Tuesday, September 25, 2018
2018 Braddock District Ride on Sunday
Register on Eventbrite. All riders must wear a helmet and sign a liability waiver.
Labels: Braddock District, fabb social ride
Sunday, July 1, 2018
July Meeting Features Braddock and Springfield Districts
FABB is returning to Burke for our July meeting, and we are anticipating interesting presentations on bicycle-related developments and future transportation projects in the Braddock and Springfield Districts. Braddock District Supervisor John Cook will be joining us along with a representative from the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and other speakers. There will be time for questions and answers and the usual lively discussion of bicycle issues.
The meeting will be in Braddock Hall at the Braddock Government Center, 9002 Burke Lake Road, in Burke on Wednesday, July 18, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. See you there!
Labels: Braddock District, burke, monthly meeting, springfield district
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Braddock and Providence Districts Repaving and Restriping Meeting Set for March 1
In their ongoing series of public meetings, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host a repaving and restriping meeting for the Braddock and Providence Districts on Thursday, March 1, 2018. The meeting will be held at the Oak View Elementary School Cafeteria, 5004 Sideburn Road in Fairfax.
As you know VDOT and FCDOT use the repaving and restriping process to implement Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan to improve traffic safety and provide more transportation options. Proposed striping changes in the Braddock District
include road redesigns of Forum Road, Post Forest Drive and Ridgetop Road, as well as adding striped parking lanes, shared lane markings (sharrows), bike lanes and buffered bike lanes on Sideburn Road. Sadly, there are no striping changes planned in the Providence District in 2018. Details on the proposed changes can be found here.
This is a great opportunity for bike advocates to show up and speak up in support of the proposals and provide ideas to the VDOT and FCDOT planners for future restriping opportunities. If you can’t attend, you can still provide comments through March 16, 2018. Submit you comments for Braddock District here and for Providence District here.
Labels: Braddock District, providence district, repaving, restriping
Monday, September 25, 2017
Braddock District Social Ride on Saturday
A comfortable 8 mph pace is planned, with water available at the halfway point in Lake Accotink. The ride will take approximately 2.5 hours. Parking and the ride's start point will be at Cherry Run Elementary School, 9732 Ironmaster Dr, Burke. We wll meet at 9 am and the ride will start soon thereafter. Register for the ride on Eventbrite here.
This is the Relive depiction of what the ride should look like and this is the Strava route.
Labels: Braddock District, fabb social ride
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Reminder: Braddock Road Study Comments Due July 25
Hey, FABB members in the Braddock District, if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to share your ideas on the Braddock Road Multimodal Study with FCDOT and Supervisor Cook. You can leave your comments and take a brief survey on the study website here. All comments are due by Tuesday, July 25.
Friday, June 23, 2017
What You Missed
FABB’s June Monthly Meeting, held at the Braddock District Government Center on June 21, focused on the Springfield and Braddock Districts. We had a great turnout with three excellent presentations by Ann Sharp of Supervisor Cook’s office, Nancy-Jo Manney of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and Nicole Wynand of the FCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Office. Here are some of the highlights:
Ann Sharp updated the group on a number of recent and planned improvements in Braddock District, including multimodal paths on both sides of Braddock Road from Rt. 286 to I-495 and paths connecting the Burke VRE Station to nearby neighborhoods.
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| Photo by Mike Salmon, Courtesy of The Connection. |
Nancy-Jo Manney shared some of the Greater Springfield Chamber’s bike and pedestrian achievements that have made central Springfield more bikeable. The Chamber has identified and gotten improvements made to a bike route that connects central Springfield, Springfield Plaza, and Springfield Town Center. In addition bike lanes are being added to Commerce Street along with minor improvements on signage, turn lanes, and signal timing in the area. The Chamber also arranged for the installation of branded bike parking at Springfield Plaza and elsewhere with the help of a TransUrban grant that was matched by private property owners. The rack’s logo and design can be used by other communities.
Nicole Wynand's FCDOT updates included:
- A new bicycle and pedestrian Ambassador program has started with three volunteers. The ambassadors will do outreach at public meetings and events to spread a safety message.
- The VDOT summer repaving program in the Braddock and Springfield districts will add or extend bike lanes on Commerce Street and Braeburn Road. Overall, the county will add 26 miles of new bike lanes this summer.
- Fairfax County Parkway Trail signage is being designed along with mile markers for the trail between Rt.1 and Rt. 7. Currently, there are 150 bicycle-related signs in the county and this project will add another 300.
- The Bicycle/Pedestrian Program plans to hire two more staffers this fall.
