My Evening Commute

[Tania]

@Steve O 159572 wrote:

You wouldn’t know this by the (not) signs, but you can also bypass the construction section by riding on the sidewalk of the frontage road and avoid riding on Rte. 50 itself.

How? When I cross 50 at the light at Pershing, I make an immediate left and cut through the parking lot of the h/motel there (techinically “Wainwright Road”) and then get on the trail/sidewalk but that is what is closed right now through where it crosses over 27 (near Bedford Street if you’re looking at a map).

There isn’t a frontage street unless it’s on the other side of the road (the Ft Myer side)? I’ve tried cutting through the parking lots of the apts/condos there but there’s no way to get back onto the trail without playing frogger to cross Washington Blvd (no light).

[Tim Kelley]

@Alcova cyclist 159559 wrote:

It is shameful that Bike Arlington labels that nightmare an “off street trail” and colors it green on the comfort map

The trail itself is separated from the road and is comfortable to ride on. That designation has nothing to do with the crossings, which are marked with “Use Caution” symbols.

That being said, as we are always updating the map, and will be doing so again soon, do you have any suggestion for how it can be less shamefully labeled?

There has also been talk about realigning that section of trail to cross closer to the apex of the exit ramps. You’d have to be in touch with planning staff to see what the latest on that is.

[Tania]

I don’t find those crossings on 50 (or the ones on the trail that’s along 27) to be all that bad. Yes, you have to (gasp!) slow down or even (bigger gasp!) stop (WHAT?) and make sure the way is clear but that’s not such a big deal. To me.

[Steve O]

@Tania 159575 wrote:

How? When I cross 50 at the light at Pershing, I make an immediate left and cut through the parking lot of the h/motel there (techinically “Wainwright Road”) and then get on the trail/sidewalk but that is what is closed right now through where it crosses over 27 (near Bedford Street if you’re looking at a map).

There isn’t a frontage street unless it’s on the other side of the road (the Ft Myer side)? I’ve tried cutting through the parking lots of the apts/condos there but there’s no way to get back onto the trail without playing frogger to cross Washington Blvd (no light).

You’re right. I was thinking of the section of frontage road just west of the overpass. Ignore previous (non-existent) post.

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 159576 wrote:

That being said, as we are always updating the map, and will be doing so again soon, do you have any suggestion…?

Yes, I have recommended this change every time, but it’s never done. The section of “trail” alongside the National Foreign Affairs Training Center is designated in red, which indicates “off-street trail,” like the 4-mile run trail or Bluemont Junction Trail. But it’s a sidewalk–just a sidewalk with no buffer from the road–not wide and usually covered with debris. If this is an “off-street” trail, then every sidewalk in the county should be designated as red on the map.

I do not know what to change it to, but there is no way it should be designated the same as the WOD or the Custis. Maybe you need some sort of other designation for crappy sidewalk connections.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14715[/ATTACH]

On the Comfort Map it is also marked as off-street and “most comfortable.” I don’t find that section of sidewalk to be that comfortable because of its proximity to high-speed exiting traffic and the fact that it is almost impossible to share the sidewalk with someone else, like a pedestrian or cyclist coming the other way. I would reclassify that section as “blue.”

Also, be sure to include the 4MR detour on the Comfort Map even though it goes into Alexandria (gasp!).

[Tim Kelley]

@Steve O 159581 wrote:

Yes, I have recommended this change every time, but it’s never done. The section of “trail” alongside the National Foreign Affairs Training Center is designated in red, which indicates “off-street trail,” like the 4-mile run trail or Bluemont Junction Trail. But it’s a sidewalk–just a sidewalk with no buffer from the road–not wide and usually covered with debris. If this is an “off-street” trail, then every sidewalk in the county should be designated as red on the map.

I do not know what to change it to, but there is no way it should be designated the same as the WOD or the Custis. Maybe you need some sort of other designation for crappy sidewalk connections.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14715[/ATTACH]

On the Comfort Map it is also marked as off-street and “most comfortable.” I don’t find that section of sidewalk to be that comfortable because of its proximity to high-speed exiting traffic and the fact that it is almost impossible to share the sidewalk with someone else, like a pedestrian or cyclist coming the other way. I would reclassify that section as “blue.”

