Pete Signs Removed From Bridge!

[JorgeGortex]

Did anyone else catch this BS: https://www.fcnp.com/2023/06/08/an-unauthorized-bid-to-rename-wod-bridge/

I get that they were put there surreptitiously, but who were they hurting? This kind of bureaucratic non-sense makes my blood boil. FWIW, I wrote and sent this to NOVA Parks:

Dear NOVA Parks,

I am writing to protest the removal of the signs from the WO&D bridge that crosses over Rt. 29/Langston Blvd in Arlington/Falls Church. Although the signs may have been placed without going through proper channels, the signs commemorated a local member of the cycling community who lived and worked in Falls Church. Pete was an extremely beloved member of the cycling community who supported riders of all levels and who promoted the joy of being outside and doing right by others. He did more to encourage good than few others I know.

For NOVA Parks and VDOT to take them down seems, simply mean, and out of touch with the community NOVA Parks purports to help. Did anyone do any research to find out who Pete was, what his story was, or why someone went to the trouble of erecting a sign in his honor? Or was simply a matter of “this isn’t right” and removing them? What were the signs hurting? I’ll answer it: no one. But now you’ve engaged the community in a negative way and left a foul taste in this person’s mouth. I have no doubt others as well.
If NOVA Parks has any integrity you will replace the signs and let a community remember with a smile, a man important to others, every time they cross that bridge.

If you want to send something, it can be sent to NOVAParks@nvrpa.org Maybe if the community makes a stink we can get this corrected.

[Brett L.]

Here is what appears to be the initial thread discussing the attempts to name the bridge.

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?18756-Does-the-new-W-amp-OD-bridge-over-Rte-29-have-a-name

[ImaCynic]

Let’s not taint Pete’s legacy by associating his name to an illegal act.

[Steve O]

@ImaCynic 225935 wrote:

Let’s not taint Pete’s legacy by associating his name to an illegal act.

I have it under good authority that Bikenetic, Pete’s family, BikeArlington and scores of individuals were supportive of the posting of these signs. I’d be surprised if you can find anyone who knew Pete well who would agree with you.
As huskerdont points out in his note, what may be bureaucratically out of due process happens to also be wonderful. Sadly, there are those who believe bureaucratic senselessness should override wonderfulness.

[ImaCynic]

@Steve O 225938 wrote:

I have it under good authority that Bikenetic, Pete’s family, BikeArlington and scores of individuals were supportive of the posting of these signs. I’d be surprised if you can find anyone who knew Pete well who would agree with you.
As huskerdont points out in his note, what may be bureaucratically out of due process happens to also be wonderful. Sadly, there are those who believe bureaucratic senselessness should override wonderfulness.

Agreeing to putting up signs where they are not allowed? No – I’m not looking for agreement nor am I a fanboy of bureaucracy. But “supportive of the posting of these signs” doesn’t give you the permission to do so, or at least on that bridge. You put it up knowing full well that there is a high likelihood that it will be taken down, and it has. It was a nice stunt while it lasted.

Pete’s name should NOT be tied-up in a bureaucratic tussle in any way.

[Starduster]

I am still going to call it the Pete Beers Bridge. ’nuff said.

[SarahBee]

What are the proper bureaucratic channels to get VDOT and NOVA Parks to get this officially named and official signs erected? Is there a draft letter/petition we can work on to send to our local elected officials for support? In addition to the local bike community, I know there are other advocacy groups (e.g. WABA) that would likely get behind this. It’s so unfortunate when I’m sure what was intended as well-meaning local news reporting results in the dismantling of rogue acts of awesomeness.

[accordioneur]

@SarahBee 225948 wrote:

What are the proper bureaucratic channels to get VDOT and NOVA Parks to get this officially named and official signs erected? Is there a draft letter/petition we can work on to send to our local elected officials for support? In addition to the local bike community, I know there are other advocacy groups (e.g. WABA) that would likely get behind this. It’s so unfortunate when I’m sure what was intended as well-meaning local news reporting results in the dismantling of rogue acts of awesomeness.

Early on, Henry investigated the proper process to apply for naming. You can see the information near the top of this thread. In post #18 on that thread, Henry provided more detail after speaking with NVRPA.

Apparently, someone came to the conclusion (or, perhaps given post #8 on that thread, it was a foregone conclusion) that the defined process was too burdensome or might not provide the outcome our community desired, and took matters into their own hands instead.

I’m with Imacynic – the guerilla naming was a fun and clever thing to have done, but we shouldn’t have expected it to have lasted forever. Be careful advocating for ignoring rules and regulations – unless you’re willing to sacrifice the “bureaucracy” you like as well as the parts you don’t like.

[Steve O]

@ImaCynic 225943 wrote:

Agreeing to putting up signs where they are not allowed? No – I’m not looking for agreement nor am I a fanboy of bureaucracy. But “supportive of the posting of these signs” doesn’t give you the permission to do so, or at least on that bridge. You put it up knowing full well that there is a high likelihood that it will be taken down, and it has. It was a nice stunt while it lasted.