- An Annandale to Springfield wayfinding project is underway.
- A Little River Turnpike Corridor study is ready and soon will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for approval. Funding is available for the most important and needed projects in the study.
Each of the three presentations included questions and discussions on a variety of issues. One important update shared with the group was the news that VDOT has plans to repave the entire Fairfax County Parkway Trai, in the coming year. Also, VDOT is conducting an inventory of all of the trails in the county to update its database on which trails it owns and is responsible for maintaining.
FABB’s monthly meeting are very informative. There is always good discussion, good energy, and good company. Please plan on joining us for a monthly meeting in the coming months. Our next meeting is July 19 at the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna and our August meeting on the 16th at the Mosaic Community Center will be focusing on the Providence and Mason Districts.
Labels: Braddock District, FCDOT, greater springfield chamber of commerce, monthly meeting, springfield district, vdot
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Braddock Road Study Community Meeting, June 26
Burke area FABB members and supporters are encouraged to attend a community meeting on Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s Braddock Road Multimodal Study next Monday. The meeting will be held on June 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Road. The first hour will be an open house with FCDOT staff available for questions. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a presentation on the Braddock Road Study. This is great opportunity to provide your insights on ways to make the planned multimodal paths on both sides of Braddock Road as safe and beneficial as possible.
Labels: Braddock District, braddock road, Braddock Road multimodal study, FCDOT
Thursday, June 1, 2017
FABB's June Meeting to Focus on Braddock-Springfield Districts
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesday, 21 June, at 7:30 pm at the Braddock District Government Center, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, for our next monthly meeting. Ann Sharp from Supervisor Cook’s office will be there to discuss county plans for the area. We also will have Nancy-Jo Manney of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce speaking about the Chamber’s efforts to improve central Springfield’s bike-ability. Nichole Wynands, one of our great bicycle program staffers at the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, will report on recent and planned bicycling improvements for the Braddock and Springfield areas.
We would love see a good turnout from all of our members. Also, please invite interested friends and neighbors to join you in learning about county plans and sharing concerns about other local needs for bicycling and multimodal transportation improvements.
See you there!
Labels: Braddock District, burke, fcdot bicycle program, greater springfield chamber of commerce, monthly meeting, springfield district, supervisor cook
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Reminder: Braeburn Drive Community Meeting This Thursday
FCDOT's community meeting on Braeburn Drive is this Thursday, February 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Little Run Elementary School, 4511 Olley Lane, Fairfax.
If you live or ride in the Braddock district, FABB encourages you to attend and add your support for plans to add bike lanes as part of VDOT's summer road repaving program. New bike lanes are being planned for Braeburn Drive from Guinea Road to Olley Lane.
Labels: Braddock District, Braeburn Drive, FCDOT, repaving, vdot
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Braeburn Drive Community Meeting, February 23, 2017
Braddock District and other interested FABB members and bicyclists are encouraged to a community meeting hosted by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to discuss proposed bike lanes on Braeburn Drive. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Little Run Elementary School, 4511 Olley Lane, Fairfax.
Representatives from FCDOT and VDOT will present plans for the project, which includes bike lanes, pedestrian improvements and overall safety. Several bicycle projects are proposed as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) summer road repaving program. New bike lanes are planned for Braeburn Drive from Guinea Road to Olley Lane, extending the existing connection from Wakefield Chapel Road.
Labels: bike lanes, Braddock District, Braeburn Drive, FCDOT, vdot
Monday, February 13, 2017
Public Comments Due on Mason District and Braddock District Projects
If you haven’t already added your voice in support of these proposed traffic safety, bicycling and pedestrian improvements in Annandale, please make sure to get your comments submitted by this Wednesday, February 17, 2017.
FABB members in Braddock District are encouraged to send in comments on proposed improvements for the Braddock Road corridor, which are due by next Monday, February 20, 2017 (Presidents Day).
To provide feedback, please use the comment form on the FCDOT pages for the Mason project or the Braddock Road project. You can mail comments to FCDOT Bicycle Programs, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 500, Fairfax, VA 22033. Another option is to call 703-877-5600 and leave a message.
Labels: Braddock District, braddock road, FCDOT, mason district
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Jan. 24 Community Mtg. for Springfield/Braddock Dist. Biking Improvements
Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host a community meeting to discuss two proposed bicycle improvements in Springfield and Braddock Districts on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, 6:30-8 p.m., in the cafeteria of Irving Middle School, 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Cyclists are encouraged to attend to speak out in support of these projects.As part of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) 2017 repaving program, bicycle infrastructure improvements are proposed for the following areas:
* Greeley Boulevard from Carrleigh Parkway to Old Keene Mill Road.
