Saturday, November 17, 2018
International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
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| Memorial for Andrew Gooden, a Fairfax resident killed by a motorist in 2015 |
This Sunday, November 18, is International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This annual event commemorates the millions of people killed and injured in traffic crashes around the world.
FABB members and anyone else interested in safety for cyclists and pedestrians are invited to join Alexandria Families For Safe Streets for a walk of silence from the beginning of King Street near the Potomac to Market Square to honor those who have been impacted by traffic crashes.
The walk will begin at 2 pm and will be followed by a brief ceremony featuring Virginia Delegate Mark Levine, Vice Mayor and Mayor-Elect Justin Wilson, Alexandria Chief of Police Michael Brown, and Director of Transportation & Environmental Services Yon Lambert. Please join AFSS to show your support for traffic crash victims and for additional action in the Virginia General Assembly and in Alexandria to make our streets safer to walk and bike.
The walk will begin at 2 pm and will be followed by a brief ceremony featuring Virginia Delegate Mark Levine, Vice Mayor and Mayor-Elect Justin Wilson, Alexandria Chief of Police Michael Brown, and Director of Transportation & Environmental Services Yon Lambert. Please join AFSS to show your support for traffic crash victims and for additional action in the Virginia General Assembly and in Alexandria to make our streets safer to walk and bike.
For more information about this event, please contact Mike Doyle at (703) 946-8401 or mike@alxffss.org.
Labels: alexandria, alexandria families for safe streets, international world day of remembrance for road traffic victims
Friday, July 27, 2018
Faces of Fairfax: Jim Kirk
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| Jim Kirk |
During his morning commute on Bike to Work Day, Jim Kirk of the Waynewood neighborhood near Alexandria briefly spoke to FABB about bicycling. Jim regularly rides the Mount Vernon Trail for commuting and recreation. He admitted, however, that he rides now because running hurts his knees. More than a few FABB members understand just what Jim means because bicycling became their go-to exercise option after running had taken its toll. When we asked Jim what would he change to make it easier and safer to ride in the county, he said that better education for motorists would make a major difference.
FABB has a standing committee (new volunteer members welcome!) that is working with the Fairfax County Police Department to address a range of issues, including motorist education. At FABB’s January meeting earlier this year, we were honored to host two FCPD officers from the Traffic Division. We were all happy to learn that the division was focused on increased education and enforcement efforts against distracted driving. Our FCPD guests told us in January that their unit’s officers regularly conduct community outreach and are available to support community initiatives. For a more detailed report on the FCPD presentation, visit our blog here.
Labels: alexandria, bike to work day, Faces of Fairfax, mount vernon trail
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Alexandria Working to Become Gold Level Bike Friendly Community
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| Photo courtesy of City of Alexandria. |
Hey, all, if you live or just occasionally ride through the City of Alexandria, here is an opportunity to provide input about and show your support for bicycling in our region.
Alexandria has applied to the League of American Bicyclists to be recognized as a Gold Level Bike Friendly Community. This is really important and FABB encourages everyone (you DON'T have to be a resident) to help the city and the League gain a better understanding of local bicyclists' experiences in and around Alexandria by taking this survey.
Alexandria has made significant strides to improve bicycling, including new bike lanes on King Street, Van Dorn Street, Prince Street and Cameron Street. Other recent improvements include:
Alexandria has applied to the League of American Bicyclists to be recognized as a Gold Level Bike Friendly Community. This is really important and FABB encourages everyone (you DON'T have to be a resident) to help the city and the League gain a better understanding of local bicyclists' experiences in and around Alexandria by taking this survey.
Alexandria has made significant strides to improve bicycling, including new bike lanes on King Street, Van Dorn Street, Prince Street and Cameron Street. Other recent improvements include:
- A Vision Zero Action Plan and a Complete Streets Program.
- Expansion of BikeShare across the city.
- Alexandria City Public Schools providing bicycling safety and skills education in a growing number of elementary schools.
Labels: alexandria, bicycle friendly community, league of american bicyclists
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Increased Traffic Enforcement in Alexandria This Week
From the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee regarding increased traffic enforcement in Alexandria:
We are pleased to inform you that that both City staff and the Alexandria Police Department are increasing efforts in the areas of Education and Enforcement. We are also pleased that no single travel mode is being targeted for enforcement; recent discussions and enforcement results indicate that Alexandria Police Department enforcement is aimed at ALL roadway users. Please share our request for all Alexandria residents and visitors to respect each other, and promote safer traffic behavior throughout the City of Alexandria.
