[AlexandriaBiker]

At a BAC meeting last winter we discussed the proposed bridge over FMR from Eads to Commonwealth. Does this project include initial bridge planning or construction? Including the work now should save Arlington some money and hopefully shorten any future closing for bridge construction. If we are lucky it may also motivate Alexandria to move the bridge up our project list.

[AlexandriaBiker]

I rode through the Wilkes and Patrick St intersection again today thinking about this project. In the entire Wilkes St bike way this is the most dangerous intersection, and no significant changes are being made to improve bike or ped safety. That needs to be changed.

One solution might be to put a 10 second leading pedestrian interval on the signal allowing bikes and peds to clear the intersection before motor vehicles on Wilkes are given a green light. This would allow bikes to clear the intersection without cars interfering and allow pedestrians to cross at least half way before motor vehicles from Wilkes St enter the intersection.

Without a change to the proposed design the intersection will not meet the spirit of the Complete Streets or Vision Zero initiatives in Alexandria.

[AlexandriaBiker]

@scorchedearth 128189 wrote:

The proposal for the crossing of Route 1 is a classic ‘get everyone out of the way of the cars’ tactic and doesn’t take into account how people behave. It’s pretty disappointing in that respect.

Yes that is disappointing. The original discussion was to allow bikes going west to cross the intersection on the diagonal and be on the proper side of the road to continue traveling up Wilkes. Instead Alexandria will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the project and the bike community will have business as usual, a less than safe intersection.

[AlexandriaBiker]

As a result of the death of a pedestrian run over by a dump truck in September 2015, Alexandria is proposing a Vision Zero program to bring all components of city government together to eliminate deaths and serious injuries caused by motor vehicles.

Vision Zero programs typically use the mantra of Education, Engineering and Enforcement to guide discussions within the program. However, the enforcement part of a Vision Zero program only focuses on police enforcement by stopping law breaking motorists and writing tickets. No where does Vision Zero discuss changing laws to make the legal ramifications of running over a pedestrian or bicyclist more severe.

With better laws holding motor vehicle drivers accountable for injuries and deaths the Commonwealth Attorney in Alexandria may have field charges in the death of the pedestrian in September.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_Zero

http://patch.com/virginia/delray/no-charges-fatal-hit-run-alexandria-report

[AlexandriaBiker]

Looking for any update on the status of your dad and the possibility of fighting the ticket?

@k8atkisson 126679 wrote:

My dad was hit by a car yesterday (Oct. 23, 2015) around 11 a.m. as he was traveling east down Eisenhower at Mill Rd. He sustained a concussion, had temporary amnesia so he remembers nothing about the accident. But he was charged with the moving violation for failing to maintain line of travel. The behavior cited in the ticket seems pretty atypical for his style of riding so I was hoping someone here might be able to surface a witness to this one. Thanks much!

[AlexandriaBiker]

I like those small lights that @BikeShare and @WABA have given out. I now have five on them on my bike… two whites on the front and three reds on the rear. I don’t ride at night so a bright store bought light isn’t necessary. I just want others to see me on my last mile home in the late afternoon, usually on the trail or side streets.

[AlexandriaBiker]

When I initially proposed this new topic I called it Accidents and Incidents only because it rolls off the tongue rather easily. I added “Crashes” in my final review knowing that is the proper term used by our bicycle community.

[AlexandriaBiker]

If this comes to pass I will be leading a 50 mile bike ride from the front of the church every Sunday at 7:30. Convenient free parking. Right?

[AlexandriaBiker]

I did not witness the accident but was through that intersection on my bike about 12:15 on Friday and saw nothing unusual. I was heading eastbound and on the multi-use path. Alexandria Police have been ticketing bikers more frequently because of Alexandria residents complaining that bicyclists do not follow the law. This may have been an overzealous police officer ticketing a bicyclist.

Layman’s guide to Virginia Bicycle Laws: http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bk-laws.asp#Where

[AlexandriaBiker]

I have not been on a Fresh Bikes Tuesday Night Ride before, but I will be when they return…

[AlexandriaBiker]

Just to reiterate Casey Kane’s comment about following BPAC on Facebook. BPAC has recently started using Facebook more frequently and is posting upcoming events to the page.

BPAC meetings are held the third Monday of the month at the Durant Center on Cameron Street. The meeting does shift a day for Monday Federal Holidays so check the web site or Facebook page for updates.

Also, if you are a Meetup.com user, BPAC is transitioning its events calendar from Meetup.com to Facebook. So if you follow on Meetup make the transition to Facebook now.

[AlexandriaBiker]

Looks like you will be a day ahead of this Rails to Trails ride:

http://wilderness-voyageurs.com/rails-to-trails-conservancy-sojourn-2015.html

[AlexandriaBiker]

I ride through this area 2-3 times a week and will watch for evidence of this happening. There must be tire tracks or some evidence of ruts in the grass.

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