Delivery trucks in bike lane at Courthouse

[donkeybike]

I have again complained to the county about delivery trucks being parked in the bike lane, particularly in front of the courthouse complex on Clarendon Blvd near the intersection with 15th St N. Am I being unreasonable? I have been told that there is actually a loading dock for these trucks to use. I know I can just take the lane and go around, but this is a tricky spot in my commute and there is flagrant bike lane blocking all along Clarendon–you’d think they could at least keep it clear practically in front of the courthouse, especially when the trucks have a designated alternate area to use.

Topic

[chris_s]

Have you tried asking the the police department directly for stepped up enforcement? I’ve had some decent luck with that in the past – maybe try shooting an email to police [at] arlingtonva.us? Worst case nothing happens right?

[WillStewart]

@chris_s 15988 wrote:

Have you tried asking the the police department directly for stepped up enforcement? I’ve had some decent luck with that in the past – maybe try shooting an email to police [at] arlingtonva.us? Worst case nothing happens right?

And attach a photo if you have a phone-cam

[donkeybike]

I called the non-emergency police line when I got to work and was told they would look into it. I have a pathetic phone, but maybe I’ll try documenting it if it continues to grate on my nerves.

[DismalScientist]

Do you mean this http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22205&hl=en&ll=38.890207,-77.086977&spn=0.001752,0.001098&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=106.30699,71.982422&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia+22205&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.890207,-77.086977&panoid=jLliwF7yXbQ-6uGIRCzsJQ&cbp=12,77.16,,2,0.29 ?
I think you are being unreasonable. Here the truck is fully against the curb (just like the Metrobuses in front of the Ballston station on Fairfax). The bike lanes are poorly designed and are too close to the curb. (often they are not painted correctly, not showing drivers that they should make right turns from the bike lane.) I almost got doored the other day, but fortunately, I was riding one foot to the left of the bike lane on Fairfax. If I was anywhere within the bike lane, I would have been a goner. I think they should convert this lane to sharrows all the way from Ballston to Rosslyn.

[consularrider]

@DismalScientist 15998 wrote:

Do you mean this http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22205&hl=en&ll=38.890207,-77.086977&spn=0.001752,0.001098&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=106.30699,71.982422&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia+22205&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.890207,-77.086977&panoid=jLliwF7yXbQ-6uGIRCzsJQ&cbp=12,77.16,,2,0.29 ?
I think you are being unreasonable. Here the truck is fully against the curb (just like the Metrobuses in front of the Ballston station on Fairfax). The bike lanes are poorly designed and are too close to the curb. (often they are not painted correctly, not showing drivers that they should make right turns from the bike lane.) I almost got doored the other day, but fortunately, I was riding one foot to the left of the bike lane on Fairfax. If I was anywhere within the bike lane, I would have been a goner. I think they should convert this lane to sharrows all the way from Ballston to Rosslyn.

While I agree with the idea of sharrows over bikes lanes on Clarendon and Wilson Blvds, the street view you’ve linked to is not during the morning rush hour (low traffic and check out the shadows). Trying to get around parked delivery trucks and while playing hopscotch with Metro and Art buses is one of the reasons I only take that street during the morning rush hour when it’s the plowed route after a snow (or I have an actual destination along it). I would favor periodic heightened enforcement initiatives in that area and along Lynn 19th Street in Rosslyn where buses will stay parked across the bike lane and frequently one or more regular traffic lanes and taxis back up by the hotel.

[donkeybike]

@DismalScientist 15998 wrote:

Do you mean this http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22205&hl=en&ll=38.890207,-77.086977&spn=0.001752,0.001098&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=106.30699,71.982422&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia+22205&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.890207,-77.086977&panoid=jLliwF7yXbQ-6uGIRCzsJQ&cbp=12,77.16,,2,0.29 ?
I think you are being unreasonable. Here the truck is fully against the curb (just like the Metrobuses in front of the Ballston station on Fairfax). The bike lanes are poorly designed and are too close to the curb. (often they are not painted correctly, not showing drivers that they should make right turns from the bike lane.) I almost got doored the other day, but fortunately, I was riding one foot to the left of the bike lane on Fairfax. If I was anywhere within the bike lane, I would have been a goner. I think they should convert this lane to sharrows all the way from Ballston to Rosslyn.

No, that is not what I mean, at all. I mean a truck completely covering the bike lane. I would not blink at a truck parked the way the one in the photo is.

I understand the danger of dooring, but as long as there is a bike lane, I am going to use it. The problem for me occurs when I am riding downhill in a bike lane on a busy street and then have to go around a truck that is completely blocking my bike lane. If the delivery truck had no option, that would be something for me to take under consideration, but I have been told that this building has a loading dock around the corner, so the truck drivers are choosing this spot out of convenience for them. If this is legal, fine, but it is my understanding that bike lanes should not be blocked.

[vvill]

Happens to me all the time going down Lee Highway in the morning. So far I’ve been lucky and drivers have been courteous enough to let me come back into traffic flow with no issues.

Edit: ^ probably not a very helpful post. Sorry.

[DismalScientist]

If it is completely blocking the bike lane because there is no parking lane or because it is not close enough to the curb, then it is illegal parking and discouraged whether there is a bike lane or not.

Generally, I am in and out of the bike lane (mostly just outside) all the way down Fairfax and Clarendon every morning. As long as I don’t pass anyone on the right, I think I am pretty safe. I’ve found that, like vvill, the drivers are generally courteous.

[Author]

Replies