Alexandria PD Ticketing Cyclists

[bentbike33]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/09/21/no-more-whizzing-through-stop-signs-for-bicyclists-in-alexandria-police-step-up-enforcement/

No more Idaho Stops. I steadfastly refused to read the comments.

Topic

[MFC]

@Terpfan 125065 wrote:

I ought thank the Alexandria PD as my commute times have sped up about 5-7 minutes by taking Washington St. I’m guessing there has been a slight corresponding decline in other people’s car commutes, but, I figure this is what the police wanted or at least that was my takeaway.

Can bikes go in the HOV lane or did you go into one of the other traffic lanes?

[GovernorSilver]

@Terpfan 124969 wrote:

Sadly, I’m not surprised by the APD response.

It’s okay. I’ve started taking Washington St. Frankly, it’s faster anyway since I hit almost all greens in rush hour.

Around what time do you ride it in the morning? I might be encouraged to give it another try.

I finally took the free City Cycling class that WABA owed me. Yes, we stopped at every. single. stop sign… during our class-ending group ride. Learned a couple of cool new tricks, though, like a smoother way to make 90 degree turns (for when you get right-hooked and you’re forced to turn with the car), and a braking technique that involves “9 o clock + 3 o clock” pedal position”, raising the butt and placing it behind the saddle, while lowering the torso to put more weight on the rear wheel.

[Terpfan]

@MFC 125106 wrote:

Can bikes go in the HOV lane or did you go into one of the other traffic lanes?

I’m unclear on it. But my layman’s reading of the law is that yes given the law says you must ride to the right hand side of the road closer to the curb with a few exceptions (HOV is not listed as one of them, but safety is–ergo, taking the lane yet staying in right lane). I suppose they could argue that you don’t have to be in the right lane because your’e moving at the speed of traffic, but there is nothing expressly forbidding it.

“Any person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under conditions then existing shall ride as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following circumstances:”
http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/46.2-905/

And when I checked HOV rules, nothing talking about bicycling at all:
http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/travel/hov-rulesfaq.asp

So I don’t know how they could cite a cyclist in the HOV lane in OT on Washington St. On Rt 1, maybe they could try to claim that southbound you’re not moving with the speed of traffic (something I highly doubt in rush hour), but that’s about it. But if they ever decide to try to ticket me, I’ll post here their rationale.

[Terpfan]

@GovernorSilver 125108 wrote:

Around what time do you ride it in the morning? I might be encouraged to give it another try.

I finally took the free City Cycling class that WABA owed me. Yes, we stopped at every. single. stop sign… during our class-ending group ride. Learned a couple of cool new tricks, though, like a smoother way to make 90 degree turns (for when you get right-hooked and you’re forced to turn with the car), and a braking technique that involves “9 o clock + 3 o clock” pedal position”, raising the butt and placing it behind the saddle, while lowering the torso to put more weight on the rear wheel.

According to my Strava, it usually takes me about 20 minutes from my door to the Wilson Bridge. So 7:20-7:40 depending on how lazy I am getting out of bed.

Hmm, I didn’t know that pedal position braking trick, but I’m sure I could have used it a few times. I just kind of jumped into city riding by default of necessity and slowly learned lessons like taking the lane, riding two feet away from dooring potential minimum, and expecting drivers to do the dumbest things imaginable.

[Steve O]

@GovernorSilver 125108 wrote:

I finally took the free City Cycling class that WABA owed me. Yes, we stopped at every. single. stop sign… during our class-ending group ride. Learned a couple of cool new tricks, though, like a smoother way to make 90 degree turns (for when you get right-hooked and you’re forced to turn with the car), and a braking technique that involves “9 o clock + 3 o clock” pedal position”, raising the butt and placing it behind the saddle, while lowering the torso to put more weight on the rear wheel.

eminva and I are LCI instructors who work for WABA teaching these classes (I think there are others of us on the forum–feel free to speak up)

I highly encourage you to take or encourage your colleagues and friends to take any of these they may find useful:

• Learn to Ride (adults) – Just like it says, this class is for people who do not know how to ride a bike at all. There are more than 1000 on the waiting list.
• City Cycling (fundamentals track) – For those who know how to ride but have little or no experience or are uncomfortable with riding on streets or with groups, etc.
• City Cycling (confident track) – For those who have experience riding in the city and are looking for additional skills and techniques to boost confidence and help master control of the bike

WABA also offers Community Rides that combine a group ride with a teaching theme, such as negotiating traffic circles or transitioning from street to trail or other. These are led by instructors and usually end at an eating establishment where riders and instructors can share observations and tips.