* Hillside Road from Rolling Road to Old Keene Mill Road.
Labels: Braddock District, greeley blvd, hillside road, repaving, springfield district
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
July-August 2016 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling
www.fabb-bikes.org
www.fabb-bikes.org
Capital Bikeshare is Coming to Falls Church
Falls Church will be part of the growing Capital Bikeshare network providing important links to East and West Falls Church metro stations, as well as, connecting to neighboring bikeshare networks. Local officials heard from several FABB members and bikeshare supporters who wrote in and spoke up asking that the Falls Church bikeshare program be funded during a round of public hearings in June.
There were a few twists to the victory, however. The City of Falls Church had applied to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for funding to cover the capital costs of buying the equipment and to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for the first few years operating costs. The NVTC approved the operating funds but NVTA denied the needed capital leaving the program in doubt. Luckily, Fairfax County and City of Falls Church officials recognized the value of the bikeshare program and were able to work out a deal to help allocate necessary funds to jumpstart the city's program. Fairfax County agreed to defer $2 million of its 2018 Regional Surface Transportation Program funds for the Falls Church bikeshare. The county will get those funds back during the next RSTP process.
This is great news for bicycling in Northern Virginia and kudos to officials in both jurisdictions in working out a deal. With Reston and Tysons Corner bikeshare coming soon, keep your eye out for lots of red Cabi Bikes in the area.
FABB and Potomac Pedalers Promoting Bike-Friendly BrewFest
FABB is proud to be working with the Potomac Pedalers and the Workhouse Arts Center in promoting and supporting BrewFest, the first of its kind craft beer event in Fairfax County. BrewFest takes place on August 13, 2016 from 10am-6pm, rain or shine, at the Workhouse Art Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079. The Potomac Pedalers will have rides starting at 9am near the event with routes ranging from 30-60 miles out to Mason Neck and back. See the Potomac Pedalers calendar for ride details here. Bike racks will be available on site and FABB-prepared cue sheets for bike routes to BrewFest are available on the Workhouse website by clicking here.
FABB Supports Sports Backer’s First RVA2DC Ride
Despite some of the hottest weather in four years, more than 150 bicyclists took to the roads for the inaugural RVA2DC last weekend. They rode 156 miles over two days from Richmond to Arlington helping to raise awareness for bicycling across the Commonwealth. Approximately 30 riders from Fairfax participated in the ride, earning a cool medal and bragging rights for riding in the first RVA2DC ride.
FABB members supported the riders running the aid station in the Town of Vienna. Volunteers provided food, drink and a cool place to rest as temps hit the high 90’s. Hopefully that helped energize the riders for the remaining 15 miles along the W&OD to the finish in Arlington’s Gateway Park. Riders we spoke with said that despite the heat, the ride was great and would do it again. Some expressed the need for better biking infrastructure coming up out of Manassas, and improvements along the Fairfax County Parkway. FABB was a proud partner with Sports Backers and advocacy beneficiary for RVA2DC.
Clips Beer & Film in Reston September 16, Volunteers Needed
FABB is excited to again be partnering with New Belgium Brewing for the Clips Beer and Film tour at the Reston Town Center. Mark your calendars. This year Clips will be Friday, September 16. We’re looking forward to building on last year’s success and making this event even better!
Clips is a fun outdoors event at the Reston Town Center showcasing a collection of film shorts and sampling many of New Belgium’s specialty beers, all while benefiting bicycling in Fairfax County.
This is FABB's biggest fundraiser. We can’t do it without our volunteers! Volunteers will receive a Clips T-shirt, pizza before the event, and a special beer to celebrate afterwards. For details on volunteer positions and to sign up, check out the volunteer signup page.
If you can’t volunteer, then come by, have a few drinks and be sure to invite your friends! Bike valet will be available on site. The event begins at 7pm. Films will begin showing around 9pm.
County Supervisors Attend FABB's Lee and Braddock District Meetings
FABB was fortunate to have Fairfax County Supervisors join its last two monthly meetings that were held in the Lee District in June and Braddock District in July. Lee Supervisor Jeff McKay and Braddock Supervisor John Cook both attended the FABB meetings in their districts and discussed on-going and future bicycle projects and offered their support of biking as a key element to building better neighborhoods. Discussion at the meetings also covered the importance of providing trails to parks and recreation facilities, and continuing to add bike lanes around the county.
