FABB Blog

While American cities are synchronizing green lights to improve traffic flow and offering apps to help drivers find parking, many European cities are doing the opposite: creating environments openly hostile to cars. The methods vary, but the mission is clear — to make car use expensive and just plain miserable enough to tilt drivers toward more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

It opens access to the Eisenhower Valley for bikers and walkers who live south of the Beltway. The path is the first such direct connection between Huntington and Eisenhower avenues in the Telegraph Road area since the Beltway was built. The path crosses Cameron Run on the east side of the newly completed Telegraph Road bridge, then connects to the flyover ramp crossing the Beltway.

I pledge my support for the three pillars of safe cycling in New York:

• Responsible riding is safer for everyone.
• Bike lanes keep everyone out of each other's way and out of harm's way.
• A robust public bike share program empowers New Yorkers with more transit choices.

I support these principles because more New Yorkers riding bicycles on NYC streets benefits New York as a whole. Bike-friendly enhancements to our streets improve New Yorkers' health, increase pedestrian safety and bolster a more vibrant business community.

As a bicyclist, I vow to ride safely and create a positive street environment. As a pedestrian, transit rider or driver, I support the right to safe travel for New Yorkers who choose bicycling and recognize that we're all better off when everyone has safe space to travel. In the interest of a greener, greater New York, I call on my elected and appointed officials to do the same.

Signed,

This paper examines steps that the commonwealth and selected Virginia localities have taken to plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. To the extent feasible, it also analyzes the costs and benefits involved. Thus it can serve as a guide for Virginia localities that may be considering similar programs. Ideally, it will also foster increased communication among local and state officials about the benefits of bicycling and walking, as well as best practices.

This paper was written by John Bolecek, a recent graduate of the University of Virginia's Department of Urban and Environmental Planning. He works for the U.S. Department of Transportation as a transportation safety analyst and is a certified instructor for the National Safe Routes to Schools course. John wrote this report to fulfill the terms of the Wallerstein Scholarship, which he was awarded in 2008. The annual scholarship is awarded jointly by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia and the Virginia Municipal League.

Karin Vartowski never owned a car. She rode her bike everywhere. Literally, everywhere.

She rode in rain, sleet, snow and Washington's oppressive summer heat. Most days, she meandered along the Capital Crescent Trail or Brookville Road, running her errands along the way. Often she would hold up traffic when she would impulsively stop to pick fresh flowers from a patch on the side of the road.

"You feel so much more alive when you are outside in all kinds of weather. Your body stays in tune with what’s out there," she once said. "Bicycling is always an ad­ven­ture and a mystery."

I want to pack the courtroom with cyclists. As the victim of a crime, I am able to present a "Victim Impact Statement" to the judge. You better believe that I intend to bring up the fact that I am a cyclist first and foremost, and that this whole saga began when a driver decided to literally push around a cyclist with his motor vehicle. It was just a matter of luck that this cyclist also happens to be a police officer as well. It is Not Okay for drivers to bully cyclists on our streets. His actions were not only irresponsible, but CRIMINAL. He didn't "accidentally" hit me--he made a conscious decision to hit a human being with a 2-ton vehicle. That is assault. These sorts of things have to STOP.

The highlight of the evening will be a showcase of WABA's first-ever BikeBuild Contest. Three regional bike shops are going head to head to create custom bicycles with only 3 rules - builders can't spend over $250, may use recycled parts, and MUST be as creative as possible! This year's participants include Oasis Bike Works, City Bikes and Papillon Cycles. Guests will crown BikeFest's Best Builder of 2011 with a combination of their votes and a live auction, which means three lucky attendees will take home their very own handcrafted bikes.

The purpose of the study is to identify transportation needs within the I-66 corridor and to evaluate the impact of proposed improvements to meet those needs. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The study is scheduled for completion in late 2012.

Dear Mr Walter,

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling have the following comments on the STUDY FOR INTERSTATE 66 OUTSIDE BELTWAY. We feel strongly that the scope of this study should adequately consider the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians who want to travel along and across this 25-mile corridor. I-66 outside the Beltway should have a parallel bikeway, similar to the Custis Trail along I-66 in Arlington. Fairfax County has indicated the need for this trail by including it on the county comprehensive plan in the form of the Countywide Trails Plan, approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2002. The Plan indicates a Major Regional Trail along I-66 outside the Beltway in Fairfax County (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/comprehensiveplan/maps/trailsplanmap.pdf).

In addition, low-traffic bicycle and pedestrian crossings of I-66 should be provided at frequent (1-mile or less) intervals.

Sincerely,

Bruce Wright
Chairman, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB)

As a non-profit, WABA relies largely on community support for its funding. The fundraising event for 2011 follows a new model. With plenty of opportunities bike-related fun, games, and music, we are holding our BikeFest Celebration and Fundraiser on June 11, 2011 in Crystal City. As usual, car-free transportation to and from the event is encouraged, including transit, group rides, and combinations of bike-on-metro and trail riding. For more information,to purchase your tickets, or simply to contribute to WABA visit the BikeFest page.

A new pedestrian bridge will officially open at Lake Fairfax Park on Saturday, June 4, 2011 marking the completion of a much-anticipated trail improvement, and more importantly the conclusion of a successful partnership between neighbors, trail friends, public sector peers and private sector supporters. The public is invited to join in brief ribbon ceremonies at 9:30 a.m., followed by a tour of nearby stream bank restoration projects and sustainable trail development. The event takes place on National Trails Day.

The project included the restoration of 232 feet of stream bank on parkland and the installation of a 40 by 6 foot wide pedestrian bridge over Colvin Run in Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA. Northern Virginia Stream Restoration (NVSR) L.C. was contracted to provide improvements to several streams on Reston Association common properties. A portion of those properties included Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) owned land. NVSR offered to complete this work and to also install a missing pedestrian bridge, including all design, permitting, construction and maintenance, in exchange for the right to sell the mitigation credits resulting from these improvements. FCPA evaluated this offer, negotiated an agreement and the work was completed, resulting in a project worth more than $350,000 at no cost to the taxpayers of Fairfax County.

A second project in the park utilized bond dollars and supplemental volunteer labor to create sustainable trails, to place pedestrian bridges and to reclaim and improve erosion-prone trails. The $114,000 project selected trail sections based on the Lake Fairfax Trails plan which was created by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) in collaboration with Park Authority staff. Phase I is a section of single-track trail was installed to improve the park’s internal circulation system and to provide trail options for hikers and mountain bikers. Trail improvements were made at several locations and a severely degraded section of trail was rerouted and the original trail restored to its natural condition. Volunteers from the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) contributed many hours of volunteer labor. Phase II of this plan will be started this spring.

These projects represent partnerships between the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Reston Association Board, Reston Parks and Recreation, MORE and IMBA. The ceremony will be held adjacent to the new bridge. Participants should meet at the north end of the upper campground, following the park road up to the soccer fields. Then follow the signs just a short distance through the woods to the new bridge. Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive. For more information contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.