Monday, October 22, 2018
Changes to the Public Facilities Manual
A reference to the Bicycle Parking Guidelines was recently added to the PFM. While we are encouraged by this inclusion, we think the guidelines should be incorporated into the PFM. The PFM is being revised in two phases. The Planning Commission public hearing on Phase 1 changes was held last week. The Board of Supervisors public hearing will be held on December 4. We sent the following comments to the Planning Commission:
FABB has reviewed proposed changes to the Public Facilities Manual affecting bicyclists and pedestrians. We are encouraged to see new text in Chapter 7 (7-0602.5) that refers to bike parking: “Bicycle Parking. Bicycle parking must be consistent with the Fairfax County Bicycle Parking Guidelines.” However we don’t think the wording of those guidelines is strong enough. We suggest that the wording of the bike parking guidelines be strengthened and incorporated into the PFM during Phase 2.
Also included in Chapter 7 are typical road sections, none of which includes bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, cycle tracks, etc. We assume these will also be addressed in Phase 2.
Chapter 8 contains sidewalk and trial requirements. Proposed changes are relatively minor. However, the Bicycle Master Plan should be referenced and added whenever the Countywide Trails Plan is referenced since both contain trail requirements. We assume that other changes may be proposed under Phase 2 so we would like to be part of that process as a stakeholder.
The Zoning Ordinance is also being updated. The ordinance clearly defines minimum vehicle parking requirements for residential and commercial uses. The bicycle parking recommendations need to be included as well.Also included in Chapter 7 are typical road sections, none of which includes bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, cycle tracks, etc. We assume these will also be addressed in Phase 2.
Chapter 8 contains sidewalk and trial requirements. Proposed changes are relatively minor. However, the Bicycle Master Plan should be referenced and added whenever the Countywide Trails Plan is referenced since both contain trail requirements. We assume that other changes may be proposed under Phase 2 so we would like to be part of that process as a stakeholder.
Labels: bicycle parking guidelines, pfm, public facilities manual, zoning ordinance
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Fairfax County Transportation Status Report
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) released its bi-annual Fairfax County Transportation Status Report (FCTSR) this month and it’s a great compendium of county transportation projects, programs and initiatives. Some of the bicycle and pedestrian highlights for the period between March and August 2018 included:
- The ongoing projects for the I-495 Tysons Pedestrian Bridge, Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail, Transform I-66 Outside the Beltway Regional Trail, and VDOT Summer Paving and Restriping Program. The repaving program added over 30 miles of on-road bike facilities this year, bringing the total to more than 90 miles of on-road bike facilities since the program began.
- Three Safe Routes To School-funded sidewalk projects under construction or in design.
- The April 2018 Street Smart Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Media Campaigns.
- An April 2018 pedestrian safety enforcement campaign with the Fairfax County Police Department in high pedestrian crash areas countywide.
- Bicycle parking added at several bus stops on Little River Turnpike in Annandale and the upgrade of existing bike racks to meet County design guidelines at the Patrick Henry Library and the Sherwood Library.
- The completion of the design of “Bike-and-Ride” facilities at Phase II Silver Line Stations and at the Springfield Community Business Center Commuter Parking Garage.
- The installation of bicycle wayfinding signage for the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station, and along the Fairfax County Parkway Trail.
- Finalizing of the locations of Phase II of Reston Bikeshare, which will add 11 more stations to Reston with a majority of those stations located south of the Dulles Toll Road. In addition, preliminary discussions with businesses in Merrifield are underway to place bikeshare stations around the Mosaic District and at the Dunn Loring Metrorail Station with the support of private funds. Mosaic District will launch with seven stations in this fall.
- Fairfax County expanded 2018 Bike to Work Day pit stops at which it participates from two to seven, serving residents in McLean, Chantilly, Lorton, Annandale, and Huntington.
Learn more about these and other important multimodal transportation projects at the FCDOT website here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/news/t31_18.
Labels: FCDOT, fcdot bicycle program
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Reston Tour on Saturday
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| Bike lanes on North Shore Dr |
You can register for the ride on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
First Fairfax County & Franconia-Springfield Parkways Meeting Tonight
The first of three public meetings on the Fairfax County & Franconia-Springfield Parkways Alternatives Analysis and Long Term Planning Study will be held tonight. Fairfax Co DOT wants input on future corridor enhancements for the Parkways, based on residents’ personal experiences and desires for multimodal access, connectivity and overall operations. You can also send feedback to the project team via a form on the county website.
