WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Paris has a few things we Washingtonians might envy. The Eiffel Tower, the Left Bank, fine cuisine at every corner - and those thin, stylish, bored Parisians who smoke Gauloises and sip Bordeaux at cafes all day and night.

On a more bourgeois note, I have been in awe of the French capital city's that allows Parisians or visitors to swipe a card, grab a bike, and ride around town to the Louvre.

Envy no more. Washington, D.C., is about to become the first major U.S. city to embark on "Velib" bike rental system, an automated bicycle rental system, much like the Zipcar program for cars.

"We hope to have it fully up and running by spring," says Jim Sebastian, who manages the District's bike and pedestrian programs. D.C. will start with 100 bikes in four kiosks; Paris has 15,000 bikes. "We hope to expand to the Paris level."

The level of political momentum in making Washington more safe and accommodating to bikes is at an all-time high. We have a mayor who races around on two wheels at lunchtime to practice for triathlons; City Administrator Dan Tangherlini is a regular bike rider; Planning Director Harriet Tregoning traded in her official parking spot to stash bikes; and Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells' Bike Parking Bill is making its way through City Council.

"The stars are lining up for us," says Eric Gilliland, executive director with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

Jim Sebastian has been on a lonely crusade for the past six years to bring D.C. up to the standards of Portland, Seattle or Philadelphia in welcoming bikes. "We've always had political support, but we're certainly experiencing a boost," he says. "More people in bike-friendly neighborhoods are demanding services. It's a good time."

You will see bike kiosks going up in the next few weeks next to new bus shelters in Shaw, Chinatown, Foggy Bottom and U Street. Eastern Market and Adams Morgan will be next. Sebastian hopes to have 10 bike rental kiosks up and running in the near future.

"Say you live in Foggy Bottom, and you want to visit friends or shop at Logan Circle," he says. "You go to a Web site, sign up, get a card, swipe it at the kiosk, rent a bike and ride across town for about $1. At this point it's not for commuters but for utilitarian trips around town."

Wells' legislation would mandate bike parking racks at all government buildings, new apartment and condo construction, and new office buildings. It's sailing through the Council.

Meanwhile, the D.C. Transportation Department has been slowly - very slowly - striping bike lanes through the city's streets. There are about 25 miles designated for bikes; an additional 11 miles are in the works this year. By comparison, Philadelphia has 60 miles of bike lanes and 50 more scheduled to be marked in the next two years.

But, our fashion conscious residents worried about helmet hair might ask, is it cool to ride a bike?

The Parisians say, "Oui."

hjaffe@washingtonian.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

10:53 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 6, 2008 re: "School Closing Manifesto II: Barry's Destructive Game"

J G G Coolidge "68" said:
Marion Barry has done more singlehandedly to create a Black middle class in Washington DC than any other single individual. As far as MR Jaffe's article is concerned, he does not remember, wasn't in DC OR was not affected, by DC Public Schools being the jobs program for the families of congressional staffers and elected officials while in town. DC had a carpetbagger led education system with not enough graduates of Miner College in leadership positions. Barry had faults, I see many people writing who live in glass houses. His singlemost political fault is not having the political will to mandate DC employees to remain DC residents. Thus they became disconnected with the community and its growth or safety. By the way for another who knows nothing than to complain Barry Farms was the first public project housing in DC built long before Mayor Barry entered DC. The nerve of you media and personal complainers who never did, fought, contributed or sacraficed for DC yet you enjoy and take

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4:52 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "School Closing Manifesto II: Barry's Destructive Game"

Examiner Reader said:
"when are we going to get past what Marion Barry did years ago and focus on today?" Pray tell, what has he done besides spend half his time in court for drug use and making headlines about his inability to manage his own finances? He certainly hasn't done anything for his Ward 8 constituency? Any new development has simply been a by product of having water views in his ward. Barry Farms - sonething he put name on - is a symbol for all that is wrong with this city. But say one thing for Barry, he got a good government job that he doesn't have to do anything but collect a check.

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4:26 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "School Closing Manifesto II: Barry's Destructive Game"

Muckle John said:
For the love of god, why is this slug still holding public office?!

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3:12 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "School Closing Manifesto II: Barry's Destructive Game"

GAB said:
"when are we going to get past what Marion Barry did years ago and focus on today?" When Marion Barry retires from the city council, and when all the lazy, chair-warming, and corrupt city employees he is responsible for hiring leave.

