FABB Blog

 

New Route 7 trail connection in Tysons

Back in October I wrote about the new trails on each side of the Route 7 bridge over I-495. Wide sidepaths were added to each side of Route 7 on this bridge when it was rebuilt as part of the I-495 Express Lanes/HOT Lanes project. At that time if you were headed west into Tysons from the Pimmit Hills area, the trail on the north side of the bridge came to an abrupt end at the Beltway exit ramp. See the photo on the right.

Today on the way back from a meeting near Tysons I rode across the bridge to check out this section and much to my surprise a new trail has been built that connects the bridge trail to a service road parallel to Route 7. The photo on the left is what it looks like now. I'm checking to find out who built the trail so I can thank them. This is a much-needed connection that is used by many people to travel to and from Tysons.

Earlier in the day on my way to the meeting I used the trail on the south side and met two cyclists. One of them looked as if he needed bike lights so I gave him a set of front/rear lights, a FABB legband, and a card explaining why we are handing out the lights. The card has a few of the rules of the road printed on the back. He was very grateful. A cyclist was killed in this area in 2008 while riding at night without lights, which is the main reason we started our light giveaway campaign.

Labels: 495 express lanes, beltway, bike lights, route 7

posted by Bruce Wright at 9:25 PM permalink

 

FABB receives bike light giveaway grant

FABB has conducted bike light giveaways for the past several years. We provide free front and rear lights to cyclists, many of whom depend on bicycles as their main form of transportation. This year we received a very generous grant from the 495 Express Lanes Community Grant Program to conduct another free bike light campaign. Thanks to Transurban for supporting our work.

This winter we've been giving out lights to unlit cyclists we encounter on the roads and trails and now we have the resources to purchase more lights. We are using Beam Bug lights which are much simpler to install than the lights we used previously. We will also be handing out highly reflective pants straps to cyclists and others. We often encounter walkers and runners at night who have no reflective gear and the straps help make them more visible.

A special thanks to bikes@vienna who give us a good price on the lights.

Labels: bike lights, bikes at vienna, Transurban

posted by Bruce Wright at 9:57 PM permalink

 

FABB bike light giveaway in Reston-Herndon

Tonight two members of FABB, myself and Rob Henenlotter, did an impromptu bike light giveaway. Instead of announcing an event and waiting for cyclists to come to us, we traveled on the W&OD trail between Reston and Herndon and asked lightless riders if they wanted a set of lights. Most said yes. With sunset coming so early, many cyclists and pedestrians are out on the trail without lights after dark.

We also handed out reflective bands, either the FABB velcro leg band or narrow slap bracelets generously donated by Inova. Pedestrians and runners without lights or reflective gear can be very difficult to see. We gave the bands and slap bracelets to several non-cycling trail users.

At one point we were admiring a well-lit commuter bike. It wasn't until after he had passed that we noticed the rider, Tom Wyland, a regular FABB member, on his ride home from work. He stopped and we talked about bike lights for a while. He carries some of our giveaway lights and had just given a set to a rider. As were talking another rider without lights passed us. We handed a set to Tom who planned to offer them to the rider.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:02 PM permalink

 

Bike light giveaway at LL Bean in Tysons

FABB will be installing free bike lights between 2:30 and 5:00 p.m. at LL Bean in Tysons Corner Center. We'll be at the ground level entrance. Bring your bike and we'll in stall the lights. We've reached out to service workers who bike in the Tysons area who need lights.

Labels: bike lights, ll bean, Tysons

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:18 AM permalink

 

Be Seen, Be Safe event in Portland

I love the idea of the Be Seen, Be Safe event sponsored by Portland's TriMet. It's a high visibility fashion show, a bike light contest, and a ride to show off the lights and outfits.

This weekend the time changes back to standard time so everyone needs to be thinking about being seen and being safe by having the right gear after dark.

Labels: bike lights, night riding, safety

posted by Bruce Wright at 4:23 PM permalink

 

FABB bike light giveaway on the W&OD Trail

Planet Bike Blinky light set

Tonight three of us from FABB gave out 18 sets of bike lights to cyclists along the W&OD Trail and at nearby retail areas. We started in Falls Church at the intersection of the W&OD Trail and Route 123. There are usually several bikes parked at a car wash nearby so we stopped there and installed some lights on those bikes.

We then rode from there toward Vienna. As we saw cyclists without lights we asked if they wanted a free set. Most were surprised and grateful. Once we got to Vienna we cruised along Route 123 looking for bikes parked near restaurants and other shops.

The bike lights were purchased through a grant from the Transurban-Fluor Community Grant Program. We have a few more sets of lights that we'll be giving out in the next couple of weeks. Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, Feb. 6 so be sure you have your lights ready. Sunset on Monday, Feb. 6 is 5:02 p.m.

