Participate in the Super NoVa process!

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  • May 24, 2012 at 6:14 pm #911413
    PotomacCyclist
    Participant

    The Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is studying the transportation needs of Northern Virginia residents and workers through the Super NoVa process. An online survey is available through June 8. Residents and workers can let DRPT know how important bike infrastructure is, on its own and as a complement to Metro (and maybe even VRE). The more input that DRPT receives about the importance of bike infrastructure, the better.

    The survey is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SuperNoVaPublicSurvey2

    For more info about the Super NoVa process, visit the website at http://www.supernovatransitvision.com/involved.html

    It’s important that DRPT hear about the transportation needs of all Northern Virginia residents and workers, not just those who drive or take commuter trains. Perhaps the Super NoVa process will result in a better bike network in Northern Virginia, outside of the Arlington trails and the W&OD. Better bike parking and access to Metro/VRE stations and bike access on VRE trains are other possible goals.

    The survey includes answers supporting improved bikeways and sidewalks. There are no specific proposals detailed in the survey, just general questions about transportation needs.

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Viewing 14 replies - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
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  • May 25, 2012 at 12:03 pm #941438
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    Please take a few minutes to participate in this. Not participating could hurt us.

    May 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm #941440
    mstone
    Participant

    I don’t get it–it’s a transit survey. If you don’t use transit, it’s irrelevant. Yes it would be nice if needs of all modes were considered, but this isn’t the survey that does that.

    May 25, 2012 at 1:44 pm #941444
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    Thanks for pointing that out. I should have clarified that you can attend meetings (listed on the other link) or submit comments. I was looking for an email address to send my comments to and was very disappointed to see that they don’t even provide one. They do invite comments, but you have to snail mail them to:
    Super Nova Transit /TDM Vision Plan
    11400 CommercePark Drive, Suite 400
    Reston, VA 20191

    Me thinks they don’t especially want a lot of comments that venture outside the confines of the survey, which to me, is all the more reason to provide them – worth an envelope and a stamp. Bikes should in the plan.

    May 25, 2012 at 1:46 pm #941445
    Terpfan
    Participant

    @mstone 20558 wrote:

    I don’t get it–it’s a transit survey. If you don’t use transit, it’s irrelevant. Yes it would be nice if needs of all modes were considered, but this isn’t the survey that does that.

    Most of the survey options included “better bike pathways or sidewalks” in discussion commutes. I got the impression they were looking at wholestic ways to reduce traffic and improve transit. I suggested better bike pathes via widening, more dedicated bike lanes, and a real big wish list item a pressured air pump station along MVT haha (and I realize it’s fed property, but eh I can dream).

    May 25, 2012 at 2:20 pm #941448
    pfunkallstar
    Participant

    @Terpfan 20563 wrote:

    Most of the survey options included “better bike pathways or sidewalks” in discussion commutes. I got the impression they were looking at wholestic ways to reduce traffic and improve transit. I suggested better bike pathes via widening, more dedicated bike lanes, and a real big wish list item a pressured air pump station along MVT haha (and I realize it’s fed property, but eh I can dream).

    I also suggested trial improvements, economic incentives, and other normal things.

    My last suggestion was that they tax the hell out of little people who insist on driving Hummers. Seriously, an H2 weighs 6,614lbs. Riding solo in one of those things, assuming a 120 svelte owner, your Jackassery Index is right above 55. Take a little Camry and four people and you drop it down to a manageable 4.7. Take my rocking road bike and I have an index of .1.

    May 25, 2012 at 2:41 pm #941452
    DismalScientist
    Participant

    @pfunkallstar 20566 wrote:

    I also suggested trial improvements, economic incentives, and other normal things.

    My last suggestion was that they tax the hell out of little people who insist on driving Hummers. Seriously, an H2 weighs 6,614lbs. Riding solo in one of those things, assuming a 120 svelte owner, your Jackassery Index is right above 55. Take a little Camry and four people and you drop it down to a manageable 4.7. Take my rocking road bike and I have an index of .1.