Some WABA instructors offer private instruction as well.

All of these are listed on the WABA website.

[Tim Kelley]

And here is the Arlington class schedule!

http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/bike-education/

[GovernorSilver]

@Steve O 125121 wrote:

eminva and I are LCI instructors who work for WABA teaching these classes (I think there are others of us on the forum–feel free to speak up)

I highly encourage you to take or encourage your colleagues and friends to take any of these they may find useful:

• Learn to Ride (adults) – Just like it says, this class is for people who do not know how to ride a bike at all. There are more than 1000 on the waiting list.
• City Cycling (fundamentals track) – For those who know how to ride but have little or no experience or are uncomfortable with riding on streets or with groups, etc.
• City Cycling (confident track) – For those who have experience riding in the city and are looking for additional skills and techniques to boost confidence and help master control of the bike

WABA also offers Community Rides that combine a group ride with a teaching theme, such as negotiating traffic circles or transitioning from street to trail or other. These are led by instructors and usually end at an eating establishment where riders and instructors can share observations and tips.

Some WABA instructors offer private instruction as well.

All of these are listed on the WABA website.

I took the City Cycling confident track. I thought it was a great class overall. I actually didn’t mind the stopping at all stop signs bit. The instructor who took the lead for the confident track works for the fire department (Cameron St. HQ). I’ve told acquaintances and coworkers about the class and they were intrigued by the new skills I picked up. I just have to remember the signal to call when part of the group is left behind at the light – I dunno why I can’t remember that one.

I didn’t know the community rides come with a post-ride dinner. Been thinking of doing the Secrets Of… ride series.

[bobco85]

@lordofthemark 124981 wrote:

Re the fatality on Commonwealth

this is the city response:

In the short term, Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) have been installed at the intersection of Braddock Road and Commonwealth Avenue. LPIs provide a WALK signal for pedestrians prior to vehicles receiving a green light. This configuration allows pedestrians to get a head start into the crosswalk before turning vehicles have a green light. It allows pedestrians to establish their presence in the crosswalk and be more visible to a driver. City staff also plans to request approval from the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board that No Right on Red signs be installed at the intersection. This request will be presented to the Board in October.

I passed through that intersection yesterday on my bike and was surprised by the improvement. It’s a minor adjustment, but I think giving that head start to pedestrians while prohibiting right turns on red does make things a lot safer.

[lordofthemark]

@bobco85 125160 wrote:

I passed through that intersection yesterday on my bike and was surprised by the improvement. It’s a minor adjustment, but I think giving that head start to pedestrians while prohibiting right turns on red does make things a lot safer.

Right turns not yet prohibited red though, eh? Has to go through the T&PB. Whenever T&ES says “That will need to go through the Traffic and Parking Board” I put it in the “do not count on it happening” category. Welcome to Alexandria, grasshopper.

[bobco85]

@lordofthemark 125161 wrote:

Right turns not yet prohibited red though, eh? Has to go through the T&PB. Whenever T&ES says “That will need to go through the Traffic and Parking Board” I put it in the “do not count on it happening” category. Welcome to Alexandria, grasshopper.

Yeah, the no right turns on red would be nice, but I am happy that at least the LPI is in effect.

On another note, I just noticed today that the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update meeting was last Thursday. Doh!

[lordofthemark]

@bobco85 125163 wrote:

Yeah, the no right turns on red would be nice, but I am happy that at least the LPI is in effect.

On another note, I just noticed today that the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update meeting was last Thursday. Doh!

