Friday, July 29, 2011
BikeArlington is hiring
They are looking for an Events and Outreach Coordinator. This would be a great job for someone who loves bicycling and wants to see more people using bikes to get around Northern Virginia. See the job announcement.
Labels: bikearlington
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Del. Ken Plum discusses bike sharing with Charlie Denney of Alta Planning
Bikesharing in DC is having a major impact on the number of people choosing to travel by bike. For many DC residents, using Capital Bikeshare is an affordable way to have access to a bicycle without worrying about maintenance or bike security. When I rode to the District last week the majority of people I saw riding were on CaBi bikes.Delegate Ken Plum of Reston recently interviewed Charlie Denney of Alta Planning & Design on Virginia Report. Alta Bicycle Share, an affiliate of Alta Planning, runs Capital Bikeshare in DC. The show will air tonight (Wed.) at 7:30pm in Reston on Comcast channel 28 and Thurs. at 10:30pm. Or you can watch it online:
Virginia Report - BikeShare Rolls into the Region - July 2011 from Comcast Channel 28 on Vimeo.
Labels: capital bikeshare, charlie denney, delegate ken plum
Fairfax Co bicycle program highlights
See the bike program highlights presented at the Fairfax County Board Meeting today. FCDOT staff will give an overview of the Board's Four-Year Trans. Program:Summary of Highlights from April through June 2011
Bicycle Program
- On-Road Bike Lane Initiative
- FCDOT and VDOT are developing new bike lane projects as part of the 2011 summer repaving program.
- Routes under consideration include: Soapstone Drive, Sleepy Hollow Road, Lewinsville Road, Sully Park Drive, and Route 123 (Dolly Madison Drive).
- Plans for Gallows Road Phase II Bike Lanes, funded by 2007 County Bonds, were finalized and construction is anticipated in late 2011.
- Increase and Enhance Bicycle Parking
- 150 new bicycle racks and 30 new bicycle lockers were purchased and are currently being installed countywide.
- In coordination with Comstock Partners, FCDOT is designing a "state of the industry" secure bicycle parking room at the proposed Reston-Wiehle Ave. Station including 200 spaces, bicycle retail use, and future bicycle sharing.
- Stringfellow Road Park-and-Ride Lot expansion is under design, including secure, covered bicycle parking for over 100 bikes and enhanced trail and sidewalk connections.
- Fairfax County bicycle parking guidelines, standards, and specifications will be released soon, providing guidance to developers and government agencies.
- Bicycle Master Plan
- Phase I focuses on the greater Tysons area including segments of McLean, Merrifield, and Vienna, and will go before the PC and BOS in late 2011.
- Phase II will encompass the rest of Fairfax County. Work began in April 2011, with a study duration of 18 months.
- Bobann Drive Bikeway
- One mile of paved, 10-foot wide shared use path from Wharton Lane to Stringfellow Road, providing access to the expanded Stringfellow Road Park-and-Ride Lot.
- Bike the Sites Map
- FCDOT is creating a family-friendly bicycle route map centered around historic sites in the western area of the County.
- Funded with a Federal Transportation Enhancement grant, the project is scheduled for completion in 2011.
- Bicycle Route Signage
- Routes include three locations in the Dranesville District, the Fairfax County Parkway, and the GMU-Fairfax City-Vienna Metrorail Station Bike Route
- Outreach, Education and Events
- FCDOT, with private sector and County agencies, continues to sponsor the region's "Bike to Work Day" with nine pit stop locations within the County.
Labels: fairfax bicycle program
Who speaks for cyclists?
Labels: FABB, league of american bicyclists, vienna bicycle advisory committee, virginia bicycling federation, waba
Monday, July 25, 2011
Meeting to review the Fairfax Co Green Building Policy
The Environment Committee of the Fairfax Co Plannning Commission will meet on the same night as the Gallows Rd/Rt 29 meeting to discuss the Green Building Policy that was adopted in 2007. The meeting is Wed. the 27th from 7-9 p.m. in the Board Auditorium, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035."At the time of the initial Green Building Policy adoption in December 2007, the Planning Commission was directed to review the policy after two years to assess the efficacy of the policy as well as to determine if any revisions were necessary, given that the green building field is rapidly evolving." Staff have reviewed the policy and developed a Draft Green Building Comprehensive Plan Policy Review Strawman. Part of the policy is to encourage more bicycling:
Policy e. Encourage energy conservation through the provision of measures which support nonmotorized transportation, such as the provision of showers and lockers for employees and the provision of bicycle parking facilities for employment, retail and multifamily residential uses.
