It’s that time of year again. The cherry blossoms are bursting into bloom, and we’ve given one of our classic bikes a flowery makeover to match. Spot it and snap a pic for your chance to win a free annual membership to CaBi.
Step 1: Find our #BikeInBloom
Spot our customized bike at a docking station or on the streets. It’ll be wrapped in a one-of-a-kind cherry blossom design, and will be out and about from Mar. 21–Apr. 30. (And yes, you can ride it!)
Step 2: Take a pic
Tell the bike to say “cheese,” and then post a pic of it to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #BikeInBloom. Make sure your profile is public (so we can see your post) and that you follow us on your preferred channel.
Step 3: Cross your fingers
Every Thursday from Mar. 31-May 5, we’ll announce a randomly selected winner for a free annual CaBi membership. It comes with benefits galore. Extended ride times. No-fee unlocks. Guest passes for friends and family. Heightened sensitivity to good vibes. Don’t miss out on your chance to win!
Curious about taking a classic or ebike ride to see the cherry blossoms, but not quite sure how to get there? We put together four safe, easy bike routes—with some highlights along the way—that are great for first-time riders.
We’re also hosting bike corrals at the Jefferson Dr & 14th St SW station during the peak bloom season. The corrals are available on Saturdays and Sundays through April 4 from 11 AM–6 PM.
Head towards the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge from Arlington and see the cherry blossoms by way of the Water Street NW protected bike lane under the Whitehurst Freeway. You’ll pass the scenic Georgetown Waterfront Park on the way. From there you will hop onto the Rock Creek trail heading southbound past the Kennedy Center. Back on the trail, you’ll pass the Lincoln Memorial and eventually Hains Point, where the best of the Cherry Blossoms are found.
There is car traffic on Hains Point to be aware of, so be careful to ride in the center of the lane for full visibility. The route ends at the corral near the Washington Monument and Smithsonian Metro station. This seven-mile ride has no hills and should take about an hour biking at a leisurely pace, though be sure to add time to take pictures.
Start your ride near DC’s historic Meridian Hill Park. Ride down the 15th St NW protected bike lane, known as DC’s bike highway. This takes you by the White House, across to the National Mall to the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. Best of all, the whole ride is downhill. From here, take a ride around Hains Point. End at the bike corral at Jefferson and 14th St SW, near the Washington Monument and Smithsonian Metro station. This downhill ride is about seven miles and should take about an hour.
Grab a bike at the Anacostia Rec Center and bike south on the beautiful Anacostia Park Trail. Follow the signs to the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, and take the bike and pedestrian trail on the south side of the bridge across the river. Once across the river, turn left onto the P St SW protected bike lane, and use it to bike to the Southwest Waterfront Park. You’ll pass the hidden gem of the Titanic Memorial on the way.
Head north past the Wharf on the dedicated bike trail, crossing Maine Ave at 9th St to get on to the Francis Case Memorial Bridge, which will take you over the Washington Channel directly onto Hains Point and end your ride at the bike corral. This eight-mile route should take a little more than an hour biking at a leisurely pace.
Grab a bike by the NoMa Metro station and bike down the First Street protected bike lane to Union Station. Carefully cross Columbus Circle at the crosswalk and bike through the often overlooked Lower and Upper Senate Parks to the US Capitol grounds. Capitol Hill is, well, a hill, so you may want to walk your bike across Constitution Ave and up to the US Capitol building.
The good news is, it's all downhill from there! Bike down to the National Mall. Head towards the Washington Monument and jump on the new 15th St protected bike lane, which will take you all the way to the Jefferson Memorial. From there, take a ride around Hains Point where the best of the Cherry Blossoms are to be found.
The route ends at the CaBi corral at Jefferson and 14th St SW, near the Washington Monument and Smithsonian Metro station. This eight-mile route should take a little more than an hour biking at a leisurely pace.