New Visitor Access Requirements at Ft Myer?

[chris_s]

In our continuing saga of “implementing changes and THEN telling people about them” I just received this email from the base:

Esteemed Arlington County Neighbors and Bicyclists,

As Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) continues its implementation of new access control measures, the base will begin new procedures to standardize bicycle traffic patterns effective Monday, Oct. 12.

In accordance with the Virginia State Code and JBM-HH Regulation 190-15, bicyclists are required to ride with the flow of traffic and use the appropriate hand and arm signals – unless they are dismounted, at which time the rules pertaining to pedestrians will apply.

When entering JBM-HH through any of the installation Access Control Points (ACP), bicyclists who are dismounted prior to entry onto the installation will be treated as pedestrians and will be required to proceed through the ACP as a pedestrian. Bicyclists who are mounted will proceed with the flow of traffic and proceed through the ACP similar to a motorcycle.

When entering the Hatfield Gate ACP (at Washington Blvd. and South 2nd Street), all bicyclists who are mounted (regardless of whether they are visitors or have DoD or AIE identification cards) are to proceed on the left-side access roadway and are to continue to the “vehicle” search lane to get properly identified and/or logged in as a visitor.

Bicyclists must obey all traffic laws and fully comply with safety requirements prior to entering the installation, such as wearing a helmet and using appropriate lighting equipment during hours of darkness and limited visibility.

For more information, please call the JBM-HH Military Police operations desk at 703-588-2801.

[scoot]

And wait in line for the vehicle searches? Even cyclists with DOD ID? This doesn’t make any sense.

[dasgeh]

@scoot 125801 wrote:

And wait in line for the vehicle searches? Even cyclists with DOD ID? This doesn’t make any sense.

It’s not clear to me that you’d have to wait for vehicle searches. IIRC, there’s room for cyclists to get by the vehicles being searched. Though how they’re going to keep track of who has a pass and who doesn’t is beyond me.

Has anyone tried this? Please report back.

[scoot]

@dasgeh 125806 wrote:

IIRC, there’s room for cyclists to get by the vehicles being searched.

You’re right. But the policy still doesn’t make any sense. It’s definitely more dangerous to ride through the left lane in the bay if there are people standing around inspecting vehicles. (Unless the guard is right: drivers on the right side of the barrier really are treating the entrance to a military base as their own personal NASCAR track. :rolleyes:)

Why not just let cyclists ride around the outer loop like any other unsearched vehicle? Everyone in the outer lane gets their ID checked anyway.

[dasgeh]

@scoot 125864 wrote:

You’re right. But the policy still doesn’t make any sense.

Do any of these new policies make sense?

[elbows]

When they first built the loops (6 weeks ago or so?), I rode outer. Then they told me to ride inner. I preferred that, but then they told me to skip the loops and walk my bike on the sidewalk. This morning, the crosswalk was blocked by a JBMHH security vehicle so I walked it over the curb. I’m sure I will be told to do something else soon.

[chris_s]

When pressed on what exactly has changed and why, they said this:

Up until now, bicyclists with DoD and AIE (Automated Installation Entry)
passes, were allowed to stop with the first gate guard and then continue on.
Now all bicyclists entering at Hatfield Gate (whether a visitor or holding an
approved ID) must stay to the left (the visitor’s lane) and continue to the
search lane for verification of their ID’s or for vetting as a visitor.

The other change is that those who choose to enter mounted on their bicycles
must enter with the flow of traffic and stay in line with the traffic — as a
motorcycle rider would do. Those who enter the installation dismounted will
be treated as a pedestrian and will follow the cross walk. The key here is
that they will not be allowed to mount their bicycles until after they have
cleared the security check point area completely.

Up until now, bicyclists have mounted their bicycles after having their IDs
checked and then crossed in front of traffic to get back onto Carpenter
Road — creating a safety hazard. This new procedure will keep those
bicyclists who choose to ride their bicycles in the flow of traffic so they
don’t have to ride crossing in front of traffic. Those who are dismounted
will have to walk their bicycles along cross walks until they have cleared the
security check point area completely. Naturally, pedestrians have the right
of way in a cross walk.

[acorn]

Well, this morning (and also later last week) they told me to ride thru the search lane, where I showed my ID and continued on my way. (instead of dismounting and going to the sidewalk)
I guess they are still working this out.

[dasgeh]

They clearly don’t even know what _was_ the policy. I went through there a lot more often before Labor Day, but I showed my ID at the first gate (just like cars) and was directed to stay to the right (just like cars).

[jamilkb]

Today, I was turned away and denied base entry. First time ever. According to the soldier that took my ID, they are no longer permitting entry to anyone that doesn’t have official business on base. According to him, the policy went into effect last week. Not sure how true that is because I only rode into work one day last week (the rainy one). Guess my commute has officially been extended by 15min and 8 degraded factors of safety now.

[DismalScientist]

I didn’t have any problems entering this morning.

[Alcova cyclist]

Jamilkb — what ID had you been using to get on base?

No problems for me this week going in at either 2nd St or Wright Gate (by Iwo Jima) with a civilian federal employee ID (5 entries total so far)

I have noticed that lines for vehicle inspections are longer and there is clearly more security in place than a few weeks ago. Given recent events it would be unsurprising that the base is changing security procedures.

[jamilkb]

I’ve been using my Federal ID as well. Yesterday I was fumbling around with gloves on and when I pulled out my ID my driver’s license was stuck to it on top. He saw that somehow and refused to even look at my Federal badge…..went into the booth, talked to some people, then came out and handed my license back to me and gave me the line about no longer permitting entry. Typically I’m going through there no later than 5:45am….I was running late yesterday so it was closer to 6am….

I may try again tomorrow and make sure to only have my Federal badge out. I’m beginning to suspect that there’s just no rhyme or reason to any of this and it’s going to be a crap shoot from here on out. Good to know at least there’s a chance though.

[dasgeh]

I’ll dig up my contacts and see if there’s a new policy. For a while, I’d get an email when policies were changing on base, so I’m a bit surprised to hear this, but not really.

[Steve O]

Post dentist I decided to try the Ft. Myer cut-through from S. Arlington to Rosslyn. Ran into a friend who bikes through frequently and guided me into the left line at the 2nd St. entrance (I wouldn’t have known). They looked at our IDs and let us through. I have a Federal one, but he just has a driver’s license. No hassles.

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