Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Loudoun Police Warning Motorists NOT to Yield to Bicyclists - Update
VDOT and NOVA Parks recently installed a warning device at the W&OD Trail crossing of Sterling Blvd in Loudoun County to encourage motorists to yield to trail users. Today (Tuesday, July 25) Loudoun Sheriff's officers were issuing warnings to motorists who stopped for trail users at the crosswalk. Officers said they would be issuing citations soon.According to a May 2017 news release from the Sterling District Supervisor, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors supported making this intersection safer for trail users: "The improvements currently being installed by NOVA Parks include the installation of a trail user activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) warning signal to alert motorists of an active crosswalk ahead."
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| W&OD Trail at Sterling Blvd Before modifications including RRFB |
It's crazy that Loudoun police plan to ticket motorists for yielding to trail users. VA law, 46.2-924 states that "The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway: 1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block;” This should be very clear. The law goes on to state that motorists also yield "3. At any intersection when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed 35 miles per hour.” The later item does not refer to a crosswalk, but to an intersection. Over time this law has been misinterpreted by some to mean that unless the speed limit is 35mph or less, motorists aren't required to yield to users of a crosswalk.
We are consulting with local transportation and legal staff regarding their interpretation of VA law and what they think about Loudoun Sheriff's officers behavior. Loudoun Sheriff's department does not have a good reputation when it comes to enforcing the law as it applies to bicyclists. In 2009 they ticketed MS 150 riders for not coming to a complete stop at STOP signs. In 2012 they ticketed Reston Century riders for not putting a foot down when stopping at a STOP sign.
Update 28 July 2017: Today we spoke with Captain Hines, chief of the Eastern Loudoun Station, about the enforcement effort at this intersection. Captain Hines said officers were warning bicyclists to stop at the STOP signs at the crosswalk before entering and encouraged them to press the RRFB button before crossing. No tickets were issued.
Capt. Hines said that some motorists were stopping in anticipation of bicyclists crossing. The bicyclists were approaching the intersection and had not yet stopped or pushed the RRFB button. We disagreed about whether this was illegal or not. It's possible that the motorists could be cited for stopping on a highway (46.2-888): "No person shall stop a vehicle in such manner as to impede or render dangerous the use of the highway by others, except in the case of an emergency, an accident, or a mechanical breakdown."
From the police perspective, they are concerned that motorists who stop prematurely could be struck from behind. Or that when one motorist stops prematurely and a bicyclist continues into the crosswalk without stopping first, the cyclists could be struck by a second motorist who is not aware that a bicyclist is approaching. This is a legitimate concern and several cyclists have been struck in this situation.
One way to address this concern is to do what other states have done, require motorists to stop at a crosswalk if the motorist in the adjacent lane has also stopped. In 2014 FABB worked with Del. Kaye Kory to get such a law passed, Reckless driving; passing other vehicles at intersections. (HB320). We may give it another try next year.
We appreciate Capt. Hines taking the time to discuss this issue with us and look forward to working with his office to help educate motorists and bicyclists about safety issues.
Update 28 July 2017: Today we spoke with Captain Hines, chief of the Eastern Loudoun Station, about the enforcement effort at this intersection. Captain Hines said officers were warning bicyclists to stop at the STOP signs at the crosswalk before entering and encouraged them to press the RRFB button before crossing. No tickets were issued.
Capt. Hines said that some motorists were stopping in anticipation of bicyclists crossing. The bicyclists were approaching the intersection and had not yet stopped or pushed the RRFB button. We disagreed about whether this was illegal or not. It's possible that the motorists could be cited for stopping on a highway (46.2-888): "No person shall stop a vehicle in such manner as to impede or render dangerous the use of the highway by others, except in the case of an emergency, an accident, or a mechanical breakdown."
From the police perspective, they are concerned that motorists who stop prematurely could be struck from behind. Or that when one motorist stops prematurely and a bicyclist continues into the crosswalk without stopping first, the cyclists could be struck by a second motorist who is not aware that a bicyclist is approaching. This is a legitimate concern and several cyclists have been struck in this situation.
One way to address this concern is to do what other states have done, require motorists to stop at a crosswalk if the motorist in the adjacent lane has also stopped. In 2014 FABB worked with Del. Kaye Kory to get such a law passed, Reckless driving; passing other vehicles at intersections. (HB320). We may give it another try next year.
We appreciate Capt. Hines taking the time to discuss this issue with us and look forward to working with his office to help educate motorists and bicyclists about safety issues.
