Riding ON the GW Parkway, 10 May?

[5555624]

Yesterday, 10-May, As I was riding north on the Mount Vernon Trail and crossing the Humpback Bridge, I was passed by three cyclists riding north ON the GW Parkway. They were going maybe 25 mph, but I’m lousy at estimating speed. I am not sure what was going on, but saw several motorists who did not seem very happy to slow down behind them.

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[Mark Blacknell]

This is neither legal nor recommended. I’m guessing those were three rather lost cyclists.

[OneEighth]

I was under the impression that it was legal south of Alexandria. Lord knows, there have been cyclists on the GW Parkway ever since I can remember and I grew up not far from the stone bridge.

[Mark Blacknell]

I’ll find the WashCycle thread that sorted it all out at some point, but, per order of the superintendent, no cyclists on the GW Parkway, end to end.

(And yes, I’ve been one of those south of Alexandria cyclists. Was perfectly safe.)

[5555624]

@Mark Blacknell 3515 wrote:

This is neither legal nor recommended. I’m guessing those were three rather lost cyclists.

I know it’s not legal or recommended, but they did not appear lost. From the Humpback Bridge north, the trail is pretty obvious, too.

While I have seen some cyclists on the GW Parkway south of Alexandria, I’ve never seen them north of the Humpback Bridge. (Well, other than when BikeDC has used part fo the parkway.)

[JimF22003]

Hmm, I wasn’t aware that any part of it was illegal for bikes. I don’t recall seeing any signs like you would for a freeway, or a limited access road.

I’ve only ridden on it a couple of times, but I got so much abuse from drivers, that I don’t do it any more. I don’t normally let the honkers and buzzers bother me, but it was really bad, even though I wasn’t inconveniencing them in the least (unless moving over into the left lane is an immense hardship for them…)

[consularrider]

Title 36 CFR Compendium- George Washington Memorial Parkway (from Page 11 dated 11-06-2007)
4.30(a) Bicylcing is prohibited in the following areas:
…
The George Washington Memorial Parkway from Mt. Vernon Circle to Interstate 495
The Clara Barton Parkway from Chain Bridge to MacArthur Boulevard

http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/parkmgmt/upload/Compendium.2007-11-06.pdf

It’s too bad because it’s really a nice ride on a Sunday morning coming back from Mt Vernon to Alexandria and I understand the same is true on Clara Barton.

[CCrew]

@consularrider 3540 wrote:

Title 36 CFR Compendium- George Washington Memorial Parkway (from Page 11 dated 11-06-2007)
4.30(a) Bicylcing is prohibited in the following areas:
…
The George Washington Memorial Parkway from Mt. Vernon Circle to Interstate 495
The Clara Barton Parkway from Chain Bridge to MacArthur Boulevard

http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/parkmgmt/upload/Compendium.2007-11-06.pdf

It’s too bad because it’s really a nice ride on a Sunday morning coming back from Mt Vernon to Alexandria and I understand the same is true on Clara Barton.

If that’s a cut/paste from the code is it not enforceable because they can’t spell “Bicycling”? LOL

[consularrider]

Bad fingers in the morning.

[Mark Blacknell]

Yeah, the whole illegal by order of which the public has no practical notice thing is a bit problematic for me, but I don’t think I’d spend too much time on it. There are about 11 million things I’d rather get from NPS first.

[Author]

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