Biking through Fort Myer

[Kathrynestockinger]

Can you bike through Fort Myer?

I am new to commuting via bike to work and I am looking for a good alternative to riding on Columbia Pike. I searched on google and came across a form allowing bike commuters to access Fort Myer. I filled out the form and had my husband, who works for the DoD, sign it as my sponsor. However, when I took the form in today, they told me that it was old and that bikers no longer have access to base unless they have a reason to be on base. Does anyone have experience with this?

[Mark Wigfield]

I am a federal employee, and can get an annual pass from Fort Meyers to ride through. I have a colleague who is former military who can ride through.

[AFHokie]

This thread should answer 95% of your current questions: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?8191-New-Visitor-Access-Requirements-at-Ft-Myer/page16&

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[dasgeh]

@Kathrynestockinger 173727 wrote:

Can you bike through Fort Myer?

I am new to commuting via bike to work and I am looking for a good alternative to riding on Columbia Pike. I searched on google and came across a form allowing bike commuters to access Fort Myer. I filled out the form and had my husband, who works for the DoD, sign it as my sponsor. However, when I took the form in today, they told me that it was old and that bikers no longer have access to base unless they have a reason to be on base. Does anyone have experience with this?

Huh. I don’t go through very often, but I’ve never had a problem going through on just my normal federal ID. No special pass. I’ve contacted the folks who we were talking to back in 2015, when the changes first went into place to get clarification on the policy.

Once we get clarification, it may be time to engage Beyer’s help in making sure folks have access to this route. We’ve seen a spike in crashes on the Pike on the stretch that could be avoided by going through Fort Myer. (Spoiler alert, the Arlington BAC is probably going to focus on safety on the East end of the Pike some time soon. We should keep Fort Myer in mind during that conversation. I also hope that OP and lots of other folks that are interested in the area will join us).

[Judd]

@dasgeh 173951 wrote:

(Spoiler alert, the Arlington BAC is probably going to focus on safety on the East end of the Pike some time soon. We should keep Fort Myer in mind during that conversation. I also hope that OP and lots of other folks that are interested in the area will join us).

I can help with this. One thing that I’ve thought about doing recently is setting up my GoPro and recording two hours of footage of people exiting Washington Blvd on to Columbia Pike to capture some data around the number of drivers that don’t stop and don’t check both ways before rolling through. I’ve been taking the lane through here (recently on a CaBi) after a few too many close calls.

[wabisabi]

@Judd 173963 wrote:

I can help with this. One thing that I’ve thought about doing recently is setting up my GoPro and recording two hours of footage of people exiting Washington Blvd on to Columbia Pike to capture some data around the number of drivers that don’t stop and don’t check both ways before rolling through. I’ve been taking the lane through here (recently on a CaBi) after a few too many close calls.

Please someone needs to do this. I was hit at that intersection by a driver who blasted through the walking signal because they were looking left to turn right. I was in the crosswalk. Cops said I was at fault even though I was at a coasting speed around 10mph. I’ve seen so many cyclists and runners get bumped by cars doing the exact same thing. This light needs a NO TURN ON RED.

[dplasters]

@wabisabi 174251 wrote:

Please someone needs to do this. I was hit at that intersection by a driver who blasted through the walking signal because they were looking left to turn right. I was in the crosswalk. Cops said I was at fault even though I was at a coasting speed around 10mph. I’ve seen so many cyclists and runners get bumped by cars doing the exact same thing. This light needs a NO TURN ON RED.

Wait, to be clear – you were hit by a motor vehicle while you were in a crosswalk with the walk signal on and you were found at fault?

[Judd]

@dplasters 174252 wrote:

Wait, to be clear – you were hit by a motor vehicle while you were in a crosswalk with the walk signal on and you were found at fault?

Original thread from wabisabi is here:
http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?12470-Hit-by-car-on-Columbia-Pike-driver-at-fault-ticketed-Officer-changed-fault-on-report&p=167337#post167337

[chris_s]

@Kathrynestockinger 173727 wrote:

Can you bike through Fort Myer?

I am new to commuting via bike to work and I am looking for a good alternative to riding on Columbia Pike. I searched on google and came across a form allowing bike commuters to access Fort Myer. I filled out the form and had my husband, who works for the DoD, sign it as my sponsor. However, when I took the form in today, they told me that it was old and that bikers no longer have access to base unless they have a reason to be on base. Does anyone have experience with this?

I’ve confirmed through my contacts at Ft Myer that cyclists with a sponsor are still being issued AIE passes, even if it’s just to pass through the fort. She said they had even issued one today. She would like assistance figuring out where the disconnect is and who is giving out incorrect information. Were you told this at the “gate” or the “visitors center”?

Feel free to follow up via forum direct message if you’d prefer.

[dasgeh]

You can also email me at gillian burgess gmail com and I’ll you directly to the email thread. The access policy should be on the Fort Myer website – maybe print it out and bring it with you?

[dplasters]

@Judd 174260 wrote:

Original thread from wabisabi is here:
http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?12470-Hit-by-car-on-Columbia-Pike-driver-at-fault-ticketed-Officer-changed-fault-on-report&p=167337#post167337

Yeah I got all steamed up and forgot my forum golden rule where I don’t read crash threads. All it does it play with my mental balance of how safe cycling actually is.

[KLizotte]

Anybody have first hand knowledge if Ft Myer guards are checking for bike passes nowadays? Just checked their website and was directed to this horribly designed link that says only 1 year or 60 day options are available (the former requiring a sponsor).

https://www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/access-bicyclists-pedestrians2015

You can’t zoom in nor print out the form from this website. It also appears to be dated 2015 and I know I was cutting through the base in 2017 without any special permission (I do have a fed ID though).

What’s the status now?

Thanks!

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 178882 wrote:

Anybody have first hand knowledge if Ft Myer guards are checking for bike passes nowadays? Just checked their website and was directed to this horribly designed link that says only 1 year or 60 day options are available (the former requiring a sponsor).

https://www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/access-bicyclists-pedestrians2015

You can’t zoom in nor print out the form from this website. It also appears to be dated 2015 and I know I was cutting through the base in 2017 without any special permission (I do have a fed ID though).

What’s the status now?

Thanks!

I went through today with my federal employee ID (non-DOD). Never been turned away.

[lordofthemark]

@dasgeh 178883 wrote:

I went through today with my federal employee ID (non-DOD). Never been turned away.

This is good, as it now appears that I will be collecting Social Security before Hoffman-Boston Connector is complete

#patiencegrasshopper

[elbows]

I haven’t tried it since 2017, but, as mentioned in this thread, could not access at Wright Gate – only Hatfield. The page I linked to then is still incomprehensible to me. I think some of the words are wrong.

[Author]

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