If you ever need to check sunrise and sunset times try the Sun and Moon Data website.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 8:31 PM permalink

 

Soggy bike light giveaway

Luckily the rush for bike lights at tonights' bike light giveaway at the W&OD Trail and Route 7 occurred during the first hour when we were dry. Workers at the nearby car wash place brought about 10 bikes that needed lights. These are just the people we are trying to reach. They use their bikes for transportation at all times during the day and many of the bikes do not have lights. They were very pleased with their new lights.

We installed a total of about 20 lights on bikes over the course of two hours. The rain started during the second hour and we were thankful to be able to get under our newly donated REI canopy to avoid the rain. Thanks to the FABB volunteers who helped out. The light giveaway is made possible by a generous grant from the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program.

Labels: bike lights, Fluor, grant, Transurban

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:34 PM permalink

 

Another successful bike light giveaway

FABB had a great turnout for our first bike light giveaway of the season tonight at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. We installed 80 sets of lights on bikes during the event, reaching people who use their bikes for transportation in the Culmore area, many of whom have evening jobs; now they have lights. Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, who stopped by to greet the cyclists and volunteers, said she was impressed to see all the bikes with their lights flashing as she approached the church.

Thanks to Transurban-Fluor; they provided the grant money for purchasing the lights and they turned out in force to help install the lights. They even provided hot chocolate for the volunteers. Thanks to Spokes, Etc. Brian of the Alexandria location came and help with the light installations. Fortunately most of the bikes were in good condition and didn't need mechanical work, but Brian was prepared in case they did. Thanks also to REI Fairfax; this was our first chance to use the Alcove canopy that they donated earlier this year. And thanks to Fionnuala who did most of the legwork in setting up the event and provided baked goods, tables, chairs and tools.

Our next giveaway event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 30 from 5-7pm at the W&OD Trail and the Route 7 bridge, on the east side next to West  End Park.

Update: See the Annandale Patch article about the giveaway.

Labels: bike lights, Fluor, rei, spokes etc., supervisor penny gross, Transurban

posted by Bruce Wright at 8:07 AM permalink

 

FABB bike light giveaway

FABB will be holding their second annual series of bike light giveaways, thanks to a generous grant from the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to reach riders who depend on bicycles for transportation and for whom it is difficult to afford bike lights. We'll be installing free lights on bikes at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 3305 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 (map), from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, November 22. See the flier.

In the picture at the right FABB members are installing free lights on bikes at St. Anthony's Catholic Church last year. Thanks to support from Spokes, Etc. we were able to huddle under their tent during the light drizzle. We're hoping for better weather this year. This year we are lucky to have a canopy donated by REI that we can use.

Labels: bike lights, Fluor, Transurban

posted by Bruce Wright at 12:15 PM permalink

 

FABB receives grant for bike light giveaway, bike racks, and bike commuting seminars

Today FABB learned that we received funding from Transurban, one of the companies involved with building the HOT lanes project, for bike light giveaways, purchase and installation of bike racks, and funds for conducting bike commuting seminars.

Last year FABB received a grant from Transurban for our first bike light giveaways. Many people depend on bicycles for transportation and must ride at night. Providing front and rear lights helps ensure they will be visible and safe. Last year we installed approximately 160 sets of lights at four bike light giveaways.

This year FABB again applied for funds to purchase lights. We expanded our application to include funds for the bike racks that will be installed in places lacking adequate bike parking along the HOT lanes corridor. We will also be conducting bike commuting seminars at large corporations in the corridor. At the seminars we talk about bikes and other gear needed for commuting, clothing strategies, safe cycling skills, and bike route map resources.

Thanks to Transurban for supporting bicycling in Fairfax.

Labels: beltway, bike lights, hot lanes, Transurban

posted by Bruce Wright at 3:46 PM permalink

 

Herndon bike light giveaway

There was a great turnout at yesterday's bike light giveaway. Trinity Presbyterian Church in cooperation with Iglesia Nueva Rivera Presbiteriana hosted the event. The church holds a lunch that is attended by local workers, many of whom use bicycles for transportation. In fact, bicycles are an important part of their lives, providing transportation to jobs, for shopping, and for recreation.

We installed around 50 sets of Planet Bike Blinky lights. Most of the cyclists rode to the lunch, and afterwards there was a long line of cyclists waiting for lights.

Thanks to the churches and to Reston Interfaith for helping coordinate the event.

