[Mark Blacknell]

They’re sampling how many blow the intersection before and after, pretty much. Pre-install sample already taken, of course, and the post-install sample will come at some point this year. I think it’s conducted over a number of days.

[Mark Blacknell]

Well, he’s also a pretty pretty princess.

~

This installation is an experimental one, and the data collected from actions here will influence future decisions (well beyond Arlington) about the efficacy of these installations. I look forward to seeing the results.

[Mark Blacknell]

Just a bump to remind folks that this is tomorrow. I’ll try to join for at least the beginning of it. Say hi – I’ll be on a red beater bike with black bags & fenders attached to it.

[Mark Blacknell]

Hi, Lwallet. Congrats on taking the first steps towards bike commuting. I don’t commute in that area, but I do ride it pretty regularly. Since you’re new to riding DC’s streets, I’d suggest skipping Dupont Circle until you get a bit more confident. I’d start with New Hampshire to R St., and then dropping down on 21st or 22nd. Forget Rock Creek Park. It can be a nice recreational ride, but it’s not direct (and the paths can be more than a little frustrating). The route I suggest puts you on streets with bike lanes and sharrows, which is what you seem to be looking for. Remember, though, they’re not a promise of safety. The best thing you can do is become a better rider – the sort that is comfortable in traffic on roads with or without bike lanes and sharrows. If the May one is too far away, I suggest checking back here, I think we’ll see additional classes added to the schedule soon. There’s also a full-day class offered through Arlington Adult Education here (on May 11). I’m not sure if the fee rises for non-Arlington residents, but the instructor should be able to answer that.

[Mark Blacknell]

@brendan 3028 wrote:

Yeah, that one really irks me. It seems esp. prevalent on the MVT (probably due to traffic volume during the busy seasons)…which is just crazy. I wonder if CCT gets as bad?
/QUOTE]

CCT is worse. Especially with those trying to thread the needle at 25mph as they’re coming back down the hill from Bethesda. Add in the rollerbladers who love to do the same, and it’s pretty much off-limits for my riding Spring-Fall.

@SMS – sometimes I’ll give a wave, but I don’t think there’s any responsibility on your part, there, beyond holding your line at a steady speed.

[Mark Blacknell]

Arlingtonrider – the section of Army Navy Drive to the west (taking a right from Joyce St.) has been re-striped with lanes already (I can’t recall exactly where they end – somewhere past the ANCC iirc). For the section west from Joyce – yeah, I think that’s going to take a while.

[Mark Blacknell]

I ride something akin to that route as part of a regular recreational loop out of Arlington (MVT-Wilson Bridge-Oxon Hill-MLK Dr.- Douglass Bridge-SE/SW-14th St. Bridge). It’s a perfectly fine/safe route, in my experience. The only problem I’ve had was a really ugly swipe at me on S. Capitol St. by someone who didn’t think I should be on the the road. That was a single incident, though. I’ve also ridden Good Hope, but not enough to make any useful observations. To get to Good Hope, you can make a hard right at the end of the Douglass Bridge and go under it to get to Anacostia Dr (which is a very low traffic waterfront road) and follow that north to Good Hope (cf. heading east at Howard Dr and then north on MLK). Do note, however, that the trolly-line construction going on at the end of the Douglass Bridge looks like it might block that access from time to time (this is just based on a quick look as I was riding by last week – maybe they’re careful about it. But maybe not.)

There’s also the Suitland Parkway Bike Trail, but I’ve never even seen it, and this description isn’t encouraging. On the other hand, it’s an old description (2005).

In short, it’s a commute that I’d be comfortable making.

[Mark Blacknell]

I just lock up next to a nicer, but less well-secured, bike.

[Mark Blacknell]

Concur w/ Clarendon eastbound suggestions, as well as 2nd St. S (tho’ aren’t there a couple there already?). And Columbia Pike, but man, that’s just like putting a bandaid on a gusher.

Also suggest Lynn St. (NB) on the signpost on the NE corner of the 66 onramp. Most cyclists coming from Rosslyn and heading toward Key Bridge or MVT will not be getting on the bridge sidewalk at that intersection, but continue in the lane until they can mount the curb on the far side of the 66 offramp. Given that the bike lane quits back before the onramp, it would be a nice reminder for motorists that bikes belong in this busy intersection.

[Mark Blacknell]

@Jim – the cool thing about this is that – for all the miles it entails – it’s about impossible to get lost in the sense of getting dropped and having no idea where you are (not that this is the dropping sort of group). So if you decided to bail, the furthest away you’re going to be from home is probably only 5-10 miles.

[Mark Blacknell]

Thanks, all. CR – I used to connect through Meetup for some MTB rides, but that sort of fell apart last year. Brendan – the Conte’s ride attracts a serious A group, and a very broadly defined B group. Good times for all. I’ll try to connect with a Rev Cycles ride this year.

Also, for anyone interested, my article is up.

[Mark Blacknell]

What I’m impressed with is your ability to do a costume change on the bike between photos.

[Mark Blacknell]

Those air stations are the Eagle Scout project of a local kid (wish I could recall his name). Took no small amount of permission-seeking on his part, I think. If I can figure out a good way to secure the tools, I could imagine helping “upgrade” these stations a bit some time this summer.

[Mark Blacknell]

@Dirt 2952 wrote:

Interestingly enough, when I travel around the US and the world, I find that there are relatively few places that I encounter this much animosity towards others.

This. I’ve been in places with far worse traffic than anywhere in the US (Mexico City, Delhi, etc.) and I’ve not seen half the anger we get on the streets here.

[Mark Blacknell]

I don’t always call out my passes. Jogger with earphones? Waste of time. Another cyclist moving at a decent clip? I pass with plenty of room. Uncertain cyclist who doesn’t spent much time out there? Definite warning. Passing you in a bike lane? I simply take the full lane and pass, no warning. Herd of Great Midwest Tourists? I doesn’t matter what I do – I’ll just have to wait or practice my CX skills.

Tan me hide when I’m dead, Fred.

[Author]

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