new commuter in fairfax

[skarab]

hi im from manila Philippines. Just visiting my parents here in fairfax for 2 months. i cant drive a car here so my only choice to explore the city is to commute by bike. im a regular bike commuter back in the Philippines so i can ride for miles.

so my question is can i ride on highways? like Lee jackson highway? because theres a part of the highway that doesnt have a bike path. i dont know the rules here in VA coz back in manila we can ride bikes on highways and we dont have bike paths there.

i live near greenbriar shopping center and i want to go to tysons corner in vienna. heres the route that i plan on riding. http://g.co/maps/c7hsq

thank you guys in advance and i will really appreciate other tips that you can give me about riding here in VA and DC area. thanks again and ride safe!

Topic

[americancyclo]

As far as I know, you can’t ride on I-66 or 495 or other US Interstate routes. I’m only really familiar with the Chain Bridge and Maple Ave sections of that route, and I know that they have fast moving traffic and some narrow lanes. Google Maps has a bicycle directions option that gave me this alternative, which is slightly longer, but much safer, and I bet a more pleasant ride as well.

http://g.co/maps/fpqrt

[eminva]

I concur that americancyclo’s proposed route is safer and more pleasant. The only change I would make would be at the very end, to turn right, instead of left, on Old Courthouse Road, and then left on Gallows to get over to the mall (rather than negotiate an exit ramp on Rte 123 to Rte 7).

I don’t doubt your riding abilities, but motorists here are not as used to having cyclists taking the lane on these major state highways out in the suburbs. In downtown DC it’s another story, but out in the suburbs they aren’t expecting you and that could mean danger.

Good luck!

Liz

[skarab]

thank you very much for your replies. i haven’t been to DC yet but im planning on going there when the weather is not this cold . and im planning to bring my bike with me on the bus and on the train.

so my question is do they also have bike paths on DC or i can just bike on the side of the road? thanks again!

[vvill]

DC is mostly riding on the road. Check out some of the DC area bike maps for the best options (DC, Arlington County and Fairfax County all have good bike maps available online). You can also look at Google Maps and enable the Bicycling option.

Note that you can only take your bike (unless it’s a folder) on the train at certain times. Check wmata.com for more details. If you don’t mind miles (and hills) I’d probably just ride into DC assuming you can get to one of the trails.

Also, weather wise it’s only going to get colder in the next two months, so I would just go ahead whenever it’s above 35F…

[baiskeli]

There will be a few really warm days here and there, though not warm by Manila standards.

Skarab, why not arrange to ride with a friend? I’m sure you can find someone here who would ride with you to DC and show you around one day.

[off2ride]

Skarab,

Kumusta. Email off list please. Thanks.

[Terpfan]

@skarab 12817 wrote:

thank you very much for your replies. i haven’t been to DC yet but im planning on going there when the weather is not this cold . and im planning to bring my bike with me on the bus and on the train.

so my question is do they also have bike paths on DC or i can just bike on the side of the road? thanks again!

You may find it is easier to ride your bike into the city than to deal with public transportation. Inside of the city you can ride your bicycle on the streets (except the highways, 395/295) and in fact in some parts of the city you are forbidden from riding on the sidewalks. On some streets there are dedicated bike lanes that will be very obvious to you.

Bicycles on Metro trains link: http://www.metro.net/around/bikes/bikes-metro/

[Justin Antos]

@Terpfan 12930 wrote:

Bicycles on Metro trains link:

Quick clarification here: that link points to info on the Los Angeles metro system. Here’s more information on bikes and the Washington Metro system – http://wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride/

No disrespect to our counterparts in LA, of course!

[adamx]

will be extremely valuable to you for only $2 at any LBS (local bike shop). and then leave it behind as it makes a pretty good general map.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@adamx 12933 wrote:

will be extremely valuable to you for only $2 at any LBS (local bike shop). and then leave it behind as it makes a pretty good general map.

They’re actually free, Adam. The county just printed the $2 on there in case they chose to sell them. The LBS can’t charge for them.

Cheers,

Tom

[WillStewart]

skarab, how are you making out on your bike commuting?

[Author]

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