Blog - Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB)

Friday, July 10, 2015

July-August FABB Newsletter

July-August 2015 FABB News

A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling

Bike Facilities as part of I-66 Outside the Beltway

FABB continues to advocate for safe, connected bicycle facilities as part of the I-66 Outside the Beltway Project. We are working with Fairfax County and VDOT to try to determine the best option for providing the parallel trail and reducing the right of way impacts on residents. At their June 2 meeting the Board of Supervisors approved a letter to Sec. of Transportation Layne reiterating their support for bike facilities as part of the project, including the parallel trail:

This project presents a unique opportunity to provide county residents with a major regional trail paralleling 1-66, which would be a tremendous community amenity, serving both commuting and recreational bicyclists, as well as pedestrians...The regional trail should be part of this Project fulfilling a key element of the multimodal character of the facility. The construction costs of the regional trail, including on-street sections (signage, striping, etc.) should also be included in the total Project costs. Due to the significant concerns that have been raised regarding the parallel trail, the Board requests that VDOT continue to work closely with the County to determine a reasonable alignment.

New Bike-related laws effective July 1

Among new Virginia laws that went into effect on July 1 are two that are bicycle-related. 46.2-816 was modified to ensure that motorists don't follow a bicyclist too closely by removing a single word, "motor" before the second occurrence of the word vehicle:

46.2-816. Following too closely. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles and the traffic on, and conditions of, the highway at the time.

The second law, 46.2-804, now allows a motorist to safely pass a bicyclist by crossing the solid yellow line. The change is official recognition of common behavior by motorists:

46.2-804. Special regulations applicable on highways laned for traffic. Wherever a highway is marked with double traffic lines consisting of two immediately adjacent solid yellow lines, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of such lines, except (i) when turning left or (ii) in order to pass a pedestrian or a device moved by human power, including a bicycle, skateboard, or foot-scooter, provided such movement can be made safely;

Join FABB for the Clips Beer & Film Tour in Reston on September 10

Reston Town Center is the site of the first Clips Beer & Film Tour stop in Northern Virginia. Sample some of New Belgium Brewery's more exotic beers while enjoying short films displayed on a large portable screen at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. All proceeds raised at the event go toward helping FABB make Fairfax County a better place to bike.

FABB is working with New Belgium Brewery to manage this fun event. This will be a great time and we ask you to please consider helping us by volunteering. All volunteers will receive a special T-shirt (your friends will be envious!), pizza before the event, and a special beer to celebrate afterwards. This is a great summer evening event and we need your help! Visit FABB's SignUpGenius page for info about volunteer positions and to sign up.

Bike parking will be available. Everyone is encouraged to ride, walk, or take transit to the event. Everyone must have a valid government-issued ID to purchase beer tokens. Water stations will be available so bring your water bottle. See the FABB Clips Tour Page for more info.

Board of Supervisors to review Draft Bicycle Parking Guidelines

Fairfax County bicycle program staff recently presented the draft Bicycle Parking Guidelines to the Board of Supervisors. According to the slide presentation from the Board's May 19 Transportation Committee meeting, the Board will review and comment on the guidelines and then the county "will begin the public process to have elements of the guide adopted into PFM [Public Facilities Manual] as standard."

The guidelines are split into urban and non-urban. It's difficult in a large county like Fairfax to apply a single standard. The urban guidelines are very similar to Alexandria bicycle parking standards.

The acceptable bicycle rack is an inverted U rack installed correctly. It allows two points of contact on the bicycle and the use of a U-lock. FABB has been advocating for these guidelines for many years. Development of the guidelines has been a long process but we're finally getting close to having real bicycle parking standards in Fairfax. [Photo from Dero.]

New VDOT Hot Line report form

VDOT recently updated their Hot Line report form. It allows easier identification of a road or trail problem in an updated interface. Once a problem is reported, VDOT sends an email with a link for checking the status. We've been very satisfied with this reporting mechanism. VDOT has limited maintenance funds but they are very responsive to reports of problems. If you know of a road or trail problem such as a pothole, trail damage, or signal problem, we encourage you to use the Hot Line form.

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July-August FABB Newsletter

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