Thursday, May 10, 2018
May-June 2018 FABB News
Welcome to Bike Month
May is National Bike Month and FABB is doing its part to celebrate the many benefits of bicycling while encouraging more people to give biking a try. We hope everyone will use the month to get out for a ride and share with the others your love of bicycling.
As part of FABB’s Faces of Fairfax series, you’re invited to share your bicycling story. Faces of Fairfax is FABB’s way to show the many different faces of Fairfax bicyclists who commute to work or school, ride to save money and time, and bike to improve their health and the environment. Just send a short note to info@fabb-bikes.org and we will include you in our Faces of Fairfax series to show the breadth, depth, and humanity of cyclists here in northern Virginia. Check out FABB's Faces of Fairfax blog to learn more.
Bike to Work Day is May 18
Bike to Work Day is almost here. Join the fun on Friday, May 18 as we celebrate bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. There are several pit stops around the region where participants can enjoy free food, commuter support, and get their free 2018 Bike to Work Day t-shirt. Join the fun! Register today.
FABB will be out at Fairfax County’s 17 pit stops to celebrate with and encourage the Bike to Work Day participants. We still need volunteers, especially in Springfield, Lorton and Herndon. If you can help, please sign up here.
You can also help by spreading the word about Bike to Work Day to friends, neighbors and your employer. FCDOT has a tool kit for businesses to help them get involved in promoting bicycling as a viable commuting option. More information about the business tool kit is available at the FCDOT website.
Global Women’s Cycling Day or CycloFemme (May 13).
Each year on Mother’s Day, self-led bike rides around the globe unite riders, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or bicycle preference, to inspire others to bicycle and gain all of the benefits that come from riding. CycloFemme began with a belief in the power of a bike to transform lives. To find out more about the program and donate to the charity’s work in providing bicycles for women in poorer parts of the world, visit the CycloFemme website here.
Join the National Bike Challenge
The National Bike Challenge is underway and FABB wants you to join the challenge to get on your bike and ride. Last year, FABB members were part of the more than 30,000 bicyclists from all 50 states and the District who participated in the challenge. Between May and September, FABB members rode enough miles to finish among the top 20 groups and clubs in the nation. Let’s see if we can’t do better in 2018. Register today!
The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event that encourages current and new bicyclists to get out and ride. It is a free and easy way to challenge yourself, your colleagues and your community to ride more while competing on a local, state and national level for various prizes and awards for you and for FABB. The 2018 Challenge is organized and presented by the League of American Bicyclists with help from Love to Ride. The Challenge runs from May 1 to September 30. Visit the National Bike Challenge/Love to Ride website for details and to record your miles.
Meet Katherine Lewis, FABB’s New Communications Coordinator
You may have noticed that FABB’s social media has recently stepped up its game with more and more interesting posts and tweets. Well, that’s thanks to our new Communications Coordinator, Katherine Lewis. A Fairfax native, Katherine is a Media and Professional Communications major at the University of Pittsburgh. She’s been working remotely from the Steel City and doing a fantastic job. FABB is really pleased (and grateful) to have her help in getting our message about making bicycling better in Fairfax County. Please let Katherine know that you appreciate her work. Give her some likes, shares, and retweets, and help spread the word!
Celebrate Bike Month with FABB at Lake Anne Brewhouse
You’re invited to join FABB at Lake Anne Brewhouse on May 25, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., to celebrate Bike Month. In lieu of FABB’s regular May meeting, we’re getting out ofthe meeting rooms and riding over to Lake Anne to enjoy some drinks and snacks together. As an added benefit, Lake Anne Brewhouse will donate $1 from every pint or soda to FABB. We hope you’ll come meet up with fellow bicyclists, enjoy the festivities and support FABB. Stay tuned for more information on a social ride in the works for that night too.
Mark Your Calendar! FABB Providence District/Tysons Area Meeting June 20
FABB’s June meeting will focus on the Providence District and the immediate Tyson’s area. We are planning to have local officials and business representatives talk about plans for future bicycle infrastructure and related transportation developments. Please join us on Wednesday, June 20 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.
