Friday, March 1, 2013
W&OD Trail use at night - UPDATE
Signs have begun appearing along the W&OD Trail listing "Extended Hours of Use Requirements." The trail is now open from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. rather than from dawn to dusk.
This is good news for bike commuters and other night trail users. Most commuters currently ride on the trail after dark because there are often few safe alternative routes. I've been stopped twice by Vienna police when riding after dark. They told me to get off the trail.There will still be problems for some commuters. 9:00 p.m. is an arbitrary time for closing the trail. How is that time different than 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Last night I rode home from a meeting at WABA and returned after 9 p.m. According to the new regulations, I'm breaking the rules.
The regulations require that cyclists "wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear." How will this be enforced? Cyclists are currently not required to use reflective clothing when riding on the road. Cyclists are also required to have a flashing taillight, which under Viriginia code is only required when riding on a road with a speed of 35mph or greater. Both of these "regulations" are good suggestions, but it's unfortunate that a cyclist who can ride legally at night on the road would be breaking the trail rules under certain conditions.
Trail users on foot are also required to have reflective clothing front and rear and they "must carry a light or wear a flashing light." This requirement will be difficult to enforce but should be welcomed by most cyclists. It's disconcerting to come upon an unlit pedestrian at night wearing dark clothing.
FABB will be out on the trail over the next several weeks offering free lights to trail users.
It would have been nice had NVRPA asked trail users to weigh in on the regulations. It's a step in the right direction and thanks to NVRPA for making the change.
Here are the new requirements:
- Extended hours of use will be from sunset until 9:00pm and from 5:00am to sunrise. Use of the trail outside of these hours is not permitted.
- Bicyclists are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear. All bicycles shall be equipped with at least one white headlight that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear. Additionally, bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady blinking.
- Trail users on foot are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light.
W&OD Trail Announces Extended Hours
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is excited to announce that for the very first time, cyclists and pedestrians will now have access to the W&OD Trail beyond normal daylight hours. This extended hours program goes into affect as of today, March 1, 2013.
The new W&OD Trail hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County. Previously, the trail was considered off limits once the sun set.
“I am happy to see that NVRPA sees the W&OD as the premiere bike route in the region,” said Allen Muchnick, a board member at the Virginia Bicycling Federation.
“This pilot program will help many cyclists that want to use their bikes for transportation and not just recreation.”
NVRPA has accordingly created a few new rules to ensure that the extended hours are as safe as possible for its users. For cyclists, riders are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear. All bicycles must be equipped with at least one white headlight light that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear. Additionally bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady or blinking. Pedestrians, are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light.
In addition, NVRPA notes that exceptional care should be taken when crossing highways including obeying all laws and posted signage. Trail users are also required to follow all existing rules and regulations governing the use the trail.
“As we all look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and improve both our health and environment, cycling to work is one great option. We want to be part of the solution, and help make this kind of healthy choice an option,” said NVPRA Executive Director Paul Gilbert. “Making the W&OD available during commuting hours is a significant step in the movement to encourage more non-motorized transportation.”
NVRPA has posted nearly a dozen signs along the extended hours route to help make riders and pedestrians aware of the rules governing the new hours.
Labels: night riding, NVRPA, W and OD Trail
Comments:
One of the cycling commuters I read refers to these unlit trail users as "ninjas". Perhaps they could have made it much easier to understand if they'd said, "NO NINJAS ON THE TRAIL."
Their new rules merely acknowledge the reality -- W&OD is THE best corridor for many to commute by bike. We can hope that this is a movement towards accepting bike commuting in all weather/most time frames as a "NORMAL" thing. Perhaps a mental shift in Fairfax County?
Their new rules merely acknowledge the reality -- W&OD is THE best corridor for many to commute by bike. We can hope that this is a movement towards accepting bike commuting in all weather/most time frames as a "NORMAL" thing. Perhaps a mental shift in Fairfax County?
I have been commuting on the W&OD from Oak St. in Falls Church to DC (via Custis) for years. Had no idea I have been illegally biking after dark nearly every day.
I had no idea I was biking illegally every Winter since 1999 as I commute to DC vie W&OD and Custis trails.
I have been commuting on the W&OD after dark for 19 years. I have never been stopped. It's utterly ridiculous that cyclists would be forced off the trail and onto streets after dark. While I applaud the new rule requiring pedestrians to have reflective clothing and a light (since it is impossible to spot them otherwise until you are right on them) I doubt the rule will make a difference.
# posted by 
: March 4, 2013 at 12:41 PM
: March 4, 2013 at 12:41 PM
So pedestrians that wear a nonblinking light are not compliant?
# posted by : March 9, 2013 at 10:01 AM
: March 9, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Re: pedestrians and non-flashing lights: that's the way the user requirements are currently written. NVRPA stated at the Friends of the W&OD Trail meeting that the new requirements are experimental and will be tweaked over time. NVRPA isn't going to stop someone who is wearing a steady light that doesn't flash. The intent is for people to be visible when using the trail when it's dark.
I have lived in Reston since 1984 and frequently ride the W+OD and other Reston Paths at night. I do this because of a busy day schedule and evening family time. I do not tolerate heat well and suffer from Asthma, so riding very late at night during the HOT months is best for me.
It is becoming clearer and clearer that the Washington metro area is getting out of control with unfriendly rude in a hurry people, bad drivers, high taxes, fees, fines, and rules. NOW THIS!
So if you ride or walk the W+OD after dark now you are a criminal!
GREAT............Time to sell the house and get out of Fairfax county!
It is becoming clearer and clearer that the Washington metro area is getting out of control with unfriendly rude in a hurry people, bad drivers, high taxes, fees, fines, and rules. NOW THIS!
So if you ride or walk the W+OD after dark now you are a criminal!
GREAT............Time to sell the house and get out of Fairfax county!
# posted by : March 10, 2013 at 10:23 AM
: March 10, 2013 at 10:23 AM
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