Dirt
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Interesting CCrew… You must fit some profile that Vienna is cracking down on.
I’ve been commuting on the W&OD and Custis before sunrise and after sunset for over a decade and never got more than a second glance from a police officer.
Thanks Kate for posting up and for your coverage.
On the issue of invisible pedestrians… This topic probably should be a discussion of its own. Safety is the responsibility of EVERYONE who uses the trails… not just the cyclists. There are sections of the W&OD closer in to town that are lighted and make it possible to see. In those areas, pedestrians and runners are generally visible.
Once you’re west of East Falls Church, the trail has some very long stretches that are not lit. I ride that stretch of trail twice per day in the dark. For the first three months of this winter, I carried a pocket full of reflective leg bands with me ever day and handed them out to people who were invisible. (Thanks Bike Arlington for supporting my reflective quest!!!) I also purchased and distributed reflective dog leashes for those who walk invisible dogs. In all, I’ve given out 70 or 80 reflective bands and at least a dozen leashes. On my daily ride, I encounter one lady who regularly wears her Bike Arlington reflective band and two people who use the reflective leashes. As the winter gets more serious, the people on the trail are generally people who take responsibility for their safety and have flashy lights and reflective clothing. Early and Late winter trail users appear to be much less concerned or aware of the issue.
On those sections of trail where there are no lights, I slow significantly. Even rolling along at 10-12 mph with a light that is adequate for me to light the trail and be seen is not enough. I’ve switched to using a much more powerful headlight so that I can see other trail users. Unfortunately this is blinding to people who are coming toward me. I shield them from it as much as I can (slowing way down and covering the light when I can). It isn’t an ideal solution though.
This is a serious problem. Good-natured and cheerful suggestions that people are invisible with offers of free reflective gear are more often than not either completely ignored, or responded to with anger and profanity. I know some of that is the result of being approached by a stranger in the dark, but it still never ceases to surprise and depress me.
Spending time handing out reflective gear with Bike Arlington one night last fall was definitely a great way to help the problem. I guess I need to figure out a way that I can do that from 5-6am in Falls Church a few times every fall and spring. I will try to make that happen later this year.
Sorry to vent. I’ll crawl back under my rock now.
Love,
Pete
