements you can add to make you look like a fully human form, the better.
Choose your route with safety in mind first, even if it means going a little further. Use well-lit sidewalks or paths and walk facing traffic.
Dress warmly and in layers if it’s cold. The more comfortable you are, the less likely you’ll be to dart across the street in order to get to your destination quicker.
Assume drivers can’t see you and be extra cautious when crossing. That goes for parked cars that may be getting ready to move and vehicles exiting from driveways too. Look, look and look again!
Walk in groups whenever possible. A driver will spot a group before seeing an individual walking alone.
Don’t use headphones or cell phones. This is always good advice but especially when it’s dark because you need your sense of hearing to aid your vision when visibility is low.

Most people probably assume that they’re safe pedestrians already. If that were the case, however, we wouldn’t have so many needless pedestrian deaths and injuries each November. Please review these tips and pass them along. Stay safe, be seen and enjoy your extra hour this Sunday!

Anne Factor at goDCgo

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Be Safe and Be Seen on Halloween

info@godcgo.com — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Halloween is just around the corner and the area’s little vampires and witches are gearing up to go trick-or-treating. Now is the perfect time for parents to review walking safety tips with their kids – before the night of fun begins.

According to Safe Kids, on average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to other days of the year. New Safe Kids research shows that only one third of parents talk to their children annually about Halloween safety. Don’t take any chances this Halloween. Check out these tips, compiled to help prepare your children to behave safely and to remind drivers to take extra precautions this Halloween:

Tips for Parents and Children

Do a costume check. Can the child walk easily in the outfit? Make sure the masks or head gear allow the children to see clearly what is around them.

Think visibility. Wear bright colors, use retro reflective materials. Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.

Choose the safest routes to walk.

Pick places where there are sidewalks or paths separated from traffic if possible.
Look for well-lit streets with slow traffic.
Remind children to watch for cars turning into or pulling out of driveways.

Plan how to cross streets.

Avoid crossing busy, high-speed or multi-lane roads.
Limit the number of street crossings.
Give children exiting the street room to enter the sidewalk area.

Review crossing safety rules with children. Tell them to:

Always look for cars for yourself – even when adults are also looking.
Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again for traffic.
Wait until no traffic is coming and begin crossing. Keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
When crossing the street at an intersection, obey traffic signs and signals and double-check to see if cars are coming.
Look left, right and left and then behind you and in front of you for turning cars.
Walk, don’t run across the street.

Always WALK and don't run from house to house.

Choose homes that welcome Halloween visitors. Look for lights on, well-lit driveways, and walkways or paths to the front door.

Reminders for Motorists

Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on early in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.

Drive slowly through residential streets and areas where you might expect to see pedestrians trick-or-treating.

Watch for children in dark clothing. Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and that they may not be able to see your vehicle.

Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.

Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

For Everyone

Don’t eat all of your Halloween candy in one night!

For walking safety and other healthy living tips on Halloween and all year long, visit WalkArlington.com or check us out on Facebook!

Trick or Treat!

By Walk Arlington: WalkArlington, an initiative of Arlington County Commuter Services within the Department of Environmental Services, gets "more people walking more of the time" by promoting the health, environmental, community-building, and commuting benefits of walking.

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