Touring DC on a bicycle or roller blades. (renting, neighborhood)

[Statz2k10]

I've been to DC several times. I always have walked where I needed to go.

I was thinking next time I go I should bring a bicycle or I was even thinking of buying some roller blades. I am leaning towards roller blades more because I could take them off if I wanted to get on a metro.

Questions.

I'm pretty sure if you're on a bike you have to be on a main road which is why I doubt I'd be too crazy about riding a bike.

What about roller blades? Can you stay on the side walk?

The reason I'd like to get around quicker is because I'll likely be by myself and it seems that roller blades could get me around quicker. The metro is nice but it doesn't go everywhere. I know there are some places I'd like to see that are a good walking distance from the metro.

Thanks

[coolio69]

Don't know much about roller blading, but DC has become very bicycle friendly. There is a designated lane down the middle of Pennsylvania Ave now (!). A lot of the neighborhood streets have designated bike lanes, too. You can probably google a map of them. That said, they don't go everywhere. Sometime you have to trek with the cars on the streets. That's ok, too. Just go fast and try not to be an obstruction. Although I don't wear a helmet, you should esp. if you're exploring. Enjoy!

[paytonc]

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

I was thinking next time I go I should bring a bicycle or I was even thinking of buying some roller blades. I am leaning towards roller blades more because I could take them off if I wanted to get on a metro...
I'm pretty sure if you're on a bike you have to be on a main road which is why I doubt I'd be too crazy about riding a bike.

You might consider renting a bike once you're here from one of the kiosks around town. Two off the top of my head are right outside Union Station and at the Thompson Boathouse on the Georgetown waterfront. However, another option if you want to make quick trips from Metro stations is Capital Bikeshare. You can pick up a bike outside many Metro stations in DC & Arlington, ride it around the neighborhood for a bit, return it -- either to the same station or a different station -- and hop back on the Metro, or duck into a shop, or whatever.

Bicycles are allowed on the sidewalk outside of the "central city," but should ride slowly and courteously. The city distributes a free bicycle map which shows the outlines of the "central city" and all of the bike lanes (although they keep adding more!), as well as a lot of minor streets. I find that cycling on quiet side streets feels very safe, and thanks to the street grid DC has plenty of those.