Labels: captain hines, eastern loudoun station, loudoun county, loudoun sheriff department, sterling boulevard
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Loudoun police at Belmont Ridge/W&OD intersection
Loudoun County police will announce their Street Smart campaign at a press conference tomorrow, Wednesday, November 14 at 11 a.m. at Belmont Ridge and the W&OD Trail. Through Nov. 25 they will be ticketing bicyclists who "don't follow area traffic safety laws." From their press release:
LCSO Joins Regional Law Enforcement, Community Leaders & Advocates to Remind Motorists, Pedestrians and Cyclists to Share the Road
Loudoun County, VA- Loudoun County Sheriff Michael L. Chapman, county leaders, and community advocates will join together tomorrow to announce the Street Smart pedestrian and bicycle safety campaign. Sheriff Chapman will be reminding motorists to obey traffic safety laws whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or driver.
To curb pedestrian or cyclist injuries and fatalities in the region, Street Smart will kick off its fall safety campaign on Wednesday morning at the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and the W&OD Trail in Ashburn, VA. Residents will be reminded to remain alert, share the road and obey traffic laws.
As part of the campaign, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement in the Metropolitan region will be out in force through November 25, ticketing motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists who don’t follow area traffic safety laws.
The press conference will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 11AM at the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and the Washington and Old Dominion Trail.
Any cyclists who receive a ticket at this or other W&OD intersections should find out what Virginia code was used for the offense. If it's "§ 46.2-821. Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way," at least one judge has dismissed a ticket where that code was cited because the trail is not a highway. Loudoun County, VA- Loudoun County Sheriff Michael L. Chapman, county leaders, and community advocates will join together tomorrow to announce the Street Smart pedestrian and bicycle safety campaign. Sheriff Chapman will be reminding motorists to obey traffic safety laws whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or driver.
To curb pedestrian or cyclist injuries and fatalities in the region, Street Smart will kick off its fall safety campaign on Wednesday morning at the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and the W&OD Trail in Ashburn, VA. Residents will be reminded to remain alert, share the road and obey traffic laws.
As part of the campaign, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement in the Metropolitan region will be out in force through November 25, ticketing motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists who don’t follow area traffic safety laws.
The press conference will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 11AM at the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and the Washington and Old Dominion Trail.
Labels: loudoun county, traffic ticket, W and OD Trail
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Loudoun Police ticket Reston Century cyclists
Reportedly, several cyclists were ticketed during last weekend's Reston Century by the Loudoun County sheriff’s office for failure to stop at a stop sign.
The officers positioned themselves such that they would maximize their opportunity to ticket cyclists and were ticketing as many as possible for minor infractions. One rider reports that as they wrote his ticket they made comments indicating that they were irritated that the ride organizers did not hire them to manage event safety. They reported having requested that the ride organizers route the entire event on the bike trail (which ride organizers deemed far too narrow and dangerous given the number of participants). Their ticket-writing campaign appeared to have been a vendetta against the ride organizers for utilizing the roads.
So, if all of this is accurate, then it appears that the Loudoun County’s sheriff’s office decided that keeping bikes off the road was more important than public safety; they were willing to bully cyclists as payback for the event organizers, and they would target cyclists for a technicality rather than watching for cyclists and drivers who are actually operating their vehicles unsafely.
Why does this sound so familiar.
The officers positioned themselves such that they would maximize their opportunity to ticket cyclists and were ticketing as many as possible for minor infractions. One rider reports that as they wrote his ticket they made comments indicating that they were irritated that the ride organizers did not hire them to manage event safety. They reported having requested that the ride organizers route the entire event on the bike trail (which ride organizers deemed far too narrow and dangerous given the number of participants). Their ticket-writing campaign appeared to have been a vendetta against the ride organizers for utilizing the roads.
So, if all of this is accurate, then it appears that the Loudoun County’s sheriff’s office decided that keeping bikes off the road was more important than public safety; they were willing to bully cyclists as payback for the event organizers, and they would target cyclists for a technicality rather than watching for cyclists and drivers who are actually operating their vehicles unsafely.
Why does this sound so familiar.
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| Loudoun's finest |
Loudoun County benefits greatly from cyclists who visit the county. Ask the owners of Magnolias at the Mill in Purcellville, the owners of Carolina Brothers Pit Barbecue (formerly Partlow's Store) in Ashburn, or the many shop owners in Leesburg if they benefit from cyclists. And yet some in the county seem to being doing what they can to discourage cyclists from visiting and spending money there. You might remember Suzanne Volpe, who incorrectly stated that thousands of dollars were being spent to promote cycling in the county, bad-mouthing cyclists during her campaign. Is it time for a boycott?
Labels: loudoun county, suzanne volpe
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Loudoun Co. supervisor candidate Suzanne Volpe talks bikes
Republican Suzanne Volpe is running for the Loudoun county supervisor office in the newly created Algonkian district. She appears to be running unopposed. The Algonkian district is located north of Route 7 extending from Fairfax county to just west of Route 28. She made some interesting comments about bicycling in her campaign video (bike comments start at around 4:05):"We're spending half a million dollars a year funding the Northern Virginia Bicycle Association to promote tourism. Now I have to ask some of you business owners out there; do you think someone riding a bicycle on the W&OD Trail is going to help your business? That our county is spending half a million dollars to encourage people to bicycle into the county."
