FABB Blog

 

FABB supports a sustainable Tysons

The Tysons Task Force will present their final recommendations to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Monday, September 22.

During the public meetings held to discuss the future of Tysons, many cyclists said they wanted a more bike-friendly Tysons. The Task Force agrees. According to the draft final recommendations [55MB pdf file]: "A fundamental transformation of Tysons transportation is required with a network of walkable streets, bike lanes, and a robust transit system."

Throughout the report there is an emphasis on the need for transportation choices in Tysons: "The creation of a multi-modal transportation system within Tysons will provide diverse and accessible transportation choices. The choices will encourage people to walk, bike or take transit to destinations within Tysons."

FABB supports the work of the Task Force. We have also endorsed the Petition for a Sustainable Tysons sponsored by the Coalition for Smarter Growth. Their goals include the need for extensive bicycle improvements in Tysons:

• All streets should have either designated bike lanes or have low speed limits and wide curb lanes to accommodate cyclists. While bike lanes are preferable they must be designed properly to avoid biker conflicts with traffic such as turning vehicles and the opening doors from parked cars.
• Safe, well-marked bike routes link McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Pimmit Hills, and Merrifield to Tysons, including on Route 123, Spring Hill Road, Old Courthouse Road, Gallows Road, from the W&OD trail via Clarks Crossing and the Town of Vienna, and other radial roadways such as Braddock Road and Little River Turnpike.
• Secure covered facilities are provided wherever bikes are parked.
• Showers and changing facilities are provided in commercial developments.
• Incentives are in place to encourage people to walk and to bike to work.
• Bike-Share is provided throughout Tysons and bike stations are located at transit hubs
• Minimize left-turn and right-turn lanes to minimize road widths and crossing distances and use right in/right out turns
• Turn Routes 7 and 123 into boulevards by using features like:
• no dual left-turns on Route 7, and
• limit Routes 7 and 123 to 6 lanes, and other streets to 4 lanes.

Labels: Tysons

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:58 AM permalink