Friday, January 19, 2018
What You Missed: FCPD Presentation
At FABB’s January monthly meeting, we were honored to host two Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officers who shared information about how the department is handling bicycling- and pedestrian-related issues. FABB member Charlie Bobbish, who has been leading FABB efforts to build relations with the FCPD gave a brief history of these efforts, including the start of a dialogue in 2017 with the FCDP Traffic Division and its commander, Captain Bob Blakley. He then introduced the guest speakers, officers Shelia Ayers and Christina Gaizick.
Both officers were from the Traffic Safety section of the Traffic Division. They began by discussing the division’s current areas of focus: school-crossings and crossing guards, police support to upcoming bike to school day events, and increased education and enforcement efforts against distracted driving. They reported that their unit’s officers regularly conduct community outreach and are available to support community initiatives.
In response to a question about incident data, the officers reported that the FCPD uses the state-wide reporting system, TREDS (Traffic Records Electronic Data System). They looked at the county’s data in preparation for the meeting and reported that bicycle-related incidents were down since 2013 with only one fatality, which occurred in 2015. In contrast, pedestrian incidents are increasing and account for half of the traffic-related fatalities in Fairfax. In 2017 there were 72 reportable bicycle incidents in the county. The threshold for reporting is $1,500 or more in property damage or an injury. FCPD is taking action to deter reckless behavior with greater presence and visibility but recognizes that changing human behavior and local driving habits is difficult.
The Traffic Safety section has plans to complement the police’s presence and warning activities with education events, using the the media and PSAs to promote general traffic safety. The officers requested that the bike community talk to each other, kids, and friends about traffic safety to help the education effort. FCPD is open to suggestions from the public and has a presence on Facebook and Twitter. They also can be contacted through the Media Relations office (703-246-2253).
In response to questions about police training on bike laws, the officers said bike and pedestrian laws are covered at the Academy but not in as much detail as other traffic laws. Ongoing professional training relies on Motor Squad (motorcycle-borne) officers to teach traffic laws drawing from their experiences on the roads. FABB might have an opportunity to contribute to the FCPD’s instruction, perhaps by focusing on new laws when the come into force in July of each year.
Another member asked about the process for dealing with aggressive drivers. The officers’ first emphasized that a cyclist’s initial action should be to first pull over and be safe. Then, a rider can call the FCPD’s non-emergency phone number (703-691-2131) and report the incident. [Note: According the FCPD’s Citizen Reporting System website, aggressive driving is not a reportable offense. The officers’ statements seemed to distinguish between witnessing unsafe behavior and an incident where a motorist’s actions appear to intentionally threaten a cyclist or run the cyclist off the road.] The officers told us that if the driver is reckless and a potential threat to others, calling 9-1-1 is acceptable.
The key to helping the FCPD put a stop to the driver’s behavior is to be the best witness you can be. Get as much detailed information on the car as possible: make, model, color, full or partial license number, and direction of travel. The FCPD will alert patrol officers to this information with a “Look Out” notice. And, while the patrol officers cannot stop the driver without witnessing the reported incident, they can stop the car if they notice any other type of infraction (e.g., busted tail light). This will allow them to question the driver about the reported threatening driving, issuing a warning as appropriate. Our FCPD speakers confirmed that the department welcomes Go-Pro and other video evidence of this type of aggressive driving and hit-and-run incidents.
FABB wants to again thank the FCPD and Officers Ayers and Gaizick for their work and for coming out to talk to our members.
Labels: FCPD, monthly meeting, traffic safety
Thursday, January 11, 2018
January Meeting to Feature Police and Safe Routes to School
Please mark your calendars and plan to join FABB at 7:30 pm on January 17 for our monthly meeting at the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna.
During the meeting we will hear from a representative of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Traffic Safety Division on efforts to keep us safe on county roadways. Come learn about the process to report aggressive drivers and how bicyclists can work with FCPD to ensure their concerns are heard.
Sally Smallwood, the Safe Routes to School Coordinator for Fairfax County Public Schools, will also be joining us to provide a brief summary of upcoming SRTS activities.
See you there.
Labels: FCPD, monthly meeting, srts coordinator
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
2017 National Bike to School Day Wrap Up: Fairfax County Overview
This is the first of three reports.
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| North Springfield riders. |
One week ago students across Fairfax County hopped out of the Kiss & Ride or left their buses empty. Instead, they put on a helmet or walking shoes and joined in the 2017 National Bike to School Day. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) had 78 registered events. Was your school one of them?
This year saw the most Fairfax County schools that have ever registered. About 40% of all Fairfax County schools held Bike to School Day events while the 78 registered events represented one-third of all such activities in Virginia.
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| Bike Patrol officers helping out in Reston. |
Bike trains were rolling all over the county last Wednesday. Some had Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Bike Patrol escorts while others were assisted by FCPD patrol cars stopping traffic at busy intersections.
It was only five years ago that many local schools had no bike racks and did little to encourage students to bike. Unanimous support from both the FCPS School Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors changed the tide. This ongoing support is now helping to encourage transportation choices that build healthy minds and bodies for our children.
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| A great turnout at Chesterbrook Elementary. |
In the next reports FABB will profile a new bike train that sprang up this year near the Dunn Loring Metro station as well as the Town of Vienna's Bike/Walk Challenge for schools, which is now in it's 9th year.
Submitted by Jeff Anderson.
Labels: bike to school day, bike train, FCPD, fcps
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Successful Bike to School Day 2016
This past week students, teachers, and supporters of more active lifestyles for children participated in this year’s Bike to School Day in Fairfax County. On May 4th, more than 60 Fairfax County elementary and middle schools participated in the event. Kids on scooters, skate boards, and on the own two feet also braved the overcast skies to join their fellow students in promoting fitness as part of their daily routine.
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| Wolf Trap Bike Train. |
Fairfax County Public Schools encouraged increased ridership by handing out backpack tags to participants at the elementary schools and cinch sacks at the middle schools. The Fairfax County Police Department also lent its support throughout the country. FCPD bike patrol officers led three bike trains to Wolf Trap Elementary in Hunter Mill District. The FCPD also assisted at Hunter Woods and Sunrise Valley Elementary Schools in Reston, escorting kids and ensuring their safety.
Highlights of the day included:
- Chesterbrook Elementary in McLean had more than 200 students plus family and other community members join in the fun. Check out the video of the Chesterbrook event here.
- All eight of Reston’s elementary schools participated with initial reports of 116 riders at Armstron, 46 at Dogwood, 40 at Forest Edge, 110 at Lake Anne and 70 at Sunrise Valley. Aldrin reported a total of 118 bikers and walkers.
- At Dogwood Elementary, riders received assistance from the Reston Bike Club with minor maintenance and helmet fit. The club also provide helmets to those without them.
- Please share your Bike to School Day stories using the comments section below.
FABB supports biking to school every day. We are ready to assist interested groups with planning and sponsoring activities and with identifying safe routes to encourage children to bike and walk to school
Labels: bike patrol, bike to school day, bike train, FCPD, fcps, National bike month, safe routes to school
