FABB Blog

 

Bike parking at Kilmer Middle School

As we mentioned on our Facebook page, yesterday FABB and others toured Tysons by bike to check out existing, and possible future locations for, bike facilities in Tysons. The tour began at Kilmer Middle School on Wolftrap Rd near Gallows Rd, just south of Tysons. We had heard that the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge connecting Wolftrap Rd made it much easier for kids living in the neighborhoods to the west of the bridge to bike and walk to school and that there was demand for new bike parking.

As you can see from the photo, bikes were parked everywhere in front of the school The rack, in the center of the photo, was completely full and there were bikes locked to all the benches in front. Fortunately the school administration is supportive and allows the bikes to be parked there.

According to the dean of students, who is a cyclist, the school is working with the bike coordinator to add more bike parking. The dean also provides bike safety information for the biking students. This is a perfect example of how a small investment in infrastructure can make a significant difference in getting kids out of cars or buses and onto bikes, and the Safe Routes to School program is a way for other schools to find the money for these investments.

Labels: kilmer middle school, wolftrap bridge

posted by Bruce Wright at 8:02 AM permalink

 

Wolftrap bridge ribbon-cutting

FABB attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Wolftrap bridge connection near Kilmer Middle School. This is a great connection and an example of cooperation between the Park Authority, which owns the land, and the Dept. of Transportation, that had the idea for the bridge and provided funding. Supervisor Smyth was a strong supporter and help secure funding through the 2007 transportation bond referendum.

Five of us rode from Vienna to the ceremony. Along the way we stopped to take a picture of Jenifer Madden, Hunter Mill District Transportation Advisory Committee representative, in front of the bike rack that her family donated to the school at Our Lady of Good Counsel. Many cyclists take an informal detour through the church parking lot on the weekends.

After the ceremony we rode back along Gallows Rd to the new bike lanes that start at the W&OD Trail. There is funding for bike lanes from just north of Dunn Loring Metro station into Tysons.

Thanks to Fairfax County DOT and Park Authority for making this connection. Kirk Holley of the Park Authority noted the importance of the connection and that they were anxious to help make similar connections throughout the county.

Labels: kilmer middle school, park authority, wolftrap bridge

posted by Bruce Wright at 3:15 PM permalink

 

FABB ride to Wolftrap bridge ribbon-cutting ceremony

Join FABB for a ride to the recently opened bridge connecting two sections of Wolftrap Rd near Kilmer Middle School. It's a great connection in the Tysons area near Gallow Rd where bike lanes are planned in the near future.

The ride will leave from Vienna Town Green leaving at 2:15 pm, tomorrow, Saturday. The ride is about 2.5 miles and the ceremony is planned for 3:00. An option return ride would follow Gallows Rd to the new bike lanes that start at the W&OD Trailand lead to the Dunn Loring metro station.

Here's the proposed route. We'll be waiting at the Vienna Town Green, dressed in our orange FABB t-shirt. Hope to see you at 2:15 tomorrow.

Labels: FABB ride, wolftrap bridge

posted by Bruce Wright at 11:57 AM permalink