Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Bike to School Day, Part 3: Vienna Schools Bike/Walk Challenge
The 9th Vienna Schools Bike/Walk Challenge culminated on the Friday before Bike to Work day. For nine years various Vienna elementary schools have participated in a week-long challenge encouraging more students to bike or walk to school. The participating schools were Wolftrap, Westbriar, Cunningham Park, Marshall Road, Flint Hill, Louise Archer, and Vienna.
These schools actually had a Bike to School Day before Bike to School was a “thing.” Over the years they have expanded the event by challenging schools in Reston to a community contest. The Vienna schools also have teamed up with local businesses to promote the day. In 2016 this resulted in a large check being given to Committee For Helping Others to purchase bikes for less fortunate children. It's great to see schools team up yet compete in such a fun week of exercise.
The Bike Cup, which is based on the percentage of bike riders relative to the total number of participants, was again won by Vienna which had two days with 100+ riders. It's their fourth year of winning the Bike Cup with Wolftrap recapturing second place after an awesome 100+ day on Wednesday and a solid Friday. Marshall Road had a nice surge to take third overall.
Results:
Cup Challenge (ranking based on comparison with previous year's participation)
Vienna 102.12%
Cunningham Park 101.98%
Westbriar 98.12 %
Wolftrap 95.75%
Marshall Road 84.25%
Flint Hill 81.67%
Vienna 40.39%
Wolftrap 23.89%
Marshall Road 15.22%
Cunningham Park 13.84%
Flint Hill 10.61%
Westbriar 5.74%
Congratulations to all the schools for getting out there and continuing to show the rest of FCPS how to get it done.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Successful Bike to School Day Ride at Stenwood Elementary
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| Joel's bike train and FCPD escort. |
Stenwood Elementary in Vienna was the scene last week of a great Bike to School Day event. As on of the 78 FCPS schools participating, parents and students, with some help from Fairfax County Police Department officers, set up a bike train to safely bring a record number of student riders to school.
Joel Guzman, who has been running a weekly bike train to Stenwood for the past two months, reports that on Bike to School Day he had 24 kids and 7 adults participate. The FCPD provided 2 bike patrol officers to ride with the students and another officer in a patrol car to assist with traffic control for the ride.
Joel Guzman, who has been running a weekly bike train to Stenwood for the past two months, reports that on Bike to School Day he had 24 kids and 7 adults participate. The FCPD provided 2 bike patrol officers to ride with the students and another officer in a patrol car to assist with traffic control for the ride.
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| A safe route to school. |
Stenwood's population is split by Gallows Road. A good number of students bike from the same side as the school but Joel lives on the other side where all the students are bused. He hasn't let that stop him from giving kids the chance to bike. The school is off Gallows Road near the busy intersection of I-66 and I-495 and just a stone’s throw from the Dunn Loring Metro. Thanks to careful planning, the bike train used a safe route that ran through and picked up riders from several communities in the Dunn Loring area.
Many thanks to Joel, the other parents, the FCPD, and everyone else who supports bicycling as a safe and healthy mode of transportation and recreation for children.
Many thanks to Joel, the other parents, the FCPD, and everyone else who supports bicycling as a safe and healthy mode of transportation and recreation for children.
Labels: bike to school day, dunn loring, steendood elementary, vienna
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
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Two New Documentaries Of Interest to Everyone
In time for Bike to School Day on May 4, Maryland Public Television is premiering the documentary The Slow Way Home. The film explores the divergence between the ways children travel to school in America and Japan. It also examines how American families have largely given up on keeping our streets and public spaces safe for children while Japanese communities have mobilized to keep their streets safe and walkable, not only for children but for everyone in society.The Slow Way Home is scheduled to be shown on MPT2 on Tuesday, May 3, at 9:00 pm.
Later during Bike Month the local chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) is offering an exclusive screening of the documentary Bikes vs. Cars.
