Location: Wilson Blvd, outside Ballston Metro
Time: Night (7:30pm-12am)

I decided to bike from Clarendon to Ballston Metro to get some exercise before a league in Falls Church, and figured it was an easy ride since there are well marked bike lanes and I own about every neon article of clothing or bike light accessory known to man. I have no problem sharing the road with cars, but unfortunately the fact that I am a female on a bike is a huge problem for groups of men that can’t respect my choice to do that.

I was yelled at both arriving at Ballston Metro elevator around 7:30 p.m., with work commuters still leaving the station, and then again on my way home from Ballston Metro around 9:30 p.m. Again, not a late night, and not a threatening area, but I am not going to stand by and let people yell at me how “riding my bike” means I must “ride other things well, girl.” It’s amazing how disrespectful and dehumanizing people can be in such a public place.

Submitted 9/30/14 by Anonymous.

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