While it's encouraging that bicycling is included in the policy, LEED specifications for bicycle facilities are inadequate in our opinion. We discussed this in an earlier post on bike parking at VDOT headquarters. The building is LEED-certified but has wave racks located 300 feet from the building entrance. Fortunately VDOT has agreed to provide inverted U racks adjacent to two building entrances for visitors and employees.We sent comments to the Planning Commission asking for more detailed bike recommendations in the green building policy. Fortunately a final draft bike of the county's parking guidelines have been released and we hope the become county policy this year.
Labels: bike parking, LEED
VDOT meeting on Gallows Rd/Route 29 construction
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| VDOT rendering of the project |
After three years of major utility relocation and right of way acquisition, the Virginia Department of Transportation begins construction on the $110 million project to improve the congested Route 29 and Gallows Road intersection in Merrifield.Improvements to the intersection will increase safety, reduce congestion and enhance bicycle and pedestrian access, and include:
- Widening Route 29 from two to three through lanes in each direction between Merrilee Drive and I-495 (about 0.6 miles)
- Widening Gallows Road from two to three through lanes in each direction between Gatehouse Road and Prosperity Avenue (about 0.8 miles)
- On Route 29, a six-foot sidewalk on the westbound side and 5-foot sidewalk on the eastbound side
- On Gallows Road, a 10-foot asphalt shared-use path on the west side, and six-foot sidewalk on the east side
- Dual left-turn lanes on Route 29 at Gallows Road
- Landscaped medians on both approaches
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| Co Trails Plan |
Gallows Road is a major north-south connector for all modes of transportation, and a 10 foot shared-use path isn't sufficient to serve the pedestrian and bike traffic expected in this area. The 5 and 6 foot sidewalks along Route 29 are even worse. Given the late stage of this project, it's not very likely these plans will change. We plan to attend the meeting on Wednesday.
Update July 26—We've learned that wide outside lanes are included on Gallows Road. Bike lanes were proposed but they are not included in the final configuration. Wide outside or "wide curb" lanes work well for many cyclists although most people who are reluctant to ride in traffic would much prefer striped bike lanes. Bike lanes are currently striped on Gallows from the W&OD Trail to the bridge over I-66 just north of Dunn Loring Metro. Later this year bike lanes will be striped from the W&OD Trail north to Tysons.
Labels: gallows road, merrifield, route 29
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Survey questionnaire on the W&OD Trail
Over the past week or so a team from Toole Design Group have been asking users of the W&OD Trail to fill out a survey. We've seen them at the Belmont Ridge and Hunter Mill Rd trail crossings. According to NVRPA, Toole is conducting a safety study of several intersections along the trail that includes field measurements, video monitoring, and survey questions. Other trail intersections include Columbia Pike, Lee Hwy, Wiehle Ave, and Sterling Blvd. We'll be interested in seeing the results of the study.If you see the survey crew, why not stop and fill out the survey form to let them know what you think about the intersection.
Labels: W and OD Trail
Changes in Fairfax bike program
Jeff has accepted a new position with the Fairfax DOT Site Analysis Section, which means he'll be reviewing new development applications to ensure they comply with county regulations. Jeff will be greatly missed. He was dedicated to the job and was an active cyclist who knew about cyclists' concerns firsthand. He also did an excellent job overseeing the bicycle master planning process.
The good news is that he will bring that understanding of bicycling issues to his new job, ensuring that bicycle facilities are included in new develop projects that he reviews, which include those in the Tysons area. Good luck to Jeff in his new job.
We've heard that his position will be announced soon.
Labels: bicycle program, jeff hermann
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
W&OD Trail event on Labor Day
The events include Hail the Trail, a Trail Cleanup and Beautification project, The Great Skedaddle, a Bike, Run, Walk Event, and Trailfest, a Community Festival.
The bike portion of the event has two options, 5 and 10 miles. We're a little concerned that participants are urged to "Use it as a training day for an upcoming race." When we talked to organizers a while back we warned them that the Trail is very crowded on weekends and training on the trail is not a good idea. Tour organizers are looking for volunteers so if you want to help, contact ebraner@gwsportsalliance.com. "Course will start and finish at Farmwell Station Middle School, host venue of Trailfest."
