Public transportation cannot always work when you need to move around yourself, thankfully though, there are public options to move yourself around with varying prices and sizes to suit whatever you might need to get done one day.
Bikes
- Capital Bikeshare
- Payment options: Riders can pay for individual rides ($1.00 + $0.05/min for regular bikes, + $0.15/min for ebikes), day passes ($8/day, 45 free minutes for regular bikes, $0.10/min for ebikes), or yearly subscriptions ($95/year, 45 free minutes for regular bikes, $0.10/min for ebikes). They also offer a $5/year subscription to DMV residents who are 16 years or older and qualify for a state or federal assistance program. It is recommended that you use Capital Bikeshare’s app, but physical passes can be purchased at Capital Bikeshare kiosks.
- How to get a bike: Use the Capital Bikeshare app to find either a standalone ebike or a bike station for both ebikes and regular bikes. Once you find a bike, unlock it by scanning the QR code or by scanning a physical pass. Once it is approved, pull the bike out of the rack and get moving!
- Returning bikes: Once you complete your ride, locate a bike station to dock a regular bike or recharge an ebike. Once the light turns green, you are good to go! Or, park an ebike at a public bike rack for a fee of $2.
- Tips: Wear a helmet while riding, use the helpful bike lanes throughout downtown and elsewhere, and obey traffic laws.
- Other options: There are many other companies that offer rental bikes in the DMV. See the Scooters section for more information (many of the companies use the same system)
Scooters
There are many companies that offer scooter rentals in the DMV, including Lime, Bird, Spin, ScootRoute, VeoRide, and Lyft.
- How to access: All of the companies listed above have apps that you can download to use their services. Some companies offer passes, but you can also pay per ride. Each company differs in its fee, but most charge $0.20-0.40/min. Many companies also offer discounted rates for eligible residents. Some scooters can be accessed through apps like Uber.
- How to use: Locate a scooter in the DMV using the app for the type of scooter you want to use. Most scooters have a QR code between the handlebars that you have to scan to unlock the scooter. Once it is unlocked, you are free to explore the DMV.
- How to return: Once you finish your ride, most scooters require you to click “end ride” in the app. Some companies also require you to take a picture of the parked scooter.
- Tips: Wear a helmet, use bike lanes, and watch out for pedestrians!
- https://godcgo.com/scooter/
- https://www.li.me/locations/washington-dc
- https://www.spin.app/
- https://www.bird.co/#ride-on
- https://scootroute.com/
- https://www.veoride.com/
- https://www.lyft.com/scooters
Rideshare services
If you don’t have a car and need the mobility of one, you can request to have someone pick you up from a set location and take you to another place. The most prominent applications currently offering this are Uber and Lyft which appear as follows:
Pricing
There are many factors that can affect the cost of a ride:
- Distance (How far you want to travel)
- Traffic (How much time it will take to get there)
- Demand (How many other people are looking for a car at the same time)
- Additional Features (Larger size of car or luxuriousness)
- Tolls
- Tax
These services will tend to be more expensive than public transportation, however, if you need to transport many items, such as groceries, this can be the more ideal option for you. It also provides a sense of security, as all drivers are screened for their criminal backgrounds and are not allowed to become a driver if they do not pass them.
