Last night, I was catching the Metro back home. I recently downloaded the Metro tool of the "Next Arrival Time" for trains...but my cell phone battery was low and I had powered down my phone earlier in the day. So I couldn't check to see when the next train was. I was about halfway up the escalator when I heard a train approaching...I didn't know what direction it was coming from/going to, but it kind of sounded like my side of the tracks, so I picked up my bike (which takes a bit of muscle and balance) and walked quickly up the escalator. When I got to the top, sure enough, it WAS my side, and I had enough time to take my place at the doors to hop on. :) I was real happy to not have a delay in waiting for a train, for a change. :) On another note, I recently have been looking into buying a house, possibly in Maryland. One requirement that I would need is for the house to be within striking distance of the Metro or a bus line. My brother suggested that if I were to get a cheap little car, that I could buy something in a nice area, with just a little commute to a nearby Metro station. I told him that parking for Metro is expensive, in addition to the long ride on the subway. Not to even mention the traffic getting TO the station. The DC area just became #1 for traffic in the U.S., surpassing L.A. No thanks, I'll take bike commuting anyday. :) However, in looking to live in a new residence, a SAFE COMMUTE is an issue. The homes that fit my budget are kind of in "sketchy areas". :/ This makes me nervous because what good is being a homeowner, if you don't MAKE it home from your bike commute? In a way, it's good to not own a car in areas like this because I read there are car thefts. But then, in not having a car, I have to be concerned with the neighborhoods that I pass through on the commute, since I come and go in the dark and/or possibly late hours (on the weekends). So, it's a little bit of a puzzle to have to figure out...and, if it's meant to be, then it will happen.
5 comments:
Much of College Park, Beltsville, Grenbelt, and if you are into a 6-7 mile bicycle commute to the station, much of Laurel are in easy distance of Green Line stations. I lived in Landover Hills until three years ago commuting daily to College Park--The only area drivers tend to get aggressive to me was using MD 450 to cross the bridge over the BW Parkway and that was only on the way home--using the lights to control the traffic I didn't have any to deal with from 65th Ave to 58th Ave were I hopped off 450. Once I was a regular through those neighborhoods (Bladensburg, Riverdale, CP) I think the locals were looking out for me.
Grendel - thanks for your comment. I'm trying to locate a residence that isn't TOO far out so that I can ride the entire distance, if possible. My longest commute has been 16 miles each way. It'd be nice if I can keep the commute simple, preferably shorter than longer, and most importantly, SAFE. :) Thanks for your input though! :) Charmaine
I'm not familiar with areas you're looking at, but where I live, I sometimes don't like to ride in the dark either (and sometimes I forget my lights, which means absolutely no riding at night). I still manage without a car though, because I've got a folding bike - no problem to take on the bus or train. Not having a car hasn't really been an issue for me because I still have a lot of flexibility in how I get around.
I'm not super familiar with your area, but where I live, I sometimes don't like to ride at night either (and sometimes I forget my lights, which means no riding, even if I want to). I haven't really noticed not having a car though, since I've got a folding bike. I can take it on the bus or train whenever, so even if I can't ride for some reason, it's still really easy to get around, even with the bike.
Chris - - yes, I have a folding bike also (a Brompton) and it has come in handy to pop it into a cab, bus or train when needed. :) Glad you enjoy your folding bike too! :) I don't have a problem with riding at night...I always carry my lights in my bag, and make sure the battery is charged. If you had a Brompton with a hub dynamo lighting system, you don't have to worry about carrying lights, which is nice... My Brompton doesn't have this feature, but I can see where it'd be real handy. It also is wired to have a rear red light, which is helpful. :)
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