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1:39 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "School Closing Manifesto II: Barry's Destructive Game"

Examiner Reader said:
well said

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1:23 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "School Closing Manifesto II: Barry's Destructive Game"

Examiner Reader said:
when are we going to get past what Marion Barry did years ago and focus on today?

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5:03 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "Opinion: The whole city is watching Anacostia"

Examiner Reader said:
Not sure why there records were mentioned as that does not mean that they ae guilty. Why did they get so little time? This officer never stated what she said first to get the response from the boys which is the reason why they were no lengthy sentences. Officers need to hold themselves to higher standards. These boys are being targeted because she's not satisfied. On 10/19 she had the entire 7 district outside the boys grandma house just because she thought one of the two boys were outside the house (confirmed by a 7 district captain. Neither was present and as a result an estimated 30 police officers are on this one street when they could have been somewhere else doing nothing. By the way these boys do live with their grandma. Was it convenient to pick these two out of 10 because she knew them. What happened to the other 8?

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6:17 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Opinion: The whole city is watching Anacostia"

Examiner Reader said:
Imagine that the "GRANDMA" calls to defend these kids, wonder where Mom and Dad are???? It's a matter of time and these kids will be in trouble again. Another kid brought up in a broken home blaming the streets for his decisions. Parents need to get a better grip on these kids.

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3:54 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Opinion: The whole city is watching Anacostia"

Examiner Reader said:
why doesn't she just move? get out of a bad neighborhood?

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12:07 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Parisian cool comes to D.C. on two wheels"

Mike Licht said:
Is DC Government letting the bike vending corporation use city streets for free, like they let advertising companies use it for bus shelters, or is there DC funding?

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1:24 PM MST on Tue., Sep. 11, 2007 re: "Column: Feeding Frenzy Over $100 Million In D.C.'s Found Money"

Examiner Reader said:
Harry Jaffe...here you go again....postulating: "...Our commercial real estate market is still one of the hottest in the country, pushing tax revenues up by 16 percent.." Jaffe...every year [5 years past] this city has had a surplus...starting at 90 million -2002 up to $130 million in 2005...HIGH PROPERTY TAXES!!!!!!! Black Families property taxes where higher than most families homes west Rock Creek Park. Jaffe...you failed to ask or Follow WHAT HAPPEN TO THE DISTRICT TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY.... JAFFE...YOU ARE TALKING SMOKE CIRCLES AND your background is definitely not FINANCE. CALVIN H. GURLEY

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1:57 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 10, 2007 re: "Column: Feeding Frenzy Over $100 Million In D.C.'s Found Money"

EyesWideOpen said:
To Mayor Fenty: "Keep your promises. Fix the schools, train the jobless, repair the lousy roads and eat more leafy vegetables."

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12:54 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 30, 2007 re: "Column: Peaceable coexistence in the wilds of Rock Creek Park"

Erica said:
This is just lovely. On a Monday afternoon it's nice to stop and appreciate Bambi and his still-living mom. I wish we could treat all of nature with this kind of respect.

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7:06 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 16, 2007 re: "D.C. students will lack books on opening day - as usual"

Examiner Reader said:
Ms. D: Although the former superintendent had the support of Mayor Williams, why would the former superintendent need support to get textbooks? That is something superintendents all over the country do each year.

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1:58 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 16, 2007 re: "D.C. students will lack books on opening day - as usual"

Elizabeth Davis said:
I don't know whether to regard this story as a 'news' article or merely a propaganda campaigned to trash the outgoing superintendent. It would have been more beneficial for me to know how many schools did not receive books and the list of schools rather than the blatant fingerpointing at an administration that never had the underpinnings and mayoral support that our chancellor is afforded. While I'm happy that the Mayor is so willing to provide Ms. Rhee the support she'll need to improve services to schools and children, it would have been great if Dr. Janey and former DC public school administrations had this same level of support from the Mayor and council. If Ms. Rhee fails to turn the system around in two years, I wonder if she will also get a media lynching by the DC power brokers and the media that serves them.

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6:14 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 12, 2007 re: "D.C. students will lack books on opening day - as usual"

Mike Licht said:
>>Re: D.C. students will lack books on opening day - as usual<< Hilda L. Ortiz, DCPS Chief Academic Officer and Gloria L. Benjamin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, issued updated Learning Standards for many subjects last week. Have these folks order textbooks NOW. In September, as I understand it, Fairfax County Public School teachers will choose from among county-approved textbooks for the 2008-2009 school year, and books will arrive by June 2008. Why can't DCPS do this?

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