Tuesday, October 9, 2018
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
Sunday, March 20, 2016
FABB Video: Bike Parking 101
Finding good bike parking in Fairfax can be a challenge. Fairfax County recently adopted bicycle parking guidelines that will be applied to future developments, but it's very difficult to retrofit bike parking at existing retail and commercial establishments. Even when there is bike parking it is often inadequate and installed in the wrong location.We recently produced a short, 4 1/2 minute video showing examples of good and bad bike parking. When we ask for bike parking we need to be specific. The best bike parking is a simple inverted U rack located on a hard surface, near the building entrance, preferably covered. If you like the video, please share it with others. If you ask for bike parking, use the bike parking guidelines as a reference.
Rackspotter is a web app that can be used to identify bike parking locations. It was developed by BikeArlington and has been expanded to allow us to identify bike parking locations in Fairfax County. Please consider adding to the Rackspotter database.
Labels: bike parking, bike parking guidelines, bike parking video, video
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
North County Government Center still without bike parking
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| Plenty of room for bike parking in front of the North County Government Center |
Earlier we reported on new bike racks improperly installed at the Providence Community Center. U racks were used but they were installed on the edge of the concrete, meaning that one wheel would be in the grass. After we complained, additional concrete was added to the edge and one of the racks, which was too close to the adjacent railing, was removed.
We've been advocating for bike parking guidelines since 2007. The guidelines still aren't final and the county still hasn't figured out how to purchase and install racks properly. They are making progress, but it's been much too slow.
Labels: bike parking, bike parking guidelines, bike racks, hunter mill district
Friday, January 23, 2015
Planning Commission recommends approval of Lake Anne redevelopment project
At their January 22 meeting the Fairfax Co Planning Commission recommended adoption of the proposed Lake Anne redevelopment that has been in the works for many years. The project includes extensive bicycle accommodations, including bike lanes on the uphill sections of North Shore Drive and sharrows on the downhill sections, short and long term bike parking with signage noting that bike parking is available, and space for three bike share stations. Stairs leading to the plazas will have stair channels for walking a bicycle up/down the stairs. See the staff report for details and other info about the proposal.While we support the project, we are concerned that the bike parking requirements for multi-family residences are minimal; one long-term bicycle parking space for every 10 units. Arlington requires one parking space for every 3 units. Most households own at least one bicycle and one space for every 10 units is not enough. When the county bicycle parking guidelines come before the Board of Supervisors in the near future we plan to advocate for more robust requirements.
All in all the plan seems to provide good bike accommodations and we support it. Here are the bike facilities included in the draft proffers:
PRELIMINARY DRAFT PROFFERS
LAKE ANNE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS LLC
PCA A-502
December 18, 2014
BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS
public, if any. The bicycle racks shall be inverted U style racks, or of such other design approved by FCDOT. Bicycle facilities shall be installed prior to the issuance of the first RUP or Non-RUP for such use in accordance with the site plan on which the applicable bike facilities are shown.
Short-term bicycle parking shall be provided in accordance with FCDOT guidelines and located anywhere within the Application Property. Long-term bicycle parking shall be in a secure location as selected by Applicant such as a bicycle room, cage, locker, or other secure parking option. Bicycle parking shall be provided as follows, or subject to lesser rates as approved by the Director of FCDOT or his designee at time of site plan:
A. Office Bicycle Parking. The Applicant shall provide one (1) long-term bicycle parking space for every 10,000 square feet, or portion thereof, of office GFA and one (1) short-term bicycle parking space for each 20,000 square feet, or portion thereof, of office GFA.
B. Multi-family Residential Bicycle Parking. The Applicant shall provide one (1) long-term bicycle parking space for every 10 multi-family residential units and one (1) short-term bicycle parking space per every 50 multi-family residential units.
C. Retail Bicycle Parking. The Applicant shall provide one (1) long-term employee bicycle space for every 25,000 square feet of retail GFA and one (1) short-term bicycle parking space for every 10,000 square feet of retail GFA.
48. On Road Bicycle Facilities. The Applicant shall provide on-road bicycle facilities along North Shore Drive as shown on the Plan and as coordinated with both VDOT and FCDOT at time of the first site plan for Buildings A1 or A2 within the curb to curb width and in accordance with the following.
A. Along the south side of North Shore Drive, an on-road bike lane of 6 feet in width (including a two (2) foot wide gutter pan) extending east from Village Road to Cameron Crescent Drive; and
B. Along the north side of North Shore Drive, a sharrow will be provided from Cameron Crescent Drive west to Village Drive.
49. Bike Share. The Applicant has designated three (3) areas within the Application Property (one on the East Side and two on the West Side) and as reflected on the Plan for use as future bike share stations by others. Such spaces shall be made available upon request of the County at no cost to the operator of such service. If a bike share service has not requested the use of the areas after Stabilization of the East or West sides as defined herein, respectively, this proffer obligation shall become null and void and of no further force and effect.
Labels: bike parking guidelines, bike share, lake anne redevelopment
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Vienna approves Maple Ave Vision plan
We hope the new regulations will help remake Maple Avenue from a thoroughfare for commuters to a more vibrant, livable place.
The new regulations include bicycle parking requirements. While we're encouraged by the new requirements, they are minimal compared to those in Arlington although similar to those proposed in Fairfax. As an example, visitor parking can be located as far as 150 feet from the building entrance compared to 50 feet in Arlington and 50-100 feet in Fairfax.
Arlington requires "One (1) resident bicycle parking space for every three (3) residential units." Vienna will require only one parking space for every ten units, the same as what is being proposed for Fairfax. That means that 9 out of 10 units will likely have no bike parking. Also, we saw no reference to the type of racks required.
Inadequate bike parking is one of the major hurdles to resident's ability to use bicycles for short trips. If it's difficult and inconvenient to park and access your bike, chances are you won't ride.
Changing the character of Maple Ave will be a challenge. With so many people still relying on cars to get around, the street will continue to be congested throughout the day. Better transit, more bike-friendly streets, and more mixed-use development will eventually help but it will be a long, slow process. The Maple Ave Vision is a step in the right direction.
Labels: bike parking guidelines, maple avenue vision, town of vienna
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Developers providing better bike parking
A bike valet will offer tuneups and tire changes to spandex-clad commuters and residents at Hassalo on Eighth, a multiuse residential and office complex in Portland, Ore., expected to be completed next year. At the new Vélo North Loop, a high-end rental building in Minneapolis, tenants can use the "bike kitchen"—a bicycle repair area with tire pumps and spare chain links, as well as a bike wash. A shop with trail maps and energy bars is in the works. The Cliffs, a series of golf-resort communities in North and South Carolina, has enlisted a 17-time Tour de France rider to offer group rides for homeowners and potential buyers through the surrounding countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Other than in Tysons, Fairfax County does not yet have bicycle parking guidelines. As we've noted many, many times before, the county has been working on developing bike parking guidelines since 2007. Even when those guidelines are approved, the requirements are minimal. Let's hope market forces, i.e. tenants who demand better bike parking, will lead to developers understanding the importance of quality bike parking.See an earlier article in the Post about good bike parking in DC area apartment buildings.
Labels: bike parking, bike parking guidelines
