Back when: Cyclists on the Mt Vernon Parkway

The photo below is from a 1973 issue of National Geographic, which means it predates the Mt. Vernon Trail. The article is entitled "Bicycles are Back - and Booming!"

"Cyclists claim two out of four lanes in the eight miles between Alexandria, Virginia, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” Reads the caption.

I think this is the Mt. Vernon Parkway, but someone else thinks it's Route 1. 

The article also mentions Marie Birnbaum, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s bicycling-program officer at the time. I recogonized the name, because someone of the same name was on the board at WalkDC not too long ago, and I would guess still lives in the DC area. Same person? She also contributed, along with WABA staffer Cary Shaw, to this classic 1974 EPA document on Bicycle Transportation. 

You might be able to read the whole NG article here.

Comments

[Rootchopper]

Looks like the Parkway. Probably taken from the stone bridge.

[T]

Agree with RC. I think it's the GWMP too based on the curbs, color of concrete, etc. And also think it's from the Alexandria Ave/stone bridge spot because I can't think of where else they would have an angle like that unless they climbed a tree. What's throwing me off is the shrubbery so close to the street.

I highly doubt that's Rt 1, although I don't know of a lot of historical context to look back at. Rt 1 still doesn't have curbs in some spots and they wouldn't have it somewhere like that even today.

[Kolo Jezdec]

Is anyone wearing a helmet in that scene? Horrors!

[washcycle]

I don't think the foam-injected plastic helmet was invented until the late 80s.

[Jay]

I was in high school in 1973 and bought a 10-speed. When panic buying during the oil embargo crisis hit, I remember zooming past the long line of cars.

Maybe it was spring 1974, but I can still see those long lines..

This photo is not Route 1, and sure looks like GW Parkway. I do wonder if this scene is related to the oil crisis.