About DC QBR
DC Queer Bike Rides (QBR) is a sober social bike ride for queers (no allies, sorry!) in Washington, DC. We host two rides a month - one on the second Saturday and the other on the fourth Thursday.
These rides may be rescheduled due to weather (at the lead’s discretion) so check back here for ride rescheduling announcements! Rides are between 5-8 miles, on relatively flat routes and not on busy roads. Speed is set at a social pace where riders can still talk without feeling out of breath.
Biking is for everyone! We have zero tolerance for bigotry and diet culture and the default is to be accommodating/accessible
No TERFs, no Cops, no ICE!
2026 Ride Schedule
- January
- Saturday January 17th @ 12PM - Smithsonian Metro (on the mall) to Hains Point
- Thursday January 22nd @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- February
- Saturday February 14th @12PM - Alethia Tanner Park to as you are
- Thursday February 26th @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- March
- Saturday March 14th @12PM - Rock Creek Park (Shoreham exercise course to picnic site 8)
- Tuesday March 31st - 🌸 Cherry Blossom Ride!🌸 - Smithsonian Metro (on the mall) to Hains Point
- April
- Saturday April 11th @ 12PM - Rock Creek Park Beach Drive Ride! Meet at Shoreham Drive Exercise Course
- Thursday April 23rd @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- May
- Saturday May 9th @ 12PM - Nats Stadium to Bladensburg Waterfront Park
- CANCELLED -Thursday May 28th @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- June
- Saturday June 13th @ 12PM - 🌈 Pride Month Ride 🌈 - Alethia Tanner Park to as you are
- Thursday June 25th @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- July
- Sunday July 12th @ 12PM - Rock Creek Park (Shoreham exercise course to picnic site 8)
- Thursday July 23rd @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- August
- Saturday August 8th @ 12PM - Mt Vernon Trail (Gravelly Point to Jones Pt Park)
- Thursday August 20th @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- September
- Saturday September 12th @ 12PM - Nats Stadium to Bladensburg Waterfront Park
- Thursday September 24th @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- October
- Saturday October 10th @ 12PM - Smithsonian Metro (on the mall) to Hains Point
- Thursday October 22nd @ 6:30PM - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- November
- Saturday November 14th @ 12PM - Rock Creek Park (Shoreham exercise course to picnic site 8)
- Date TBA - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
- December
- Saturday December 12th @ 12PM - 🎉 End of the Year Celebration Ride 🎉 - Alethia Tanner Park to as you are
- Date TBA - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market
General Ride Info
Group Biking Etiquette
If you’re riding side by side with another group member and another biker, car, walker, runner, trail user is passing from behind or coming down the trail from the opposite direction, please get over to the right in single file fashion!
When riding in a group, it’s important for the lead and the sweep (person in the rear) to call out turns, hazards, stops, and other things people in the group may need to know. The call then is echoed up or down the line so those on the opposite end know what’s happening!
- If the group is turning, stick out the arm of the side you're turning to and call "right" or "left" depending on which way you're turning. (i.e. right turn!)
- If a bike, walker, runner, or car is passing from behind or in front, call out what they are and where they're coming from so you don’t hit them and they don’t hit you! (i.e. walker back!, bike up!)
- When the group is stopping, call out "stopping!" to prevent crashing into one another! You can also bend your elbow with your fist up while calling out for added clarity.
- When the group starts moving to ride again, call out "rolling!" When the group slows down, call out "slowing!"
- If you come upon a pothole, broken glass, or any kind of hazard, call out "hazard left/right!" and point to it as you pass. Feel free to name the hazard.
Print out a handy pocket guide in our zines section.
Need a Bike?
Ride usually begin and end near a Capital Bikeshare Station. Most stationas usually have regular bikes and e-bikes. Find pricing and how to use the bikes on the Capital Bikeshare webpage.
Pack a Lunch or Snack!
Rides will always end with a picnic. Be sure to bring a snack or lunch or in the case of the Thursday night rides, feel free to bring money to buy food if you don't want to pack something. Please remember this is a sober space!
No One Left Behind
We host no-drop rides, which means nobody will be left behind! Rides are usually 5-8 miles at a pace of 5-8mph. If you are experiencing mechnical difficulties, the ride's sweep (person bringing up the rear) may try to help fix your bike or if they can't, direct you to the nearest bike shop or transit station.
Our Routes
We rotate between six different metro and Capital Bikeshare accessible, low traffic routes around the DMV area.
For our route planning, we mostly use Strava, which has a desktop and mobile app.
- Alethia Tanner Park to as you are - route
- Mt Vernon Trail - Gravelly Point to Jones Point Park - route coming soon!
- Anacostia River Trail - Nats Stadium to Bladensburg Waterfront Park - route
- Smithsonian Metro (on the mall) to Hains Point - route coming soon!
- Rock Creek Park - Shoreham Exercise Course to Picnic Site 8 - route
- Metropolitan Branch Trail - Fort Totten Metro to Union Market - route coming soon!
QBR Values
Accessibility
These rides are intentionally slow so they're accessible to riders of all experience levels. Please respect the pace set by the ride leader.
Physical Ability
If you don’t/can’t/won’t ride a bike due to your disability, join on your wheeled vehicle of choice.
Fat positivity
This is a fat-positive group. Riders of all body shapes and sizes are welcome and encouraged to join. No body shaming or fatphobia will be tolerated.
Antiracism
We do not tolerate racism in any form, from microaggressions targeted towards other riders to overt harassment or discrimination.
Trans rights
Riders of all gender identities are welcome on queer rides. Don’t misgender other riders. TERFs and transphobes are not welcome.
All Cops Are Bastards
If you’re a cop or you think ‘not all cops’, kindly stay the fuck home. Queer liberation cannot coexist with state violence.
No bars, just handlebars
Most bike and queer events in DC feature alcohol. Our rides do not. Please respect our space and our riders, some of whom are sober.
If someone violates our values
Please alert the ride leader of any conduct issues you witness. Violence, harassment, and discrimination will not be tolerated and the offending rider will be asked to leave.
Our Zines!
DC Queer Bikes Rides and How to Make One in Your Town!
Want to start your own Queer Bike Ride in your town or learn more about DC QBR? Check out our the QBR zine!
Group Biking Norms
Want a pocket guide to group biking norms? Check out the Group Biking Norms zine.! The zine is made by printing and folding one page