FABB Bicycling Classes Coming This Summer
In July, FABB will kick off Learn to Ride classes. These classes will be for adults who have never learned or need to build confidence in riding again. A team of certified instructors will teach the proven "glide" methodology, balancing techniques and other basic bike handling skills. Classes will held on Saturday mornings at the new Reston Bike Lane location from 8:30-10:30. Stay tuned for exact dates and registration information!
Tell NVTA to Prioritize Multi-Modal Transportation Funding
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority released a draft plan for $1 billion in transportation funding over the next 6 years and is currently seeking public input. This is a great opportunity to speak out for funding better bicycling in Northern Virginia.
Sixty transportation projects from around the region were submitted for NVTA’s 6-year plan. Several Fairfax area projects would expand biking, walking, and transit access across our region. These included enhanced bike routes on the W&OD, the West Falls Church Multimodal project, Richmond Highway widening and BRT, and bikeshare for the City of Fairfax. Check out FABB’s blog for a fuller list of projects up for NVTA funding.
Comments in support of key multimodal projects can be emailed to NVTA until May 20.
Park Authority Strategic Plan Missing Bicycling
Your help is needed ensure the Fairfax County Park Authority includes bicycling in its FY19-23 Strategic Plan for the parks. FCPA is developing the strategic plan to help direct implementation of the county’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan over the next five years. While FABB is pleased the park authority established a goal to improve access and opportunities for healthy and active lifestyles in its recently passed master plan, they failed to include bicycling anywhere in the draft strategic plan. FABB is urging the Park Authority to add an objective to increase bikeable access to park facilities just like the walkable access objective already included in their draft plan. You can review the draft FY19-23 Strategic Plan here and submit comments via email to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov through May 25.
Speak Up in Support of Major Tysons Bike/Ped Project
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a design public hearing on the Tysons/Old Meadow Road bike/ped improvements that will connect Rt. 123 and Tysons Corner Center. Plans include a 10’ shared-use path along Old Meadow Road and a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over I-495 connectiont to Tysons One place and Fashion Boulevard. Please consider attending to hear the latest project details and speak up in favor of the much needed bike improvements. The hearing is Thursday, June 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the George C. Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. You can also email comments to meetingcomments@VDOT.virginia.gov. Please reference “Tysons/Old Meadow Road Bike/Ped Improvements” in the subject line.
Successful FABB Rides to Springfest
FABB led two social rides to the Sully Historic Site for SpringFest 2018, the County’s Earth Day celebration, on April 21. One group departed from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro and the other left from the Stringfellow Road Park and Ride lot in Centreville. The groups rode on bike lanes, neighborhood streets, and paved trails, arriving at Sully Historic Site in time for lunch. One goal of the FABB rides is to show cyclists that there are many options for weekend bike rides besides the major multi-use trails such as the W&OD and Mount Vernon Trails. While the W&OD Trail was extremely crowded that day, the Springfest riders encountered much quiters routes. FABB also had a table at Springfest where our volunteers talked about bike routes for commuting and local trips and how to get involved with FABB.
Labels: fabb newsletter
Saturday, March 17, 2018
March-April 2018 FABB News
FABB News
March-April 2018
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling
Volunteers Needed for Springfest and Bike to Work Day
Spring is coming and FABB needs your help! Volunteers are needed to staff FABB tables at Springfest on April 21 and Bike to Work Day on May 18. Help FABB get out in the community and promote bicycling as a fun and healthy way to run errands, commute to work and get excercise. Sign up now for Springfest or Bike to Work Day!
Upcoming Repaving Meetings and Comment Deadlines
VDOT and FCDOT continues to hold district specfic public meetings on their plans for 2018 repaving and restriping projects, which include bicycle and other safety improvements. Upcoming meetings will be held in the Mason District on Tuesday, March 13; Hunter Mill District on Monday, March 19; and Springfield District on Thursday, April 5. You're encouraged to attend to speak up in support of the planned addition of new bicycling infrastructure.
There is still time to submit comments on proposed improvements in the Braddock District, comment deadline is March 16, and Lee District, comment deadline is March 23. Learn more about the 2018 Paving and Restriping Program here.
