Introducing the Arlington County Bicycle Comfort Level Map

[Arlingtonrider]

Tim, where can we find copies of it? Do the Commuter Stores have them yet?

[Tim Kelley]

@Arlingtonrider 122821 wrote:

Tim, where can we find copies of it? Do the Commuter Stores have them yet?

Hard copies are being mailed to every household in Arlington through the Citizen newsletter. You should be able to pick up maps at Car Free Diet Partner retail locations and at commuter stores. You may also request additional copies be mailed to you free of charge:

http://www.commuterpage.com/pages/tools-resources/brochures-by-mail/

[lordofthemark]

@Arlingtonrider 122821 wrote:

Tim, where can we find copies of it? Do the Commuter Stores have them yet?

The Shirlington Bus Station was the source of the one I was blabbering to you and RCannon about at the Farmers’ Market.

[Guus]

This is a great map. I looked up the routes I usually bicycle and agree with the color coding on the routes that I know.

The map makes it clear that there are many good connections through the County.

Let’s turn some more of the yellow and orange into blue over the next years

[sjclaeys]

I’d agree that the map is quite accurate, though saying that 41st St is “medium” is a bit of a judgement call. Maybe Audrey Clement will even find the map useful! :rolleyes:

[dplasters]

As a non Arlington resident I am very jealous. Very useful map.

[Tim Kelley]

@sjclaeys 122829 wrote:

I’d agree that the map is quite accurate, though saying that 41st St is “medium” is a bit of a judgement call. Maybe Audrey Clement will even find the map useful! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the feedback. That’s a tough one–there are virtually no cars on it (which on any other street would make it an “easy” or on par with a off street trail) but it is very steep.) We ended up making it a medium and adding the hill markings since the alternative is straight up Chain Bridge. Up for debate–we’ll mull it over for the next revision.

[Subby]

Downhill Lee Hwy between Veitch and Lynn is actually pretty awesome with it’s three lanes and all. Although riding on a black route makes me feel like a badass. #imnot

[dasgeh]

Maybe you need to distinguish between hills that are doable but you should know they’re there (Custis Trail out of Rosslyn) and hills that all but the strongest should avoid (Culpepper St, 41st). Maybe three arrow for the tough ones?

My other comment (shared via email) is that the color scheme makes the highest stress routes stick out. So instead of “highlighting low stress routes”, on first glance, it does the opposite. Plus, most (all?) of the white roads are great to bike on, their just not part of a popular route. Those and the blues should be the ones that pop. Changing the colors around should also make the gaps stand out more.

But this is great work. Thanks!

(Oh, and some of Lee Hwy that’s marked with bike lanes doesn’t have bike lanes, or only has them on one side).

[ginacico]

Mine was in the mail today. Psyched, this map is super helpful especially as a new Arlington resident!!

I think there could be a Use Caution mark near the Chain Bridge exchange. Between the freaky little trail detour coming down from N Randolph, the wicked steep hill on 41st, and the traffic light at N Glebe I think it warrants a heads up.

From what I know of the area, which ain’t much yet, the rest seems accurate and informative. Map making is an art, and the concept behind this one is just way cool.

[Steve O]

So what’s with the “Zachary Taylor” trail?? If there were three people on the planet (prior to it showing up on this map) who knew that the Donaldson Run Trail is actually called that, I will buy Henry a beer.
I suggest sticking with Donaldson Run Trail, because that’s what everyone knows it as.

[KLizotte]

This is really cool and useful! I’ve already planned out a few new loops to keep things interesting (and safer). It would be useful if the map showed where the blue/yellow/orange routes provide access to the W&OD, FMR, MVT and Custis. It’s a little hard to tell in some places and a newbie may presume he or she can access the trail at all road/route crossings. Perhaps a little white circle at access points? (I’ve only seen the web version thus far, not the paper map)

It would also be super awesome if Alexandria and Falls Church got on board since our little county is small and one might assume dragons and sea monsters are on the other side of the border.

Thanks Arlington!

[consularrider]

I notice Tri360 in East Falls Church and Big Wheel Bikes in Lyon Village did not get bike shop marks. Did shops have to pay to play? Also, shouldn’t S. Kenmore and S. Arlington Ridge Rd get hill arrows?

[Tim Kelley]

@dasgeh 122834 wrote:

(Oh, and some of Lee Hwy that’s marked with bike lanes doesn’t have bike lanes, or only has them on one side).

Good catch–we have that on the regular map, but it got lost in translation.

[Tim Kelley]

@Steve O 122844 wrote:

So what’s with the “Zachary Taylor” trail?? If there were three people on the planet (prior to it showing up on this map) who knew that the Donaldson Run Trail is actually called that, I will buy Henry a beer.
I suggest sticking with Donaldson Run Trail, because that’s what everyone knows it as.

Oh Steve O….You mean the trail that goes through Zachary Taylor Nature Area, that’s west of Military Rd, and is completely separate from Donaldson Run Park and the trail in it that is west of Donaldson Run?

But seriously, it’s funny you bring that up. It didn’t appear to have a name that we could find anywhere so we had to check with Parks for an official decision!

[Author]

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