Come and meet one of the U.S.’s most “bikeable” communities. Whether you are new to urban biking or a long-time pro, BikingTown DC has a tour for you. From history, to environmental issues, to rock-and-roll, there are tons of exciting sights to explore as you bike though the city.

Get bike-ready and ensure your bike is in good working condition for BikingTown DC! Cultural Tourism DC is proud to partner with neighborhood bike clinics on the weekend prior to BikingTown DC, September 17 – 18, and on the weekends during BikingTown DC, September 24 – 25 and October 1 – 2. Get your bike fixed and questions answered while gearing up for some awesome BikingTown DC bike tours.

No bike? No problem! Discounted bike rentals are available from Bike and Roll Washington, DC.

Bike and Roll Washington, DC is offering discounted $15 rentals for those who would like to participate in BikingTown DC! Perfect if you are visiting, live just far enough away that bringing your own bike into the District proves challenging, or would like “bikeless” friends and family to join you on a biking tour!

For morning tours, you may pick up the bike before 6 pm the night prior and return upon conclusion of your tour; for afternoon tours, please pick up your bike after 9:30 am on the morning of your tour and return once the tour is completed. Reservations are required for bike rentals.

Please call 202-842-2453 to make your bike rental reservation and use the reference code "BikingTown" to receive the discount.

Tips for Bikers

Bikes are required for all tours below, unless otherwise noted.

Helmets are required for all biking tours.

Bike locks are recommended for most tours.

Bikes must be in good working condition. Make sure your bike is in top condition for ten days of tours by visiting your local bike clinic. 

Saturday, October 1

9 - 10:30 am *FULL*
DC Coffee House Bike Crawl
Meet at Peregrine Espresso, 1718 14th St., NW. End Big Bear Café, 1700 First St., NW.

Metro Start: U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo
Metro End: Shaw-Howard U; New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U
Fitness: Moderate, 5 miles
Reservations required: 9 - 10:30 am *FULL*
Subjects: Food and coffee

Do you love coffee? Hop on your bike and get a taste of D.C.'s awesome coffee scene. We will bike to five different independently owned coffee houses that are brewing some of the best beans in the city. The tour will kick off at Peregrine Espresso on 14th Street, stop by Yola where bikers will regain energy with a greek yogurt parfait and a killer cappucino, and end in Bloomingdale at Big Bear Cafe. Nothing like a pack of alert bikers to get your day started right!

Presented and led by Coffee tour guide Laura Westman.

9:30 am - 12 noon
Civil War Defenses of Washington Bike Tour: History and Nature of the Forts
Meet and end at Fort Dupont Park Activity Center, Fort Dupont Dr., SE.

Metro Start: Minnesota Avenue or Benning Road; V8 Metrobus
Metro End: Minnesota Avenue or Benning Road; V8 Metrobus
Fitness: Moderate, 4 miles
Reservations required: 9:30 am - 12 noon
Subjects: Civil War, Development, Environment, Parks and Gardens

This mountain bike tour will journey along the Hiker-Biker trail of the Civil War Defenses of Washington. The off-road trail takes riders through Fort Dupont Park exploring the earthwork remnants of Fort Mahan and Fort Dupont that were constructed during the Civil War. We will also stop along the way to discuss important natural features of the sites. Minimal experience riders and kids are welcome.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization National Park Service - Civil War Defenses of Washington and led by Park Ranger Kevin Barry.

10 am - 1 pm
bikePPTC: Friends of Rock Creek Environment (FORCE) Eco Tour
Meet at Thompson Boat Center parking lot, 2900 Virginia Ave., NW at the intersection of Virginia Ave., Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy., NW. End at Boundary Bridge parking lot, Rock Creek Park.

Metro Start: Foggy Bottom-GWU
Metro End: Friendship Heights; Bethesda
Fitness: Moderate, 8 miles
Reservations required: 10 am - 1 pm
Subjects: Environment, Parks and Gardens, Kid Friendly

This tour will lead participants on a slow ride along the bike path in Rock Creek Park stopping at ecological and historically significant points, including the C&O Canal, the National Zoo, Pierce Mill, and Boulder Bridge. Note: Tour leaders will provide directions from Boundary Bridge to Bethesda Metro and Capital Crescent Trail for cyclists to return to the start location.

Presented by Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment (FORCE) and Potomac Pedalers Touring Club (PPTC) and led by long-time resident and environmental advocate David Cottingham.

11 am - 1 pm
Edgewood Murals
Meet outside Chez Hareg Gourmet Bakery, 2312 Fourth St., NE. End at Rhode Island Shopping Center, 919 Rhode Island Ave., NE.

Metro Start: Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood
Metro End: Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood
Fitness: Low, 2 miles
Subjects: Public Art

This tour will explore the new and old works of public art in Edgewood neighborhood. We will visit the new murals along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, DC's largest mural, and check out graffiti along the Red Line Metro tracks. The tour participants will also learn about interesting history and the recent changes in this neighborhood.

Presented by Albus Cavus and led by resident and mural artist Peter Krsko.

