Really? Bikes are NOT transportation and only recreation?
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Fairfax-supervisors-clash-over-bike-plans-84814842.html
Fairfax supervisors clash over bike plans
By: Brian Hughes
Examiner Staff Writer
February 21, 2010
Transportation or recreation? A debate about the purpose of bicycles will shape how Fairfax County residents reach new Metro stations in coming years.
"I don't believe a bicycle is a transportation device," Supervisor John Cook, R-Braddock District, said during a transportation committee meeting. "I think it's a recreation device. The big problem is people don't want to ride their bike in the rain or get sweaty before work."
Transportation officials have identified $12.7 million in pedestrian and bicycle projects for the Reston area -- intended to improve accessibility to the planned Wiehle Avenue and Reston Parkway Metro stations, part of the transit extension to Washington Dulles International Airport.
Cook categorized bike trails as little more than a weekend diversion, vexing fellow supervisors who have pushed for more bike access.
"I don't agree with him," said Supervisor John Foust, D-Dranesville. "People don't do it now -- not because they don't want to -- but because they can't. It's not safe."
In 2007-2008, 4.5 percent of Fairfax residents older than 16 used a bike on a weekday, about half of whomused off-road bike trails or sidewalks, according to a study commissioned by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
The Reston plan calls for new trails, more bike crossings and extensions to paths to enhance the bicycle grid in the county.
Despite recent improvements, Bruce Wright, chairman of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, said the county has a "long way to go," citing the lack of connecting roads, which forces cyclists to trek alongside cars.
In an effort to unclog roadways, the county approved more than $19 million last fall for pedestrian and bike projects through fiscal 2012.
The Wiehle Avenue station is the final of leg of the Dulles Metrorail's first phase, expected to be completed in 2013. The Reston Parkway station, near the Dulles Toll Road, is slated to open in 2016.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has won a $4 million grant that could be applied to the project.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Fairfax-supervisors-clash-over-bike-plans-84814842.html#ixzz0gHhsBAJo
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
mission accomplished
9/9/09 some say it's a lucky day. kinda appropriate that I reached my goal of 2009 miles on 9/9/09. Somewhere around Falls Church, I passed the 2009 mile marker for this year. I'm already at 2028 and I have 3 more months to go. I'll shoot for 2700, but maybe I can get to 3000. Maybe. Charts and Graphs tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
...and I had heard good things about Asheville, NC
No way I'm ever going there, now. This behavior reinforces my stereotypes about the south and makes me worry about being as far south as DC.
The cyclist was riding on a 'Level III' road 'best for experienced bicyclists used to riding in traffic.' maybe we should include 'and being shot at' in the Level III classification.
Firefighter charged with shooting at bicyclist
The cyclist was riding on a 'Level III' road 'best for experienced bicyclists used to riding in traffic.' maybe we should include 'and being shot at' in the Level III classification.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Transit Mash-Up
I guess I missed the boat on this one, but transit mashups are pretty dope. I was trying to put something like this together for my bike times. I figured it would have all these spindly arms sticking out where I could get the most speed up on major roads or bike lanes, while it would shrink back in some neighborhoods that were hard to navigate or had lots of stop signs....
In other news.... The neighborhood got a great walkscore. I guess I could see that coming.
In other news.... The neighborhood got a great walkscore. I guess I could see that coming.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dear Dr. Gridlock: Cyclist Pushed Quest For Respect Back a Few Miles
Sparked by a post on Washcycle that referenced a posting from Dr. Gridlock about the ethics, legality and safety of cycling in the area.
From: americancyclo.blogspot.com
Sent: Tue 6/23/09 10:55 AM
To: drgridlock@washpost.com; ombudsman@washpost.com
re:Cyclist Pushed Quest For Respect Back a Few Miles
Mr. Thomson-
In an area where cycling is on the rise, and therefore the conflicts between motorists are also on the rise, I would appreciate a little more research and education in your column when motorists write you with questions about etiquette, ethics, and safety, such as the following:
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Adjacent to your column [Commuter page, June 14] was an article on sharing street space safely. I was disappointed to see missing the situation that I find most annoying and dangerous.
Scenario: I am driving along a lovely two-lane road. (There are many; let's use Hunter Mill Road as our example.) I approach a cyclist and patiently follow until I can swing out wide and pass. Not too far after, I come to a stoplight.
While we wait for the green, the cyclist passes all the waiting cars, sometimes running through the red light. Now the cyclist is first again, and all of us have to putt along behind until we can pass again. This seems wrong and dangerous.
Melanie Snyder, Vienna
Ms. Snyder is concerned that the actions she is observing are wrong and/or dangerous. My first reaction was to look up the bicycle laws of Virginia (http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp) They specifically have a section that addresses her questions.
