Cyclist Ticketed for Getting Hit At Custis/Lynn Intersection

[Tim Kelley]

FYI–I heard from one of the Transportation Engineering & Operations guys and he said that all the “STOP” legends painted on the Custis Trail should have been removed yesterday.

Can anyone confirm this?

He wasn’t sure who had put them in, whether they were installed by VDOT when the trail was built or later put in by the Parks & Rec department. If you do see any more “STOP” legends painted on the trail let me know. We’re also looking into who put the miniature stop signs on the that section of downhill too.

[mstone]

@RideTheWomble 7744 wrote:

Exactly. The intersection is regulated by conflicting signage and signals. It’s dangerous enough, without all the ambiguity.

What ambiguity? Is there some legal standing that I’m not aware of for a word painted on the sidewalk that conflicts with a traffic control device? Just assume it’s graffiti and move on.

[RideTheWomble]

@mstone 7749 wrote:

What ambiguity? Is there some legal standing that I’m not aware of for a word painted on the sidewalk that conflicts with a traffic control device? Just assume it’s graffiti and move on.

You’re right, of course. The word painted on the sidewalk (which make have been removed, see above) enables the old, “HE RAN A STOP SIGN SO HE DESERVED THE TICKET/TO GET KILLED/WHAT HE GOT,” argument, though.

[Dirt]

By the way, this is the stop sign the dude got busted for running. It was removed a while back.

[PotomacCyclist]

So if the sign had been painted in Egyptian hieroglyphics, we would be expected to read that too?

[americancyclo]

Dirt gets a photo credit on ARLNow, and the idiocy in the comments section continues!

http://www.arlnow.com/2011/09/06/stop-removed-from-bike-trail-at-lee-hwy-and-lynn-street/

[jabberwocky]

I’ve always wondered about intersections like that (where there is a signal as well as a stop sign). I also wonder whether its legally ok to ride through such intersections when the walk signal is lit (as opposed to walking). I know I tried to figure it out a few years ago, but I couldn’t find anything definitive in the Virginia code at the time.

[DaveK]

@jabberwocky 7820 wrote:

I’ve always wondered about intersections like that (where there is a signal as well as a stop sign). I also wonder whether its legally ok to ride through such intersections when the walk signal is lit (as opposed to walking). I know I tried to figure it out a few years ago, but I couldn’t find anything definitive in the Virginia code at the time.

MUTCD Section 4D.34 –

Quote:

STOP signs shall not be used in conjunction with any traffic control signal operation, except in either of the following cases:

A. If the signal indication for an approach is a flashing red at all times, or
B. If a minor street or driveway is located within or adjacent to the area controlled by the traffic control signal, but does not require separate traffic signal control because an extremely low potential for conflict exists.

The painted “stop”, in addition to not being a valid traffic control device, is in conflict with the signal, in which case the operations of the signal take precedence. NVRPA needs to examine this section as it relates to the W&OD…

[eminva]

@jabberwocky 7820 wrote:

I also wonder whether its legally ok to ride through such intersections when the walk signal is lit (as opposed to walking).

As much as the turning motorists hate the mad dash by cyclists across Lynn Street, I imagine it would drive them even more batty if we all took the time to dismount and walk our bikes across the intersection.

Liz

[jabberwocky]

@eminva 7824 wrote:

As much as the turning motorists hate the mad dash by cyclists across Lynn Street, I imagine it would drive them even more batty if we all took the time to dismount and walk our bikes across the intersection.

Agreed. I’ve just always wondered, if push came to shove and it ended up in court, which way it would go. My old commute was down the 7100 trail and W&OD so I crossed a lot of trail/road intersections. I’ve heard people opine that “walk” means walk, implying that it isn’t ok to ride through at speed even if you have the signal. I couldn’t find anything in the Virginia code definitive either way though, at least back when I looked.

I definitely grew to hate some of the intersections. The 7100-New Dominion trail intersection holds a special position of hatred in my heart, even with the signal there.

[americancyclo]

@jabberwocky 7826 wrote:

I’ve heard people opine that “walk” means walk, implying that it isn’t ok to ride through at speed even if you have the signal. I couldn’t find anything in the Virginia code definitive either way though, at least back when I looked.

§ 46.2-904 says

“No person shall ride a bicycle … on a sidewalk, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, where such use of bicycles … is prohibited by official traffic control devices.

A person riding a bicycle … on a sidewalk, shared-use path, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the same circumstances. “

Which I understand as, ‘there are no signs prohibiting riding a bike through the crosswalk, so it’s ok!’ but then again, I’m not a lawyer.

[mstone]

Agreed, the “you have to walk your bike through the intersection” meme is the result of hazy half-remembered rules told to drivers when they were in elementary school.

I’m somewhat appalled, but only mildly surprised at the level of idiocy on the arlnow site.

Isn’t it hilarious when drivers start ranting about cyclists and then claim that it’s really all about the cyclist’s safety? If they were really concerned about safety they’d just slow down and pay attention and we wouldn’t have the problems. Like those idiotic W&OD stop signs — sure, it’s all about cyclist safety, and not about avoiding inconveniencing drivers by not putting stop signs on the cross streets.

[baiskeli]

@jabberwocky 7820 wrote:

I also wonder whether its legally ok to ride through such intersections when the walk signal is lit (as opposed to walking). I know I tried to figure it out a few years ago, but I couldn’t find anything definitive in the Virginia code at the time.

The code says you’re the same as a pedestrian when you ride through a crosswalk. That implies that you can ride through it:

“A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, motorized skateboard or scooter, motor-driven cycle, or an electric power-assisted bicycle on a sidewalk, shared-use path, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the same circumstances.” § 46.2-904

P.S. I see this has already been posted.

[Jsnyd]

I almost got hit at this same location by a giant beer truck that right hooked me coming from the center lane. I was crossing Lynn going west towards the custis. I had the walk signal as I was approaching the intersection. I looked to see if there were cars turning and kept moving. No turn signal from the truck (that I noticed). I came inches from the grill of the truck. Didn’t fall though. Luckily it was raining hard enough the I may have hydro planed around him.

—
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.889499,-77.091565

[baiskeli]

I saw an idiot fly through that intersection today. The don’t walk signal had already counted all the way down. Stupidity all over the place.

[Author]

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