County Budget Meetings: Speak Up for Bikes
Fairfax County is seeking public input on its proposed FY2019 budget and is hosting several town hall meetings around the county. This is a great opportunity to speak out for better bicycling in the county. Consider attending a meeting near you one and speaking up or writing in support of: maintaining Safe Routes to School funding for a full-time Coordinator to work with county schools to improve bicycling and walking to school; and increasing funding for maintenance and repair of bicycle facilities.
Budget Town Hall meetings will be held at the following locations and times:
Budget Town Hall meetings will be held at the following locations and times:
- GREAT FALLS: Monday, March 12 at 7:30 PM, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike
- PROVIDENCE: Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 PM, Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax
- BRADDOCK: Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30 PM, location TBD.
- MASON: Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 PM, Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
- MOUNT VERNON: Monday, March 19 at 7:00 PM, Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
- LEE: Wednesday, March 21 at 7:00 PM, Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria
- SPRINGFIELD: Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 PM, Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
Visit the County’s webpage on the proposed budget for more information. You can also contact your local district Supervisor to express your support for expanded funding for better bicycling. Find their contact information here.
Park E-Bike Policies Under Review
Electric bikes (E-Bikes) are growing in popularity and now park groups in Fairfax County are considering how best to manage the bikes use and safety on trails. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Authority are considering whether to allow e-bikes on shared use park trails.Shared-used trails in our parks are key transportation links so local jurisdictions are determining how best to accommodate e-bikes, while hopefully providing some consistency in the rules between jurisdictions. Currently under Virginia law, e-bikes are treated as bicycles if they have a maximum power of 1,000 watts, and a top speed of 25 mph. They’re subject to the same rules of the road as human-powered bicycles, and are allowed on sidewalks and paths where traditional bikes are allowed. However, shared use trails in our parks are subject to different rules, which currently prohibit motor vehicles on trails.
If you’re unfamiliar with e-bikes, they are bikes and trikes with an electric motor that can be used to assist the rider’s pedaling efforts. People for Bikes developed model legislation categorizing e-bikes into three classifications. The Class I pedal-assist bike has a motor that kicks on only when pedaling. Class II has a throttle and the motor engages on demand. Both of these types have a 750 watt motor that cuts out at 20 mph. There is also a Class III pedal assist that tops out at 28 mph.The FABB Board is looking into the impact of the small yet growing numbers of e-bikes. E-bikes can help make the benefits of bicycling accessible to more people and encourage more trips by bike instead of a car. At the same time, we want to make sure increased e-bike use is safe on our trails. What do you think? Take FABB's quick survey on E-Bikes.
Distracted Driving Bill Moves in Virginia General Assembly
Distracted driving legislation was the one bicycling related bill to move in the Virginia General Assembly this year. The distracted driving legislation, HB181, states that the use of a cellphone that “substantially diverts the driver’s attention from the operation of the motor vehicle is guilty of distracted driving.” The bill would make distracted driving a primary motoring offense (a driver can be stopped solely for the offense) with fines of up to $500.While HB181 passed the House, the bill was amended in the Senate to address concerns about the potential for racial profiling. The new language would require development of best practices and that law enforcement keep a record of citations. With the amended language, the bill passed the Senate, but is now in conference committee to reconcile the different versions of the legislation. Given the legislative session is over, time may have run out on the bill for this year.
Due to this increase in distracted-driving related deaths, bike advocacy groups, as well as AAA, Drive Smart Virginia, and police groups have called for revisions to Virginia’s distracted driving laws. According to The Virginian-Pilot, since 2012 as smart phones became more widely used, there have been 949 distracted driving-related fatalities in Virginia. This compares to 1,380 drivers who have been killed as a result of alcohol-related crashes during the same period.
I-66 Parallel Trail Update
While initial construction activities on the I-66 Outside the Beltway Project are set to begin, there are no new developments to report on the parallel bike trail. The contractor is working to finalize design plans for the trail as they complete engineering surveys of the corridor. Fairfax County DOT, meanwhile, is focusing on the off-corridor portions of the planned parallel trail, developing the scope of work documents and revising cost estimates. The good news is that the county will be able to begin the design process using existing funds. The bad news is that more money will be needed to complete the projects, and this funding must be identified and allocated. VDOT and FCDOT continue to assert that the entire I-66 parallel trail will be complete and open when the overall highway project is delivered.
