FABB Blog

 

Fairfax Co gets first sharrows

The first sharrows (shared lane markings) in Fairfax County were recently installed on Westmoreland St in McLean. Bike lanes were installed in the north section of that road in 2008. Because the road narrows approaching Kirby Rd to the south, the bike lanes end. This is an ideal location for sharrows and one that FABB suggested needed sharrows.

The sharrows were installed this week. While not a panacea, they do indicate to motorists that they should expect bicyclists in the road. They indicate to cyclists where it's safest to ride, not hugging the white line or curb but into the lane. On a lane that cannot be shared safely with a motorist (less than 14 feet), cyclists should ride so that motorists aren't tempted to pass unsafely in the same lane. They should either move to the adjacent lane if possible or wait until it's safe to pass.

Thanks to VDOT for placing the sharrows. It took a while for them to pass the 2009 MUTCD guidelines that allow the use of sharrows, but now we hope to see many more on our roadways. Future locations include on Old Courthouse Road at Freedom Hill Park where many cyclists ride into Tysons, and on Idylwood Road between Helena Dr and Idyll Lane, where cyclists coming from the W&OD Trail off Virginia Lane ride toward Gallows Road or Pimmit Hills (via Hurst St.).

Labels: idylwood road, mclean, shared lane markings, sharrows, westmoreland st

posted by Bruce Wright at 2:34 PM permalink

 

Oak Street bridge to close for a year

A popular bike route from the W&OD Trail to Gallows Road, which includes using the Oak Street bridge to cross the Beltway, will be closed for a year starting on Sunday, May 10 as part of the Beltway HOT lanes project. The route is also used by people coming from other areas to the east of the Beltway including Great Falls and the Pimmit Hills area. See a map of the bridge. According to Dr Gridlock, it will be close from May 10 until Spring 2010.

An alternative is to use Idylwood Road which is very bike-unfriendly or to continue west on the W&OD Trail to Gallows Road. To avoid a narrow section of Gallows Rd. when headed north, you could instead turn right on Sandburg St. before reaching Gallows Rd. There is low traffic but a climb to Idylwood Rd. Cross Idylwood Rd and then turn left on Elm Place to get to Gallows Rd.

Labels: hot lanes, idylwood road, oak street

posted by Bruce Wright at 2:21 PM permalink