    So, if I become fatter, I become less of a jackass? The same with riding a racing bike?:rolleyes:

    May 25, 2012 at 2:47 pm #941456
    DismalScientist
    Participant

    @Terpfan 20563 wrote:

    Most of the survey options included “better bike pathways or sidewalks” in discussion commutes. I got the impression they were looking at wholestic ways to reduce traffic and improve transit. I suggested better bike pathes via widening, more dedicated bike lanes, and a real big wish list item a pressured air pump station along MVT haha (and I realize it’s fed property, but eh I can dream).

    I would be happy with wider right lanes and better pavement. I guess I disagree with the biking establishment on what constitutes good “bike infrastructure.” I prefer streets that are designed to be shared. Sidewalks are for pedestrians. On-street dedicated bike infrastructure often causes confusion and dangerous situations.

    May 25, 2012 at 4:23 pm #941468
    dbb
    Participant

    @DismalScientist 20570 wrote:

    So, if I become fatter, I become less of a jackass? The same with riding a racing bike?:rolleyes:

    It seems to always be the economists trying to find the boundary conditions for any problem! I’m halfway there – just need the racing bike.

    May 25, 2012 at 4:58 pm #941471
    PotomacCyclist
    Participant

    @mstone 20558 wrote:

    I don’t get it–it’s a transit survey. If you don’t use transit, it’s irrelevant. Yes it would be nice if needs of all modes were considered, but this isn’t the survey that does that.

    It’s not irrelevant. As mentioned already, many of the questions include the option to select “better bikeways/sidewalks” as an answer. Even if the agency is only focusing on transit, they can still add better bike access to rail stations. This can include better bike parking at stations, more bike parking at stations, bike trail access to stations and so on. There is quite a lot that DRPT can do to improve cycling as transportation in Northern Virginia, even if they aren’t constructing long bike trails.

    May 25, 2012 at 5:58 pm #941479
    rcannon100
    Participant

    Yeah, gotta say, you totally can answer this favorable to bicyclists. Just answer every question
    * Improve bike routes
    * Improve bike infrastructure
    * Improve bike safety
    * Fix Lynn St and Lee Hwy Intersection

    Frequently taking advantage of the OTHER field in order to do this. Yes, take this survey.

    May 25, 2012 at 7:21 pm #941485
    pfunkallstar
    Participant

    @dbb 20586 wrote:

    It seems to always be the economists trying to find the boundary conditions for any problem! I’m halfway there – just need the racing bike.

    I forgot to add in the coefficient of Jelly Doughnut and divide by Funk. Redact, redact.

    May 25, 2012 at 8:09 pm #941489
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    I have to admit that I was interrupted this morning when i started the survey, and I just now found time to complete it. I had no problem adding in all my bike-centric thinking, and included most of the great suggestions you all made here. I also mentioned the usefulness of bikes for getting to and from bus and metro transit stations, provided safe routes and secure bike parking are available. Thanks to everyone who has or will do this. We need for them to keep hearing us. Thanks, too, to Potomac Cyclist for posting the info and links.

    May 25, 2012 at 11:59 pm #941510
    mstone
    Participant

    @Terpfan 20563 wrote:

    Most of the survey options included “better bike pathways or sidewalks” in discussion commutes. I got the impression they were looking at wholestic ways to reduce traffic and improve transit. I suggested better bike pathes via widening, more dedicated bike lanes, and a real big wish list item a pressured air pump station along MVT haha (and I realize it’s fed property, but eh I can dream).

    yeah, they had things like “better bikeways”, but in the context of “would this make you ride transit more”. For me at least, the answer is no–it would just make commuting by bike more pleasant. :-)

    May 26, 2012 at 12:07 pm #941523
    5555624
    Participant

    @DismalScientist 20570 wrote:

    So, if I become fatter, I become less of a jackass?

    I can’t believe I’m going to let this one slide….

    @DismalScientist 20570 wrote:

    The same with riding a racing bike?

    With a racing bike, it depends on what you’re wearing. Khakis? A low score. A full US Postal or Discovery kit? Higher. (Lesser known — here in the U.S. — teams like Euskaltel-Euskadi or Katusha or Vacansoleil-DCM are slightly lower; while a yellow jersey US Postal is even higher, much higher.)

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