From bike activists in Sao Paulo and Los Angeles who are fighting for safe bike lanes to the City of Copenhagen where forty percent commute by bike daily, Bikes vs. Cars looks at the struggle for bicyclists in a society dominated by cars and the revolutionary changes that could take place if more cities moved away from car-centric models. The screening will be on Wednesday, May 18, at 6:30 pm at the Landmark E Street Theater in D.C.
You need tickets to attend the screening. These can be obtained here but must be ordered by Tuesday, May 3.
Labels: bike month, bike to school day, safe routes to school
Sunday, May 3, 2015
May-June 2015 FABB Newsletter
May-June 2015 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling
Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 6
This year the school system has challenged schools to get 100 bikes in their racks. Schools that achieve the "century" milestone will receive 100 bike seat covers as prizes for all the students who participate. Of course, children and parents are encouraged to walk to school as well.
Several Fairfax communities have over 5 schools participating in the event. They include Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston, and Vienna. A few schools, such as Navy Elementary on West Ox Road, are participating for the first time. Lots of events are planned including the week-long Bike/Walk Challenge that Vienna elementary schools have been holding for 7 years. To see which schools are participating and to register your event visit the Bike to School Day website.
Register Now for Bike to Work Day on May 15
If you haven't already signed up for Bike To Work Day on Friday, May 15, now is the time. This year Fairfax has 14 Bike to Work Day locations. Look for a FABB representative at most of the pit stops. (We still need a volunteer at the Mt. Vernon-Collingwood pit stop.) We'll be handing out bike maps and talking to cyclists about how they can help make Fairfax a better place to bike. To register for Bike to Work Day go to www.biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Public Hearings on I-66 Outside the Beltway
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that it will host public hearings in late May and early June on the latest environmental assessment for the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. Details are below.
This is another great opportunity for bicyclists and other citizens concerned about transportation options in Fairfax to provide comments to VDOT. Now is the time to build an extension of the Custis Trail parallel to I-66 and to build bike facilities on all of the bridges. You can review project information at www.transform66.org beginning May 12, 2015. Written comments may be submitted by email to Transform66@VDOT.Virginia.gov. Please reference "Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Public Hearing" in the subject line. Comments must be emailed to VDOT by June 18, 2015 to be included in the public hearing record.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
VDOT Northern Virginia District Office
4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Oakton High School - Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #14)
2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Battlefield High School - Cafeteria (Entrance #1 or #4)
15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Bull Run Elementary School - Cafeteria (Entrance #1)
15301 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA 2012
Tour de Fat is Back on May 30
Bike Fairfax Wikimapping Project - Routes to Transit
Fairfax County wants to know how you ride to Metro and VRE stations so they can help identify where bike route improvements are needed. Comments are being accepted until June 30. "The Bike Fairfax Wikimapping Project provides commuters and leisure bicyclists the opportunity to help prioritize future bicycle improvement projects. Specifically, we are reaching out to bicyclists to show us what routes are being used to get to Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) stations in Fairfax County today. This information will help guide the decision making process on future bicycle infrastructure improvements including wayfinding signage and bike lanes."
Bike Projects as Part of Summer Paving Schedule
Fairfax County recently completed a series of public meetings on bike projects that will be added on several roads being repaved. The presentations are available online. These are very low cost projects that improve safety for all road users. Thanks to everyone who supported the bike projects by attending these meetings and/or by contacting officials. Your participation made a difference in overcoming some objections to the projects. We'll be reporting on these projects as they are implemented on the FABB blog, Facebook, and Twitter. If you don't already, please Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter feed.
