(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has launched a pilot program with three area Kimpton Hotels to encourage more bicycle travel by visitors while in the District of Columbia. The program, launched this month, will place a strong emphasis on the importance of safe cycling including helmet use and education about local bicycling laws and infrastructure.
Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Washington DC, Hotel Helix and Hotel Rouge, each located in close proximity to Capital Bikeshare stations, will provide hotel guests with complimentary 24-hour memberships. DDOT has provided each of the hotels with safe cycling guides, bike helmets and additional information on the Capital Bikeshare program for hotel guests’ use during their stay.
“Hotels are the most logical group for us to work with on our efforts to encourage greater and safer bicycle travel by our city’s visitors,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “By providing hotel guests with safety information and helmets to use with their Capital Bikeshare memberships, we are able to ensure that they feel both safe and comfortable while traveling by bicycle in the District”.
Kimpton Hotels is excited to pilot the Capital Bikeshare Hotel Program in partnership with DDOT. “We’re continually looking for fun, caring and personalized ways to help our guests maintain their lifestyle while on the road,” says Hotel Helix General Manager James Adamson. “Not only is biking a great way to stay fit while traveling, it’s also a fun option for discovering all the city has to offer.”
Hotel Helix, as well as Kimpton’s Hotel Rouge and Hotel Monaco Washington DC, will also provide guests with complimentary bike maps to help them maximize their exploration of the city. Eventually, Kimpton hopes to expand the program to include all seven of its hotels within the District.
To date, casual Capital Bikeshare users have taken more than 147,000 rides and the number is steadily increasing. With such a high demand for bicycles by visitors, the pilot will help distribute important information about bike laws including the restricted use of bicycles on sidewalks downtown and safety tips such as always using a helmet.
DDOT believes that coupling membership sales with safety information and helmets will help to further the Department’s commitment to both safety and sustainable travel and hopes to expand the program to more District hotels this fall. DDOT’s sustainable travel initiative, goDCgo, will also soon be working with District hotels to provide information on all sustainable travel options to guests. For more information, contact goDCgo at 202-299-2186.
ABOUT CAPITAL BIKESHARE
Capital Bikeshare is the product of a unique public/private partnership between DDOT, Arlington County and Alta Bike Share. The two jurisdictions worked closely with Alta Bicycle Share to develop the program in the fall of 2010, offering regional service with 1,100 bikes and 115 stations. Based on the initial success of the program, both jurisdictions plan to add additional stations and bicycles to the system by the end of the year.
ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, Bill Kimpton founded the company in 1981 and today it is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, destination Kimpton restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton operates 52 hotels and 53 restaurants in 23 cities. For more information visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.
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