Friday, April 22, 2016
VDOT's Bike/Ped Advisory Committee meets in Richmond on April 27
VDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet at VDOT offices in Richmond next Wednesday, April 27. The committee is comprised of state and local officials and bicycle and pedestrian advocates.Topics to be discussed include info on the statewide bicycle and pedestrian count program, sweeping and clearing snow from bike facilities, the National Capital Area Paved Trail Plan, and an update on the review of the 2004 Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations. If you plan to attend, contact John Bolecek, the state bicycle coordinator.
See the full meting agenda.
Labels: john bolecek, virginia bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Mini-Fairfax tour with VDOT bike coordinator John Bolecek
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| Fionnuala Quinn and Kerie Hitt of FABB, Zack Field of Congressman Connolly's office, and John Bolecek, VDOT Bike Coordinator |
From Vienna we rode north to Tysons Corner to see an important bike route into Tysons where shared lane markings are needed on Old Courthouse Road at Freedom Hill Park. We then headed east along Old Courthouse Rd where bike lanes could easily be striped between Route 123 and Gallows Rd. We headed south on Gallows where bike lanes should be constructed this year. We stopped by Kilmer Middle School where Congressman Connolly attended a ribbon-cutting for their new bike racks and saw the new bridge connecting Wolf Trap Rd.
We then headed south on Gallows to Oak St to see the bike lanes on the new bridge over the Beltway that was recently opened. We checked out a narrow section of Idylwood Rd that is used by many bike commuters traveling from the W&OD Trail to Pimmit Hills, Tysons, and McLean
We then headed to the W&OD Trail to see that new bridge over the Beltway and discussed some issues there including the need for permanent fencing on both sides of the bridge. From there we rode to Gallows Rd and headed south on the bike lanes toward Dunn Loring Metro, discussing the need for shared lane markings where the bike lanes end just north of the I-66 bridge.
At Dunn Loring Zack headed back to work on Metro. Even on a raining morning the bike racks at the station were nearly full. We then discussed the planned future growth in the Merrifield area and the need for good bike access to the Dunn Loring station and in the surrounding community.
We headed back to Vienna via the narrow bridge on Cedar Lane over I-66 to a left on Cottage St.
It was great meeting John and having a chance to spend time with him and Zack discussing some of the issues we face here in Fairfax. We look forward to working with him to help make Virginia more bicycle friendly.
Labels: john bolecek, zack fields
Thursday, June 23, 2011
VDOT hires state bicycle coordinator
After a year and a half, VDOT has finally filled the state bicycle coordinator position. We've heard that John Bolecek, formerly of the US Department of Transportation, is the new coordinator. While at USDOT John represented the U.S. DOT on Michelle Obamas' Let's Move childhood obesity taskforce. He's a University of Virginia graduate who is the author of Local Planning and Promotion of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations: A Review and Analysis of Virginia Government Efforts.This paper examines steps that the commonwealth and selected Virginia localities have taken to plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. To the extent feasible, it also analyzes the costs and benefits involved. Thus it can serve as a guide for Virginia localities that may be considering similar programs. Ideally, it will also foster increased communication among local and state officials about the benefits of bicycling and walking, as well as best practices.
This paper was written by John Bolecek, a recent graduate of the University of Virginia's Department of Urban and Environmental Planning. He works for the U.S. Department of Transportation as a transportation safety analyst and is a certified instructor for the National Safe Routes to Schools course. John wrote this report to fulfill the terms of the Wallerstein Scholarship, which he was awarded in 2008. The annual scholarship is awarded jointly by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia and the Virginia Municipal League.
We're excited that John will be working to make Virginia a more bicycle-friendly place, and that the Draft State Bicycling Policy Plan and the State Bicycle Advisory Committee will be revived.This paper was written by John Bolecek, a recent graduate of the University of Virginia's Department of Urban and Environmental Planning. He works for the U.S. Department of Transportation as a transportation safety analyst and is a certified instructor for the National Safe Routes to Schools course. John wrote this report to fulfill the terms of the Wallerstein Scholarship, which he was awarded in 2008. The annual scholarship is awarded jointly by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia and the Virginia Municipal League.
Labels: bicycle coordinator, john bolecek, vdot