- May 6, Wednesday - Bike to School Day
- May 15, Friday - Bike to Work Day
- May 20, Wednesday - FABB Monthly Meeting in Vienna
- May 27, Wednesday - I-66 Public Hearing, VDOT NoVa HQ
- May 28, Thursday - I-66 Public Hearing, Oakton HS
- May 30, Saturday - Tour de Fat
- June 2, Tuesday - I-66 Public Hearing, Battlefield HS
- June 3, Wednesday - I-66 Public Hearing, Bull Run ES
- June 17, Wednesday - FABB Monthly Meeting in Vienna
- June 26-July 5 - World Police and Fire Games
- July 19, Sunday - Tour de Tysons
Labels: bike to school day, bike to work day, fabb newsletter, repaving, tour de fat, wikimapping project
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Bike to School Day is Wed., May 6
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| Wolftrap ES bikes on Bike to School Day |
Currently over 2,000 schools across the country have signed up to participate with 155 schools in Virginia and near 40 in Fairfax County. Fairfax County's Safe Routes to School Coordinator has been working hard to increase Fairfax County Public Schools participation and those efforts are paying off.
This year the school system has challenged schools to get 100 bikes in their racks. Schools that achieve the 'century' milestone will receive 100 bike seat covers as prizes for all the student who rode in. Of course, children and parents are encouraged to walk to school if bicycling to school isn't something they wish to do.
Several Fairfax communities have over 5 schools participating in the event. They include Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston and Vienna, with a few new schools that have never participated previously including Navy Elementary on West Ox Road. Lots of events are planned including the week-long Bike/Walk Challenge that Vienna elementary schools have been holding for 7 years.
Hear from some parents and kids at two of the schools about why they organize Bike and Walk to School events. National Bike to School day is an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Fairfax County Public Schools have compiled information on walking and biking to school on their Safe Routes to School web page.
Labels: bike to school day
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Vienna Bike/Walk Challenge - Final results
Day 5 is in the books of Vienna's Bike/Walk Challenge Week. Over 5400 kids walked or biked to school all week. The Overall Challenge Cup goes to first timer Westbriar ES with a bang up job on the last day of the 5 day challenge - with 178 kids walking or biking to school. |
| Vienna ES bike racks with 186 bikes! |
The coffee shops were a buzz as it's customers were wondering out loud if they took a wrong turn and ended up in Portland. Kudos to the teachers who took time out of their morning planning to greet kids at various meet up points and ride in.
The third spot was taken up by Wolftrap, the only school that participated in all six years for the entire week. Wolftrap with it's bike train culture ran one that passed through the Old Courthouse Road S-Curve, which is on the County's list of projects to create safer bike conditions. A second bike train was run from within the Town of Vienna limits. We've heard that the parents will make that bike train a weekly event for the rest of the year. In addition, those kids had a great time delivering bike safety tips and the weather with ABC7 on National Bike to School Day.
Here is the link for that: EILEEN BIKE TO SCHOOL
View on www.youtube.com
Louise Archer, with notoriously difficult walking routes, has spent the last two years working with parents to encourage more walking. It's rumored that a bus stop was eliminated as a direct result of this week long Challenge. A group of Louise Archer students who attend that school's AAP center, but whose base school is Vienna, organized a bike train originating at Vienna Elementary School. How's that for leveraging how schools can work together? With that kind of effort, Louise Archer also set a new week-long high of bikes to school.
Cunningham Park also had a slight down year but the ever popular Casey the Cardinal, their giant red mascot, greeted walkers and bikers with 'free high fives'. Even commuters on the way to work on Park St. were excited to see Casey. Any ideas on who is inside?
The week is a lot of fun and huge thanks go out to the students who love it and have fun, parents who see just how important walking and biking to school is, and the school's principals, staff and teachers who get the direct benefit - kids ready to learn all week long. We'd also like to thank the Vienna Business Association for recruiting 30 businesses to donate a percentage of week long sales to the seven schools. Community involvement is always important.
Keep up the momentum kids. Great job on showing how to get to 'your' workplace for the adults who will join Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16. We look forward to the 7th version of the Challenge next year, tentatively scheduled for May 4th-8th.
