Skip to Content
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Streetsblog San Francisco home
Log In
StreetFilms

Obama Becomes First Prez to Walk Down a Bike Lane on Inauguration Day

false

The networks were busy tripping over themselves trying to point out all the "firsts" during yesterday's inauguration ceremonies. But when Barack and Michelle Obama stepped out of the presidential motorcade to greet well wishers on Pennsylvania Avenue, they missed a huge one: Obama is now the first U.S. president to walk down a bike lane during his inauguration.

The center-median, two-way bicycle lane down Pennsylvania was implemented by DDOT back in summer 2010, so this is the first inauguration to feature the new look. Check out this clip from ABC News that shows the president stepping out of his limo and almost right on top of a bike stencil...

We've done some Streetfilms featuring some great bicycling from the capital.  Check out this Streetfilm on DC's Capital BikeShare and this one from the 2011 National Bike Summit, which features many scenes of the Pennsylvania Ave bike lane in action.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog San Francisco

Study: Advocates Suggest a More Equitable Way Forward for Clipper II

If done poorly, without including discount fare programs or providing banking support services, the move to open payments risks leaving low-income riders further behind, finds a new report from the advocates at Transform

October 29, 2025

Eyes on the Street: North Berkeley BART Bike Improvements

Advocates celebrate another ribbon cutting on some great bike infrastructure to improve connections at North Berkeley BART. It needs more concrete though.

October 28, 2025
See all posts