Save the Date! Join Us at FABB's March and April Meetings
The March FABB meeting will be in Alexandria focusing on bicycling developments in the Lee and Mount Vernon Districts. Join us at 7:30 pm, Wednesday, March 21 at the Mount Vernon Government Center. We'll hear the latest updates from the Fairfax County bike program, Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay's staff and, tentatively, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck. This meeting is a great opportunity to get updates on projects such as the EMBARK Richmond Highway Project and raise concerns about bicycling and other multimodal transportation options in the district.
At the April meeting, FABB will provide an introduction to basic techniques and approaches for effective bicycle advocacy. If you've been contemplating becoming more involved in bicycle advocacy, this meeting can help jumpstart your participation. Join us at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 18 at Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Consider bringing a friend who may be interested in getting involved too!
Springfest Fairfax in April
Join FABB at Springfest 2018, Fairfax County’s annual Earth Day and Arbor Day event. This year’s FREE festival will be on April 21, from 10-4 pm at the Sully Historic Site. FABB is proud Springfest partner. Stop by FABB's table or join one of our social rides to the event. Stay tuned for more details. Interested in volunteering with FABB at Springfest? Sign up today!
Springfest 2018 will include workshops, exhibitors, and activities to help people take action to make a “Healthy Planet-Healthy People.” Activities include a petting zoo, an environmental obstacle course, and arts and crafts. You check out the bees and the trees exhibit, consult with Master Gardeners,and buy plants for your garden.
Join Us for National Bike Challenge
Are you ready for the challenge? After FABB's successful advocacy challenge last year as part of the National Bike Challenge, we're getting ready to do it again! Will you join us? Register today! Invite your friends and neighbors too! We're gearing up for the challenge which starts May 1st. The goal is get people out on their bikes to reap the benefits that come from an active, healthy, and fun means of recreation and transportation.
National Bike Summit A Success
The 2018 National Bike Summit wrapped up this week in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, the Summit featured speakers, workshops and panel discussions on a variety of bicycle education and advocacy efforts around the country. FABB was represented by President Jeff Anderson, Vice President Sonya Breehey, and Reston advocate Mario Martin-Alciati.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao opened the summit on Monday highlighting the administration's efforts to address bicycle safety, announcing the Federal Highway Administration's release of guidelines for Measureing Multi-Modal Network Connectivity, and touched on the Trump administration's infrastructure plan. Over the two days, there were workshops on developing e-bike policies, working with law enforcement, autonomous vehicles, bicycle friendly driver training, and many other topics. On Wednesday, FABB joined Bike Arlington, the Virginia Bicycling Federation and other advocates from around the state meeting with legislators on Capital Hill to advoacte for better bicycling in Virginia.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao opened the summit on Monday highlighting the administration's efforts to address bicycle safety, announcing the Federal Highway Administration's release of guidelines for Measureing Multi-Modal Network Connectivity, and touched on the Trump administration's infrastructure plan. Over the two days, there were workshops on developing e-bike policies, working with law enforcement, autonomous vehicles, bicycle friendly driver training, and many other topics. On Wednesday, FABB joined Bike Arlington, the Virginia Bicycling Federation and other advocates from around the state meeting with legislators on Capital Hill to advoacte for better bicycling in Virginia.
2018 FABB Planning, Volunteers Needed
FABB held two planning meetings in February to develop a 2018 work plan. The first meeting was among the Board members and the second involved a larger group of other key volunteers. In the first meeting, the board reviewed the organization’s overall objectives over the years and agreed to condense these into five priority areas. In the second meeting, the broader group of FABB volunteers broke into groups to develop goals, activities, and timelines for 2018 under each of the priority areas. The five priority areas are:- Advocacy for Better Bicycle Infrastructure and Multimodal Transportation
- Bike Ridership and Education
- Alliances with Regional, Government, and Private Sector Partners
- Inclusive Outreach to All Fairfax County Communities
- Legal Rights for Cyclists
A board member was assigned to lead each priority area and will work with a broader team of volunteers to meet the objectives for each priority area. But, we need more help! If you would like to learn more about any of these priority areas or contribute to them in any way, please contact info@fabb-bikes.org.
