@huskerdont 197013 wrote:
I kind of agree with this, but I think it depends on where you are riding in Arlington (and also DC). In general, in DC the traffic is going slower. There are many more opportunities for conflicts, but those conflicts are likely to be at slower speeds than, say, Lee Highway or Military. But if you just ride the trails in Arlington, and you are attentive at the intersections, it does feel safer.
Yup.
The problem I have with comparisons of DC to the more suburban places – Arlington or even Alexandria – is that the strengths and weaknesses are so different. NoVa has a more developed trail network (though DC is catching up) DC is much further along with in street bike infra (but it should be, because more riders?). And DC has a legacy street grid that often gives relatively comfortable places to ride even when there no bike infra (though more direct routes sometimes involve the state avenues). But on the other hand DC has weaker traffic enforcement, and often more aggressive drivers (though some of those aggressive drivers in DC are from the suburbs). I appreciate the challenges of riding in DC , and the frustrations faced by bike advocate friends in DC, but I often appreciate the riding conditions, and I am very positive about the recent pace of progress there, certainly on infra, but also on other issues (DC is of course ahead on everything from contributory negligence rules to bike rights at LPIs)
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