Here is an announcement received today of a Union Street enforcement effort starting this week
“The City of Alexandria is conducting increased traffic enforcement along Union Street through Old Town later this week. The increased enforcement is aimed at reducing conflicts between various modes and improving safety of roadway users, which has been a consistent community concern. In particular, bicyclists and drivers failing to yield pedestrians in crosswalks and failing to stop at stop signs have been longstanding concerns. This enforcement effort would reinforce the City’s commitment to addressing the community’s concerns and promoting safer traffic behavior among people who drive, walk and bike along Union Street. Variable message boards letting roadway users know of the traffic enforcement will be deployed starting Wednesday, November 30. The City will also be conducting outreach in late November, through Twitter, Facebook and outreach to community associations prior to the enforcement.”
Labels: alexandria, alexandria bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, traffic enforcement
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Fairfax Police release video of bike theft
Security cameras recorded video of a bike theft in progress at The Shelby, an apartment complex on N. Kings Hwy near Route 1. Fairfax County Police are asking for help in identifying the thieves. See the news release Help Us Solve This Bicycle Larceny copied below the video:
Bicycles were stolen from the parking garage of The Shelby, 6200 N. Kings Highway, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. These thefts occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Anyone with information should contact Detective M. Wallace at (703)360-8400 ext. 2249. Callers may remain anonymous.
There have been 660 bicycles stolen in Fairfax County from January 2014-YTD 2015.
Help prevent theft; tips from the Washington Area Bicyclist Association:http://www.waba.org/resources/preventing-bicycle-theft/.
FABB is trying to obtain a list of recent bike thefts so we can produce a map to show where thefts are occurring around the county. Police have given us dates of the thefts but not address information even though that information is available from the Daily Police Blotter releases on the Police News site under Larcenies in this format: 6300 block of Millwood Court, bicycle from residence. Police blotter reports prior to September 13, 2014 are compiled online in a slightly different format. If you would like to help extract this information, let us know.There have been 660 bicycles stolen in Fairfax County from January 2014-YTD 2015.
Help prevent theft; tips from the Washington Area Bicyclist Association:http://www.waba.org/resources/preventing-bicycle-theft/.
Labels: alexandria, bike thefts, police blotter
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Alexandria approves use of Eco-Counter on MVT
Collecting better active transportation data is essential to building long-term support for walking and cycling, and for improving conditions for those who choose to walk and ride bikes. The County currently has 32 permanent installations, and six portable counters to gauge and monitor usage and demand.
Fairfax County recently unsuccessfully applied for a grant to install Eco-Counters in the Springfield area. FABB is working on getting funding for a counter that would be donated to the county. Stay tuned.Labels: alexandria, arlington, bike counter
Monday, September 1, 2014
Alexandria bikeshare system expands - Update
Fairfax County recently completed a study that concluded that bikesharing is feasible in Reston*. The City of Alexandria installed Capital Bikeshare in 2012 and they recently doubled the system with eight new stations. See Councilman Justin Wilson's report about the expansion from his newsletter, Council Connection:
Capital Bikeshare Grows
Late last month, the City's Capital Bikeshare network doubled. The addition of eight new stations in Del Ray and Carlyle showcases the bike sharing public/private partnership that now counts the District of Columbia, Arlington, Montgomery County and Alexandria as members.
The expansion did not come without a full performance review of the existing system, which was originally installed in the Fall of 2012.
The City's Capital Bikeshare system was originally funded using Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. The CMAQ funds now purchase new stations, while the City's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) now fund operations for existing stations.
Public transportation systems of all kinds depend on heavy public subsidies. In Alexandria, the DASH Bus system recovers approximately 30% of its costs from fare box revenue. Original estimates of Capital Bikeshare's performance were expected to be similar. Surprisingly, Alexandria's cost recovery in the first year reached 72% from rentals.
The system has provided a critical, low-cost connectivity option for short trips, used frequently by our residents and visitors alike. Current plans will allow continued expansion over the next few years. Please use this link to suggest station locations.
