Four Mile Run Detour, 2016-2017

[lordofthemark]

I rode the detour this AM (though some folks Strava seems to indicate that the existing route is not yet closed?) and I must say, the signage is terrible. A map from what looks like a PPT on the issue is a fine thing to have, but it is not an adequate detour sign. For an idea of what good signage would look like, see the Safetrack signs. It needs to be big, bold, and simple.

Also I got off the trail too soon anyway, doing a bit more Glebe sidewalk than necessary (hail to those of you taking the lane on Glebe – I might try that one day, but exploring the other routes first). The Alexandria part of the detour worked okay, but not too many folks out this AM.

Topic

[consularrider]

@peterw_diy 148821 wrote:

Less than half? I really doubt that. Looking at aerial imagery, 14th St’s sidewalk looks to be 8′ and Mt Vernon Ave’s looks to be 6-8′.

Have you actually measured, or are you just guessing?

Sorry, I don’t have a 4000 mile tape measure. My post was from personal experience, not trying to judge from a google earth shot.

[bobco85]

It seems like it’s more of a perspective thing. Riding on the 14th Street bridge feels smaller and more confined because there’s less room to maneuver unless you want to risk hitting the sides with your handlebars. Riding on the Mount Vernon Ave bridge feels less confined and wider because you can ride closer to the edge, but that also risks falling off into traffic (at least when the barrier isn’t there).

[peterw_diy]

@bobco85 148826 wrote:

It seems like it’s more of a perspective thing. Riding on the 14th Street bridge feels smaller and more confined because there’s less room to maneuver unless you want to risk hitting the sides with your handlebars

Also 14th St hazards are scarier (longer drop, more cars moving twice as fast), 14th is much longer so no way would you be able to take turns with an incoming wide load,14th probably sees 5-10x the amount of bike and pedestrian traffic, and 14th sees more confused tourists (and gruff pathletes).

[lordofthemark]

Does anyone know if the barriers separating the sidewalk on the bridge over 4MRT from the general travel lanes on Mt Vernon Ave, are going to remain after the wetlands work is done and the detour is history? It strikes me that keeping the barriers would be more comfortable for the many pedestrians in the area, and it does not appear to have had a significant impact on motor vehicle traffic. And the bridge is in Arlington right? Though is support from Alexandria is needed for keeping the barriers, I would gladly bring it up with BPAC.

[Tim Kelley]

@lordofthemark 148991 wrote:

Does anyone know if the barriers separating the sidewalk on the bridge over 4MRT from the general travel lanes on Mt Vernon Ave, are going to remain after the wetlands work is done and the detour is history?

I don’t think they are intended to stick around, but I mentioned it the Arlington folks already.

You should definitely bring it up with the BPAC.

[peterw_diy]

Why are all of the new Bike Arlington / Walk Arlington PAL signs telling cyclists to yield to pedestrians only in Spanish (“Ceda El Paso” etc.)?

[Judd]

@peterw_diy 149182 wrote:

Why are all of the new Bike Arlington / Walk Arlington PAL signs telling cyclists to yield to pedestrians only in Spanish (“Ceda El Paso” etc.)?

Cause there are some bad hombre cyclists not yielding to pedestrians when they’re not busy taking all of our jobs.

Bike Arlington is simply trying to make the 4MRT great again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scoot]

@Judd 149197 wrote:

Cause there are some bad hombre cyclists not yielding to pedestrians when they’re not busy taking all of our jobs.

Bike Arlington is simply trying to make the 4MRT great again.

Cyclists who fail to yield will be deported south of Four Mile Run, at Alexandria’s expense.

[Tim Kelley]

@peterw_diy 149182 wrote:

Why are all of the new Bike Arlington / Walk Arlington PAL signs telling cyclists to yield to pedestrians only in Spanish (“Ceda El Paso” etc.)?

Got a photo?

[bobco85]

@scoot 149202 wrote:

Cyclists who fail to yield will be deported south of Four Mile Run, at Alexandria’s expense.

They’re not joking; I used to live in Arlington until summer of 2015, and now I am in Alexandria

[peterw_diy]

@Tim Kelley0 149217 wrote:

Got a photo?

¡Por supuesto!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12842[/ATTACH]

[Tim Kelley]

And your suggestion is to add some English language signs too?

[peterw_diy]

@Tim Kelley 149228 wrote:

And your suggestion is to add some English language signs too?

Correct. Leave these in place and add some English language versions.

FYI, Alexandria staff say that the signage was a response to complaints received.

[Tim Kelley]

@peterw_diy 149249 wrote:

Correct. Leave these in place and add some English language versions.

FYI, Alexandria staff say that the signage was a response to complaints received.

So you’ve already been in touch? That saves me an email!

[peterw_diy]

@Tim Kelley 149251 wrote:

So you’ve already been in touch? That saves me an email!

With Ray in Alexandria, yes. I should have mentioned that when I posted the photo. Perils of posting quickly from the sidewalk – too much haste, too little consideration. Sorry.

[Author]

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