Report your MVT wooden-bridge accident here. Date, location, circumstances.

[mstone]

@Starduster 180935 wrote:

Also, I have noted elsewhere that NPS is using alternatives to wood that maintain the “boardwalk look”. Behold a walkway to Assateague: [ATTACH=CONFIG]18358[/ATTACH]

I don’t think the issue is “looks”, it’s how much heavy equipment would be needed to install a more substantial trail. In your picture I’d guess the heavy equipment could have easily been positioned on the adjacent road in the wide open field/swamp.

The real issue is how much of our bike/ped infrastructure is dependent on nature trails, because they’re the only spots left that haven’t been completely overtaken by cars. It would be nice if we could just take back some of the car space instead of fighting over the nature trails.

[dasgeh]

@mstone 180936 wrote:

The real issue is how much of our bike/ped infrastructure is dependent on nature trails, because they’re the only spots left that haven’t been completely overtaken by cars. It would be nice if we could just take back some of the car space instead of fighting over the nature trails.

I’ve gotten a lot of traction with the argument, at least in Arlington, that we need better on street infrastructure in order to make the trails better.

Neighbor: I hate bikes passing me at top speed on the Custis
Me: I know! Me too. And I hate biking on the Custis. If Arlington put a two-way protected bike lane on the north side of Lee Highway — in what’s currently the right-most westbound lane — people on bikes would take that (it’s less climbing), which would mean the Custis would be more pleasant.
Neighbor: Gosh darn it, you’re right! We should do that.

I’ve had similar conversations about Eads and the MVT, Wilson and the Bluemont Trail, Mason/FMR Drive and the W&OD.

[Boomer Cycles]

Toasted my #capitalbikeshare #cabi helmet but saved my head when wiping out this afternoon, southbound on the dangerously slippery #mtvernontrail #Trollhiem boardwalk @ Roosevelt bridge turn off @npsgwmp @wabadc #bikedc #bikeva https://t.co/8JJyKQsEMR

Witnessed by @SteveO on our way to the Nats -Marlin game

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

[Boomer Cycles]

@Dewey 180918 wrote:

Thanks for asking how I was Pete

I wiped out there myself today @Dewey. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

[Steve O]

@Boomer2U 181427 wrote:

You can see how his striking his head affected his vision.

[Megan2007]

Hi, I crashed on the wooden bridge on Wednesday, 9/26, around 7 am, turning left on the painted section to go towards Lady Bird Johnson Park. It was not raining Wednesday morning but the wood was still wet and slippery from all the rain we’ve had and my tires lost traction. I now have a PCL avulsion fracture of my left tibia and won’t be back on the bike until springtime according to my surgeon. Be careful out there.

By the way, thanks to the many folks who stopped to help me move out of the middle of the trail, check on me both while trailside and waiting in the parking lot at TR Bridge for my husband, and generally commiserate with me. Disappointing to learn how many people have crashed on this problematic bridge.

[Megan2007]

A week ago today (Wednesday, 9/26/18) I crashed on what I now know to be Trollheim around 7 am attempting to make the left turn. It was not raining but the boards were slippery and wet from all the recent rain. I came down hard on my left knee and now have a PCL avulsion fracture of the left tibia. At least a month on crutches before progressing to PT and no biking/running until the spring.

I was hoping the damage to the bridge yesterday would serve as impetus to replace the darn thing but apparently they just slapped a bandaid on it.

I do want to thank the many kind folks who stopped to help me move out of the middle of the trail, check on me, and generally commiserate with me about their own crashes on that crappy bridge. Thanks for taking time out of your morning to help a stranger–that’s the one bright spot.

[Dewey]

@Dewey 180913 wrote:

Broke my leg

Update: the Ortho yesterday agreed I could stop using crutches and prescribed physical therapy, I had hoped to use my Balance cyclist injury insurance to help cover the co-pays but there is apparently a clause requiring PT to begin within 60 days of the accident which would have been…last Friday, and I didn’t require surgery for internal fixation which would have pushed a PT date back further. Sigh…

[Dewey]

A week ago, ArlNow reported NPS have approved “replacement of the bridges’ 12-foot wide decks and railing to provide a smoother riding surface, also providing additional structure reinforcement to eliminate deck deflection” for the section near Roosevelt Island, identified as Bridges 31 and 32. An advertisement for bids is up on the USDOT Office of Federal Lands website with an anticipated project end date of Fall 2020.