Labels: dominion power, trailmix
Bikes win carmagedddon challenge
It's amazing how much publicity was given to the closing of a highway for a few days in California last weekend. Dubbed "carmageddon," you would think a major catastrophe was going to occur when I-405 was closed for a couple of days for construction. As it turns out it was "much ado about nothing."You may have heard that JetBlue was offering a carmageddon special, a $4 flight from Pasadena to Long Beach to go "over the 405." Tom Vanderbilt, author of the book Traffic, thought it would be interesting to see how other modes would fare along the same route. The result was that several cyclists teamed up and raced between the two locations and their final travel time was much shorter than the flight:
When I learned the actual distance Jet Blue's planes will fly—30-odd miles—I wondered if there might be a faster (and even cheaper) way. Jet Blue had posted a flight time of 20 minutes. But what happens when you factor in the time to and from the airport on both ends, the walk to the check-in and then the unpredictable security lines, the equally capricious runway departure and arrival queues, and any other unforeseen delays? That cross-town trip was theoretically adding up to a substantial schlep.
Here were the rules:Cyclists will depart from a residence near the intersection of Cahuenga and Chandler Blvd. in North Hollywood at 10:55 AM PT (Saturday, July 16) Flight Departs 12:20pm and we're basing the cyclists' departure time on the airline's recommended passenger arrival time of 1.50 hours before departure. (we're doing a little less to be fair)Cyclists will be required to follow all traffic laws.The finish line is the light house at the Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach (adjacent to Acquarium of the Pacific)Ezra and I will take a cab from LGB to the finish line courtesy of GaryRidesBikes FIRST TO ARRIVE AT THE LIGHT HOUSE WINS!
Others got into the act including someone who walked and took public transit, and a rollerblader. Here are the final results:Bike: 1:34
Metro/Walk: 1:44
Rollerblades: 2:40
Plane/Lost Cabdriver: 2:54
Labels: carmageddon, tom vanderbilt
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tysons transportation funding presentation
On July 14 Fairfax Co staff gave a presentation on funding of Tysons transportation projects to the Tysons Committee of the Planning Commission. Bicycle projects are included under Neighborhood & Access Improvements, with $70 million estimate for the following:- Neighborhood Intersection Improvements
- Bike Access Master Plan and Point Improvements
- Tysons Metrorail Station Access Improvements
Below is a copy of the presentation:
Implementing Transportation Improvements in Tysons
View more presentations from Fairfax County
Labels: tysons bike plan
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Fairfax Co bicycle crashes - January-June 2011
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| Bike crash at North Shore Dr |
In only 13 of the 46 crashes in 2011 was the driver determined to be at fault (28%). Cyclists were said to be at fault in nearly 60% of the crashes. In only 4 of the 27 crashes in which the cyclist was at fault were charges filed.
From some reason the report released by police contained this section: "Fairfax County had an estimated 2,176 reportable crashes in the first quarter of 2011.Crashes involving bicycles in this same period represent less than 1% of this total." We're not sure why "represents less than 1% of this total" is highlighted. For one thing, many bike/car crashes go under reported because they involve less than $1,000 in damage or there were no serious injuries. I would guess that a much higher percentage of auto crashes are reported than bike crashes.
The page on which the crashes were reported also contains the poorly produced safety video we critiqued earlier.
See the TBD article Fairfax County reports more bike crashes in 2011 than this time last year
Labels: bike crash, fairfax county police
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Cross County Trail closed at Dulles Toll Road
Fairfax Co Park Authority released the following info recently about closure of the CCT:Temporary Construction Closure Set For Northern CCT
Construction is underway on the northern section of the Cross County Trail (CCT), located near the Dulles Toll Road and Browns Mill Road in the Difficult Run Stream Valley Park in Dranesville. As a result, the section of the CCT under the Dulles Toll Road will be closed to all traffic now through August 2011.
The contractor, Southern Asphalt of Lorton, VA has mobilized at the site and will continue work throughout the summer. Construction of approximately 400 feet of concrete trail under the Dulles Toll Road bridges and the repair of an adjacent natural surface trail are planned. This Fairfax County Park Authority capital project will provide significant improvements to this section of the popular 42- mile trail. Funding for this $106,000 project was provided through voter-approved, park bonds.
In addition, the Dulles Transit Partners are nearing completion of the Silver Line Bridge over the Difficult Run. Remaining work includes bridge deck work, which may make passage under the bridge hazardous. It is anticipated that work on the bridge will take an additional two to three months. Park patrons should expect periodic closings of the trail under the Dulles Toll Road now through the month of September as work is completed. For your safety, please observe all posted signage.