The new stations that were just recently added were:
- Eisenhower Avenue at Mill Race Lane
- Ballenger Avenue at Dulany Street
- Duke Street at John Carlyle Street
- Mount Vernon Avenue at East Nelson Avenue
- Mount Vernon Avenue at East Del Ray Avenue
- Mount Vernon Avenue at Kennedy Street
- Monroe Avenue at Leslie Avenue
- Potomac Greens Drive at Slater's Lane
Update: We've heard good news from county staff that they are making a concerted effort to update the Bike Pages site, including posting the Reston bikeshare report in the near future.
Labels: alexandria, capital bikeshare, reston
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Alexandria Spokeswomen to lead bike shop ride
Alexandria women will be heading out on two wheels from Jones Point Park on Sunday, May 4th, to let the local bike shops know that they are an important and rapidly growing market for them. "Women are a powerful consumer force," says the League of American Bicyclists in its August 2013 "Women on a Roll" report on women's cycling, "but too often they do not feel welcome in bike shops or do not feel products address their desires and needs."
The ride is being organized by the Alexandria Spokeswomen, a group that formed in September 2013 out of a city focus group on women's cycling. One of the key issues discussed was that many women bike riders do not feel comfortable in shops and on rides, which are often dominated by men. The League's report, which had just been released, validated that sentiment. It also showed that bike shops might be wise to provide a wider selection of women's clothing and more women-targeted classes, events and rides
From more information see the Alexandria Spokeswomen website.The ride is being organized by the Alexandria Spokeswomen, a group that formed in September 2013 out of a city focus group on women's cycling. One of the key issues discussed was that many women bike riders do not feel comfortable in shops and on rides, which are often dominated by men. The League's report, which had just been released, validated that sentiment. It also showed that bike shops might be wise to provide a wider selection of women's clothing and more women-targeted classes, events and rides
Labels: alexandria, alexandria spokeswomen, bike shop
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Alexandria city council unanimously approves King St bike lanes
After many months of meetings and public discussion, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved the plan to add bike lanes to King St from the King St Metro Station west about 2/3 mile to Janneys Lane. See the VBF report for details and links to press articles.
Fairfax County faces a similar decision on Sherwood Hall Lane where the county is proposing to install bike lanes and local residents want to maintain on-street parking instead. You can contact Supervisor Hyland's office to voice your support for bike lanes on Sherwood Hall Lane.
Labels: alexandria, king street
Friday, June 29, 2012
Apartment renters want good bike parking
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| Photo: Washington Post Express |
In a crowded marketplace, apartment buildings in the D.C. area can stand out by offering bike amenities that complement the region’s improved bike lanes and trails and rapidly increasing ridership. The District — recently named the fourth-most-bike-friendly U.S. city by Bicycling Magazine, up nine spots in just one year — and Arlington County are both leading the way. Nearby areas including Fairfax County are learning from those examples and developing plans to become more bike friendly, too.
I'm quoted as agreeing with the statement that in the suburbs "You often have to drive your car somewhere to bike." While bike conditions aren't great in burbs, there are many bike-freindly streets and trails near where most people live. The first and last miles of many trips can be the worst because we don't have a connected network. Riding from home often does require riding on roads with no bike facilities, but unless the road is a major arterial, skilled cyclists can navigate most of these streets without too many problems.I guess the main point is that it should be easier for everyone from 8 to 80 to be able ride from home to our destinations. That's the goal of the County Bicycle Master Plan. It will take political will to make it happen.
The transformation of Tysons from a car-dominated place to a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly place is mentioned in the article. There are major battles currently being fought to ensure that the excellent Tysons Plan is implemented. It won't be easy but with the transformation Tysons will be a better community, better able to compete with surrounding jurisdictions like Arlington and Alexandria.
