[dasgeh]

@sjclaeys 190005 wrote:

ACPD continues to run stop sign sting operations targeting cyclists and put up large electronic signs that actively perpetuate drivers’ stereotypes that cyclists are scofflaws that do not belong on the streets. At the same time, ACPD continues to not devote resources to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians at intersections like Lynn & Lee Highway. I’m sorry, but how can one objectively see any improvement in this regard?

ACPD runs fewer stop sign stings targeting cyclists. I believe they only target cyclists in East Falls Church, which is improvement — not enough, but improvement.

ACPD was at Lynn & Lee this morning. They should be there more, but they are there sometimes, when they used to be there never. Again, not enough, but an improvement.

ACPD now reviews every crash involving someone walking, biking scooting. They compile a report and present to the BAC and PAC. Improvements over the past.

ACPD developed training for officers, and consulted with the BAC when drafting it. Improvement.

[dasgeh]

@lordofthemark 189987 wrote:

Certainly regarding DC my twitter is full of people talking about enforcement, about safe accommodation, etc – and they are mostly people involved in bike advocacy in the District.

It’s also important to note that infrastructure changes often go through a public process, so the bike advocacy piece of it is a very public push to get people to write in, take surveys, go to meetings, speak up.

But the institutional changes are a lot about building relationships, changing hearts and minds, finding where the weak link is, crafting policies to address those issues. That doesn’t usually look like a twitter campaign or a rally or a call to action. You don’t see all the coffees and emails, and individuals who go to other meetings and catch a leaders ear as they’re walking out. It’s a LOT of work that you don’t see, but it doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

[dasgeh]

@Steve O 189959 wrote:

This point was recently brought to my attention:
We regulars are pretty good at finding alternate options. Weekend family riders, though, now have to contend with the drivers and sightlines and turns off of Little Falls Road, mixing with traffic.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Falls Church (or NVRPA, or VDOT, or someone) created some sort of protected facility along the detour for those types of riders. The W&OD is, after all, used by lots of recreational and family riders, too.

Yeah, they need to sign the best detour. I think we have a better shot working with Arlington, as Steve’s detour solves the issue with East Falls Church.

And sorry for the accidental dislike

[dasgeh]

@sjclaeys 189971 wrote:

I think that an objective examination of local bike advocacy organizations’ activities would show that they are mostly focused on promoting bicycle-specific physical infrastructure. Look at the projects they focus on, the items on their meeting agendas, and what they advocate the cycling community to engage in.
Also, by institutional infrastructure, I don’t just mean law enforcement agencies. This would also include changing the agencies that conduct and oversee roadwork to always ensure that a safe and reasonable accommodation is made for cyclists and pedestrians. Another institutional infrastructure change would behaving an ombuds-person who has authority to advocate for vulnerable road users with the local government. This would be different from agencies like BikeArlington that have a limited mission of promoting cycling (which they do very well).

We’re bike advisory, not bike advocacy, but Arlington’s Bike Advisory Committee has identified 3 priorities for the year. You’ll see that our agendas follow these priorities. The last is infrastructure focused, but includes non-bike specific infra, like signals.

– Trails: Behavior and Design
– Safe Accomodation (providing safe routes when construction or maintenance takes bike facilities out of service)
– Network Priorities: Columbia Pike, Lee Highway, quick fixes and problem intersections.

Also, you’ll see a lot of non-infrastructure stuff in the Bike Element adopted at last night’s County Board meeting.

As mentioned, you are welcome to come to our meetings, participate and help shape our work. We work with ACPD, but are dependent on what they are willing to do.

And in Arlington, if you want to get involved specifically on the enforcement side, look in to getting on the Emergency Preparedness Advisory commission

[dasgeh]

@Rod Smith 189932 wrote:

No I didn’t start one yet. If I do, I’m going to call it a “group of friends” and I’m leaning towards naming it “Team Salovesh”.

Love it, but maybe also throw DC in the name somewhere

[dasgeh]

@sjclaeys 189927 wrote:

How long are we going to stay at this “step”? The fixation with just building bicycle-specific infrastructure is like responding to burglaries by only buying people bigger locks and stronger doors.

Huh? This plan has a WHOLE LOT MORE than just infrastructure changes. In fact, it’s all of those policies and action items that we think are good. We primarily want the projects strengthened.

I encourage you to read it. https://commissions.arlingtonva.us/projects/master-transportation-plan-bicycle-element-working-group/

[dasgeh]

I’ve been in contact with the project manager about the WRD/FMR curb cut, and have been told that they’re not done with construction. She’s out of the office now, so I’m not sure if I can get an answer about WRD & AMD.

[dasgeh]

@scoot 189886 wrote:

This.

Infrastructure changes might lead to a few improvements at the margins, but we will not significantly curtail fatality and injury rates until we create a cultural/legal environment where even the least conscientious people fear the consequences they would face for negligent driving.

Agree. But how do we get there? I see this as a step (a fairly important one, but just one) in the process of getting the police and prosecutors to really care, which is how you get real enforcement.

BTW, on prosecutors: https://ggwash.org/view/71706/which-commonwealths-attorney-candidate-do-you-think-is-best

[dasgeh]

How is someone with a kid in a trailer supposed to navigate that?

[dasgeh]

@zsionakides 189842 wrote:

Are the Lee Hwy detours full time or during certain construction periods. If it’s full time that will be really bad for trail users. A year and a half on that detour is really long and it’s not a good route on the Lee Hwy part.

I believe full time. It’s disappointing that they didn’t ask for input for any of this, and that it’s going to take a year and a half (!?!?!??!?!)

[dasgeh]

@Dewey 189835 wrote:

Arlington ebike trail ban next, come on DES you promised Bill Shatner!

Sounds like it’ll be part of the package sent to the Board related to dockless. I believe staff is aiming to get the package to the Board in October for a November vote.

[dasgeh]

@elbows 189830 wrote:

As far as no-turn on red, I guess I tepidly agree that it is necessary, but I’m kind of torn. The thing is, in my experience, aggressive and thoughtless drivers (which your near-hitter clearly was) are going to turn right on no-turn-on-reds either way with no enforcement. Thoughtful and considerate drivers will be inconvenienced. Aggressive drivers are already committing several infractions by speeding and not coming to a complete stop at the red.

No turn on red is easy to enforce than stop-before-turn-on-red.

[dasgeh]

@chris_s 189823 wrote:

You sure? I am relatively certain that this is NOT the case here. In my experience this is only when covering consent agenda items that have been pulled for a hearing.

Though this would be great. There are some people who are concerned they can’t stay late.

And don’t get me started on the change of date for the parks plan so it’s on the same night as the Phoenix Bikes fundraiser….

[dasgeh]

The draft is good, but could be a lot better…

1) we need to strengthen the plan
2) we need to speak up for these changes in light of competing priorities
3) we need to remind the Board of the need to fund it going forward

Please speak up:
– use WABA’s comment form: https://www.waba.org/blog/2019/04/arlington-countys-bike-plans-need-teeth/
– email the Board directly: countyboard@arlingtonva.us)
– show up next week (there’s a FB group to organize speakers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2323715097903241/

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?14430-Speak-up-for-biking-in-Arlington-s-plans-NOW

[dasgeh]

And please tell your friends.

[Author]

Posts