Northern Virginia Bicycle Association? We're checking with the Volpe campaign to find out more about the association and the half million dollars being spend on bicycle tourism.
I think owners of restaurants and stores in Ashburn, Leesburg, Purcellville, and other places along the W&OD Trail might say that yes, cyclists do spend money in Loudoun County and we'd like to have more of them come here. Employers such as Orbital Sciences, AOL, and others would say that they encourage their employees to travel by bike for their health and to reduce congestion.
Labels: loudoun county, suzanne volpe
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Bike commuting seminar at AOL
Conditions between the W&OD Trail and the campus are not great, especially for inexperienced cyclists. There are no bike lanes or trails between the two locations. There is a shopping center located near the campus but many people drive the short distance at lunchtime. With bike lanes or a good paved trail it would a short trip by bike or on foot.
This is the second of several bike commuting seminars planned for various locations in Northern Virginia. They are made possible in part by a grant from the Transurban-Fluor Community Grant Program. The AOL event was organized by the Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services and AOL provided the venue and great support. If you would like to schedule a seminar at your workplace, contact us at chairman@fabb-bikes.org.
Labels: AOL, bike commuting, loudoun county
Friday, May 7, 2010
Community Meeting on Ped/Bike Access in Loudoun Co
"On Tuesday, May 11, at 6 p.m., Supervisor Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac) and other county officials will provide an update on county initiatives to bring safer and improved bicycle and pedestrian access to the Potomac District.""The county is seeking residents' feedback about where and how they think the county can improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety. The meeting will include an overview of present and past initiatives, including the proposed Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements for Atlantic Boulevard Corridor and the proposed rezoning of Dulles Town Center.
"Staff from the Virginia Department of Transportation and Loudoun County will be available to answer questions. The event will take place at 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 100 in Sterling."
See our earlier reports on bicycle access along Atlantic Blvd.
Labels: atlantic blvd, loudoun county
Friday, February 26, 2010
Loudoun Co to study better bike access at Dulles Town Center
According to the article There is Really No Safe Way to Get There: Study Would Look at Improving Access to Dulles Town Center for Bikers, Walkers, Loudoun County will study "pedestrian and bicyclist needs along the Atlantic Boulevard corridor in Sterling." The study was approved by the Board of Supervisors based on a motion by Supervisor Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac) that we mentioned earlier.In her proposal, McGimsey is calling on county planners, business owners, landowners and citizens to take part in making the town center a "multi=modal" destination. That is, increase its accessibility options to other than just roads. More sidewalks, crosswalks and walking and biking trails are initial suggestions made in McGimsey's proposal as is the addition of bike lanes to some of the roads found in the corridor.
The county's broken network of trails and sidewalks has long been a sore spot for Loudoun's walkers and peddlers [sic]. In 2003, a county bicycle and pedestrian mobility master plan concluded that only 14 percent of Loudoun's nearly 850 miles of roadways had sidewalks. Of the 70 miles of pathways in Loudoun that are dedicated for non-motorized use, only 12 miles were said to be wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians.
BikeLoudoun's Pat Turner is quoted in the article.The county's broken network of trails and sidewalks has long been a sore spot for Loudoun's walkers and peddlers [sic]. In 2003, a county bicycle and pedestrian mobility master plan concluded that only 14 percent of Loudoun's nearly 850 miles of roadways had sidewalks. Of the 70 miles of pathways in Loudoun that are dedicated for non-motorized use, only 12 miles were said to be wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians.
By the way, we pedal our bikes, we don't peddle them.
Labels: atlantic blvd, bike loudoun, loudoun county
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bicycle access along Atlantic Blvd
Atlantic Blvd (map) is a major connector between communities north and south of Routes 7 in Loudoun County. It extends parallel to Route 28, north from the W&OD Trail, past Orbital Sciences, location of the Sterling Bike to Work Day event, to the Dulles Town Center and many residential communities north of Route 7.At the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday Potomac District Supervisor Andrea McGimsey will ask that there be a "review of the Atlantic Boulevard corridor and how multi-modal pedestrian [and bicycle] connections can be integrated into the rest of the community both north and south of Route 7 and to points east such as Claude Moore Park and nearby residential areas."
Cyclists are urged to support this proposal by attending the meeting and/or writing the Loudoun County board at bos@loudoun.gov.
Labels: atlantic blvd, loudoun county
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Cyclists riding MS 150 ticketed for running stop signs
According to the Post article A Safety Issue to Officers, Poor Form to Cyclists, eight cyclists were ticketed for not coming to a complete stop at stop signs in the Purcellville/Lovettsville area:To several who took part in the annual event - which is estimated to have raised more than $700,000 for research and assistance for those with the incurable illness - the tickets were poor form, even if cyclists had rolled through the signs. To authorities, who said they received numerous complaints from motorists about cyclists crowding the roads and running stop signs, the citations were necessary to ensure safety on the roads.