More photos from the Challenge:
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| Wolftrap ES |
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| Westbriar ES |
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| Westbriar ES |
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| Louise Archer ES |
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| Vienna ES bike train |
Labels: bike to school, bike to school day, bike train, vienna bike/walk challenge
Monday, May 5, 2014
Vienna Bike/Walk Challenge - Monday results
Every day this week FABB will be reporting on the Vienna Schools Bike/Walk Challenge. This is the 6th annual version, with all seven schools in Vienna participating this year. The schools include Cunningham Park, Flint Hill, Louise Archer, Marshall Road, Vienna, Westbriar and Wolftrap. Last year saw Wolftrap awarded the Overall Cup and Vienna repeated for the Biking Cup. Westbriar was awarded the Rookie Cup. Over 5,500 kids biked or walked during the week last year.So let's get to Day One results.
The morning arrived with perfect weather to ditch the car or avoid the bus and walk or bike to school. Last year 866 students walked or bike to school on Day 1. (Note: Only six elementary schools participated 2013). This year 888 students got to school in what we consider the best method possible - self propelled. The numbers for all seven schools are below but it looks like Vienna has a slight lead in the Overall Cup. This one often comes down to the last day as momentum builds over the course of the week. Vienna also had an impressive 91 students ride to school today. That 60.7% puts it in a big lead in the Biking Cup. Their Bike Friday initiative has certainly paid off.
Weather for Day 2 looks to have some residual rain from over night but it should be out of the area by the time wheels and feet hit the pavement. Per NOAA, a chance of showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Great job kids. Keep up the great work. Here are the results (revised on May 6). Click on the image to enlarge it.
Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 7.
Friday, May 2, 2014
May-June 2014 FABB Newsletter
MAY-JUNE 2014 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling
Bicycle Master Plan
The long process of approving the Countywide Bicycle Master Plan is still underway. Public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors that were planned for May and June were recently postponed. Two countywide public meetings are now planned as a way to inform the public about the latest versions of the plan and recommended facilities maps.
While we are frustrated by the slow progress, the public meetings will be an opportunity for cyclists to learn about the latest drafts of the plan. This information should soon be available on the county bike plan webpage.
Once the public meeting dates are announced, we will spread the word via FABB social media and other outlets. The official public hearing dates will likely be announced after the public meetings are held. Stay tuned.
Fairfax County Parkway Trail Repair Underway
The first phase of the Fairfax County Parkway Trail Repair began in April. Work crews started at Route 7 and will continue south to Route 29 through the summer. Only the most damaged sections of the trail will be repaved. Where large cracks have developed but the remainder of the trail is in good condition, the cracks will be filled and sealed.
Trail sections being repaired will be closed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will also be some nighttime work done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Trail users should be able to carefully bypass work in progress if they are traveling during construction times. Informational signage and maps are being posted on site. See the FABB blog for more info, including examples of signs and maps posted at each end of the work area.
Tour de Fat
Tour de Fat returns on Saturday, May 31 to Yards Park in DC. The party starts with a costumed bike ride at 11 a.m. and includes music, games, food, and beer from New Belgium Brewery, makers of Fat Tire Ale.
Tour de Fat is a major fundraising event for FABB. Our volunteers check IDs and attach wristbands during the event to allow attendees to purchase alcohol. In exchange we receive a portion of the proceeds. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt and two beer tokens. We will likely form bike convoys of volunteers to the event.
We need volunteers for the the morning (10-1:30 p.m.), midday (11:30-3:00 p.m.) and afternoon (1:30-5 p.m.) shifts. Contact us at chairman@fabb-bikes.org to volunteer.
Tour de Tysons
Join FABB for rides, food, and fun at Tour de Tysons bicycle race on Sunday, June 29. The organizers of the bike race, National Capital Velo Club and Tysons Partnership, support all types of bicycling in Tysons. The race course will be on a loop in the vicinity of Tysons Corner Metro Station. FABB is sponsoring a family ride on the course during the event. Related activities will be held near the Tysons Corner Metro station. Check the FABB Tour de Tysons page for details as we get closer to the event.
Join FABB for the following activities at Tour de Tysons:
- Bicycle caravans demonstrating three routes to the Tysons Metro stations and to get cyclists to the event from three different points, arriving at 9:30 a.m.