Labels: alexandria, arlington county, bicycle parking
Friday, August 12, 2011
Bike rodeo this Saturday in Alexandria
According to Kingstowne Patch, "Cub Scout Pack 867 is sponsoring a Bike Rodeo for boys and girls on Saturday, August 13th at Bush Hill Elementary School. The school is located at 5927 Westchester Street, Alexandria VA 22310. This event will take place from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. The Fairfax County Sheriff Bike Patrol officers will be on site to help assist in teaching bike safety and setting up bike riding obstacles. Spokes Bike Shop of Alexandria representatives will also be on site to help deliver bike maintenance tips for the children. Light snacks and water will be served for those attending. Be sure to bring your bicycle and helmet for this fun morning."Labels: alexandria, bike rodeo
Friday, August 5, 2011
FABB conducts first volunteer Fairfax bike count
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| W&OD Trail at Maple Ave - Saturday |
On July 7 and 9 we counted bicyclists at the intersection of the W&OD Trail and Maple Ave/Route 123 in downtown Vienna for 3 two-hour time periods. The weekday two hour data were extrapolated to a 24 hour count estimate of 1,855. VDOT's 12 hour weekday bicyclist count at the same location in 2008 was 337, which is not much more than the 5-7 pm time period count (273). Assuming that the VDOT 12 hour count was close to the 24 hour count, the 2011 count represents an increase of 550%!
We have good official estimates of how many people commute by car. According to the American Community Survey data for Fairfax Co, 454,099 drove a car, truck, or van out of a total of 542,126 trips. According to ACS, only 1,166 commute by bike. The problem with that number is that it only includes those who ride a bike every day for their entire trip. Many more people ride some days or combine a car or transit trip with a bike trip. People also use bikes for many other purposed than going to work.
Fairfax doesn't have a bike counting program. Arlington County has been counting bicyclists for several years. They installed their first automated, 24 hour counters in 2009 on the Custis Trail and the Four Mile Run Trail.
They use a combination of in-ground loop detectors and infrared beam to collect data on trail usage, both pedestrians and cyclists (ok, the occasional deer might get counted as a pedestrian also). There is a huge amount of data being collected by these counters, and it will become most useful once several years worth can be compared.
See the link above for a good discussion of the data that has been collected.Arlington also uses volunteer counts to supplement the automated counter data as part of Arlington's contribution to the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (NBPD). Last September volunteers counted weekday bike/ped traffic for a two two-hour time periods, 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. Pedestrians and other trails users are also counted. That effort is lead by David Patton, Arlington County's Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner.
This year the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee began participating in the Documentation project by conducting several volunteer counts in the city. Andrea Hamre is leading that effort which included two volunteer training sessions. They will also conduct counts in September.
Ideally Fairfax County will implement a bike counting program in the future. VDOT currently conducts a few counts and we hope those will expand. We may expand to several volunteer count locations in the future, possibly by September.
Labels: alexandria, arlington county, bicycle counts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Alexandria hotel to offer Civil War bike tour
Starting on June 4th Hotel Monaco in Alexandria will be offering a tour package to their guests this summer that includes a bike tour of Civil War sites:Civil War Bike Tour Package
For history buffs that like to take a more active role in exploring Civil War history, this hotel package is a perfect fit. The Alexandria Civil War Bike Trail officially launches on June 4, 2011, and includes major stops such as Fort Ward, Fort Worth, Fort Elsworth, and Alexandria National Cemetery.
Package includes:
* Deluxe accommodations
* Printed map of the Alexandria Civil War Defenses of Washington Bike Trail
* Complimentary use of the hotel's Phat Cycle Bikes for the trip
* Healthy Snack Pack for two
* Alexandria "Key to the City" Pass
This offer can be booked online using the Book Now link above, or by calling (800) 368-5047 and referencing rate code "CIVIL". This offer is subject to availability.
Fairfax County received funding to produce the "Sully District Historic Sites Bike Map, a guide to family-friendly bike routes that highlight Civil War and historic sites in western Fairfax County" but we haven't heard if any progress is being made on the project.For history buffs that like to take a more active role in exploring Civil War history, this hotel package is a perfect fit. The Alexandria Civil War Bike Trail officially launches on June 4, 2011, and includes major stops such as Fort Ward, Fort Worth, Fort Elsworth, and Alexandria National Cemetery.
Package includes:
* Deluxe accommodations
* Printed map of the Alexandria Civil War Defenses of Washington Bike Trail
* Complimentary use of the hotel's Phat Cycle Bikes for the trip
* Healthy Snack Pack for two
* Alexandria "Key to the City" Pass
This offer can be booked online using the Book Now link above, or by calling (800) 368-5047 and referencing rate code "CIVIL". This offer is subject to availability.
