Alternative Transportation In & Around Old Town

Washington, DC is the fifth fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation and it shows: local transportation authorities around the region are consistently coming up with innovative ways to keep us moving.

Personal automobiles are still the mainstay, which is why EYA continues to include private parking garages in its townhomes. Meanwhile, alternative fuel sources, such as the electric car, are just around the corner. In fact, new EYA homes include an optional electric car charger rough-in, for those who are first adopters of this new technology. Look for the Nissan Leaf to be the first mass produced electric car in the U.S. – available December 2010.

If the expense of personal car ownership doesn’t make sense for you, then Zipcar has hundreds of cars throughout Washington, just waiting for you to take a spin. For as little as $50 in annual fees and $7 per hour of use, you can hop over to North Fayette Street, the Meridian Apartments on 1^st Street, or Braddock Road Metro station and pick up your car. Gas, insurance, and reserved parking are included.

For a little fresh air, take a hike (or walk, that is). Prevention Magazine included Washington DC in its “25 Best Walking Cities” list, citing its extensive transit system which makes travelling by foot a breeze. Braddock Road Metro station is just three blocks from Old Town Commons, meaning you can be anywhere in the city in just minutes. Or if you feel like enjoying some fresh air instead, take a quick stroll south a few blocks and step into the heart of Old Town for some shopping, world-renowned restaurants, or a history lesson at one of Old Town’s many historic landmarks.

Biking is another excellent way to enjoy the outdoors and get where you’re going fast. Just four blocks from Old Town Commons, discover the Mount Vernon Trail, an 18-mile stretch of trail connecting Theodore Roosevelt Island (right off of Rosslyn) to George Washington’s historic estate at Mount Vernon, while passing Arlington National Cemetery along the way. Don’t own a bike? You can rent one anytime you like through Capital Bikeshare. Five new bike sharing kiosks are scheduled to be installed just south and west of Reagan National Airport (Yellow/Blue Metro lines). In fact, there are plans for over 1,000 bike sharing rides throughout the DC area – an effort by District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to make it easier for residents to get around. For a wider selection of bike rentals and bike tune-ups, travel just a few blocks to Wheel Nuts Bike Shop.

Finally, we hear Segway is a nice option for doing a little sight seeing, but we wouldn’t recommend you plan to make it your daily commute option. Capital Segway, the only authorized dealer of Segways for sale in DC, offers rentals for as little as $65 for two hours. You can also purchase their new electric bike, which we think is pretty cool. It’s got all the benefits of a traditional bike (parking where ever you like) without the sweat you’ll likely work up.