- Midday social ride open to everyone on the race course. ($3 participant fee for insurance.)
- Food trucks and other vendors will be present.
- Commuter Seminar - "How to Ride Your Bike to Work - save money, have fun!" 10:30 a.m. in front of Firehook Coffee Shop.
- FABB table with maps and bike-related info.
Plan on joining us for a great way to experience Tysons! If you want to volunteer to help, please contact alan.g.young.sr@gmail.com.
Bike to School Day May 7
On Wednesday May 7 schools around the country will celebrate the third annual National Bike to School Day. Twenty-five schools in Fairfax County have registered so far. Lots of activities from bike trains to bike rodeos are planned at the various schools. Other events include safety clinics, helmet and token giveaways, and free coffee for the parents.
Several schools in Reston and Vienna are challenging one another for "Most Bikes" bragging rights on this day. In addition, the Vienna schools are holding their 6th annual Bike/Walk Challenge week with trophies for overall walkers/bikers and most bikers. Follow along on the FABB blog for daily updates on this challenge. National Bike to School day is an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Fairfax County Public Schools have compiled information on walking and biking to school on their Safe Routes to School web page.
Bike to Work Day May 16
Register now for Bike to Work Day, which is Friday, May 16. Two new Fairfax County events are being held this year, at Fair Lakes and McLean. We now have 12 events in Fairfax County, and we hope to have FABB reps at most of them.
Healthy Community Design Summit
The Healthy Community Design Summit will be held on Tuesday, May 6. The Summit is a chance to "learn how communities throughout the U.S. are encouraging active living through design of the built environment. Hear from a panel of local business, development and planning experts about their strategies for and successes with integrating healthy design throughout the Fairfax Community. Brainstorm with your colleagues on ways to make your neighborhoods more friendly for pedestrians and bicycles and accessible to all people. Help craft a message for leadership that demonstrates the benefits of health in all policies – especially throughout the built environment."
The event is being held at the Kena Conference Center, 9001 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax. Check-in begins at 8 a.m.; the program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register for free at Eventbrite.
Women-Only Rides
Ladies, do you want to ride with other women? Three groups, Babesonbikes.org, WABA's Women & Bicycles, and Alexandria Spokeswomen, are just for you. These groups offer a variety of social and training rides. In addition, many local bike shops have no-drop women-only rides going on this spring. Invite a friend who might be interested in cycling to join you in this non-threatening atmosphere.
- May is Bike Month.
- May 3, Saturday - Vienna Bike Rodeo from 9 a.m.-noon at Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
- May 4, Sunday - Alexandria Spokeswomen bike shop ride leaving from Jones Point Park at 10:00 a.m.
- May 5, Monday - Safe Routes to School Workshop at Mt. Vernon Woods Elementary School from 12:15-3:30 p.m., facilitated by Mark Fenton, an expert on Safe Routes to School initiatives and walkable communities.
- May 6, Tuesday - Healthy Community Design Summit at the Kena Conference Center from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Mark Fenton is the keynote speaker.
- May 6, Tuesday - Bicycle Master Plan briefing at Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee meeting at Fairfax County Government Center. Meeting starts at 10 a.m.
- May 7, Wednesday - Bike to School Day is celebrated at more than 25 Fairfax County schools. Is your school holding an event?
- May 10, Saturday - Reston Bike Rodeo at Lake Newport pool from 1-4 p.m.
- May 11, Sunday - Crystal City Phoenix Derby from 2-6 p.m.
- May 21, Wednesday, FABB Monthly Meeting, Vienna, VA.
- May 31, Saturday, Tour de Fat at Yards Park from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- June 18, Wednesday, FABB Monthly Meeting, Vienna, VA.
- June 29, Sunday, Tour de Tysons.
Labels: bicycle master plan, bike to school day, fabb newsletter, fairfax county parkway trail, tour de fat, tour de tysons