Labels: bike lights, herndon

posted by Bruce Wright at 5:34 PM permalink

 

Bike light giveaway in Herndon Jan. 20

We're working with Reston Interfaith and Riverside Presbyterian Church (Iglesia Nueva Rivera Presbiteriana), which has a partnership with Trinity Presbyterian Church, to hand out free bike lights tomorrow, January 20 from 1-3 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church (map). If you need a light and are in the Reston/Herndon area, stop by and we'll install a set of Planet Bike blinky safety lights. Read the light giveaway flier.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 9:31 PM permalink

 

Successful bike light giveaway

Despite the cold, wet weather there was a good turnout for the FABB bike light giveaway at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the Culmore area. Many service workers and others who depend on bikes for transportation live in the area. The church provides many services for the community and they spread the word that lights would be available.

Fortunately the rain was light and the wind didn't blow our tent away. Thanks to all the FABB volunteers for coming out, to Nohemy Miranda of the county bike program, to Spokes Etc. of Alexandria for use of the tent and the services Ryan one of the shop bike mechanics. Thanks also to St. Anthony's Catholic Church for hosting the event, to bikes@vienna for use of the tables and chairs and for help with purchasing the lights, and to Transurban/Fluor for the grant that allowed us to purchase the lights.

Labels: bike lights, culmore

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:39 AM permalink

 

Bike light giveway near Seven Corners today

FABB is doing our last scheduled bike light giveaway this afternoon, from 4-6pm at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the Culmore area, just east of Seven Corners. Even though it will very likely be raining, we're hoping for a light rain. Bring your bike and get a free set of front and rear lights. Here's detailed info:

Thursday, November 12, 2009

St. Anthony's Catholic Church
3305 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 (map)
Time: 4:00-6:00pm—Flier

Labels: bike lights, culmore

posted by Bruce Wright at 2:03 PM permalink

 

Annandale bike light giveaway

FABB installed over 40 sets of bike lights yesterday at the Annandale United Methodist Church on Columbia Pike at Gallows Road. It was a beautiful Fall day. The first two hours were very busy and we had several volunteers there to help install the lights, which can take a few minutes given the variety of sizes of handlebars and seatposts/seatstays. Several people came in response to the WABA email alert. A few service workers who use bikes for their main transportation came as well.

Thanks to the church for letting us set up on their parking lot. And thanks to the FABB volunteers for coming out and to Nohemy Miranda of the county bike program, who also took the photos. A special thanks to Dale Ruhter, a church member and bike commuter who helped us throughout the afternoon.

Our next event is on Thursday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the Culmore area. The church is located on 3305 Glen Carlyn Road at Route 7, just west of Columbia Pike. We'll be there from 4-6 p.m.

Labels: annandale, bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 12:13 PM permalink

 

Bike light giveaway on W&OD Trail today

We installed about 45 sets of lights on bikes that stopped by the FABB bike light giveaway at Gallows Road and the W&OD Trail. We were installing lights non-stop for an hour and a half. Since it's getting dark an hour earlier than last week, several people were rushing home so they wouldn't have to ride on the trail in the dark. They were thankful that we had lights for them.

Michelle Holland and Jennifer Aument of Transurban helped out along with several FABB volunteers. It was through the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program for the Capital Beltway Project that we had funds to purchase the lights. Our next event will be in Annandale on Sunday:We've still got a lot of lights left to give away so stop by on Sunday with your bike and we'll install a front and rear Planet Bike Blinky Safety light.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 9:28 PM permalink

 

FABB Bike Light Giveaways

Daylight Savings Time ends on November 1, which means the sun will then set at 5:05 p.m. and it will be dark by 5:30 p.m. Riding at night without lights can be very dangerous. Reflectors are not enough, especially when two cyclists without lights meet on a trail. FABB recently received a grant from the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program for the Capital Beltway Project to purchase front and real lights for cyclists. We will be installing lights at the following dates and locations. Lights will only be available for those who show up with their bike. Limit 1 set per person.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
W&OD Trail and Gallows Road (map)
Time: 4:30-6:00pm

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale (map)
Time: 1:00-4:00pm

We will also be out at random locations with lights for unlit cyclists riding after dark, much like Portland's Community Cycling Center's Get Lit program.

As you can see from the photo above, we've received some help from South Lakes High School students. They earned some service hours for the high school IB program by putting together the lights; installing batteries and putting the lights on the brackets.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 8:37 PM permalink

 

FABB receives grant for bike light giveaway

Many cyclists in Fairfax depend on bicycles for transportation. Some of these cyclists do not have bicycle lights, which are required by Virginia law on all bicycles ridden after dark. FABB recently applied for a grant from the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program for the Capital Beltway Project to purchase bike lights to be given to area bicyclists who cannot afford lights. We received funding and will hold events during the last week of October and first week of November to hand out the lights and safety information. If you would like to volunteer at one of these events, or have ideas about the giveaway events, please contact us at chairman (at) fabb-bikes (dot) org.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 7:55 PM permalink