Pete’s name should NOT be tied-up in a bureaucratic tussle in any way.

I will agree to disagree with you on whether or not an unofficial effort to memorialize Pete is considered “tainting” his legacy. I personally do not consider it a taint in the slightest, but rather an honor that some would make such an effort.

Let me assure you that even going through all the appropriate channels is still a bureaucratic tussle. There is no pathway to memorializing the bridge in his honor that will not be such. Perhaps you can volunteer to be part of that effort.

[huskerdont]

@Steve O 225938 wrote:

I have it under good authority that Bikenetic, Pete’s family, BikeArlington and scores of individuals were supportive of the posting of these signs. I’d be surprised if you can find anyone who knew Pete well who would agree with you.
As huskerdont points out in his note, what may be bureaucratically out of due process happens to also be wonderful. Sadly, there are those who believe bureaucratic senselessness should override wonderfulness.

“As huskerdont points out in his note…”

That won’t me (although I do agree).

[Starduster]

In the meantime…if you see expressions of love for #dirt left by other Tricksters, enjoy *discreetly* and remember You Are Loved.[ATTACH=CONFIG]30808[/ATTACH]

[Steve O]

Is there anyone who would like to lead the effort to make it official? As an anti-bureaucrat, that is not my strong suit. I tried to volunteer ImaCynic, but he went silent.
I will be happy to be part of a committee (or gang, or whatever we want to call it) that will work to move it forward. I am not qualified to lead such an effort.

[Starduster]

I was reminded recently that there is another way to honor our man Pete Beers. I normally would rather honor a person’s birthday, or how they lived, instead of how they died. But there is a location on the Lake Accotink trail, and an anniversary approaches…

At the far western end of the trail, where it becomes Danbury Forest Drive for a bit:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30829[/ATTACH]

My image from Sept 4, 2020:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30830[/ATTACH]
I rode the MTB portion of that trail on the Trek. A Stupid Bike Ride indeed!

Sept 7, 2020, with Sue Fuchs:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30831[/ATTACH]

And from Aug 29, 2021:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30832[/ATTACH]

I have not been back there in the 2 years since, and I am told our memorials to Pete have vanished. Could’ve weathered away (it’s been 2 years, y’all) or preserved by the family as mementos. Sounds like an excuse to go for a bike ride!

[Starduster]

@Starduster 226026 wrote:

I was reminded recently that there is another way to honor our man Pete Beers. I normally would rather honor a person’s birthday, or how they lived, instead of how they died. But there is a location on the Lake Accotink trail, and an anniversary approaches…

At the far western end of the trail, where it becomes Danbury Forest Drive for a bit:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30829[/ATTACH]

My image from Sept 4, 2020:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30830[/ATTACH]
I rode the MTB portion of that trail on the Trek. A Stupid Bike Ride indeed!

Sept 7, 2020, with Sue Fuchs:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30831[/ATTACH]

And from Aug 29, 2021:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30832[/ATTACH]

I have not been back there in the 2 years since, and I am told our memorials to Pete have vanished. Could’ve weathered away (it’s been 2 years, y’all) or preserved by the family as mementos. Sounds like an excuse to go for a bike ride!

I’m gonna bump this. Today is August 30. A sad day when #dirt became a legend. A ghost bike was never the solution here-Pete was not taken out by a reckless motorist. Whattaya do-raise your fist to the skies and rail against God for such an improbable demise? But we *can* adorn the site with reminders of what a big goofball of a cycling angel Pete was, and pay that spirit forward.

[lordofthemark]

@accordioneur 225950 wrote:

Early on, Henry investigated the proper process to apply for naming. You can see the information near the top of this thread. In post #18 on that thread, Henry provided more detail after speaking with NVRPA.

Apparently, someone came to the conclusion (or, perhaps given post #8 on that thread, it was a foregone conclusion) that the defined process was too burdensome or might not provide the outcome our community desired, and took matters into their own hands instead.

I’m with Imacynic – the guerilla naming was a fun and clever thing to have done, but we shouldn’t have expected it to have lasted forever. Be careful advocating for ignoring rules and regulations – unless you’re willing to sacrifice the “bureaucracy” you like as well as the parts you don’t like.

As anyone who has worked in a bureaucracy knows, sometimes bureaucrats themselves do work arounds when bureaucracy is too burdensome, and that does not necessarily mean dispensing with the valuable parts. It is in fact what keeps bureaucracies working. I believe perhaps it was Harvey Mansfield either quoting or paraphrasing Machivelli “a conspiracy against the law to save the law” Pardon if I misrember, this was 1977.

I would say one next step might be finding out which agency removed the signs? Another would be informal outreach to some friendly folks at NVRPA or elsewhere.

[Author]

Posts