TAKE ACTION: Is an 8′ sidewalk a safe bike facility for reaching the hospital?

[rcannon100]

Having biked to Arlington Hospital many times, the only problem I have ever really had is parking. There is parking in the garage but its wheel bender racks. There is a little parking outside but its not proper racks. I will be glad to share that.

Otherwise there are plenty of residential roads around the hospital that made for easy cycling.

[Judd]

Including the google map of George Mason Drive for people to look at the current sidewalk: https://goo.gl/maps/otNfigfSkvG2

Is the proposal to widen to 8 feet along the entire length of George Mason? I assume that the plan is to widen the sidewalk in towards the buildings and not outward into the on street parking or to narrow the roadway?

[chris_s]

@Judd 176577 wrote:

Including the google map of George Mason Drive for people to look at the current sidewalk: https://goo.gl/maps/otNfigfSkvG2

Is the proposal to widen to 8 feet along the entire length of George Mason? I assume that the plan is to widen the sidewalk in towards the buildings and not outward into the on street parking or to narrow the roadway?

The County is talking about a future County Capital Project to add some sort of bike lanes from the Custis up to 16th Street and wanting the hospital to provide bike accommodation along their frontage (16th to 19th).

[huskerdont]

Slightly OT, but I ride up and down Edison behind the hospital most days. Some of the people who zip in and out of the employee parking lot are certifiable. Not sure there will ever be a safe cycling route as long as they have access to cars.

I’ve never felt comfortable on the uphill sharrows going northward on George Mason, so this could be a nice, though limited, improvement. (There is a bike lane along GM from the Custis up to near Washington Blvd.) Will comment.

[Judd]

Thanks for the alert Chris. I sent the following:

Dear Mr. Ladd,

I’m writing concerning the Virginia Hospital Center Expansion project. My understanding is that Virginia Hospital has offered to widen the sidewalk on George Mason from 16th to 19th to 8 feet. Creating a path that is useable by cyclists and pedestrians helps support Virginia Hospital’s role as a promoter of public health. It also makes Virginia Hospital more accessible to the increasing number of residents who do not own a car. I definitely support an expansion of the sidewalk in this area. I would like Virginia Hospital to take this opportunity to provide a 10 foot wide path that can be better integrated with Arlington’s growing network of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure that promotes public health and active living.

Thank you for your consideration.

Judd Lumberjack
Columbia Pike Resident

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