Earth Day Bike Tour Highlights How Washington, D.C.’s Biking Infrastructure Supports Safe, Resilient Communities

Event draws attention to the need for federal investment in active transportation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington, D.C.'s bike infrastructure ranks among the top 10 in the U.S., shaped over the past decade by landscape architects, public and private planners, and engineers. On Earth Day (April 22) at 2:00 p.m. ET, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and Toole Design will lead a free, two-hour bike tour to examine key phases of D.C's evolving bike network and how bikeway design can advance climate action, improve safety, and support physical and mental health and well-being.

"Bike ridership in the U.S. is more popular than ever, with a record 112 million people riding a bike at least once in 2024," said ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen. "That's 112 million reasons to invest in bike infrastructure. Yet Congress is poised to gut funding for bikeways, trails, and other forms of active transportation. At a time of growing demand, we should be expanding these investments-not cutting them. That's why ASLA is calling on Congress to protect funding for bike infrastructure."

The tour will take place as the U.S House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure prepares to unveil a marker bill on April 29 that is expected to cut federal funding for biking infrastructure and instead focus primarily on highway funding.

Landscape architects have consistently identified federal active transportation funding as critical to planning and designing their projects. Top programs identified include the Recreational Trails Program, Safe Routes to School, BUILD/RAISE/TIGER, Transportation Alternatives, Safe Streets and Roads for All, Scenic Byways, and the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program. To date, over 1,000 organizations have signaled their support for federal active transportation funding.

Part of DC Climate Week, the tour will provide a first-hand look at how bikeway design affects user experience and the complexities of building bikeways on urban streets. Participants will learn how D.C.'s bike infrastructure has been designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve safety, and equitably increase access to sustainable transportation and recreation in the District.

The ride will be led by Jennifer Toole, FASLA, AICP, President of Toole Design.

Event details:

Event: Bike Tour: DC's Evolving Bike Infrastructure

Date/Time: April 22, 2026 (Earth Day), 2:00 p.m. ET

Duration: Two hours

Cost: Free

Partners: ASLA + Toole Design

Context: Part of DC Climate Week

Registration: Learn more and register

Contact: [email protected]