Labels: alexandria, bike tour, civil war
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Alexandria Complete Streets policy
See summaries of the discussion by Krall, Alexandria Complete Streets followup and a blog entry by Froggie, Complete Streets: What's the Right Policy? You can also read the Alexandria documents under discussion: the Draft Complete Streets Resolution, a comparison of Complete Streets policies in other jurisdictions (Virginia's policy isn't one of them), and a Complete Streets policy checklist.
There's been discussion about whether Fairfax should have a Complete Streets policy. With such limited control of our roads it almost seems like a moot point. However, the county does manage some road projects and the policy or ordinance could apply to those projects. It could also form the basis of comments on all road projects, whether being managed by VDOT, private developers, or the county.
Labels: alexandria, complete streets, Fairfax County
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Cyclist in Alexandria crash died November 23
Labels: alexandria, christopher benton
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Fairfax Cyclist injured in crash on Sunday
Fairfax County police from Mount Vernon are looking for witnesses to an accident Sunday afternoon in Belle Haven.
Police say a 50-year-old bicyclist collided with a four-door 2005 Toyota Corolla around 3 p.m. The accident happened on Belle Haven Road as the car—headed westbound—attempted to turn onto southbound Fort Hunt Road. The bicyclist, headed east on Belle Haven, was thrown from his bike and remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Detectives urge anyone who witnessed the accident to contact Crime Solvers:
* By phone: 1-866-411-TIPS or 703-691-2131.
* By e-mail: www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org
* By SMS message: To: CRIMES/274637 and begin your message with "TIP187".
This is a common type of crash known as the "left hook", when a motorist turns left into an oncoming cyclist. A similar crash has occurred twice in Reston at Sunrise Valley Dr and Barton Hill Rd, most recently in April of this year.Police say a 50-year-old bicyclist collided with a four-door 2005 Toyota Corolla around 3 p.m. The accident happened on Belle Haven Road as the car—headed westbound—attempted to turn onto southbound Fort Hunt Road. The bicyclist, headed east on Belle Haven, was thrown from his bike and remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Detectives urge anyone who witnessed the accident to contact Crime Solvers:
* By phone: 1-866-411-TIPS or 703-691-2131.
* By e-mail: www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org
* By SMS message: To: CRIMES/274637 and begin your message with "TIP187".
Labels: alexandria, bike crash, left hook
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Bike racks on Alexandria's DASH buses
Tonight the City of Alexandria City Council will vote on a proposal to provide funding for bike racks on the City's DASH buses (doesn't that DASH bus on the right look naked without a rack?). The racks could be funded if the City buys one less bus.According to Jonathan Krall:
DASH is the only bus system in the region without these racks). If you are an Alexandria resident and want to help, please write to the Alexandria City Council today (9/22). The City Council will be voting on this tonight.
Here is a sample letter:
Dear City Council,
I am writing to support adding bike racks to DASH buses using CMAQ/RSTP funding. I understand that the Transportation Commission voted to recommend that these funds go entirely to the DASH bus service. I also understand that the first unfunded item on the Transportation Commission's priority list is Bike Racks For Buses ($280,000).
I am writing to ask that some of the CMAQ/RSTP funds go to support this item (perhaps buy one less bus this year?). DASH is the only bus system in the region without racks. Bike-on-Bus trips are increasing regionally because of improved multi-modal connections. This would increase ridership and increase biking in Alexandria, both of which are good ways to get more local commerce without more local traffic.
Sincerely,
Here is a sample letter:
Dear City Council,
I am writing to support adding bike racks to DASH buses using CMAQ/RSTP funding. I understand that the Transportation Commission voted to recommend that these funds go entirely to the DASH bus service. I also understand that the first unfunded item on the Transportation Commission's priority list is Bike Racks For Buses ($280,000).
I am writing to ask that some of the CMAQ/RSTP funds go to support this item (perhaps buy one less bus this year?). DASH is the only bus system in the region without racks. Bike-on-Bus trips are increasing regionally because of improved multi-modal connections. This would increase ridership and increase biking in Alexandria, both of which are good ways to get more local commerce without more local traffic.
Sincerely,
Labels: alexandria, dash buses
