Bike Unfriendly Curb Cut on Walter Reed Project

I’ve often wondered if in any of the entities responsible for this kind of trail-related work (and thus the redesign of these replacement features) — have a single cyclist in their employment or in the review processes? It would seem no…
Can’t help but wonder if say, the NPS folks had bike commuters on staff, whether that would help internally get things like, repaving MVT around the bridges, a higher focus…

If it is (for the Walter Reed example) always a case of “we know how to make sidewalks and curbs, thankyouverymuch” — and no outside opinion is ever sought from users of the trail (especially non-pedestrian users), that’s such a missed opportunity for free & valuable input BEFORE it is too late / expensive to change.

@Christob50 187827 wrote:

I’ve often wondered if in any of the entities responsible for this kind of trail-related work (and thus the redesign of these replacement features) — have a single cyclist in their employment or in the review processes? It would seem no…
Can’t help but wonder if say, the NPS folks had bike commuters on staff, whether that would help internally get things like, repaving MVT around the bridges, a higher focus…

If it is (for the Walter Reed example) always a case of “we know how to make sidewalks and curbs, thankyouverymuch” — and no outside opinion is ever sought from users of the trail (especially non-pedestrian users), that’s such a missed opportunity for free & valuable input BEFORE it is too late / expensive to change.

The Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee, in the past, would sometimes be given the opportunity to look at detailed designs and plans. The current ArlCo Administration has indicated that they prefer the BAC not weigh in on details of projects, despite the fact that we have the on-the-ground expertise and bicyclists’ insight. At least twice in the last couple of years, ArlCo has had to go back and spend money and time changing something that would have been done correctly in the first place had they engaged the BAC along the way.

Some other things:
– The cut is not aligned with the crosswalk. Perhaps they are going to repaint. However, I can imagine someone starting to cross there, being struck by a right-turning driver, and being cited for “crossing outside the crosswalk.”
– The radius seems rather large, encouraging drivers to speed around the corner. Drivers’ sightlines to people crossing here are not ideal, particularly if they have the green and this big, round curve to zoom around.
– Is the pushbutton pointing towards the crossing of Walter Reed? That seems pretty inconveniently located. I’m reasonably certain that no button should be needed here to cross Walter Reed, since Four-Mile Run is the main throughfare and already turns to “Walk” without the need for a button. At least that’s been my experience.
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Upon review, it appears that pushbutton has always been there (at least according to Google Street view). They should remove it.

@Christob50 187837 wrote:

You’re right! Convenient mini-ramps built in two of the new raised curbs — surely as entry points for some creative bike-balance-beam riding…

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Please let me know how I can assist to make the image below a reality. I’ve always wanted to have a log ride training spot on my commute to work.

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@Steve O 187833 wrote:

The Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee, in the past, would sometimes be given the opportunity to look at detailed designs and plans. The current ArlCo Administration has indicated that they prefer the BAC not weigh in on details of projects, despite the fact that we have the on-the-ground expertise and bicyclists’ insight. At least twice in the last couple of years, ArlCo has had to go back and spend money and time changing something that would have been done correctly in the first place had they engaged the BAC along the way.

Some other things:
– The cut is not aligned with the crosswalk. Perhaps they are going to repaint. However, I can imagine someone starting to cross there, being struck by a right-turning driver, and being cited for “crossing outside the crosswalk.”
– The radius seems rather large, encouraging drivers to speed around the corner. Drivers’ sightlines to people crossing here are not ideal, particularly if they have the green and this big, round curve to zoom around.
– Is the pushbutton pointing towards the crossing of Walter Reed? That seems pretty inconveniently located. I’m reasonably certain that no button should be needed here to cross Walter Reed, since Four-Mile Run is the main throughfare and already turns to “Walk” without the need for a button. At least that’s been my experience.
==============
Upon review, it appears that pushbutton has always been there (at least according to Google Street view). They should remove it.

Adding to the frustration here is that Arlington DES has asked for general considerations that they should keep in mind while designing projects, to minimize the amount of back and forth. I get wanting that efficiency.

But top on every list the BAC has given to DES and every discussion DES has had with the BAC about this are (1) those right angle curb cuts; and (2) the need to design with long wheelbases in mind. These issues were discussed _in conjunction with this project_ and generally. And seemingly ignored in final design.

I have seen similar curb treatments in Alexandria on both city projects and VDOT projects. My recollection is that this is an ADA requirement to help visually impaired users detect the edge of the sidewalk and the direction of the ramp.

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Add to the mix how hazardous they are to low income cyclists without lights at night + broken streetlights.

@mstone 187859 wrote:

Yup. This is a case of disability rights advocates and cycling advocates being in opposition.

I am almost certain that I saw somewhere quite recently that Arlington and/or VDOT is now moving away from those curb style ramp edges because of what happens when snowplows hit them, and going back to the sloped edges.
Does anyone else remember seeing that?

@CaseyKane50 187852 wrote:

I have seen similar curb treatments in Alexandria on both city projects and VDOT projects. My recollection is that this is an ADA requirement to help visually impaired users detect the edge of the sidewalk and the direction of the ramp.

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I’ve been told that curbs like that are almost always about water management and/or soil retention.