Sunday, October 2

8:30 - 11 am
Ward 1 Bike Facilities
Meet at Meridian Hill Park entrance, 15th and Euclid Sts., NW. End at Columbia Heights Metro station.

Metro Start: Columbia Heights
Metro End: Columbia Heights
Fitness: Moderate, 9.5 miles
Subjects: Development

This tour will examine existing bicycle facilities throughout Ward 1 and will include examples of locations where facilities are needed.

Presented and led by Ward 1 Bicycle Advisory Council representative and long-time city cyclist Meredith Begin.

11 am - 1 pm 
Ward 3 Green Tour with Councilmember Mary Cheh
Meet outside Friendship Heights Metro station, Jenifer Street exit on Wisconsin Ave., NW. End at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro station, 24th St. and Connecticut Ave., NW.

Metro Start: Friendship Heights
Metro End: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan
Fitness: Medium, 3 – 4 miles
Reservations required: 11 am – 1 pm
Subjects: Development, Eco

Join Councilmember Mary Cheh to discuss park enhancements and priorities in Ward 3. Participants are invited to an optional food and fellowship at Open City Café following the tour. Note: This tour includes frequent stops and both street and off-street riding.

Presented by Councilmember Mary Cheh.

11 am - 1 pm
Edgewood Murals
Meet outside Chez Hareg Gourmet Bakery, 2312 Fourth St., NE. End at Rhode Island Shopping Center, 919 Rhode Island Ave., NE.

Metro Start: Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood
Metro End: Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood
Fitness: Low, 2 miles
Subjects: Public Art

This tour will explore the new and old works of public art in Edgewood neighborhood. We will visit the new murals along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, DC's largest mural, and check out graffiti along the Red Line Metro tracks. The tour participants will also learn about interesting history and the recent changes in this neighborhood.

Presented by Albus Cavus and led by resident and mural artist Peter Krsko.

2 - 5 pm *FULL*
Capital Sites by Bike
Meet and end at Bike and Roll located behind the Old Post Office Pavilion on 12th St. between Pennsylvania and Constitution Aves., NW, across from Federal Triangle Metro station.

Metro Start: Federal Triangle
Metro End: Federal Triangle
Fitness: Low, 4-7 miles
Reservations required: 2 - 5 pm *FULL*
Subjects: Civil War, Kid Friendly, Monuments & Memorials

Experience Washington, DC’s history and culture by bike. This tour provides an overview of the city as you bike to and learn about the major sites on and around the National Mall and Capitol Hill, including the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Smithsonian Museums, World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, and more. This tour is perfect for visitors or residents who want to dip into the history of local sites. Tour takes place outside only, no interiors of locations.

Note: You do not need your own bike for this tour. Bike and Roll Washington, DC bikes will be provided. After making reservations, you will be contacted by email by Cultural Tourism DC requesting information that will ensure you are fitted properly for a Bike and Roll Washington, DC bike.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization Bike and Roll Washington DC and led by led by Bike and Roll Washington DC tour guide.

2 - 4 pm
The Great Emancipator? Lincoln and Slavery During the Civil War
Meet at the entrance to the U.S. Soldiers Home, on Rock Creek Church Rd., NW at Randolph St., NW. End at the Lincoln Memorial near 23rd St. and Lincoln Memorial Cir., NW.

Metro Start: Georgia Ave-Petworth, exit on Rock Creek Church Road and ride East
Metro End: Foggy Bottom-GWU
Fitness: Moderate
Subjects: Civil War, Ethnic Heritage, Historical Figure/Personality

The tour will discuss Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and its impact during and after the Civil War, using sites in DC that relate to this history. Among the issues to be addressed is whether Lincoln may properly be called "The Great Emancipator" and will include the content, purposes, timing, and results of that document. Sites to be visited will include the Lincoln Cottage at the US Soldiers Home, the grave of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, the Oliver Otis Howard House at Howard University, the African-American Civil War Soldiers Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Presented and led by high school U.S. history teacher Eric Kravetz.

2:30 - 5 pm *Cancelled*
Bike the Pink Line to Neighborhood Public Art
Meet inside National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden at the Lichtenstein House sculpture. Enter the garden at Ninth St. and Madison Dr. NW.

Metro Start: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter, South exit; Federal Triangle, South exit
Metro End: Dupont Circle
Fitness: Moderate, 5.5 miles
Reservations required: 2:30 - 5 pm *Cancelled*
Subjects: Public Art

This tour open's the rider's eyes to public art of all kinds across DC's diverse neighborhoods: street art, murals, sculptures, pastes, architecture, and mosaics. Didn't notice that bike stand's eco-conscious message? Ever stumble upon a mixed media totem pole? Thought of architecture visually as well as structurally? Wondered about the merits and beauty of street art and pastes?
Come ready to explore, discover, and transform your understanding of the art around you. It may turn up in forms and places you might not expect. Please note: tour presented in English and Spanish

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization The Pink Line Project and led by Chief Creative Contrarian of The Pink Line Project and local leader in the DC arts community Philippa P.B. Hughes, accompanied by outdoor and bike aficionado Lauren Basler.