In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting Black-owned restaurants within the District and the ways you can get to them sustainably. Maybe you already have your favorites or are looking to try something new; either way, enjoying delightful cuisine at these restaurants is an opportunity to explore and indulge. It’s an excellent opportunity to celebrate Black History Month, and by traveling sustainably, it can have a lasting impact on our environment and communities. We hope you continue to explore Black-owned restaurants and businesses, not just in February but all year long....

Since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the District has experienced a decline in traffic due to many of us working from home. However, there's evidence that people may actually be driving more for non-commute trips. Many individuals have shifted to driving outside of work for recreation and to run errands, visit stores, workout at the gym, go out to eat, etc., leading to an increase in personal vehicle trips. And as people start returning to workplaces, our commute choice plays an integral role in helping to mitigate traffic congestion. goDCgo encourages you to do your part and travel sustainably by foot, bike, bus, scooter, Metro, or rideshare. Additionally, being able to telework has major implications for the environment, because in the U.S., transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gases. So, if you have the option to work remotely, you can help fight climate change and improve the air quality in DC and beyond....

This new year brings a welcomed spirit of new beginnings and the perfect opportunity to rethink your commute. Will you be returning to the office full-time or a few days a week? Have you considered resuming your pre-pandemic commute? Are you exploring other travel options for getting to work? You should ask yourself these questions, among others, when considering the commute that best meets your needs....

Although teachers, staff, and students no longer will be returning to school this month, it's important for school administrators to plan and prepare for safe commuting when students do return. We've compiled a list of ways your school administration can prepare to support the commutes of your teachers, staff, and students. Promote Commuting with Care No matter what form of transportation your teachers, staff, or students use, encourage them to commute with care. That includes wearing a face covering/mask, using hand sanitizer, and staying 6 feet away from other passengers when possible....

Is your workforce prepared for natural disasters like flooding, hurricanes, and earthquakes; extreme heat or cold; snow or ice storms; or pandemics like the coronavirus (COVID-19)? The public health emergency requires new levels of preparedness to stay safe, even while workers are spending more time at home. Knowing what to expect ahead of time—and what’s expected of you—goes a long way toward protecting your business and keeping employees safe. Due to COVID-19, many organizations had to quickly adapt and allow employees to start teleworking without a formal policy in place. In fact, a growing number of employers plan to continue allowing employees to telework for the foreseeable future. Working from home may be the "new normal" moving forward. To help you better adjust, goDCgo provides complimentary assistance in developing a formal telework policy for your company as well as guidance on developing an effective transportation program for employees. ...

If you work nontraditional or late-night hours, you may find that you are left with fewer commute options to get to and from work. Since the public health crisis, public transit and other commonly used travel options have become even more limited in order to encourage people to stay home, practice social distancing, and ultimately protect the safety and well-being of commuters....

In 2019, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) conducted a district-wide school transportation survey to evaluate the state of school commutes in Washington, DC. In the survey, they found that students and families are more likely to choose sustainable transportation options than teachers and staff. Results show that only 33% of elementary students are driven to school, while another 33% of parents walk their youngest child to school, and 59% of students have used Kids Ride Free cards. On the other hand, 78% of the District's school staff drive to work alone, while only 2.2% ride a bike to school. The survey also revealed that 43% of school staff commute from Maryland and Virginia....

Prepare yourselves! This summer, WMATA will initiate phase two of its Platform Improvement Project by reconstructing platforms at four Orange Line stations and connecting the Silver Line to new stations in Metro's network. To finish the project on time, all stations west of Ballston will be closed starting Saturday, May 23, 2020: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, East Falls Church, Wiehle-Reston East, Spring Hill, Greensboro, Tysons Corner, and McLean. Ballston-MU station will remain open and serve as the western destination on the Orange Line. Silver Line service will be temporarily suspended. You should allow extra travel time and start planning alternatives if your commute will be affected.* *Please be sure to check the transit providers' websites for any updates or changes to schedules given the public health crisis....

Initially, women were only celebrated on International Women's Day on March 8. In 1978, this day extended to become Women's History Week and the movement expanded nationwide as other communities initiated their own celebratory observations. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week. Subsequent presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed a law designating March as Women’s History Month....

What's your New Year's Resolution? Why not leave the car behind in the last decade and transition to more sustainable means of travel? That's certainly our goal in the coming years and you can bet that your residents are aiming for the same. We all have the power to make a difference!...