Construction access to the site is from the existing trail and parking area along Browns Mill Road. Trail users will see additional stone material and construction equipment on the trail. As a safety precaution, portions of the existing trail between the Dulles Toll Road and Browns Mill Road may be closed occasionally during the project.
For more information contact Project Manager Thomas McFarland at 703-324-8688.
See our earlier blog posts about construction at this location.Construction is underway on the northern section of the Cross County Trail (CCT), located near the Dulles Toll Road and Browns Mill Road in the Difficult Run Stream Valley Park in Dranesville. As a result, the section of the CCT under the Dulles Toll Road will be closed to all traffic now through August 2011.
The contractor, Southern Asphalt of Lorton, VA has mobilized at the site and will continue work throughout the summer. Construction of approximately 400 feet of concrete trail under the Dulles Toll Road bridges and the repair of an adjacent natural surface trail are planned. This Fairfax County Park Authority capital project will provide significant improvements to this section of the popular 42- mile trail. Funding for this $106,000 project was provided through voter-approved, park bonds.
In addition, the Dulles Transit Partners are nearing completion of the Silver Line Bridge over the Difficult Run. Remaining work includes bridge deck work, which may make passage under the bridge hazardous. It is anticipated that work on the bridge will take an additional two to three months. Park patrons should expect periodic closings of the trail under the Dulles Toll Road now through the month of September as work is completed. For your safety, please observe all posted signage.
Construction access to the site is from the existing trail and parking area along Browns Mill Road. Trail users will see additional stone material and construction equipment on the trail. As a safety precaution, portions of the existing trail between the Dulles Toll Road and Browns Mill Road may be closed occasionally during the project.
For more information contact Project Manager Thomas McFarland at 703-324-8688.
Labels: cross county trail
Bicycle master plan presentation online
As we noted in our earlier post, Bicycle master plan kickoff meeting, Fairfax County recently began development of the first-ever bicycle master plan. The presentation from the first Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting on June 28 is now online.Labels: bicycle master plan, Fairfax County
Monday, July 11, 2011
Highway lobby gets serious
In 2008 the Greater Washington 2050 Coalition, a group of public, private, and civic leaders created by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, produced Region Forward, a vision for a more accessible, sustainable, prosperous, and livable National Capital Region. This vision was produced after a long process of public involvement and comment. The vision included two major transportation goals:- We seek a broad range of public and private transportation choices for our Region which maximizes accessibility and affordability to everyone and minimizes reliance upon single occupancy use of the automobile.
- We seek a transportation system that maximizes community connectivity and walkability, and minimizes ecological harm to the Region and world beyond.
When MWCOG and its 21 local governments individually endorsed Region Forward and its Greater Washington 2050 Compact in 2010, the road lobby got serious. Some of the largest developers in the region, including Til Hazel, formed the 2030 Group to push for the outer beltway, a new bridge across the Potomac to Montgomery County, and other sprawl inducing transportation projects. The 2030 Group then funded a survey of '45 unnamed "transportation experts"' to define transportation priorities in the region. See the GGW post Surprise surprise: "experts" picked by road lobbyists put road building at top of priority list and Coalition for Smarter Growth's press release Contrived Survey is Latest Effort to Promote Costly and Ineffective Outer Beltways.
Dr. Gridlock recently asked representatives from the two sides of this debate, Stewart Schwartz of Coalition for Smarter Growth, and Richard Parsons, president of the Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance (sponsored in part by the 2030 Group), to make their case in Two roads to traffic relief for D.C. area. Stewart Schwartz said it well:
In this environment, building more roads and transit without addressing development patterns is a recipe for failure. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a study finding that expanding roads in metropolitan areas increases traffic after just a few years. An outer beltway would not relieve traffic, but like most new beltways, it would spark development in undeveloped rural areas.
We need to use our scarce resources, first, to fix potholed roads, crumbling bridges and our aging Metro system and, second, to create a more energy-efficient land-use and transportation system. If we don’t offer alternatives to so much driving, then high oil prices will keep eroding family finances and threaten our economic and national security. High gas prices and changing demographics — young workers and downsizing empty-nesters and retirees — are increasing demand for more walkable, convenient and transit-accessible locations.
Build a network of transit-oriented communities. A network of walkable, mixed-use, compact neighborhoods at Metro and commuter rail stations will be far more cost-effective than merely adding transportation capacity.