Q. Can the cyclist ride through the red light?
A. No. This is illegal and might be dangerous.
"Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings.Reference: §46.2-830"
Q. Can the cyclist pass all the stopped cars legally?
A. Yes.
"Bicyclists may overtake and pass another vehicle only when safe to do so. Bicyclists may pass another vehicle on the right or left, and they may stay in the same lane, change lanes, or ride off the road if necessary for safe passing. Please note that passing motor vehicles on the right side may be extremely dangerous if the motorist does not see the bicyclist and attempts a right turn.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall not travel between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, except where one lane is a separate turn lane or a mandatory turn lane.
Motorists must approach and pass a bicyclist at a reasonable speed at least two feet to the left of the bicyclist.
Reference: §§46.2-839,46.2-907"
I think it would be helpful for motorists to know that bicycles are allowed to pass, since I get the impression that many motorists automatically assume that cyclists are in the wrong. There is a handy guide to basic bicycling laws in the DMV area with links to further detail on WABA's website at http://waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php
Thanks for your consideration,
Shawn Gallagher
DC Cyclist
From: americancyclo.blogspot.com
Sent: Tue 6/23/09 10:55 AM
To: drgridlock@washpost.com; ombudsman@washpost.com
re:Cyclist Pushed Quest For Respect Back a Few Miles
Mr. Thomson-
In an area where cycling is on the rise, and therefore the conflicts between motorists are also on the rise, I would appreciate a little more research and education in your column when motorists write you with questions about etiquette, ethics, and safety, such as the following:
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Adjacent to your column [Commuter page, June 14] was an article on sharing street space safely. I was disappointed to see missing the situation that I find most annoying and dangerous.
Scenario: I am driving along a lovely two-lane road. (There are many; let's use Hunter Mill Road as our example.) I approach a cyclist and patiently follow until I can swing out wide and pass. Not too far after, I come to a stoplight.
While we wait for the green, the cyclist passes all the waiting cars, sometimes running through the red light. Now the cyclist is first again, and all of us have to putt along behind until we can pass again. This seems wrong and dangerous.
Melanie Snyder, Vienna
Ms. Snyder is concerned that the actions she is observing are wrong and/or dangerous. My first reaction was to look up the bicycle laws of Virginia (http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp) They specifically have a section that addresses her questions.
Q. Can the cyclist ride through the red light?
A. No. This is illegal and might be dangerous.
"Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings.Reference: §46.2-830"
Q. Can the cyclist pass all the stopped cars legally?
A. Yes.
"Bicyclists may overtake and pass another vehicle only when safe to do so. Bicyclists may pass another vehicle on the right or left, and they may stay in the same lane, change lanes, or ride off the road if necessary for safe passing. Please note that passing motor vehicles on the right side may be extremely dangerous if the motorist does not see the bicyclist and attempts a right turn.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall not travel between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, except where one lane is a separate turn lane or a mandatory turn lane.
Motorists must approach and pass a bicyclist at a reasonable speed at least two feet to the left of the bicyclist.
Reference: §§46.2-839,46.2-907"
I think it would be helpful for motorists to know that bicycles are allowed to pass, since I get the impression that many motorists automatically assume that cyclists are in the wrong. There is a handy guide to basic bicycling laws in the DMV area with links to further detail on WABA's website at http://waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php
Thanks for your consideration,
Shawn Gallagher
DC Cyclist
Mid Summer Update
Three weeks in to june and I'm over the 1200 mile mark. Back on May 27th I passed the halfway mark and thought about posting, but never got around to writing anything to commemorate it.
June has been a difficult month for cycling. The rain has been torrential and unrelenting for the first two weeks of the month, flooding my basement and forcing me out of my home for over a week. I even ended up with a flat over on the Mt. Vernon Trail, three miles away from anything in a downpour. After walking for a mile, a fellow biker was nice enough to stop and give me a tube so I could continue on.
The Raleigh is getting older and even more squirly. I need to get an outer plate put on my crank to keep my chain from jumping off. The Shogun is even heavier now, with the addition of some nice wheel brows for a birthday present. They have served me well in the inclement weather, keeping most of the road grit and moisture off my legs.
June has been a difficult month for cycling. The rain has been torrential and unrelenting for the first two weeks of the month, flooding my basement and forcing me out of my home for over a week. I even ended up with a flat over on the Mt. Vernon Trail, three miles away from anything in a downpour. After walking for a mile, a fellow biker was nice enough to stop and give me a tube so I could continue on.
The Raleigh is getting older and even more squirly. I need to get an outer plate put on my crank to keep my chain from jumping off. The Shogun is even heavier now, with the addition of some nice wheel brows for a birthday present. They have served me well in the inclement weather, keeping most of the road grit and moisture off my legs.
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