Ever since I moved to DC three years ago, I’ve wanted a bike. I thought it would be a fun way to commute to work. Plus, driving around here is intolerable and public transportation can be unreliable.

So I finally did it. I got an 80s blue Fuji road bike with a headlight and quick release wheels from a local bike co-op. It’s awesome.

The only problem? DC is full of daredevil bus drivers and sleep-deprived, caffeine-fueled commuters in a hurry to get to work on the Hill and K Street. And there’s a definite shortage of bike lanes. So I’ve had my bike since February and I have yet to ride it to work.

Bikely’s about to change that. I read about the wiki-map for bicyclists on Jaunted last week. Bicyclists around the world log in and share their favorite routes, which are shown on Google maps. You can even add comments along the route, like “lots of traffic on this street” or “watch out for potholes here.”

And it’s getting better by the minute - more than 10 new routes have been posted in the past hour. Best of all, it’s all searchable. In less than 10 minutes, I found a route that will get me from home to work. This week, I think I’ll take the plunge and bike to work. Wish me luck!

Interested in bike co-ops? Find a community bike program in your area.