"After I picked my jaw up off the ground, my feeling was, 'You've got nothing better to do at 10 o'clock on a Sunday morning than sit there and wait for people to run a stop sign?'" said David Jennings, 47, of Vienna, a cyclist who did not ride for charity but was ticketed in Lovettsville while out with his biking club.
Jennings said he and another cyclist, a charity participant, slowed to about 1 mph before proceeding through a stop sign in Lovettsville, only to find a sheriff's deputy nearby, who flagged them down.
"What was amazing to me was it seemed to me they were there because of the MS ride," Jennings said. "They've donated their time and all their money, and they've donated to a charity, and you've got the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office just sitting there waiting to hand them a ticket. It didn't seem right."
The comments on the article contain most of the stereotypes about renegade cyclists who don't obey the law; motorists who do the same; cyclists who shouldn't be riding in the road, etc."After I picked my jaw up off the ground, my feeling was, 'You've got nothing better to do at 10 o'clock on a Sunday morning than sit there and wait for people to run a stop sign?'" said David Jennings, 47, of Vienna, a cyclist who did not ride for charity but was ticketed in Lovettsville while out with his biking club.
Jennings said he and another cyclist, a charity participant, slowed to about 1 mph before proceeding through a stop sign in Lovettsville, only to find a sheriff's deputy nearby, who flagged them down.
"What was amazing to me was it seemed to me they were there because of the MS ride," Jennings said. "They've donated their time and all their money, and they've donated to a charity, and you've got the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office just sitting there waiting to hand them a ticket. It didn't seem right."
Capt. Thom Shaw of the Loudoun County Sheriff's office was online Friday "to discuss the incident and to answer questions about safety and rules of the road when bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians meet."
One question regarded the street corssings on the W&OD Trail and how few motorists stop for cyclists in the crosswalks. Capt. Shaw doesn't see a problem, completely ignoring the fact that motorists are required to yield to pedestrians and cyclists in a crosswalk:
Mclean, Va.: I bicycle regularly on the W&OD trail (and obey the law). I have witnessed far more cars who fail to yield to stopped cyclists at a crosswalk (or moving cyclists in a crosswalk) than bicyclists who blow through stop signs without regard to traffic. Aren't drivers required to yield at a crosswalk in Virginia (assuming, of course, that the bicycle has stopped at the crosswalk)?
Capt. Thom Shaw: All intersections with state roadways are governed by a stop sign for the cyclists. If the rider stops and yields correctly this should not be an issue.
In two subsequent comments, Capt. Shaw states that cyclists on the W&OD Trail stop signs must wait until all traffic clears before cyclists proceed:Capt. Thom Shaw: All intersections with state roadways are governed by a stop sign for the cyclists. If the rider stops and yields correctly this should not be an issue.
Cyclists must stop and yield at these intersections, whether or not they have dismounted. A rider should allow themselves enough time and space to cross the roadway safely, as they would if they were driving a vehicle.
Yes, in cases where the trail crosses the roadway and a stop sign is only present for the cyclist, the motorist has the right-of-way.
This interpretation completely ignores the presence of the crosswalk and explains why police often accuse cyclists of not yield to motorists, which is contrary to state law, which states that "46.2-92, A. The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway: 1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block;"Yes, in cases where the trail crosses the roadway and a stop sign is only present for the cyclist, the motorist has the right-of-way.
Labels: loudoun county, police, W and OD Trail
Thursday, March 26, 2009
BikeLoudoun featured in the Post
In today's Fairfax section of the Post is an article about the work being done by BikeLoudoun, Loudoun Bike Crowd Seeks Voice. Pat Turner is the force behind this group that is working to help make Loudoun County a better place to bike:Now, as the county works on revising its transportation plan, Turner says it is time to change that. Her advocacy group, BikeLoudoun, is lobbying Loudoun officials to name a bike and pedestrian coordinator who would advocate for cyclists and walkers and oversee the building of a network of bikeways throughout the county.
See the BikeLoudoun Yahoo group.
Labels: bikeloudoun, loudoun county
Friday, January 2, 2009
Loudoun cyclists form advocacy group
A group of bicyclists in Loudoun County recently formed a group to advocate for better bicycling conditions in the county. Their first meeting was held on Dec. 18 with about 16-18 avid cyclists attending. One of their main goals is to have the county designate a dedicated bicycle coordinator staff position. They also formed a Yahoo Group to facilitate their communictation, Bike Loudoun.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, VA. (map).
See the Loudoun County Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan.
Labels: advocacy, bikeloudoun, loudoun county