If you don't already, please Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter feed. If you have news about bicycling in Fairfax to share with our readers, please submit brief articles to news@fabb-bikes.org.
Labels: bike to work day, budget, e-bikes, fabb newsletter, i-66, national bike summit, repaving, springfest
Friday, January 12, 2018
FABB News January - February 2018
Thank You for a Successful End to 2017
Happy New Year! A huge thanks to all of our supporters who helped FABB finish strong in 2017. Because of supporters like you, FABB had a successful end of year fundraising campaign and is GEARED UP to make bicycling in Fairfax even better in 2018. Together with your support we will continue fighting for the best and safest I-66 trail possible, advocating for better bike facilities around the county, hosting more social rides and continuing to build our great bike community.
FABB Hosts Book Discussion on Sharing the American Road
FABB is hosting its inaugural public book talk on the hidden history of bicycle law and policy conflicts in the United States and their lessons for our current bicycle debates. Our speaker, Dr. James Longhurst, is the author of Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road, which examines the different ways that Americans have thought about the bicycle through popular songs, merit badge pamphlets, advertising, films, newspapers and sitcoms. FABB is teaming up with Access Tysons to host the discussion on January 9 at 7pm in the public theatre of the Microsoft Store in Tysons Corner Center.
Embark Richmond Highway Open House
The final Embark Richmond Highway community open house is this Wednesday evening. FABB encourages cyclists and pedestrians in southern and eastern Fairfax to attend to find out the latest details on the effort to update the land use plan for Richmond Highway, including bicycling and pedestrian improvements.
The open house will be Wednesday, January 10, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane, in Alexandria. At the meeting you can learn about the proposed comprehensive plan recommendations from county staff. More important, your questions and input will help the staff finalize recommendations that will prepare the corridor for pedestrian and bicycle enhancements. These recommendations for updating the comprehensive plan, in turn, will be given to the Planning Commission.
Mark your calendars now for the final steps in the process. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the comprehensive plan amendment on January 25 at 7:30 p.m. The Board of Supervisors will then hold a public hearing on the amendment on March 20 at 4:00 p.m.
VA Legislative Session Opens This Week
FABB is working with the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) and other state-wide bicycle advocates to understand the numerous House and Senate bills impacting bicyclists in the 2018 legislative session. With the new political make-up of the General Assembly, how these bills will fare remains unknown. Proposed legislation address a variety of issues including vulnerable users, stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks, passing in a bike lane, distracted driving and value engineering that would fast track transportation projects. Stay tuned for more information on the bills as the session gets underway. If you are interested in representing FABB on VBF’s weekly legislative calls and helping us stay on top of the state bills, send an email to president@fabb-bikes.org.
Upcoming FABB Meetings to Host Rails-to-Trails and FCPD
Join FABB at our January 17 meeting to hear from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Traffic Safety Division on efforts to keep us safe on county roadways. Learn about the process to report aggressive drivers and how bicyclists can work with FCPD to ensure their concerns are heard.
At FABB’s February 21 meeting, we’ll hear from Rails to Trails’ Brandi Horton on Making Connections: Trails at the Heart of Healthy, Thriving Communities. As transportation habits change and technologies like autonomous vehicles become mainstream, a new opportunity exists to prioritize biking and trails in in the places where we live. But that future isn’t guaranteed. Explore how we can create the change we want, and put trails at the heart of healthy, thriving communities.
Both the January and February FABB meetings will run from 7:30-9pm at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave E, Vienna, near the W&OD Trail. All are welcome.
National Bike Summit in D.C. March 5-7
The National Bike Summit is the premier bike advocacy event of the year and is held here in Washington, D.C, March 5-7. This year's theme is Grass Roots Grow Together. As in prior years, the event showcases successes at the local level and provides opportunities for peer learning. The summit is three days packed with chances to learn and share information, to network and to bring our message to Capitol Hill.
Are you interested in attending the summit? FABB would like to sponsor a couple volunteers to take advantage of this great opportunity. Please contact us if you’re interested.
