Hmm, FFX must be short on funds..

[Joe Chapline]

I’m pretty sure that the possibility of a penalty is the only thing that will get the majority of trail or road users (cyclists, pedestrians, drivers) to obey traffic control devices. Just putting up the sign or light isn’t enough.

[RESTONTODC]

Yes, a FFX police officer in Reston has been giving out a lot of tickets for the group ride during recent weeks. He would follow the cyclists with his unmarked car and give out tickets if they don’t stop completely foot down at the stop signs.

I heard that 20 to 30 riders got the tickets from a group ride.

If you’re riding in Reston, you need to do a complete stop.

I would be fair if he would ticket the distracted drivers as well.

Rick

[eminva]

“Completely foot down”? What about those accomplished cyclists who can come to a complete stop without dropping a foot?

I guess in the presence of an officer of the law I would do the belt and suspenders approach. I also agree that some deterrence is needed at some of the trail crossings. I concur that I would love to see it involving the motorists. too.

Liz

[CCrew]

@eminva 3882 wrote:

“Completely foot down”? What about those accomplished cyclists who can come to a complete stop without dropping a foot?

He let me get away with a solid trackstand, but he was certainly watching.

Here’s a good question though…. At Old Reston (by 7-11) there’s both a stop sign, and a walk light. If the walk light is lit do you have to stop?

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@RESTONTODC 3874 wrote:

Yes, a FFX police officer in Reston has been giving out a lot of tickets for the group ride during recent weeks. He would follow the cyclists with his unmarked car and give out tickets if they don’t stop completely foot down at the stop signs.

I heard that 20 to 30 riders got the tickets from a group ride.

If you’re riding in Reston, you need to do a complete stop.

I would be fair if he would ticket the distracted drivers as well.

Rick

Today I stopped at the stop sign at Grace St in Herndon, only to have to stop again halfway through the cross walk for a minivan who blew through the stop sign. So if a bike blows through a stop sign, they could be hit by a car and hurt. If a car blows through a stop sign, someone could be hit by a car and hurt? Hmmmm.

[DaveK]

@CCrew 3895 wrote:

He let me get away with a solid trackstand, but he was certainly watching.

Here’s a good question though…. At Old Reston (by 7-11) there’s both a stop sign, and a walk light. If the walk light is lit do you have to stop?

A signal is a higher level control than a stop sign – the signal should be obeyed. In many places (don’t know about VA) it’s explicit in the state code that stop signs shall not be located at intersections where there is a traffic light. I’d look this up before trying it in a courtroom.

[consularrider]

Someone needs to let Arlington County know, they seem to love stop signs and traffic lights on the Custis and W&OD trails. I always obey the light over the stop sign, why should the cyclist be the only one who has to stop at the intersection?

[DaveK]

W&OD is owned and controlled by NVRPA (Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority).

[CCrew]

@DaveK 3978 wrote:

W&OD is owned and controlled by NVRPA (Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority).

It’s managed by NVRPA, but law enforcement falls on whatever jurisdiction it passes through. I’ve seen Loudoun, Fairfax, Vienna, Falls Church, Arlington PD all on the trails at various times.

The FC ones are the funniest.. Get on a MTB, ride 3-4 blocks and turn and ride back to their cars

[SteveTheTech]

@CCrew 3870 wrote:

They were ticketing stop sign runners on the W&OD in Reston this afternoon.

Not really hugely upset to see it, there are some pretty flagrant violators in that area.

Good Looking out, thanks for the heads up.

@CCrew 3895 wrote:

He let me get away with a solid trackstand, but he was certainly watching.

Here’s a good question though…. At Old Reston (by 7-11) there’s both a stop sign, and a walk light. If the walk light is lit do you have to stop?

I was at that exact place today thinking the exact same think. lol

As far as a trackstanding a stop, it seems like they would just prefer you slow down and check the conditions before proceeding. The rule I remember from drivers ed was 3 seconds, but that is not always realistic even early on the weekends. There are several places east of Crestview Dr (~mm21) where the trail is elevated stopping fully is advised but if there is no traffic….There are many people I would like to see get tickets. But in reality it would probably be one of us who us just trying to capitalize on the free momentum a bit to get a jump start….that being said the law is the law and they really just want to keep everyone safe.

There is also a law in VA that cyclists are not supposed to wear headphones in both ears while riding. We have all seen that infraction cause several near misses.

http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp wrote:

Traffic Controls

Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings.

Reference: §46.2-830 ^TOPICS

Other than that it is pretty vague other than the basic common sense type things.

[CCrew]

@SteveTheTech 3995 wrote:

There is also a law in VA that cyclists are not supposed to wear headphones in both ears while riding. We have all seen that infraction cause several near misses.

Oh, man, I’m really guilty of that one.. I like my tunes

[acc]

What? My role model for commuting toughness and smarts about all things “bike” risks his neck with tunes. I tell ya, I’m shocked. I just can’t bring myself to do it. I would like to, it would be fun, but for me the risk isn’t worth it. So I sing to myself, seems to scare most of the deer anyway.

Happy Trails,
ann

[CCrew]

@acc 4011 wrote:

What? My role model for commuting toughness and smarts about all things “bike” risks his neck with tunes. I tell ya, I’m shocked. I just can’t bring myself to do it. I would like to, it would be fun, but for me the risk isn’t worth it. So I sing to myself, seems to scare most of the deer anyway.

Happy Trails,
ann

Yeah, I yank them in traffic if it’s any consolation. Keep in mind I’m out there @ 3am, isn’t a lot of other distraction or things to dodge. And Bambi doesn’t seem to mind that I’m jamming on something

[acc]

Thank you, I will try to stop weeping now.

[Author]

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