Here is the list of times and places for the three meetings:
- Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at Navy Elementary School, 3500 West Ox Road, Fairfax
- Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at Sangster Elementary School, 7420 Reservation Drive, Springfield
- Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, at Armstrong Elementary School, at 11900 Lake Newport Road, Reston
Labels: fairfax county parkway, fairfax county parkway trail, franconia-springfield parkway
Proposed Changes to Public Facilities Manual
FABB has briefly reviewed changes affecting bicyclists and pedestrians. We are encouraged to see new text in Chapter 7 (7-0602.5) that refers to bike parking: “Bicycle Parking. Bicycle parking must be consistent with the Fairfax County Bicycle Parking Guidelines.” However we don’t think the wording of those guidelines is strong enough. We suggest that the wording of the bike parking guidelines be strengthened and incorporated into the PFM during Phase 2.
Also included in Chapter 7 are typical road sections, none of which includes bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, cycle tracks, etc. We assume these will also be addressed in Phase 2.
Chapter 8 contains sidewalk and trial requirements. Proposed changes are relatively minor. However, the Bicycle Master Plan should be referenced and added whenever the Countywide Trails Plan is referenced since both contain trail requirements. Other changes may be proposed under Phase 2.
FABB plans to track proposed changes under Phase 2 and participate where possible in stakeholder meetings. If you would like to be involved, contact us. You can also submit comments to the Planning Commission or attend the Planning Commission public hearing on October 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfax Co Government Center.
FABB plans to track proposed changes under Phase 2 and participate where possible in stakeholder meetings. If you would like to be involved, contact us. You can also submit comments to the Planning Commission or attend the Planning Commission public hearing on October 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfax Co Government Center.
Labels: bike parking guidelines, pfm, planning commission, public facilities manual
Monday, October 8, 2018
Please Support Fairfax Co Parkway Trail Improvements
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| Parkway Trail south of Rt 29 |
While we believe VDOT is committed to improving the trial, it will help if a few people write in support of those trail improvements. Comments are being accepted until October 15. Please consider writing to VDOT to support the proposed trail improvements. If the above link does not work, the email address is http://meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov. Use the Subject "Fairfax County Parkway Widening".
Labels: fairfax county parkway trail
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Don't Wait! Register Now for Tour de Mount Vernon
FABB is proud to be a co-sponsor of this year’s Tour de Mount Vernon. Beginning and ending at Fort Hunt Park, we will take a scenic tour of the Mount Vernon District. Riders will have the option of riding the full 32-mile route or a shorter 17-mile loop.
Ride highlights include Mount Vernon Estate, River Farm, Gum Springs, the Grist Mill, the Pope-Leighy House, and more with full SAG support by Spokes, Etc. The ride will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude with food, beverages, music and prizes!
The fee is $25.00 per rider and includes Tour de Mt. Vernon Socks and a $5 donation to FABB. No walk-up registrations are permitted, so sign up here before registration closes on Wednesday, October 24, at midnight.
Volunteers are still needed the day before and day of the ride! Log on to sign up here.
See you there!
Labels: tour de mount vernon
Make Your Time Count
To participate volunteers need to log in and sign up for the specific location, date and time through the Fairfax County Volunteer portal here.
The name of the project is “Counts for state funding – Bicycle and Pedestrian.” Opportunities are currently available to participate on October 10, 11, 23, 24 and 25 in the morning and afternoon (times are location dependent and are listed in the volunteer calendar).
Counts are set to occur at the following locations:
- Little River Turnpike at I-495 ramps
- Little River Turnpike at Conwell Drive
- Columbia Pike at Lincolnia Drive
- South Lakes Drive at Tanbark Drive (East)
- Franklin Farms Road at Thorngate Drive
- Franklin Farms Road at Old Dairy Road
- Bluemont Way at Democracy Drive
- Fry Rd, 300 feet North of Richmond Highway
If you live near these locations, won’t you please help FCDOT and your community by volunteering to do a bike count?
And, if you can’t do a bike count, get some friends and family together and go for a ride past one or more of the eight locations.
Thanks!
Labels: bike count, FCDOT
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Bikeshare, E-Bikes, and E-Scooters, Oh My!
The City of Fairfax is conducting a demonstration to educate the public on different kinds of shared vehicles at the city’s Fall Festival on Saturday, October 13. The demo includes a survey of people's views about a potential bikeshare program. If you have been curious about shared bikes and scooters as a transportation option, this is a great opportunity to see and learn about them. The city will have a couple of e-scooters and Capital Bikeshare bikes (including one of the new e-bikes) on hand.