Reinvent commercial strip corridors. Redevelop thousands of acres of parking lots and one-story buildings as part of that network.
Address the east-west jobs divide. Locate employment at 15 Metro stations in Prince George’s County; Wheaton and Glenmont in eastern Montgomery County; and Route 1 in Prince William and Fairfax counties.
Locate homes in or near major job centers. For example in Tysons Corner, the Red Line/Interstate 270 corridor and Loudoun’s Route 28 corridor.
Locate jobs in centers with transit and mixed uses. Maximize peak-hour transit trips on rail, buses, vanpools and carpools, and take advantage of reverse commute opportunities.
Enhance neighborhood accessibility. Invest in walking and bicycling routes to schools, libraries, stores and parks, creating alternatives to driving on traffic-choked arterial roads.
Fix major commuter corridors. Simply widening corridors such as I-66, I-95, I-270 and Route 5 will fuel more-distant development and even longer commutes. Focus on express buses with dedicated lanes, combined with zoning to manage development in outer areas.
Finish Dulles Rail and the Purple Line. Tie them to well-designed development and add Purple Line crossings of the Potomac at both ends of the Beltway.
Commuter rail. Invest in VRE, MARC and Amtrak.
If we can accomplish these tasks, our future will include more transportation choices and more convenient access to work, school and services.
We need to use our scarce resources, first, to fix potholed roads, crumbling bridges and our aging Metro system and, second, to create a more energy-efficient land-use and transportation system. If we don’t offer alternatives to so much driving, then high oil prices will keep eroding family finances and threaten our economic and national security. High gas prices and changing demographics — young workers and downsizing empty-nesters and retirees — are increasing demand for more walkable, convenient and transit-accessible locations.
Build a network of transit-oriented communities. A network of walkable, mixed-use, compact neighborhoods at Metro and commuter rail stations will be far more cost-effective than merely adding transportation capacity.
Reinvent commercial strip corridors. Redevelop thousands of acres of parking lots and one-story buildings as part of that network.
Address the east-west jobs divide. Locate employment at 15 Metro stations in Prince George’s County; Wheaton and Glenmont in eastern Montgomery County; and Route 1 in Prince William and Fairfax counties.
Locate homes in or near major job centers. For example in Tysons Corner, the Red Line/Interstate 270 corridor and Loudoun’s Route 28 corridor.
Locate jobs in centers with transit and mixed uses. Maximize peak-hour transit trips on rail, buses, vanpools and carpools, and take advantage of reverse commute opportunities.
Enhance neighborhood accessibility. Invest in walking and bicycling routes to schools, libraries, stores and parks, creating alternatives to driving on traffic-choked arterial roads.
Fix major commuter corridors. Simply widening corridors such as I-66, I-95, I-270 and Route 5 will fuel more-distant development and even longer commutes. Focus on express buses with dedicated lanes, combined with zoning to manage development in outer areas.
Finish Dulles Rail and the Purple Line. Tie them to well-designed development and add Purple Line crossings of the Potomac at both ends of the Beltway.
Commuter rail. Invest in VRE, MARC and Amtrak.
If we can accomplish these tasks, our future will include more transportation choices and more convenient access to work, school and services.
Labels: 2030 group, coalition for smarter growth, greater greater washington
Bike and ped funding in jeopardy
Major cuts to transportation funding are being proposed in Congress. According to WABA, in the latest draft of the transportation bill "Representative John Mica, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, cuts funding by 30% for all our nation’s transportation needs, and it lands a knock-out punch on the Safe Routes to School program by eliminating it entirely. All bike and pedestrian projects are essentially shut down thanks to this draft’s focus on auto-centric road projects and a mere suggestion, not a minimum baseline, that transportation dollars be spent on bike and pedestrian projects as set in the previous transportation bill."In the Senate, Senator Inhofe wants to eliminate all funding for these programs. Just last week he said that eliminating these investments is one of his top three priorities for the entire transportation bill—even though bicycling and walking funding makes up just 1.5% of all transportation spending, and 12% of all transportation trips.
Please contact your representatives in Congress today to ask them not to cut funding for bike and ped projects. WABA has made it easy to send the following message to your representatives:
Please support dedicated funding for biking and walking in the next transportation authorization bill.
