Bicyclist hit at Duke and W Taylor Run, Alexandria

[Steve O]

Too bad these red light cameras are facing the wrong way.
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[scorchedearth]

@Steve O 139400 wrote:

Too bad these red light cameras are facing the wrong way.
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I’m not certain they’re even functioning. The ones at Duke and Walker haven’t flashed in months either.

[bentbike33]

@scorchedearth 139406 wrote:

I’m not certain they’re even functioning. The ones at Duke and Walker haven’t flashed in months either.

I thought the Commonwealth of Virginia banned localities from using red-light and speed cameras years ago. Something about “violation of privacy.”

[CaseyKane50]

@KLizotte 139380 wrote:

Anybody know if the police were able to cite the person who hit him?

At the Clover College Park Community Association Board meeting last night, City staff said the crash is still under investigation.

[Steve O]

@mstone 139392 wrote:

“no criminality suspected”

This is, of course, impossible. One of the two parties had to be in violation of a traffic ordinance in order for a collision to occur. Either the person on the bike entered the crosswalk against the signal or the driver of the car did.

If it actually were the case that both of them acted properly, then there was either a malfunction of some kind or the light timing is dangerously designed.

[Sunyata]

@bentbike33 139456 wrote:

I thought the Commonwealth of Virginia banned localities from using red-light and speed cameras years ago. Something about “violation of privacy.”

There are no specific regulations in VA banning speed cameras, but there are no speed camera programs in the commonwealth at this time.

Red light cameras are permitted under certain circumstances and are only allowed one site per 10,000 residents up to 10 sites.

[scorchedearth]

@Sunyata 139480 wrote:

There are no specific regulations in VA banning speed cameras, but there are no speed camera programs in the commonwealth at this time.

Red light cameras are permitted under certain circumstances and are only allowed one site per 10,000 residents up to 10 sites.

The police have simply not bothered to operate them for the past little while.

[chris_s]

@Sunyata 139480 wrote:

There are no specific regulations in VA banning speed cameras, but there are no speed camera programs in the commonwealth at this time.

In Virginia, we operate under the Dillon Rule which says localities can only do what State Legislation specifically authorizes them to do. Since there is there is no legislation that grants localities the authority to have speed cameras, localities cannot have speed cameras.

[peterw_diy]

Does anybody have a copy of the notes added to the “wikimap” that Alexandria set up in 2014 to solicit suggestions and concerns about biking & walking around town? Here are some comments added to it about this intersection:

“With the opening of the new soccer field, this intersection now has more pedestrian usage. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Red light running is constant.”

“This intersection is rated an “F” by VDOT. The ramp to Telegraph Rd from Duke Street needs to go up and over West Taylor Run Pkwy. Pedestrians and bicycle riders would have a safer, shorter crossing if the on-ramp to Telegraph went up and over. Motorists on Duke heading south onto Telegraph Rd. would not have to wait at the light.”

“Cars take the ramps to & from Telegraph Road too fast, paying little attention to pedestrians & cyclists on the sidewalk. There’s no need for a full-speed interchange here since this is the end of Telegraph Rd. Install traffic signals to force cars to stop & yield to people on foot and bikes.”

[CaseyKane50]

Here is an update posted on the YouCaring website on May 12 from Ryan’s wife Jessica.

A quick update today from Jessica. Ryan opened his eyes briefly Tuesday and again Wednesday and is still making very small improvements in his neuro status. His vitals remain stable as well. Please keep praying and sending hope and positive thoughts. We have felt sustained by the love of our friends, family and community during this trial.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@peterw_diy 139530 wrote:

Does anybody have a copy of the notes added to the “wikimap” that Alexandria set up in 2014 to solicit suggestions and concerns about biking & walking around town? Here are some comments added to it about this intersection:

“With the opening of the new soccer field, this intersection now has more pedestrian usage. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Red light running is constant.”

“This intersection is rated an “F” by VDOT. The ramp to Telegraph Rd from Duke Street needs to go up and over West Taylor Run Pkwy. Pedestrians and bicycle riders would have a safer, shorter crossing if the on-ramp to Telegraph went up and over. Motorists on Duke heading south onto Telegraph Rd. would not have to wait at the light.”

“Cars take the ramps to & from Telegraph Road too fast, paying little attention to pedestrians & cyclists on the sidewalk. There’s no need for a full-speed interchange here since this is the end of Telegraph Rd. Install traffic signals to force cars to stop & yield to people on foot and bikes.”

An extended flyover ramp is the last thing this interchange needs. It would just push the current problem at Taylor Run further west, where there’s even more pedestrian traffic.

[peterw_diy]

@ShawnoftheDread 139643 wrote:

An extended flyover ramp is the last thing this interchange needs. It would just push the current problem at Taylor Run further west, where there’s even more pedestrian traffic.

I totally agree. Ryan’s in the hospital because the road designers optimized for motorist convenience rather than safety…

…which they’re still doing. My current favorite: the (what? two years old?) Potomac Yard trail by Potomac Ave that has some stretches where southbound trail users must dodge both signposts erected in the path itself, and the passenger doors of parked cars, because clearly it was more important to provide a pretty median than actual physical separation of the MUP and the motor vehicle space.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8300068,-77.047917,3a,75y,180h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXeFgoQIB8j_-7RmZq2OfJg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[scoot]

@peterw_diy 139650 wrote:

Ryan’s in the hospital because the road designers optimized for motorist convenience rather than safety…

I don’t think it’s fair to single out the designers and throw them under the bus. Our entire culture is the problem; road designs are a symptom.

The roadway engineer is asked to provide infrastructure of maximal overall utility to users. Valuation criteria are set by our laws, regulations, and cultural norms. These continue to reinforce the idea that motorist convenience is paramount and that safety of vulnerable road users is a secondary consideration. The engineers are just following instructions and giving us what we want.

[CaseyKane50]

Here is the latest (May 23) on Ryan from his family as posted on https://www.youcaring.com/ryan-and-jessica-brown-567364

Ryan has been breathing on his own (through a tracheostomy tube) for almost 48 hours so he’s getting his ticket out of the ICU! Yeah! He’ll be one floor down till it’s time for rehab. His wife says waking up from a coma is definitely not like it’s shown in the movies and there are still many steps to go but this is serious progress

[Steve O]

@CaseyKane50 139460 wrote:

At the Clover College Park Community Association Board meeting last night, City staff said the crash is still under investigation.

Does anyone have any additional information regarding this investigation? It’s been three weeks since the crash.

[Author]

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