[eminva]

@Dirt 11553 wrote:

Don’t forget the simple alternatives: Flat pedals and big, honkin’ snow boots work well.

This is my approach. I can attest that it is quite effective. When the wind is blowing and temps are in the teens, I wasn’t going to win any cycling fashion contest anyway.

Liz

[eminva]

@mstone 11513 wrote:

I’d love to take my kids to the CCT, but I have not yet found a way to get there that doesn’t involve at least one road I wouldn’t let them ride on.

I see your point. When we go there with our son, we have to take the bikes on the back of the car. Getting to the W&OD is something he can do by himself, but it’s not much of a pleasure for a kid to ride when it is so crowded. Conversely, he enjoys the CCT, but can’t get there on his own. Guess we all suffer with the lack of cycling infrastructure.

Liz

[eminva]

I go from Vienna east on the W&OD almost daily, and have been commuting this way semi-regularly for four years. I think the volume of commuters is increasing, especially our fair weather friends. Even now that it is dark, late and cold when I go home, I normally see half a dozen others from the county line on, whereas it used to be rare to see one.

As for the town of Vienna itself, it is hard to say if more people are biking around to do errands and such. It hasn’t caught on quite so well as in downtown DC or other places. I would love to see that change over the next few years.

Liz

[eminva]

@guacamole62 11439 wrote:

Hi,

I need to speak up here. I’m the poster who got hit on Monday on Irving Street. I just got my accident report and was referred to as a pedestrian. Here you are cited as a vehicle. I just don;t get how they quantify whether you are a vehicle or a pedestrian. There’s no consistency which is also a testimonial to the fact that we need more laws set into place where cyclists are concerned! Who sets the standards or is it up tp the whim of the offiocials involved and what is most convenient. This is a real problem.

I think I’ve read here or at Washcycle that it is tough to get good statistics on bicycle accidents because there is no place to designate on the accident report that a bike was involved. This also results in the types of problems you have discovered — different officers make different judgment calls about how to handle it. I believe WABA has periodically raised this issue with MPD, and I’m not sure what the outcome has been or the status now. Maybe it’s time for WABA to meet with the police again to discuss their handling of accidents involving cyclists? How would one agitate for that?

Liz

[eminva]

First, glad that you are recovering and that your injuries were not more serious. I hope your recovery continues apace.

Second, please take a look at this thread:

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1383-Crash!!-You-ve-had-an-accident-with-a-car.-What-do-you-do-now&highlight=deming

Please, whether you go through a lawyer or on your own, continue to pursue this with the police. You can go up the chain of command if you have to. Do not hesitate to do so. There are lawyers who specialize in helping cyclists in your situation; ask WABA for a referral. According to your account, there are witnesses and this sounds like assault.

Finally, sorry to go all lawyerly, but be cautious about how much you say and how you characterize it on a public forum like this — even a characterization as “reckless” has certain legal implications, where the conduct you are describing is intentional, NOT reckless. We all want to help and are always looking for information about the dangers lurking out there for us cyclists, but we want to protect your interests, too.

Best wishes.

Liz

[eminva]

Does anyone know why this movie is unavailable on Netflix? I have wanted to see it for a while, but mid-week evenings out tend to be difficult in my phase of life (and doubly so in December, when work gets busy). Hopefully I will get there, and if we can get a babysitter, maybe my husband, too.

Liz

[eminva]

I went to the DC Cyclocross race last month and if you have the time, I would recommend that you go because it’s a great spectator sport. Very interesting and entertaining, and fun atmosphere.

I will not be able to join you this time — will be on a pool deck at a swim meet again. Have fun and good luck skreaminquadz!

Liz

[eminva]

I should add that in the Town of Vienna, bicycle helmets are now the law for cyclists under age 14. The W&OD goes through the town limits.

Liz

[eminva]

Ann, that trail is the best kept secret. We go there with our son, very relaxing. We park at Pickett and do the reverse of what you did. Glad you got out there.

Liz

[eminva]

Was this yesterday? It did seem a little like the Wild Wild West out on the W&OD when I was coming home from work yesterday at 3 p.m.-ish. I regret that I was perhaps a bit too vehement in warning the middle school age kid who was riding an extended wheelie in the middle of a particularly crowded patch. It was right after I witnessed two distracted guys on road cycles perform the rare triple pass (passing someone who was passing someone else who was passing someone else). I am all in favor of kids having fun on bikes, but it’s just too dangerous when you have dogs, kids, roller bladers and speed demons out at once.

At least he did seem to have his helmet affixed securely to his head!

Liz

[eminva]

Couldn’t find digital of my photo, so here are a couple of links to (much superior) pictures of the bridge I was referring to in the Netherlands:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29280372@N08/4825075558

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71504466@N00/1902242847

That center support is shaped like a tulip, natch.

Liz

[eminva]

My brother moved to the Netherlands 10 years ago. He was just visiting us last week and was admiring my road bike, but said he couldn’t justify owning a road bike because it is perfectly flat where he lives. He gets around on an old workhorse bike. He does have a car because apparently IT jobs come with cars and his commute is very long. So there are some personal vehicles out there.

The first time I visited him my son was in a stroller, and I was amazed that they don’t really have mixed used paths. There are separated paths for bikes as well as sidewalks for pedestrians. No jockeying for space along with dog walkers, joggers with earbuds, etc. And it is incumbent upon the pedestrian to make sure the way is clear when crossing a bike path becuase the cyclist is not expected to look out for those crossing the paths.

I don’t spend much time thinking about how green the grass is on the other side of the fence, but I was slackjawed at one bicycle bridge over the equivalent of an interstate highway. I took a photo of it and if I can find it, will post it later.

Liz

[eminva]

I saw him writing up someone he nabbed there today.

Liz

[eminva]

I am thankful for a delightful commute, most of which is on trails, that saves me from the clutches of the Orange Line.

I’m thankful for secure bike parking and shower facilities.

I’m thankful for another year of good health.

I’ve got almost 3000 miles this year on my commuting bike!

I am also thankful I only need to cook one thing for our extended family dinner tomorrow so I can sneak out for a ride in the a.m.

And many, many thanks to all of you for the helpful suggestions, inspiration, encouragement and answers to questions.

Liz

[eminva]

I lit up my first ninja tonight! He was entering the Custis Trail right near Ballston; he was in street clothes and may have been coming from the metro. He seemed surprised that I couldn’t see him in his jeans and dark leather jacket. He happily accepted the Bike Arlington light and affixed it to his umbrella handle.

Liz

[Author]

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