Unspoken Rules: The Cultural Trail

How to play nice on downtown’s recreation path.
  • Use the B-cycle Now app to find a bikeshare station with available rentals, especially in the central business district—the Washington/Meridian kiosk is the system’s busiest.
  • Bikeshare pricing isn’t complicated. It’s a flat $8 per 24 hours if you avoid the usage charges.
  • How to avoid the usage charges: Dock your bike at any station within 30 minutes, wait to hear three beeps to confirm the check-in, and take another. Repeat.
  • During peak hours, the bikeshare customer-service line is answered by locals who are known to give trailside restaurant and bar suggestions.
  • IPS students use the trail to learn about bike safety. #goodexample
  • Best people-watching: Virginia Avenue during First Fridays.
  • Best froyo stop: Pearings. Brake for orange dreamsicle sorbet.
  • No cruiser-shaming.
  • Signs say to walk your bike past the Conrad. No one does, but do be courteous—and avoid the valet area.
  • The scent vault that perfumes the air with English roses, near the Metro on Mass Ave, is the loveliest thing ever.
  • Check out the Peace Walk on Walnut Street. The installations are lit at night.
  • Don’t park your local news van on the trail.

This article appeared in our September 2015 Issue.