Bicycling and walking are not partisan issues. They are increasingly popular and cost-effective modes of transportation. Each year, more and more people walk or bike, over 4 billion bicycle trips to work, school, transit or shops. For many people in America, walking and bicycling is the only form of transportation available to them because they are too young, too old or too poor to drive their own car. For other Americans, the health and environmental reasons are compelling.
But, as bicyclists and pedestrians, we face significant safety risks every time we step out the door because so many communities lack basic infrastructure like bike lanes, trails, crosswalks and even sidewalks. In fact 2/3 of pedestrian deaths occur on the federal aid highway system.
Programs like Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails program have provided critical dollars that help America’s communities install this much-needed bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to ensure that biking and walking can be done safely. Furthermore, these projects create jobs and build local economies. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building a road project per million dollars.
But now, Senator Inhofe wants to eliminate all funding for these programs. Just last week he said that eliminating these investments is one of his top three priorities for the entire transportation bill—even though bicycling and walking funding makes up just 1.5% of all transportation spending, and 12% of all transportation trips.
I implore you to contact Senators Boxer and Inhofe to let them know that you support continuing dedicated funding for bicycling and walking. Please stand up for Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails.
I look forward to hearing back from you about your position and actions. Thank you for standing up for me on this important issue.
Bicycling and walking are not partisan issues. They are increasingly popular and cost-effective modes of transportation. Each year, more and more people walk or bike, over 4 billion bicycle trips to work, school, transit or shops. For many people in America, walking and bicycling is the only form of transportation available to them because they are too young, too old or too poor to drive their own car. For other Americans, the health and environmental reasons are compelling.
But, as bicyclists and pedestrians, we face significant safety risks every time we step out the door because so many communities lack basic infrastructure like bike lanes, trails, crosswalks and even sidewalks. In fact 2/3 of pedestrian deaths occur on the federal aid highway system.
Programs like Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails program have provided critical dollars that help America’s communities install this much-needed bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to ensure that biking and walking can be done safely. Furthermore, these projects create jobs and build local economies. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building a road project per million dollars.
But now, Senator Inhofe wants to eliminate all funding for these programs. Just last week he said that eliminating these investments is one of his top three priorities for the entire transportation bill—even though bicycling and walking funding makes up just 1.5% of all transportation spending, and 12% of all transportation trips.
I implore you to contact Senators Boxer and Inhofe to let them know that you support continuing dedicated funding for bicycling and walking. Please stand up for Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails.
I look forward to hearing back from you about your position and actions. Thank you for standing up for me on this important issue.
Labels: Representative Mica, Senator Inhofe, transportation bill
Black Women Bike
Black Women Bike has attracted women with varied interests and skill levels — from triathletes, to women who are returning after years away from cycling, to women who don’t even own bikes yet. About 20 of the women recently got together for a happy hour at the Liaison Lounge on Capitol Hill.
"We talked about equipment, we talked about fears of riding in the road. And we talked about hair," said Washington, 33, a federal government analyst. "There always seems to be an attack on black women — we're not attractive or we don't exercise. We are dispelling myths about black women. We are carving out our own niche. Who said riding a bike had to be a white thing?"
"We talked about equipment, we talked about fears of riding in the road. And we talked about hair," said Washington, 33, a federal government analyst. "There always seems to be an attack on black women — we're not attractive or we don't exercise. We are dispelling myths about black women. We are carving out our own niche. Who said riding a bike had to be a white thing?"
Labels: black women
Friday, July 8, 2011
Video: Bike Safety in Fairfax County
This week Fairfax County announced the release a bike safety video on their newswire feed (Video: Bike Safety in Fairfax County (July 5, 2011)). It's not a very instructive video; in fact some of it doesn't make any sense. We wish they had taken more time to edit the video and provide some detailed info on bike safety.The video consists of a discussion by Officer Rex Pagerie, Fairfax Co Police Department with some background video of girls checking over and riding their bikes. See our commentary below the video:
While officer Pagerie provides some good info, parts of it don't make any sense. As he discusses various tips, the video shows unrelated random shots of girls looking over her bike. A shot of brakes being applied shows tires that are badly cracked. He should have discussed the ABC quick check and how to do it.
This is what officer Pagerie says about bike fit: "To get the proper seat height the balls of your feet should be touching. Once you're there you should be in good shape."
He goes on to say "We'll make sure your reflectors are on your bike. State code requires that, that you're visible from 500 feet in front from dawn to dusk, and if you're riding on roadway that's 35 mph or over you have to have a red light on the back of your bike." He neglected to say that you're always required to have a front headlight if riding after dark.
