Many Thanks

[Dan K]

Those using the 4MR connector between the MVT and WOD will notice that the two high, hazardous “speed bumps” just east of I-395 have finally been fixed. They were terribly-constructed seams at each end of a 100 yard-long stretch of asphalt that inexplicably interrupts the otherwise concrete trail surface.

After watching a cyclist in front of me lose control and crash upon hitting one of them over a year ago, I began persistently lobbying the Arlington trails folks to fix them. It shouldn’t have taken this long, but it finally happened. They’ve not only been lowered and flattened, they’ve been painted bright yellow to give them visibility.

Appreciate the efforts of Dan Richards in that office (703.228.6524).

Here’s another tip of the cap. In addition to their awesome work this summer in de-landscaping to improve visibility at several “hot corners”, The Friends of the MVT have been painting red warning stripes parallel to the worst of the root heaves along the MVT (from my observation, beginning in OT and northward).

As users know, the root heaves run the gamut from bone jarring annoyances to genuine hazards for cyclists and runners alike. Giving them at least a bit of visibility is a good thing, and the upcoming projects under their (and NPS) auspices to fix them is most welcome.

The MVT is in the worst overall shape of the major NOVA trails (e.g., Custis, WOD, 4MR, etc.). It would be so much worse without the efforts of the Friends of the MVT. So to all you good folks — thank you!

Topic

[accordioneur]

@Starduster 211577 wrote:

A couple of weeks ago, I rode with #accordioneur on an Arlington 55 + Ride, from Belle Haven to Mt. Vernon. I will testify that stretch has become worse since I last ran it 2 years ago. *Many* root heaves and pavement fall-outs disguised by fallen leaves. No one crashed, I didn’t go down, but still. The need is…obvious. Let me make sure I can commit this weekend… merci!

Yeah, we got pretty bounced around. Someone else at planning central had come up with that ride; given the trail’s condition, the southern MVT wouldn’t have been my choice of a ride for the 55+ bike group. Still, it was a nice outing. Fortunately, neither bikes nor riders sustained any serious injuries.

[Pedal2DC]

In route planning for the TdMV, we determined that the section of the MVT between Alexandria Ave (Stone Bridge) and Fort Hunt is too dangerous for a group ride, despite the hard work of FoMVT pressure washing bridges. In fact, everything south of Belle Haven is in pretty bad shape. The MVT study confirmed this. It’s time for advocacy.

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[Dan K]

https://beyer.house.gov/

https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact

https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm

[Steve O]

I remember back when riding on the Parkway itself (at least south of Old Town) was legal. I believe there were any number of weekend group rides along that stretch.
The road would be a far, far superior, and almost certainly safer, place to ride than the trail.

I wonder if it would be worth organizing something like a Critical Mass ride on the Parkway itself on a Saturday or Sunday with a big group of riders to raise awareness of the inadequacy of the trail?

[bentbike33]

@Steve O 211597 wrote:

I remember back when riding on the Parkway itself (at least south of Old Town) was legal. I believe there were any number of weekend group rides along that stretch.
The road would be a far, far superior, and almost certainly safer, place to ride than the trail.

I wonder if it would be worth organizing something like a Critical Mass ride on the Parkway itself on a Saturday or Sunday with a big group of riders to raise awareness of the inadequacy of the trail?

Are bikes actually banned from the Parkway by Federal Law or have we just been bullied?

[Starduster]

@Steve O 211597 wrote:

I remember back when riding on the Parkway itself (at least south of Old Town) was legal. I believe there were any number of weekend group rides along that stretch.
The road would be a far, far superior, and almost certainly safer, place to ride than the trail.

It would be, *except*… for the current volume of high speed traffic running well over the posted speed limit, and no shoulder, paved or otherwise, anywhere. So right now, trading one set of hazards for another. Even for the fit, fast, and fearless.

Now if someone will do a Critical Mass ride, I’m in.

[Steve O]

@Starduster 211599 wrote:

It would be, *except*… for the current volume of high speed traffic running well over the posted speed limit, and no shoulder, paved or otherwise, anywhere. So right now, trading one set of hazards for another. Even for the fit, fast, and fearless.

Those conditions are true only some of the time, particularly volume. Weekends were when riders would generally use the Parkway, and during those times traffic volumes are low enough that drivers are completely comfortable moving over to the other lane and giving cyclists plenty of room.

I believe a more progressive Park Service could open the Parkway to cyclists on weekends with no affect on traffic whatsoever. In fact, they could make the right lane “cyclists only” except where they need to move on or off, and with good signage and as drivers got used to it, it would be kind of like the VA version of Beach Drive.

[CaseyKane50]

Things have gotten a bit more complicated on the southern portion of the GWMP. In October, NPS began to restripe the southern portion of the parkway from Alexandria to Mount Vernon. From Tulane Drive to Stratford Lane, there will be two travel lanes northbound, a single lane southbound, and a center turn lane. I guess drivers could use the center turn lane to pass people who are biking southbound. Certainly drivers use the turn lanes on eastbound Seminary Road (posted speed limit 25 mph) including driving over medians to get past bike riders.

For those who are interested in the details – Traffic and Safety Context Sensitive Solutions Assessment. Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail (FOMVT) and Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) provided input to the NPS on road and trail conditions for people who walk and bike.

[Judd]

@bentbike33 211598 wrote:

Are bikes actually banned from the Parkway by Federal Law or have we just been bullied?

Riding a bike on the Parkway is prohibited through the Superintendent’s Compendium. Each park has its own compendium setting forth the rules of the Park. It has all kinds of stuff like park hours, fees and restrictions on activities like fires and camping.

The GWMP compendium is at http://home.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm

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[Judd]

@Starduster 211599 wrote:

It would be, *except*… for the current volume of high speed traffic running well over the posted speed limit, and no shoulder, paved or otherwise, anywhere. So right now, trading one set of hazards for another. Even for the fit, fast, and fearless.

Now if someone will do a Critical Mass ride, I’m in.

The primary motivation for Barbara Lynch, one of the people responsible (along with Ellen Pickering) for the MVT existing advocated for it because she didn’t like her husband riding on the Parkway.

The Parkway South Safety Study had some interesting data on the percentage of drivers exceeding the speed limit which was most of them and also by a lot.

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[Author]

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