D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare Turns 10

D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare is celebrating its 10th birthday today, September 20.

1 minute read

September 20, 2020, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Capital Bikeshare

Sam Kittner / Capital Bikeshare

Caitlin Rogger writes for Greater Greater Washington to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Capital Bikeshare, the public bikeshare system for the metro D.C. area. 

"Since it began in 2010, riders have taken more than 27 million trips, totaling 150 million miles, according to DC Mayor Bowser’ s office. Membership has also grown from 1,204 at the beginning to 26,585 current active members," writes Roggers to summarize the accomplishments of the system over the course of the decade. 

Capital Bikeshare is commemorating the big birthday by offering free rides today. 

For more on the history of Capital Bikeshare, see the system's About page (spoiler alert: Capital Bikeshare's history actually starts in 2008, with the launch of SmartBike DC) and Planetizen's archive of articles tagged under Capital Bikeshare.

Friday, September 18, 2020 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

1 hour ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

3 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

5 hours ago - The Washington Post