"We know 80% of accidents are head injuries related to bike accidents." Not sure what this means.
"Riders are required to ride on the far side of the roadway." There's no mention of Virginia law that includes all the exceptions to riding "as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway."
Then there's this statement that makes no sense: "They can ride two riders abreast but if a vehicle comes up to overtake them they have to go single file. There's no restrictions on the speed. It would be impossible to keep up with a 35 mile per hour car or faster."
"Riders have to ride with traffic" showing two girls riding on the sidewalk.
"A lot of times you'll see younger riders or kids riding against traffic. Some parents may think that that's an appropriate way to ride so they can see the car coming; it's actually against the code. We prefer that you would ride with traffic and wear something reflective if you're going to ride at night or in the evening hours." Instead of saying that it's against the code he could have explained the many reasons it's dangerous to ride against traffic: Motorists aren't expecting oncoming traffic in their lane, they have less time to react, and the effects of an impact are much greater when both vehicles are riding in opposite directions vs. the same direction.
We think it's time to go back to the editing room and do the film right.
Labels: fairfax county police, safety
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Loudoun Co. supervisor candidate Suzanne Volpe talks bikes
Republican Suzanne Volpe is running for the Loudoun county supervisor office in the newly created Algonkian district. She appears to be running unopposed. The Algonkian district is located north of Route 7 extending from Fairfax county to just west of Route 28. She made some interesting comments about bicycling in her campaign video (bike comments start at around 4:05):"We're spending half a million dollars a year funding the Northern Virginia Bicycle Association to promote tourism. Now I have to ask some of you business owners out there; do you think someone riding a bicycle on the W&OD Trail is going to help your business? That our county is spending half a million dollars to encourage people to bicycle into the county."
Northern Virginia Bicycle Association? We're checking with the Volpe campaign to find out more about the association and the half million dollars being spend on bicycle tourism.
I think owners of restaurants and stores in Ashburn, Leesburg, Purcellville, and other places along the W&OD Trail might say that yes, cyclists do spend money in Loudoun County and we'd like to have more of them come here. Employers such as Orbital Sciences, AOL, and others would say that they encourage their employees to travel by bike for their health and to reduce congestion.
Labels: loudoun county, suzanne volpe
Bike to Work Day Prize Awarded to Local Commuter
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| Kerie Hitt of FABB (right) and Charlie Strunk, Fairfax County Bicycle Program Manager (left), give Scott Smith the key to a bicycle locker. Photo by Michael Olson. |
FABB member Kerie Hitt is part of the organizing committee for Reston's Bike to Work Day event and thought up the idea of raffling the use of a bike locker to promote bicycle transportation. Kerie said, "I realized that many people don't even know what a bike locker is, let alone that we have lockers practically right next to Reston Town Center, along the W&OD trail. Since Reston has the largest Bike to Work Day event in Fairfax County, I thought a drawing would be a good way to raise awareness about the lockers and the transportation options they offer."
Having a bike locker at the park and ride allows bike riders to string together car/bike trips or bus/bike trips. All county Connector buses are equipped with bike carriers. Combining bike travel with other modes can help bicyclists go farther distances and get to places they might not be able to access solely by bike. Every time a person travels by bike, traffic congestion is eased somewhat.
Kerie mentioned her idea to staff at the Fairfax County bicycle program, the office that administers the lockers. Almost immediately they decided to support the drawing and offered to waive the usual fees involved in securing a locker. The Reston Town Center Association agreed to cover the key deposit. On the morning of Bike to Work Day on May 20, several dozen people entered the drawing, and Scott's name was selected as the winner.
After the necessary paperwork was completed, Kerie and Fairfax County bicycle program manager Charlie Strunk presented Scott with the key to his locker a few weeks later. At that time in mid June, several other lockers still were available for rent at the Sunset Hills Park and Ride, at 2050 Sunset Hills Road.
Fairfax County also manages bike lockers at the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride on Sunrise Valley Drive and the Reston South Park and Ride on Reston Parkway. The usual yearly rental fee is $60 with a one-time administrative fee of $10 and a key deposit of $50. For more information about renting a bicycle locker, go online to the Fairfax County Bicycle Locker Rental Program at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/bikelockers.htm or call the bike program office at 703-324-BIKE (2453).