Also, be sure to include the 4MR detour on the Comfort Map even though it goes into Alexandria (gasp!).

Steve–thanks for your input! We’ve heard you every time you’ve recommended this change, we just don’t agree with you. The trail near the National Foreign Affairs Training Center is subpar, but it is a necessary connection, and that is why it is shown on the regular map. We will not be adding multiple designations on the map to distinguish between the that and something like the WOD or Custis.

The Four Mile Run detour is a temporary detour, and won’t get a special update either.

[bobco85]

@Tania 159577 wrote:

I don’t find those crossings on 50 (or the ones on the trail that’s along 27) to be all that bad. Yes, you have to (gasp!) slow down or even (bigger gasp!) stop (WHAT?) and make sure the way is clear but that’s not such a big deal. To me.

I agree with you only 50% on this. I should note that the majority of my experience at the crossings have been either during afternoon rush hour or on the weekends.

I’m mostly okay with the westbound Wash Blvd to westbound Route 50 crossing. Traffic can go a little fast at times, but usually there’s a bit of a backup or gap which makes crossing much easier.

I dislike the westbound Route 50 to westbound Wash Blvd crossing. Traffic is fast, and it’s difficult to predict whether a fast moving vehicle is going to stay in the right lane or take the exit ramp (especially since right turn signals don’t seem to be used). Additionally, people (especially westbound folks) at the crossing are not as visible to drivers because they are obscured by a yellow bicycle diamond sign, a yellow 25 mph exit sign, and the supports for the overhead green road signs. Look at the Google Street View here: https://goo.gl/maps/qGuEWrqxkQx A driver going at the speed limit (45 mph on this stretch) would have little-to-no time to react and stop if they were to encounter someone in the crossing.

[bentbike33]

@bobco85 159583 wrote:

…especially since right turn signals don’t seem to be used…

It is my observation that in Virginia, turn signals, especially to indicate lane changes, are a known sign of weakness among drivers, the only reasonable response being to speed up and pass before the lane change can be attempted.

[Tania]

@bobco85 159583 wrote:

I dislike the westbound Route 50 to westbound Wash Blvd crossing. Traffic is fast, and it’s difficult to predict whether a fast moving vehicle is going to stay in the right lane or take the exit ramp (especially since right turn signals don’t seem to be used). Additionally, people (especially westbound folks) at the crossing are not as visible to drivers because they are obscured by a yellow bicycle diamond sign, a yellow 25 mph exit sign, and the supports for the overhead green road signs. Look at the Google Street View here: https://goo.gl/maps/qGuEWrqxkQx A driver going at the speed limit (45 mph on this stretch) would have little-to-no time to react and stop if they were to encounter someone in the crossing.

And I agree with this. Which is why I won’t cross if there’s a car in that far right lane which could take that exit ramp (turn signals are optional). I’m usually coming through there right around 5pm during the week so lots of traffic. And if I have to stop and wait, then I stop and wait. Those crossings could be improved for sure. Better signage for cyclists (“dangerous crossing!”) would be a good start.

But I find navigating the intersection at 27 and …I don’t even know how to describe it or the name of that trail so here’s a pic. In both directions – coming south off the trail along Bedford or coming north along Washington and having to make a left onto the frontage street just after I pass under 50 is way more tricky and stressful for me. The trail that borders the frontage road is closed right now and has been for months so to go from one trail to the next you’re in the street, which is busier than it should be.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14716[/ATTACH]

[dasgeh]

@Tania 159577 wrote:

I don’t find those crossings on 50 (or the ones on the trail that’s along 27) to be all that bad. Yes, you have to (gasp!) slow down or even (bigger gasp!) stop (WHAT?) and make sure the way is clear but that’s not such a big deal. To me.

The problem is that you just don’t know whether the cars zooming along are going to turn, and, if you’re headed westbound, you have to look completely behind you to look. We’re supposed to have the right of way, but it’s more like we have to hope drivers think about slowing and stopping. They don’t, so instead, we have to slow, stop, and read their body language. It’s not safe and comfortable bike infrastructure.

