I have lived in DC for 17 years. Metro is great, but what most tourists don't realize is that a "city block" here is longer than city blocks elsewhere and if you aren't used to walking, then you will be tired and sore. It takes longer to get around. Metro is easy to use, but can still leave you far from where you want to go - and the local bus system remains a mystery to everyone but the locals. Capitol Bikeshare is good for the Mall spots, but what the reporter should have shared is info about the Circulator buses which have now been around for about 4 years. They take you north to Dupont Circle and the zoo, west to Georgetown and east to the Convention center. They will particularly save you in the heat and will get you closer than metro. They also can be easier for people with mobility problems: http://www.dccirculator.com/ DC taxis also now have meters, so no more "mystery fares" and they are still cheaper than many cities. Downtown to my house ( a 20 minute trip) is usually around $12. For those who remember when DC was the U.S. murder capital, those days are gone and almost every neighborhood near a Metro stop is getting gentrified.