In addition, Fairfax County Public Schools Board Member Megan McLaughlin attended the Braddock District meeting. She talked about Fairfax County Public School’s efforts to increase biking and walking but also offered her experience on how to become better advocates to the FCPS School Board. Thank you Supervisors McKay and Cook and School Board Member McLaughlin for your time and support of better bicycling.
FABB continues to rotate its monthly meetings around the county in an effort to hear from bicyclists about their local biking concerns. The next FABB meeting will be held at 7:30pm, Aug 17, at the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Check out FABB's event calendar for information about upcoming meetings.
Bike Data Shows Commuters Avoiding SafeTrack Impacts by Biking
According to BikeArlington's bicycling data, the first week Metro’s SafeTrack program saw a 42%-86% increase in biking on the Custis Trail over last year’s numbers. The Mt. Vernon trail near Reagan International Airport experienced a 47% increase during Surge 3. With four surges of SafeTrack completed, some patterns are emerging with respect to the effect the Metro maintenance program is having on the bike traffic in Arlington. The bottom line is that biking numbers were up, but those numbers fluctuated between the different maintenance surges.
For a closer look at the numbers, check out BikeArlington’s “Arlington Bike Counters During SafeTrack: High Volume, Though Your Surge May Vary” which offers an interesting analysis of the county’s bike data during the different stages of WMATA’s SafeTrack program.
Vienna Schools Hold 9th Annual Bike/Walk Challenge
During the last week of school, students at Vienna area elementary schools participated in the annual Walk Bike Challenge Week and clocked a combined 6,473 trips to school by foot, bike, skateboard and scooter. Of those trips, 1,250 were by bicycle. Vienna area students have continued to fortify their impressive record during this annual event. This was the 4th year in a row students have exceeded 5,000 trips, and the second time they’ve topped 6,000.Cunningham Park E.S. received the Challenge Cup and Vienna E.S. was recognized with the Biking Cup for the fifth straight year. Vienna E.S. had 232 students bike to school on Friday - over 50% of the students. Great work everyone!
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If you don't already, please Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter feed. If you have news about bicycling in Fairfax to share with our readers, please submit brief articles to news@fabb-bikes.org.
Upcoming Events
- August 13 - 10a - 6pm, Brewfest, Workhouse Art Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079.
- August 17 - 7:30 pm, FABB Monthly Meeting - Patrick Henry Library, Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180
- September 16 - 7-10pm, FABB/New Belgium Brewery - Clips N Beer, Reston Town Center, Reston VA
- September 20 - 7:30pm, NOTE: TUESDAY NOT WEDNESDAY. FABB Monthly Meeting, Sully District Meeting, Frank Room at the Sully Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA 20151
Labels: Braddock District, Brewfest, capital bikeshare, clips beer and film, fabb newsletter, lee district, RVA2DC Ride, vienna bike/walk challenge
Friday, April 8, 2016
Getting the Facts Before 12 April Braddock District Bicycle Projects Meeting
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| Map courtesy of FCDOT |
FABB wants to remind members and interested Fairfax residents that FCDOT is holding a community meeting this coming Tuesday on the proposed Braddock District bicycle improvement projects. The meeting is being held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Canterbury Woods Elementary School, 4910 Willet Drive, in Annandale.
We are encouraging supporters to show up and demonstrate to FCDOT that these improvements are important and should be completed. A good turn out is more important than ever, and FABB hopes concerned cyclists will make the time to attend.
In addition to Heritage Drive, improvements will be made to Ravensworth Road, Coffer Woods Road, Patriot Drive, Guinea Road, and Queensberry Avenue. All of the changes are being made as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation's 2016 summer road repaving program. In addition to showing support for the project, the meeting is an opportunity for cyclists to help FCDOT by sharing their experience and ideas on how get the most benefit from the repaving projects.
Labels: Braddock District, FCDOT, Heritage Drive, repaving, vdot
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Braddock District Bicycle Projects Meeting
FABB encourages local members and other interested cyclists to attend a community meeting on proposed bicycle improvement projects in the Braddock District on Tuesday, April 12. The meeting is being hosted by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and is being held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Canterbury Woods Elementary School, 4910 Willet Drive, in Annandale.
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| Map courtesy of FCDOT |
There are several bicycle projects proposed for Braddock District as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) 2016 summer road repaving program. Improvements are planned for Ravensworth Road, Coffer Woods Road, Patriot Drive, Guinea Road, Queensberry Avenue, and Heritage Drive.
It would be very helpful if local cyclists would attend to examine the details of the projects and to use their experience riding in the area to advise FCDOT on how best to accommodate cyclists’ needs with the repaving projects.
Labels: Braddock District, FCDOT, repaving, vdot