How Can You Support FABB in 2018? Communications and Volunteer Coordinators Still Needed
FABB continues looking for two volunteers to help us grow the organization and make it a more effective advocate for better bicycling in Fairfax County. Both positions can be performed at home and require as few as 5 hours, but no more than 15 hours per week. The Volunteer Coordinator would support FABB’s volunteer recruitment and management efforts. The Communications Coordinator will become FABB’s primary social media and outreach coordinator. For more details on the positions, check out our blog here. If you are interested and would like to talk about one of these positions, please contact Steve Ward. Or help us by spreading the word. Likewise, if you know someone who may be interested, please forward these positions along.
Fairfax County Launches Website Redesign
Fairfax County recently launched its redesigned website offering a new look and feel to the bike and pedestrian resources. On the new Bike & Walk Fairfax pages you can access much of the same information but in a more consolidated way. Resources include the County’s new bike map, information on current projects, and bike commuting and Capital Bikeshare resources.
Labels: fabb newsletter
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
FABB News - November-December 2017
Bicycle Program Coordinator Adam Lind Departing
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| Adam Lind |
Adam will be sorely missed. However, we take heart that he is leaving behind a strong foundation for ever greater cooperative endeavors between the county and FABB to make bicycling better. Thanks to Adam and his staff, Fairfax County is well positioned to enhance its standing as a bicycle-friendly community.
Providence District Meeting on I-66
Supervisor Linda Smyth is hosting a Providence District community briefing on I-66 this Wednesday. This is an opportunity for local bicyclists to voice concerns about plans for the I-66 parallel trail and their desire for improving its design. The I-66 trail will connect hundreds of thousands of people to neighborhoods, trails, and transit hubs while providing new recreational opportunities all along the I-66 corridor. The meeting will be held at Marshall Road E.S., November 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
I-66 Trail Update & Upcoming Public Hearings
Since 2015, FABB has been advocating for the inclusion of the best possible bike and pedestrian trail as part of the Transform66 Outside the Beltway project. In fact, when the project was first announced, there was no parallel trail in the plans but based on FABB's work and significant public pressure, the trail is now an intregral part of the project.
The trail is currently in the design phase. Despite intense advocacy by FABB, WABA, State Senators and Delegates and the general public to improve the trail design, there remains 3-plus miles deemed by many as not meeting that “best possible trail” criteria. These 3 miles, although not contiguous, are next to the highway inside the soundwall. The longest stretch without any access points is the mile-long section between Nutley Street and Gallows Road. Unfortunately, because of intense local pressure and some elected officials’ unwillingness to see the long-term value of the trail, the greater Fairfax community may have to live with this inadequate section.
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| Woodrow Wilson Bridge plexiglass barrier. |
Please let your feelings about improving the trail design and barrier be known. The following officials represent much of the I-66 project area, so please contact them if you live in their district. If not, please contact your representatives. Find out who they are using Fairfax County's My Neighborhood.
- Supervisor Linda Smyth, linda.smyth@fairfaxcounty.gov
- Delegate Mark Keam, delmkeam@house.virginia.gov
- Senator Chap Petersen, district34@senate.virginia.gov
- VDOT Mega Projects, Transform66@VDOT.Virginia.gov
You can also speak up for a better trail by attending one of the three upcoming VDOT Design Public Hearings on the I-66 Outside the Beltway project. The hearings will focus on plans for three segments of the 22.5-mile corridor from I-495 to University Boulevard in Gainesville. All hearings will run from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm with a formal presentation beginning at 7:00 pm. A public comment period will follow the presentation.
I-66 Design Public Hearings
Project Segment 3 (Route 50 to I-495)
Monday, November 13, 2017
Oakton High School Cafeteria
2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
Project Segment 2 (Route 29, Centreville to Route 50)
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Stone Middle School Cafeteria
5500 Sully Park Drive, Centreville, VA 20120
Project Segment 1 (Gainesville to Route 29, Centreville)
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Piney Branch Elementary School Cafeteria/Gym
8301 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136
If unable to attend the hearings, you can still review project information, including design plans and project schedule, at www.Transform66.org or at VDOT's Northern Virginia District Office.
Comments can be submitted via email to Transform66@VDOT.Virginia.gov or mailed to Ms. Susan Shaw, P.E., Megaprojects Director, VDOT Northern Virginia District, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please reference "Transform 66 Outside the Beltway" in the subject line of all correspondence. The comment period runs through November 29, 2017.
