Registration Open for 2019 Disaster Relief Trials

Published on June 03, 2019

Arlington County's Department of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management is excited to host a second year of the Disaster Relief Trials (DRT), a one-of-a-kind bicycle competition, created to teach people how their bicycles can be a resource during an emergency.

Beginning and ending at Gateway Park in Rosslyn on September 14, 2019, the competition simulates a large-scale disaster, blocking roadways and challenging participants to use bikes to transport emergency supplies, critical messages and (simulated) medicine throughout the County while traversing obstacles, such as barriers and water crossings. Points are awarded to participants for the total weight of supplies transported back to the finish, as well as successfully completing emergency preparedness challenges throughout the course.  

New to this year's event is a Finish Festival at Gateway Park, held from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. Participants, observers, family members and community members can enjoy free swag, food trucks, lawn games and a "Kiddie DRT" course, while learning about emergency preparedness, bicycle maintenance and fitness activities.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6_F5f1LO2o

The Disaster Relief Trials is held in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Services and Bike Arlington, and coincides with the National Preparedness Month awareness campaign. For additional information on the challenge, finishers festival, event rules, points system and more, visit DRTArlington.com. 

Registration opens June 3, 2019, with multiple price tiers and various roles:

Registration Dates

• Early Bird Pricing: June 3—June 23
  
  
  
  • Responder/E-Sponder I/II — $25
  
  
  • Family/Team Responder-ESponder — $60
  
  
  
  


• Registration: June 24—August 11
  
  
  
  • Responder/E-Sponder I/II — $40
  
  
  • Family/Team Responder/E-Sponder — $90
  
  
  
  


• Late Registration: August 12—September 9
  
  
  
  • Responder/E-Sponder I/II — $55
  
  
  • Family/Team Responder/E-Sponder — $125
  
  
  
  

Registration Categories

• Responder I — Single Adult on standard bike, including bike racks, panniers, body packs, etc.


• E-Sponder I — Single Adult on e-bike, including racks, panniers, body packs, etc.


• Responder II —Single Adult on cargo bike (front bucket or longtail), or standard bike with trailer.


• E-Sponder II — Single Adult on electric cargo bike (front buck or longtail) or e-bike with trailer.


• Family Responders — Up to 2 adults and between 1-4 children under the age of 14, any combination of non-e-bikes.


• Family E-Sponders — Up to 2 adults and between 1-4 children under the age of 14, any combination of e-bikes.


• Team Responders — Teams of 2-3 adults, any combination of none e-bikes, both standard and cargo.


• Team E-Sponders — Teams of 2-3 adults, any combination of e-bikes, both standard and cargo.

About the Department of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management

Our mission is to coordinate emergency preparedness and response capabilities, resources and outreach for the Arlington community. Critical service areas of the Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (PSCEM) include emergency preparedness, including public involvement, integrated training and protocols, and day-to-day operation of the Emergency Communications Center.

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