I would have missed it but I saw the BPAC gang at the Old Town Bike Ambassador event. It was a good meeting – (despite the contingent ofold town NIMBYs in force to ask for more Union Street enforcement (which T&ES had to tell them was not on the agenda)) especially the interactive parts. There is a video of the main presentations on the Master Plan website.

[worktheweb]

Encouraged by Terpfan and GovernorSilver I decided to take to Washington Street today. Not bad at all and definitely faster. I was surprised. I have a feeling it is considerably faster, but I had a seat post fail on me while I was riding, so I had to pull over to fix it so I don’t have the actual numbers (the seat post angle suddenly and painfully went from level to pointing dramatically skyward — it has since been replaced).

How is the riding in the evenings? In the times when I’ve driven it during the evening rush there always seemed to be considerable aggressive driving and stupidity, is that your experience on the bike? For some reason people always seem worse in the afternoon.

[GovernorSilver]

@worktheweb 125599 wrote:

Encouraged by Terpfan and GovernorSilver I decided to take to Washington Street today. Not bad at all and definitely faster. I was surprised. I have a feeling it is considerably faster, but I had a seat post fail on me while I was riding, so I had to pull over to fix it so I don’t have the actual numbers (the seat post angle suddenly and painfully went from level to pointing dramatically skyward — it has since been replaced).

How is the riding in the evenings? In the times when I’ve driven it during the evening rush there always seemed to be considerable aggressive driving and stupidity, is that your experience on the bike? For some reason people always seem worse in the afternoon.

I wonder if I rode behind you this morning. For a while I followed a bigger guy wearing, I think, red pants/tights/shorts, until we got separated by a traffic light on Abingdon. Didn’t notice his seatpost falling out of whack though. Good you were able to replace it so quickly.

I’ve only ridden on it in the evening once. I thought it was a slightly more relaxed experience than the morning rides actually. Lots of parked cars on the right lane, so the motorists avoid it, practically giving it up to cyclists. You do end up having to ride on the far left of the right lane a lot because of the parked cars and wanting to stay out the door zone, but it doesn’t feel much different than sharing a lane with cars – except because you’re actually in the next lane you have a bit more room between yourself and the cars in the adjacent lane.

[worktheweb]

@GovernorSilver 125601 wrote:

I wonder if I rode behind you this morning. For a while I followed a bigger guy wearing, I think, red pants/tights/shorts, until we got separated by a traffic light on Abingdon. Didn’t notice his seatpost falling out of whack though. Good you were able to replace it so quickly.

I was wearing a grey wool jersey and black bibs and knee warmers, so probably not me (I was rolling through around 9, had a very late morning). I had a wrench to torque the heck out of it and it came loose a couple times after that, but I made it into DC and the guys at BicycleSpace were able to get me a new one.

I may have to try the route in the evening then. The only downside of the route this morning was the door zone issue (HOV and parking restrictions had just ended), but when there were parked cars, I was able to get the space I needed. It is funny, in the past when I’ve had to drive in and I’ve seen other cyclists on Washington I thought to myself “Why are they biking here, there are much more pleasant routes” and now I’m considering abandoning those routes myself. I do feel a little bad that I may potentially slow the HOV commuters down, but if the alternative is to open myself up to Alexandria Police Department harassment and fines, I don’t feel that bad …

[GovernorSilver]

I’ve only been to the BicycleSpace on K St but the people who work there seem to be cool.

I rolled through Washington St. around the 8:15 timeframe. I normally try to ride to the right of that HOV lane but because the other cyclist was there for a good stretch of my ride, and riding in the middle, I just took the lane too. BTW, I don’t know about after 9AM but in that 8AM timeframe I always see a bus on that lane -that bus probably impeded HOV traffic more than any cyclist. This is only the 3rd time I’ve ridden on it in the morning, but i’ve had to pass the bus every time, either by switching to sidewalk or changing lanes when there’s an opening.

I miss my old morning route, which was slower but more scenic – Jones Point Park, then Union St all the way to MVT. But the construction on Union St. plus the threat of a $91 ticket made me give it up. The new route is forcing me to work on my sprints more than I like but I’m sure it’ll pay off in improved conditioning.

[Author]

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