The city also is seeking volunteers to help staff its transportation booth throughout the day to assist visitors try the bikes and collect people’s opinions about bikes, scooters, and potential bikeshare station locations.
If you are interested in volunteering for a couple of hours, please contact Chloe Ritter of the Fairfax City Transportation Division at Chloe.Ritter@fairfaxva.gov.
Labels: bikeshare, city of fairfax, e-bikes, e-scooters, fall festival
Friday, October 5, 2018
Rescheduled Fall Tour of Reston on Sat. Oct. 13
Ride starts at 12pm. The route is approximately 15 miles and the ride will take about 2 hours. Meet at The Bike Lane. Helmets are required and riders will be asked to sign a liability waiver before the ride. Register on Eventbrite.
See a map of the proposed route.
Labels: bike lanes, fabb social ride, reston, restriping
Thursday, October 4, 2018
W&OD Trail Bridge Over Route 29 Meeting
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| Simulation of proposed bridge. |
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host a community meeting this month to present the final design and aesthetic details for the Washington & Old Dominion Trail Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge over U.S. Route 29 (Lee Highway) in Arlington. The trail bridge is being built as a component of the I-66 Inside the Beltway Eastbound Widening Project. It will separate trail users from motorists at the signalized intersection, enhancing safety for both. This section of the W&OD Trail serves approximately 1,500 trail users on weekdays, and over 2,000 on weekends.
The meeting is set for Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm with the main presentation to start at 7:00 pm. It will be held at Yorktown High School, 5200 Yorktown Boulevard, in Arlington.
Plan now to attend, show support for bicycle infrastructure, and offer your ideas to make the bridge even better.
Labels: route 29, Route 29 bridge, vdot, w&od trail
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
FFX Co Pkwy/Franconia-Springfield Pkwy Meetings Oct. 9 and 11
The existing paved trail needs to be improved. At several intersections sight distances are poor. If the road is widened and bridges are built at intersections, the trail should be improved at the same time. Where the trail detours off the Parkway, such as at the I-66 interchange, the trail should be parallel to the road.
From Fairfax County:
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold two public information meetings on the Fairfax County & Franconia-Springfield Parkways Alternatives Analysis and Long Term Planning Study to seek input on future corridor enhancements for the Parkways, based on residents’ personal experiences and desires for multimodal access, connectivity, and overall operations.
- Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at Navy Elementary School, 3500 West Ox Road, Fairfax
The meetings will begin with a presentation at 7 p.m., followed by a question and answer period at 7:30 p.m., and time for public input activities at 8 p.m. Both meetings contain the same agenda and format to allow for more community participation along the corridor.
- Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at Sangster Elementary School, 7420 Reservation Drive, Springfield
Labels: fairfax county parkway, fairfax county parkway trail, franconia-springfield parkway
Monday, October 1, 2018
Fairfax Finishes Fourth in National Bike Challenge
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| May to September Results |
We began the month having ridden almost 147,000 miles since the challenge started in May. Fairfax County riders tacked on another 25,900 miles during 1,780 rides to bring our total to more than 171,900 miles. Fairfax County riders helped Virginia log 332,000 miles and place third in the country among states with populations of 8 to 12 million residents.
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| September Results |
Congratulations to everyone who participated, especially the new riders. Even if you didn't win any of the available prizes, everyone won because biking provides health benefits ranging from heart health and improved immunity through better sleep to increased mental acuity and better mental health. So, do your friends a favor and keep inviting them to go biking.
Labels: national bike challenge
October Meeting Features Mount Vernon and Lee Districts
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| Huntley Meadows Park |
FABB doesn’t give up. We have twice had to postpone planned Mount Vernon-Lee District meeting. But, we persevere, and FABB is holding its October meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria to talk about developments in these two districts.
District Supervisors McKay and Storck have tentatively agreed to join us to share their visions for incorporating bicycling into the county’s transportation options.
FCDOT will be there as usual to go into detail about ongoing and proposed bicycle infrastructure projects.
Based on local interest, we anticipate a discussion of the county’s proposed removal of two bicycle trails from Huntley Meadows Park in Lee District.
Please plan now to join us.
Labels: Huntley Meadows Park, lee district, mt vernon district, supervisor mckay, supervisor storck
