FABB Blog

May-June 2017 FABB News

A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

www.fabb-bikes.org

VDOT to Provide Update on I-66 Bike Plans at FABB’s May Meeting  

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff and contractor team members who are working on the I-66 bike trail outside the Beltway will be attending FABB’s May 17 meeting to discuss current plans and concepts for the trail. The preliminary concept plans and more recent concept plans for the area around Gallows Road and Dunn Loring Metro Station are available on the VDOT website.

The FABB meeting will be held at 7:30pm on May 17 at the Mosaic Community Space in the Mosaic District. The meeting room is located around the corner from Brine Restaurant and District Dumplings on Merrifield Cinema Drive.

FABB is getting a heads up on current planning for the parallel trail and bridge crossings. VDOT also will be holding Public Information Meetings on the overall I-66 Outside the Beltway project on June 12 at Oakton H.S. in Vienna, June 14 at Ormond Stone M.S. in Centreville, and June 15 at Piney Branch E.S. in Bristow. Design Public Hearings are tentatively scheduled for this fall on dates to be determined later.

Support FABB at Choolaah Indian BBQ Fundraiser Before May Meeting 

Help raise funds for better bicycling by dining out at FABB's Choolaah Indian BBQ fundraiser at Mosaic May 17, the same night as FABB’s meeting. Just tell the cashier that you support FABB and Choolaah will donate a portion of the cost of your meal to FABB.  The fundraiser will run from 5-9 pm. Choolaah is located at 2911 District Avenue next to the Angelika Film Center. 

Meeting on Planned Bicycle/Pedestrian Facility in Tysons

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be hosting a public information meeting on a proposed bicycle/pedestrian facility in the vicinity of Route 123 and I-495 in Tysons on May 17, 2017, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The meeting will be at the Westgate Elementary School, 7500 Magarity Road, in Falls Church. 

There are two designs under discussion that were developed with public input from community meetings in 2015 and 2016. The first option is a shared-use trail along Route 123 from the Old Meadow Road intersection (east of I-495) to Westpark Drive near the ramp to the Express Lanes along I-495. The second option is a shared-use trail along Old Meadow Road from Route 123 to a bridge crossing over I-495 to Tysons One Place. In both options the shared-use trail will be constructed as a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail with bridge segments. 

The meeting is at the same time as FABB's monthly meeting for May but FABB will have a representative there. We encourage other interested cyclists from the Tysons and McLean areas to attend. 

Updated Design for W&OD Trail Bridge Over Lee Hwy

VDOT hosted a second public meeting May 2 on the planned W&OD Trail pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Rt. 29. This was a follow-up meeting to present a bridge option that was developed based on public input received during the planning workshop held on April 5. The bridge project is part of the Transform 66 Inside the Beltway Eastbound Widening Project. 

VDOT is still seeking comments on the project at Transform66@VDOT.Virginia.gov until May 18. Check out FABB’s blog post for more information.

Join FABB and the National Bike Challenge

The National Bike Challenge is underway and FABB wants you to join the challenge to get out and enjoy more bicycling. The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event that runs from May 1 through September 20. It's a free and fun way to encourage yourself, your colleagues and your community to ride more while competing for various prizes and awards.

People in Fairfax County, Falls Church and Alexandria will automatically be added to FABB’s local advocacy challenge when signing up. Visit the National Bike Challenge website for details and sign up today. 

Two Weeks Until Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day is almost here. Join the fun on Friday, May 19 as we celebrate bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. There are several pit stops around the region where participants can enjoy free food, commuter support, and of course, get their free 2017 Bike to Work Day t-shirt. Click here for more information and to register today. 

FABB continues to support Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association on this great annual bike event. FABB members will be out at Fairfax County pit stops to celebrate with and encourage Bike to Work Day participants. We still need volunteers to cover all 13 pit stops. If you can help, sign up here: FABB @ Bike To Work Day.

You can also help by spreading the word about Bike to Work Day to friends, neighbors, and even your employer! FCDOT has a tool kit for businesses to help them get involved in promoting bicycling as a viable commuting option. More information about the business tool kit is available at the FCDOT website.

May is Bike Month! Several Social Rides and Bike Events Planned

FABB’s Fairfax-Vienna Social Ride (May 13). Please join FABB on Saturday, May 13 for a social ride from George Mason University through Old Town Fairfax, down the Cross-County Trail to downtown Vienna. The round trip of 16 miles will include 4-5 brief stops to check out recent and planned bicycling improvements. Find more details and sign up for the ride here.

Life is a Cycle Ride (May 5). The Town of Herndon is partnering with My City Bikes to hold a Life is a Cycle ride on May 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Bready Park. The Herndon ride will be one of 18 “Life is a Cycle” rides around the country during National Bike month. My City Bikes is a global public health alliance that creates beginner biking apps and other resources to help beginners start biking. The fee to participate is $1.50.  Event proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association. You can register here.

Bike to Worship Days (May 5-7).  FCDOT is encouraging people of faith to celebrate Bike Month by using their bikes to attend religious services over the weeknd of May 5-7. Although no specific events have been scheduled, FCDOT is working with Fairfax County interfaith liaison to promote the event to faith leaders and clergy.

Bike to School Day (May 10). Last year more than 60 Fairfax County elementary and middle schools participated in the event. Fairfax County Public Schools will again encourage kids to bike to school on May 10. The Fairfax County Police Department will also support the day by escorting bike trains and individual riders around the county helping everyone have a safe trip. Check out Walk & Bike to School website for more information.

Bike to Market Days (May 24-28). Fairfax County is encouraging people to bike to market May 24-28, another opportunity to celebrate Bike Month. Look for FABB and FCDOT tables with bike information at any of the 11 county farmer’s markets on these days. A list of markets can be found here.

Summer Bike Safety Classes in Reston

There will be a series of workshops and classes taught this July at the Reston Community Center by FABB member and certified cycling instructor Kelley Westenhoff. The Confident Cycling Class will offer three 3-hour sessions to help riders improve their skills for controlling the bike, avoiding crashes, and getting out of dangerous situations. There also will be a Learn to Bike class for children (6-14 years old) and one for adults (15 years and older). Registration opened for Reston residents on May 1 and will open for non-residents on May 8. For more information, check out the FABB blog on the classes for dates and details.

Spanish-Language Bike Classes

FABB Board Member Katie Kelly recently taught bike education classes in Spanish at the Centreville Day Laborer Center. Katie stepped up at the request of FCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Planner Nichole Wynands to offer general bike safety and traffic safety tips to Spanish-speaking workers who use their bikes for transportation.  The class on April 18 went very well with 12 participants. FABB is looking into other opportunities to support this community with bike education and maintenance classes. If you would like to help and have Spanish language skills, please contact steve@fabb-bikes.org.

Mark Your Calendar! FABB Springfield-Braddock District Meeting June 21

FABB’s June meeting will focus on the Springfield-Braddock Districts.  Join us to talk about local issues and learn about bike plans in those districts.  The meeting will start at 7:30 pm at Braddock Hall in the Braddock District Government Center, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke.

Successful FABB Rides to SpringFest

FABB led two social rides to the Sully Historic Site for SpringFest Fairfax on Saturday, April 29. One ride departed Reston and the other left from Centerville. Along the way ride leaders pointed out points of interest, including the county's two secure bike rooms and other new bike facilities.  FABB is planning more social rides throughout the year. Keep an eye on the blog or events page for more details.  

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