[Dewey]

@Dewey 180913 wrote:

Broke my leg
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18353[/ATTACH]

Back in the saddle (thank you Physical Therapy)! Am going to try a pedal bike for a change (thank you Papillon for swapping in my favorite saddle/grips/pedals), you might see me pushing my bike up hill from Rosslyn after work if my knee starts acting up.

NBD almost turned into NPD ‘No Pants Day’ as I forgot to pack my work trousers so today at work I’m wearing the 4ucycling winter pants that arrived at the weekend (thanks Amazon!).

[Dewey]

@Dewey 180913 wrote:

Broke my leg

Back in the saddle (thank you Physical Therapy)! Am going to try a pedal bike for a change (thank you Papillon), NBD almost turned into NPD ‘No Pants Day’ as I forgot to pack my work trousers so today at work I’m wearing the 4ucycling winter pants that arrived at the weekend (thanks Amazon!).

[Judd]

@Dewey 186640 wrote:

Back in the saddle (thank you Physical Therapy)! Am going to try a pedal bike for a change (thank you Papillon), NBD almost turned into NPD ‘No Pants Day’ as I forgot to pack my work trousers so today at work I’m wearing the 4ucycling winter pants that arrived at the weekend (thanks Amazon!).

Glad to hear that you’re back on the bike!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[secstate]

@Dewey 186640 wrote:

NBD almost turned into NPD ‘No Pants Day’ as I forgot to pack my work trousers so today at work I’m wearing the 4ucycling winter pants that arrived at the weekend (thanks Amazon!).

Pants are never a problem for me. Underwear, on the other hand…!

[bikesnick]

… and so has my hip.

I am doing well, physical therapy started Tuesday and God is so good.

On Friday (7/12/2019) morning I took a very hard spill on the Arlington Loop on the boardwalk just after Roosevelt Island. Yes, at the quick left/right turn which I “know” is very dangerous, especially when wet. I thought I was at a safe speed and turning radius. The bicycle slid out from under me and I went down on my right leg – very hard – and slid to a stop. I couldn’t move my right leg. All of the passing cyclists stopped and offered help. Thank you!
I thought after a brief recovery I could get up. Even though there were no visible broken bones or bleeding and I stayed conscious, I could not get up. Someone called 911 for me.

A big Thank You to Arlington EMTs Novak and Tate who helped me. And a special thank you to the four cyclists, who I do not know, who stayed with me the whole time. They even helped the EMTs lift me on the gurney (an actually fun experience). One of the four, Anthony?, took my bicycle, helmet and shoes and put them in the ambulance. At the hospital ER, one EMT wheeled my bicycle INSIDE and placed it outside the room! (I so wish there was a picture of that!)

The diagnosis was a broken hip, specifically the top of the femur near the ball joint. Surgery was on Saturday morning. The doctor inserted a long rod and two screws into my femur through three small incisions.
I have no restrictions on movement, but there is pain from the fall and from the surgery. The first in-home PT and OT sessions went well. My muscles need to be retrained on how to move the leg.

God is good. So many people have offered help and are praying for a quick recovery. Having been very active – riding my bicycle outside every day for over 1.5 years (thanks #FS2018), and taking a strength and flexibility group fitness class really helps.

Ride carefully.
/glenn

[Emm]

@bikesnick 192208 wrote:

… and so has my hip.

Ugh, so sorry to hear Glenn. Casey Kane had a break like that a few years back, and I also messed my hip up (torn cartilage) a few years back. Hip surgery is not fun. If I can offer 1 piece of advice: keep up with the PT. I extended mine around 6-8 weeks past the minimum, and I think that really allowed me to maintain flexibility and mobility. If you need anything, let me know.

[Author]

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