G
George Farnswor
Guest
The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum
has built a new museum at Dulles Airport for the display and
preservation of its collection of historic aviation and
space artifacts.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/
On a recent gray morning I drove over to see the new museum
and to satisfy my enduring curiosity about bicycle access at
airports (http://www.BikeAccess.net). The museum is
interesting -- mostly military aircraft.
On the question of bike access I was met with the usual mix
of misinformation and hostility. The first guard I
encountered said "yes, I could ride to the museum" but that
there was no parking for bikes. I pointed out a row of inverted-
U bike racks in the distance. I then asked if a person on a
bike would have to pay the $12 parking fee. "Of course, why
not?" he said with some heat.
Inside at the "Information" desk I asked again. The first
matron said that bikes were allowed and did not have pay.
Her neighbor interrupted to say "No, bikes are not
permitted 'yet'." Again I mentioned the bike racks and
asked when bikes might be permitted. She responded with
more heat, no light.
The upshot is that the airplane museum admission is "free"
but that even the Wright brothers would have to come by car
and pay $12.
has built a new museum at Dulles Airport for the display and
preservation of its collection of historic aviation and
space artifacts.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/
On a recent gray morning I drove over to see the new museum
and to satisfy my enduring curiosity about bicycle access at
airports (http://www.BikeAccess.net). The museum is
interesting -- mostly military aircraft.
On the question of bike access I was met with the usual mix
of misinformation and hostility. The first guard I
encountered said "yes, I could ride to the museum" but that
there was no parking for bikes. I pointed out a row of inverted-
U bike racks in the distance. I then asked if a person on a
bike would have to pay the $12 parking fee. "Of course, why
not?" he said with some heat.
Inside at the "Information" desk I asked again. The first
matron said that bikes were allowed and did not have pay.
Her neighbor interrupted to say "No, bikes are not
permitted 'yet'." Again I mentioned the bike racks and
asked when bikes might be permitted. She responded with
more heat, no light.
The upshot is that the airplane museum admission is "free"
but that even the Wright brothers would have to come by car
and pay $12.