Labels: bike locker, charlie strunk
Friday, July 1, 2011
New VA law regarding bicyclists waiting at red lights
Today a new Virginia law went into effect stating that once a bicyclist has stopped at a red light and waited through two light cycles or two minutes, they can legally proceed through the intersection. According to Virginia Code 46.2-833:Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.
See Fort Hunt Patch article Bikes Can Run Red Lights Under New Virginia Law Labels: red light
DC United players commute by bike
While most of his teammates are fighting the morning rush, veteran midfielder Clyde Simms hops onto his gray Trek hybrid bike, makes two turns, crosses two streets, passes through one traffic signal, whizzes past the D.C. Armory and dips into Lot 5. "Door to door," he said, "I’ve done it in about two minutes."
and so does player Chris Pontius:Some United players live near Verizon Center. Midfielder Chris Pontius and defender Dejan Jakovic are roommates. Defender Devon McTavish is in the same building. Forward Charlie Davies is in an adjacent complex.
Last week, Pontius began biking to RFK, a three-mile ride. Who would win a bike race between him and Simms?
"I'll smoke him," Pontius said.
"He's got a one-speed bike," Simms replied.
Last week, Pontius began biking to RFK, a three-mile ride. Who would win a bike race between him and Simms?
"I'll smoke him," Pontius said.
"He's got a one-speed bike," Simms replied.
Labels: bike commuting, dc united
Virginia bicycle and pedestrian funds in jeopardy
According to the League of American Bicyclists blog, Virginia and other states have been asked to send transportation funds, including those dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects, back to the federal government. We urge Fairfax cyclists to use the LAB action alert to contact Governor McDonnell to urge him to work with VDOT to ensure balanced cuts:Yesterday, June 30, the Federal Highway Administration informed state Departments of Transportation of another rescission of funds, this time totaling $2.5 billion. The action is taken under the 2011 Full-year Continuing Appropriations Act. Attached is the FHWA notice, which includes the total amount of funds each state is to send back to Washington.
States are given maximum flexibility about the source of the funds that are rescinded – from among a variety of transportation programs. Most critically for bicycling, the transportation enhancements, congestion mitigation, and recreational trails programs are included in the list of programs. Fortunately, the Safe Routes to School program is not included, so those funds are safe.
We say that because Transportation Enhancement and Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds have consistently been inequitably targeted for rescissions in most states – and this will likely continue unless State DOT’s hear from their customers. In August, 2010 almost $1 billion of CMAQ, TE and Recreational Trails funds were returned to Washington, out of a $2.2 billion rescission. That means that State Departments of Transportation didn’t spend these funds in the first place – even though they could have been using the funds to build better bicycling infrastructure, provide bicyclist education, install bike parking – and now are choosing instead to send the money back to Washington.
Given the complexity of issue, the short turn-around time, and the fact that there’s a Federal holiday of some note on Monday, it’s a challenge to know how to effectively respond and try to influence the outcome of this rescissions process – however, we have set up an action alert here that you can use. Governors often seem to have little influence over their Departments of Transportation and State DOT directors certainly need to know your concerns but will rarely be the person making the actual decision. If you have a statewide advocacy group in your state, they will be a good place to go for any targeted action or inside information on who to contact and how.
States are given maximum flexibility about the source of the funds that are rescinded – from among a variety of transportation programs. Most critically for bicycling, the transportation enhancements, congestion mitigation, and recreational trails programs are included in the list of programs. Fortunately, the Safe Routes to School program is not included, so those funds are safe.
We say that because Transportation Enhancement and Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds have consistently been inequitably targeted for rescissions in most states – and this will likely continue unless State DOT’s hear from their customers. In August, 2010 almost $1 billion of CMAQ, TE and Recreational Trails funds were returned to Washington, out of a $2.2 billion rescission. That means that State Departments of Transportation didn’t spend these funds in the first place – even though they could have been using the funds to build better bicycling infrastructure, provide bicyclist education, install bike parking – and now are choosing instead to send the money back to Washington.
Given the complexity of issue, the short turn-around time, and the fact that there’s a Federal holiday of some note on Monday, it’s a challenge to know how to effectively respond and try to influence the outcome of this rescissions process – however, we have set up an action alert here that you can use. Governors often seem to have little influence over their Departments of Transportation and State DOT directors certainly need to know your concerns but will rarely be the person making the actual decision. If you have a statewide advocacy group in your state, they will be a good place to go for any targeted action or inside information on who to contact and how.
Labels: league of american bicyclists, recissions, transportation enhancements
