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I tried a multi-modal commute this morning. Rode down to Old Town and took the water taxi to the Wharf. Pretty painless. http://Www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi

Buy tickets on line and show up in Old Town. $10 for the masses (round trip), less for Alex residents. Schedule on website. My boat had 4 bike racks. Unclear where 5th bike would go but crew seemed cool so I’d think they had a plan.

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I would hope that there are no Right on Red collisions in the next four months. The optics wouldn’t be particularly good if there were additional collisions as the DES staff reflects on the need for an intervention.

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@Boo Boo 191627 wrote:

Mississippi River Trail, New Orleans

Did you make it up to Bonnet Carre Spillway (upriver by Norco)? Setting a record for most days open.

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Observed between the ramp to/from the 14th St Bridge path and the MVT. As Bentbike suggests, the roadway is clearly unsafe for motorists and their cars so we should consider banning them, for their safety.

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Last night about 7 on the MVT, between the Gravelly Point porta potties and the Roaches Run bridge. Found a set of panniers that seem to have tired of being carried. Contents resembled what many of us carry, laptop, lunch bag, the day’s clothes, wallet and keys. Pretty much all the stuff you’d have to lose to make your night suck.

Although there was a driver’s license, there was nothing containing a phone number. Lucky that the keys had a Gold’s Gym tag and the staff at the gym were willing to contact the rider and give my phone number.

Bag with all the stuff was reunited with owner so it ended well.

Pro tip – put the info that is on your Road ID on a laminated card in your wallet (and your backpack/panniers if your wallet is elsewhere). Might cause less drama.

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@Oh4dog 190930 wrote:

Wonderful! Thank you so much for the response! Do you know what the distance is by chance? I am definitely going to give it a ride!

If memory serves, the Crystal City Connector is mile marker 14 on the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT). MM 0 is at Mount Vernon. Add getting to Mount Vernon and two miles (or so) to get to Henderson Hall and you will be pretty close.

Probably a good early weekend day test ride.

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There is a great route from Mount Vernon, the Mount Vernon Trail. Head out the gate at River Village (if it is still open) and then head to Mount Vernon. At the Crystal City Connector (near DCA), head west (north on Crystal Drive, west on 15th, which turns into Joyce, and then up Southgate to the Henderson Hall gate). 15th turns into Joyce which turns into Southgate.

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Well, in Chicago BTWW is in June, so maybe they just didn’t know when we celebrate it.

For next year, the County should more aggressively engage the organizers about their plans for (legally) parking all the police vehicles.

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@drevil 190592 wrote:

What does “IOD” stand for?

Silly boy! We need to get you off the dirt trails you so capably ride.

It is the Intersection of Doom, at Lynn and Lee in Rosslyn, where drivers turn right across a major trail crossing.

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Just joined

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Me: On my bike on 23d turning left on Eads in Crystal City

You: Motorist, deciding to turn left from the far right lane, putting you diagonally across the traffic lanes.

I may have irritated you by suggesting you just go around the block. Sorry if that was the case. Turns out, I was wrong as well. You didn’t want to make a left turn from the right lane, you wanted to make a U-turn, brushing me in the process.

Bike is OK, I am OK, but the front skewer nut seemed to have popped your left rear wheel cover off. Sorry ’bout that.

Maybe driver’s ed needs to be lengthened by 5 minutes for a short lesson on going around the block.

A motorist who watched this unfold pulled up alongside me a block down Eads to make sure I was OK. Thank you.

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I’d hazard a guess that if you were to look in the dictionary for distracted driver, there would be a picture of a police officer. Radio, computer, cell phone, etc. What could possibly go wrong?

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From the Post today “Fairfax Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. said that Crawley was in the roadway, bound to obey the laws which apply to vehicles, and that he was going the wrong way on the highway — north in the southbound lanes — and didn’t exercise caution before entering the intersection.” What Chief Roessler seems to omit from his statement is that the police car was blocking the crosswalk so the cyclists had to leave the crosswalk to get across the street.

Just say’n

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Clearly the cyclist failed to review the Fairfax PD blog from yesterday that said, as part of their Street Smart Initiative:

“What You Can Do

• It is important for pedestrians to know that you do not have right of way when you are on the curb. VA Code §46.2-924 specifically states “No pedestrian shall enter or cross an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic. Once in the crosswalk, drivers are required to yield right of way to the pedestrian. However, the pedestrian needs to ensure the roadway is clear before stepping into the crosswalk.”
• You should not assume that drivers can see you in a street just because you can see a car’s headlights. Drivers cannot see pedestrians in the dark. These conditions have played a factor in recent pedestrian fatalities in Fairfax County.
• Always cross the street at a marked crosswalk and intersection.
• Watch for turning vehicles – look left, right and left again.
• Always wear bright/reflective clothing when you are walking at night.
• Drivers should slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
• Both drivers and pedestrians need to put their phones down and avoid distractions – pay attention to your surroundings.
• When making a right turn on red, drivers should look back to the right for pedestrians and bicyclists before turning.”

More at https://fcpdnews.wordpress.com/2019/04/23/street-smart-initiative-aims-to-reduce-rising-number-of-pedestrian-fatalities/?hootPostID=e5383953fb836b5100a141cabeb99273

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Here is the response I got.

“Thank you for the email and suggestion. The project team and NOVA Parks looked at multiple detour alternatives, including the one you suggest. Each has its pros and cons. The posted route was chosen as it returns riders most directly to the trail. We recognize that, in reality, there are a wide range of routes that cyclists will use in that area depending on their area knowledge, rider type, origin/destination, comfort riding in traffic, time of day, day of the week, etc. Many cyclists are also good at sharing this information with other trail users.

We appreciate feedback from trail users like you as we work to keep people moving safely and efficiently while building the new trail bridge.”

It seems to neglect the fact that families and occasional recreational riders aren’t likely to be on the Forum or have the confidence to ride Lee Highway.

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