[Tania]

@dasgeh 159589 wrote:

The problem is that you just don’t know whether the cars zooming along are going to turn, and, if you’re headed westbound, you have to look completely behind you to look. We’re supposed to have the right of way, but it’s more like we have to hope drivers think about slowing and stopping. They don’t, so instead, we have to slow, stop, and read their body language. It’s not safe and comfortable bike infrastructure.

You are supposed to have right of way but you don’t. Just like when I’m walking down a sidewalk – a SIDEWALK – I shouldn’t have to worry about cars coming out of parking garages and hitting me. But I do. Because you can’t assume people are paying attention 100% of the time. If others want to bike (carelessly, IMO) through there without stopping or looking to prove some sort of point, they can. I’ll continue to wait until there’s no one in that far right lane who could possibly be making that turn onto the exit ramp before I cross. And then at the far crossing, I’ll wait until someone waves me through, I’ll wave back in thanks and continue along my way.

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 159582 wrote:

The Four Mile Run detour is a temporary detour, and won’t get a special update either.

Henry agreed that including some of the trails and connecting roads at the edges of the county is a good idea, just like on the regular bike map. Although there are rumors of dragons at the edges of the county, the only real monster is the troll that lives near TR Island.
@Tim Kelley 159582 wrote:

Steve–thanks for your input! We’ve heard you every time you’ve recommended this change; we just don’t agree with you. The trail near the National Foreign Affairs Training Center is subpar, but it is a necessary connection, and that is why it is shown on the regular map. We will not be adding multiple designations on the map to distinguish between that and something like the WOD or Custis.

The very first time I ever rode along that section of Rte 50 I had seen that red line on the map. When I got there I searched in vain for some sort of off-street trail. I saw a road behind the fence and wondered if I had somehow missed an entrance or something. It took me several times riding past there to understand that there was no off-street trail as designated on the map. That made me believe that someone had made a mistake on the map, which I only later learned was a deliberate misrepresentation.

Maps are most useful for people who have never been somewhere before. Mapmakers need to imagine what it’s like to use a map for the very first time. And strive to make them as clear and useful as possible. I think you would agree that a person who had never been there before and was using the map expecting to find a trail is likely to be confused, just as I was. The question then is not, “Is a red line an appropriate mark we can put here?” but rather, “What’s the clearest way to guide someone at this point who has never ever been here before?” Based on my own personal experience and discussions I have had with others, a red line is not the best answer to the second question.

Perhaps just the words, “on sidewalk,” would significantly clarify what is going on there, without having to create a new designation.

[lordofthemark]

@Tania 159593 wrote:

You are supposed to have right of way but you don’t. Just like when I’m walking down a sidewalk – a SIDEWALK – I shouldn’t have to worry about cars coming out of parking garages and hitting me. But I do. Because you can’t assume people are paying attention 100% of the time. If others want to bike (carelessly, IMO) through there without stopping or looking to prove some sort of point, they can. I’ll continue to wait until there’s no one in that far right lane who could possibly be making that turn onto the exit ramp before I cross. And then at the far crossing, I’ll wait until someone waves me through, I’ll wave back in thanks and continue along my way.

I don’t consider a sidewalk with garages a good route, and try to avoid such routes.

A trail with crossings where it makes sense for trail users to have the ROW (because turning and looking for cars is awkward) but where in fact the road users do not appropriately yield the ROW, is not a route I will seek out.

Fortunately, living in NW Alexandria, I don’t really need to go that way.

I will continue to advocate for bike infra where that is not the case, and where that is all we can get, I will advocate for better enforcement. Not to make a point, but to improve safety outcomes and comfort given a realistic view of how people transport themselves.

[Tania]

@lordofthemark 159603 wrote:

I don’t consider a sidewalk with garages a good route, and try to avoid such routes.

Where else should I walk, if not on the sidewalk?

[lordofthemark]

@Tania 159604 wrote:

Where else should I walk, if not on the sidewalk?

I’m sorry, I read too quickly, I thought you were referring to biking. When walking I am going slowly enough garages are less of an issue. I would note however that lots of busy garages do detract from walkability. I believe that is now accepted in the urban planning literature. Indeed in the City of Alexandria there was recently intense neighborhood opposition to a new drive through restaurant because of the impact on walkability.

[Author]

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