Erin Potter
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Erin Potter
Participant@DismalScientist 129092 wrote:
As far as Metro goes, the lines are designated by colors, followed by destinations, I suppose because people can’t handle cardinal directions.
I do kinda like the idea of colors to differentiate main routes…
And I wonder if cardinal directions would actually work. The metro routes are pretty wiggly, with multiple lines. North of one stop wouldn’t necessary be north of another station along the same route–so is that actually helpful information for navigating?
Participant@Steve O 129087 wrote:
Signs, by definition, should not need instructions to be understood nor require effort to understand. They should be self-explanatory and unambiguous. If they can be interpreted more than one way, they fail in their function. This one fails for that very reason.
There are different sorts of signs, so understanding what kind of sign you are looking at is key. So on Metro, Franconia/Springfield is a place that means pretty much nothing to me other than I follow the signs and get on the train that says “Franconia/Springfield” because it will take me to Crystal City along it’s route. In the metro station, the sign that says “Rosslyn” is not useful to me–the one that says “Franconia/Springfield” is because it tells me where to go and where the train will go, but I still had to learn a bit to understand how to use the signs when I moved here.
The bike wayfinding signs are operating as the same sort of signs–marking bike routes with start and end points. Which I think is more useful to someone trying to navigate space than a sign that says “Virginia Square” in Virginia Square.
ParticipantWhen I first moved here, these signs actually helped me quite a bit. I pretty much knew two places existed in Arlington–Rosslyn (where my new work was) and Ballston (where I had an apartment). Those first few months, I could normally sort out where I currently was (metro stops, other signs, asking someone, etc)… but needed a ton of help figuring out how to get to where I wanted to go on my bike. A sign that merely proclaimed “Rosslyn” when I was in Rosslyn would have been affirming, but not necessary. Signs that lead me from one to the other and were clearly connected? Super helpful. Granted, it took me a beat to understand what they were communicating, but once I learned the language, they were more helpful. Follow these signs to the end, and you’ll reach Rosslyn. Reverse to come home.
Also, I had a buddy visiting from Philly who I gave careful directions on how to get from my new apartment in Cherrydale to the metro (which I thought would be somewhat confusing)…and he ignored them, in favor of the signs. In fact, he wondered why I had bothered to give him directions when there were posted signs. So he sorted it out without any coaching at all.
But this is an interesting conversation about how folks get around and navigate through a space, something that is super important for everyone, but especially for people riding bikes, as lordofthemark points out. Just wanted to share my experience as person who actually plunked down in the middle of Arlington with little prior geographical knowledge.ParticipantOkay, that took some interesting turns, but it’s time to shut it down. Thanks to forum folks for attempting to engage thoughtfully, but we’re calling it for OneLessCar.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]10128[/ATTACH]ParticipantToes took some time to recover, but Annmarie brought hot cocoa for volunteers and that was excellent!
November 2, 2015 at 3:07 pm in reply to: Time to Lighten Up Arlington! Volunteers wanted for Lights for Bikes Giveaway 2015! #1040452ParticipantHey y’all! Just a reminder that we are ON for tonight. We’ll be at the Bikeometer in Rosslyn from 4:30-6:30 PM. High 50s for temps and plenty of high fives and lights to be given to trail users!
Weather also looking pleasantly fall for Wednesday night at the W&OD and Columbia Pike, 4:30-6:30 PM as well. Fingers crossed we can all try the new Learners Loop, too!
See ya soon!
October 23, 2015 at 3:04 pm in reply to: Time to Lighten Up Arlington! Volunteers wanted for Lights for Bikes Giveaway 2015! #1039952Participant@cvcalhoun 126608 wrote:
I’ve got a friend who has only recently taken up bicycling, and so is now getting into his first night cycling. I’m thinking about sending him to this. Do they have lights that would actually enable him to see on a dark trail, or is this basically blinkies to enable him to be seen?
They’re blinky lights, and so are good for being seen, but not for lighting up a dark trail. Still better than having no lights at all!
October 23, 2015 at 3:02 pm in reply to: Time to Lighten Up Arlington! Volunteers wanted for Lights for Bikes Giveaway 2015! #1039951ParticipantIn response to argyrocket, I’ve been talking with Annmarie and the Arlington PAL Ambassadors about doing an event in Shirlington. So stay tuned!
And certainly feel free to take lights to share, as others have mentioned.October 21, 2015 at 6:04 pm in reply to: Time to Lighten Up Arlington! Volunteers wanted for Lights for Bikes Giveaway 2015! #1039858ParticipantAny time you can stop by to help out is perfect. Drop-in is just our style! And can definitely nab something for yourself, too!
ParticipantUPDATE: There is now a smoke machine, and the fellow is getting ready to do some dirt jumps…
[ATTACH=CONFIG]9806[/ATTACH]ParticipantJust wanted to thank everyone who contributed some ideas of neat things in Arlington. I had a lot of fun reading them all, and then because I dig maps, I made one with all our thoughts: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zy7d8gxpakyo.k2-R1H-Ql8hs&usp=sharing
Here’s how the Secrets Ride Series is shaping up:
October 8: Secrets of Crystal City Route is complete– and will end at Tech Shop.
October 14: Secrets of Shirlington is right now battling it out with Secrets of Westover– any additional contributions to tip the scales are welcome
October 28: Secrets Haunts of Ballston needs to be test ridden–but is going to be Halloween-themed, so extra fun.Hope some of you can join!
ParticipantSomeone dropped a bunch of spaghetti and made highways!
And that part of Four File Run Trail IS a lot of fun, too.ParticipantFAVORITE HOUSE. I missed it being in ArlNow…
July 23, 2015 at 3:18 pm in reply to: Who wants to be in a parade? Arlington County Fair has got that & more! #1034442ParticipantJune 25, 2015 at 8:39 pm in reply to: Boards Repaired on W&OD Bridge – Further work may be needed #1032985ParticipantThey did not, so we are left with an air of mystery…
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