[S. Arlington Observer]

@dbb 129769 wrote:

This is along Eads just north of the WMATA bus facility

While “Bike Lane Closed” is true, the sign provides no guidance for cyclists or motorists.

How about a second sign that says “Bikes May Use Full Lane”.

The folks that review lane closures for the County can do a better job.

What bothers me is that there isn’t actually a need for the long term closure of the bike lane there. I ride that route almost every work day. A few times in the past months there has been construction activity in the “closed” area. 98% of the time (or more) the barrels protect an inactive area where the only activity is a few parked cars. (Which raises the question of why the bike lane needs to remain closed if parking is still allowed.)

That part of S. Eads Street is full of buses and large delivery trucks. Taking the lane is dangerous indeed and there is no “shoulder” with the barrels right up against the traffic lane. The contractor could move the barrels to the curb when no activity is taking place and move them back only as needed. Or, if it simply left a small margin between the lane edge and the barrels, cyclists would at least have a bit of road shoulder to use.

This is a County project so I am surprised the County sees nothing wrong with simply taking away a busy commuter lane for months on end (when on most days that isn’t even necessary.) They are certainly allowing cars to park within the so called “closed” area and seems like bike lanes are always expendable.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Steve O 129820 wrote:

Hey! This seems like a good contest. Best, or cleverest, or most sardonic idea for why we exclude him wins a pointless prize.
Who wants to sponsor this one?

There isn’t actually any reason why every possible situation has to be addressed (yet). If, as seems evident, there is near unanimity that Elf type vehicles are not appropriate, simply say that “Elfs and essentially similar enclosed vehicles (if there are other brands) are not permitted”.

Over time the world between bicycles and assisted or motorized cycles (even greenly powered, such pure solar) will continue to blur. Perhaps a group can use the after season to meet, debate, drink, discuss, drink, etc. how else to draw lines in the future. For the moment the main consensus is with Elf type vehicles. One can stop there. The “rules” need not make sense in a legal sense. It is a voluntary exercise. If the group does not want Elfs then no Elfs. Figuring out everything in between sounds like a great warm season activity.

[S. Arlington Observer]

I’m learning how to use Strava.

Is it possible to simply tell it to duplicate a prior trip (as a new one) or to use a “route” as an actual trip? Most of my activity involves the same commuting routes. While I try to turn it on to log the trip precisely (and to get the speed and other info) I sometimes forget and wonder if there is an easier way to make a manual entry.

[S. Arlington Observer]

One thing that should exclude the Elf and not be reliant on a wheel count would be to say that the vehicle must not have an enclosed cabin. It should essentially expose the rider to the elements. I know that some regular bicycles have what appears to be a windshield but no roof. I would leave it to others to refine the definitions. I had originally voted for no assistance but now believe that e-bikes should be allowed so long as the rider is actually out in the freezing weather and subject to an unexpected rain shower or snow flurry

[S. Arlington Observer]

For those who aren’t fond of riding home in the dark, today marks a milestone. The earliest sunset of the year happened late last week. The sun sets a minute later today than the end of the last workweek and will continue getting later until June 25th.

Today’s sunset is 4:47. By the end of the month it will be 9 minutes later at 4:56 and by the end of January it will be 5:28 – getting some out of the dark almost entirely.

There are scientific explanations for why the earliest sunset is before the solstice available on the Internet. All I know is “heck yes, I’ll take it!”

[S. Arlington Observer]

@dasgeh 129698 wrote:

No. The argument in favor of allowing ebikes to play is that this is a silly game, the point of which is to build community among people who ride bikes; if we start excluding people based on athletic ability, we’re limiting that community. In fact, there’s no “we” anymore, because I am not part of this “only ride non-ebikes” group.

That is a pretty compelling argument. Is there a way to change one’s vote?

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Amalitza 129652 wrote:

ok, I updated with gameplay/rules and a disclaimer that (at the risk of sounding like rcannon) I am not in charge of this and they are subject to change. http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?9384-Freezing-Saddles-2016-Important-Information&p=125526#post125526
Let me know what I forgot/got wrong/we want to change.

I signed up without knowing what is involved. I am SO happy to actually understand it better. Even more happy that I won’t drag my team down by being in Florida for about 20 days during the season. (Away rides count… I had no idea.) I always ride the bike there and happy to see that it will count. But I’ll also be on the trail here. Nothing but ice or rain keeps me off it on a workday. Looking forward to challenging the Polar Vortex for the cause.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@consularrider 129557 wrote:

There’s a sticky in this category at top of the list that is the Forum Dictionary. Not always easy to wade through, but …

Indeed. thank you. Nine pages of humor and snark, but some good stuff there if one wades through it. It does remind one of a brew in need of a bit of straining and distillation.

[S. Arlington Observer]

The Oak Street location would be very helpful. A nice fill in between Pierce and Ft. Meyer.

[S. Arlington Observer]

I must be a natural non shoaler. At intersections I usually invite people whom I think will be faster to go on ahead of me. I’m not as slow as I used to be (new bike is much faster) but I am not the fastest either, so that make sense. Why make them pass me a few hundred yards down the road? I don’t mind being passed but it isn’t an experience I necessarily want to invite – and I’m not sure what being in the lead does for anybody.

And yes, a dictionary would be helpful. The links don’t seem to pick up all the lingo used in this area. Perhaps a project for the venerated senior folk?

[S. Arlington Observer]

Just saw this on ARLNow as well. I never assume a driver will actually stop at a stop sign.

[S. Arlington Observer]

I want to write the County Board about this (and about the general lack of consistency between County rhetoric and actions regarding “the car free diet”). But I suppose I’ll wait until after the 14th (next week.) The two new Board members are to be sworn in then. I’m not sure how to email them now.

[S. Arlington Observer]

Seriously, this is the kind of thing that makes me doubt Arlington’s commitment to bicycle commuting. They want to simply close a “main road” for a year? I use the route daily, sometimes twice a day. I will, of course, try the detour, which will add significant time. And I am concerned about safety. How does one navigate Route 1?

I may simply use the sidewalk (assuming they don’t close that too) along S. Glebe. I suspect others will too. This is not a recipe for either cyclist or pedestrian safety.

This is not a serious community when it comes to promoting cycling. Much of Europe is serious, but Arlington is not. Very distressing.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Drewdane 128268 wrote:

Is it me, or are people being more clueless about headlight etiquette this year than in the past? No one seems to be covering or swiveling their lights when approaching oncoming traffic on area MUTs; I don’t recall it ever being quite this bad.

I agree. I have no idea why and can only hope that people re-learn by observing the example of the few who do it.

[S. Arlington Observer]

Last year was my first one cycling home in the dark. I was impressed at the number of riders on the W&OD who would shield their headlight with their hands upon approach. I realized that was a good thing to do so started turning my head slightly to the right upon approaching others since my light is on my helmet.

This year is seems that nobody is shielding anything and lights seem to be getting brighter and brighter (right up there with motorcycle headlight range in some cases.) I know that it isn’t always feasible to shield the light (like when it is attached to the wheel – though down low like that is less of a problem). But when it is possible, and is done, it sure is appreciated.

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