I suggest (hope, advocate) that each traveler considers creating an account on Capital Bikeshare
It costs nothing to create the account and the Bikeshare program is the overwhelming suggested manner for scooting around the National Mall. There are a times during our trip when I see using bikes as an advantage:
- Sunday, Mount Vernon Day. (I have planned to use Ubers for this day. I am less than enthused to bike this one, but can be talked into it. It's our first day after all!) To go from Mt Vernon to Old Town Alexandria, it's a one hour bike ride on a dedicated bike path (almost 9 miles). If it's a beautiful day, we might venture to do this ride.
- Monday, National Mall Walk might be fun if we biked
- Wednesday, Washington Monument Day - it's about a mile from the Air and Space Museum to the Washington Monument. There are Capital Bikeshare stations near each. Instead of the 20 minute walk, it's a flat 4-6 minute ride.
- Friday: Night Audio tour
- Free day bike activity Cool bike tour
Capital Bikeshare Program
Capital Bikeshare is an affordable, convenient transportation network for tourists visiting the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, featuring over 800 stations and 8,000 bikes across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.
Pricing Options for Visitors
Single Trip: Costs $2 per ride for up to 30 minutes.
24-Hour Pass: Costs $10 (or $8–$10 depending on promotion/channel) for unlimited 45-minute rides on classic bikes over a 24-hour period. Rides exceeding 45 minutes incur an extra $0.05/minute fee.
3-Day Pass: Available via the app for short-term visitors needing multi-day access.
Electric Bikes (E-bikes): Day pass holders get a reduced unlock/per-minute rate of $0.15/minute.
How It Works
Get the App: Download the official Capital Bikeshare App to find nearby docking stations, check live bike availability, and purchase a pass directly from your phone.
Unlock a Bike: Scan the QR code on the bike using the app or enter the code dispensed at the station kiosk.
Ride and Dock: Enjoy rides up to 45 minutes on classic bikes without extra fees, then return the bike to any open dock at any station in the regional network. Push the bike firmly into the dock until you hear a beep and see a green light.
Top Tourist Routes
The National Mall: Cruise smoothly past iconic monuments, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Institution Museums.
Potomac River & Mount Vernon Trail: Enjoy scenic waterfront views along dedicated paths.
Old Town Alexandria: Explore historic cobblestone streets and local storefronts across the river in Virginia.