FABB Uses Ride to Show I-66 Engineers Good and Bad Trail Design
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Tysons Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge & Trail Workshop
The plan includes a shared-use 10' wide asphalt path along Old Meadow Road from Route 123 to a bridge crossing over I-495 near the intersection of Tysons One Place and Fashion Boulevard. Community input is needed on the design details including security, screening, aesthetics, lighting and architectural treatments.
The first workshop will be Thursday, November 9, and the second on Tuesday, November 28. Both workshops will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Westgate Elementary School, 7500 Magarity Road, Falls Church. If you have any questions, contact the project manager, Abi Lerner, by email at Abraham.Lerner@VDOT.Virginia.gov or by telephone at 703-259-3345.
Join FABB's Tysons-Mosaic Farmer's Market Social Ride
FABB is partnering with Access Tysons to hold the Tysons to Mosaic District social ride on Sunday, November 12. The ride starts promptly at 9:30 am from the Capital Bikeshare station in front of the VITA apartments, but arrive early for refreshments. Riders will travel at a comfortable pace over an 8-mile round trip ride between Tysons Corner Center and the Mosaic Farmer's Market. There will be approximately one hour of free time at Mosaic before the group returns to Tysons Corner Center. Register for the event here.
Tour de Mount Vernon Ride a Success
FABB teamed up with Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and Fairfax County for a successful second annual Tour de Mount Vernon last Saturday. FABB helped promote the ride and register the nearly 200 local cyclists who signed up for the 35-mile ride. The ride also helped raise much needed funds in support of better bicycling. FABB received a $5 donation from each registration fee. With the cancellation of Tour de Fat and the Clips Beer and Film Festival this year, the Tour de Mount Vernon was FABB's best fundraising event of 2017. Thanks to everyone who participated in the ride!
"Ironman" Board Member Collects Donations for FABB
Looking for a way to creatively support FABB? How about raising donations while meeting a challenging personal goal?
The successful campaign raised $677, all of which is being used for ongoing FABB activities. FABB is always looking for more creative fundraising events. If you want to organize a similar campaign or have other fundraising suggestions, please contact info@fabb-bikes.org.
Communications and Volunteer Coordinators Still Needed
FABB continues looking for two volunteers to help us advance our goals of growing the organization and making it an even more effective advocate for better bicycling in Fairfax County. Both positions can be performed at home and require as few as 5 hours to no more than 15 hours per week. The Volunteer Coordinator will support FABB’s volunteer recruitment and management efforts. The Communications Coordinator will become FABB’s primary social media coordinator and editor of the FABB blog and bimonthly FABB newsletter. For more details on the positions, check out our blog on the positions here. If you are interested and would like to talk about one of these positions, please contact Steve Ward at secretary@fabb-bikes.org.
Upcoming FABB Meetings
FABB’s bimonthly Board Meeting will be held on November 9, at 7:00 pm at the Oakton Library. Interested members are invited to attend. FABB’s next monthly meeting will be November 15, and focus on bicycling in the Sully District. Our lead guest speaker will be Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith. The meeting will be in the Frank Room of the Sully Government Center in Chantilly. Please note that the meeting will start at 7:00 pm rather than the usual 7:30 pm. Plans for a FABB Holiday celebration in lieu of our December meeting are in the works. Details will be announced soon.
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If you haven’t already, please Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter feed. If you have news about bicycling in Fairfax to share with our readers, please submit brief articles to news@fabb-bikes.org.
Nov. 8 - Providence District I-66 Community Meeting, Marshall E.S., Vienna
Nov. 9 - FABB Board Meeting, Oakton Library, Oakton
Nov. 12 - Tysons-Mosaic Social Ride, Tysons
Nov. 13 - I-66 Design Public Meeting, Oakton H.S., Vienna
Nov. 14 - I-66 Design Public Meeting, Stone M.S., Centreville
Nov. 15 - FABB Monthly Meeting, Sully Government Center, Chantilly
Nov. 16 - I-66 Design Public Meeting, Piney Branch E.S., Bristow
Dec. 20 - FABB Holiday Celebration (tentative)
Labels: fabb newsletter
