bicycling | ARLnow.com

Accident on GW Parkway Narrowly Misses Cyclist

Published July 21, 2011 at 11:47AM | Updated July 12, 2017 at 1:55PM

Two injuries were reported after a pickup truck rear-ended at least one of two cars that had stopped at the crossing. According to a video posted on Facebook by a witness, the female cyclist hesitated before crossing in front of the two cars. That act of vigilance may have saved her life.

“This right here is the worst bike crossing in the entire city,” said a man narrating the video from behind the camera. “The speed limit here is 45 miles per hour, and you have to come to a complete stop for the bike crossing. There should probably be a tunnel here, or something like that, instead.”

Around Town

Bike/Pedestrian Underpass to Columbia Island Marina Now Open

By ARLnow.com

Published July 11, 2011 at 1:49PM | Updated July 11, 2011 at 5:56PM

A bike and pedestrian pathway between the Mt. Vernon Trail and Columbia Island Marina/Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove is now open.

The pathway opened less than two weeks ago. It runs under the new Boundary Channel Humpback Bridge, which carries traffic from the GW Parkway and the Mt. Vernon Trail.

News

Morning Poll: Pro-Car or Pro-Pedestrian?

By ARLnow.com

Published June 28, 2011 at 9:30AM

The issue is presented as a set of two mutually-exclusive options: either continue to support transportation policies that make it easy to own and drive a car, at the expense of bike and pedestrian safety; or support policies that make it easier and safer to walk and bike, at the expense of drivers.

Yesterday on the Arlington’s Commuter Page Blog, county Commuter Services Transportation Bureau Chief Chris Hamilton lauded Europe’s pro-pedestrian and anti-car policies, which have “reduced traffic and the number of cars in cities… re-conquering space for pedestrians.”

Around Town

Meeting Tonight to Discuss Bikeshare Expansion

By ARLnow.com

Published June 27, 2011 at 3:51PM

As we reported earlier this month, the meeting will seek input on 33 potential sites for Bikeshare stations throughout the corridor. In addition those sites, the county is also soliciting suggestion for other station locations via an interactive ‘crowdsourced’ map.

The selection criteria for new stations stipulate that the stations get 4+ hours of direct sunlight daily, be on flat ground and avoid creating “a dangerous situation for street users,” among other requirements. A total of 30 stations are expected to be built over the next year.

Around Town

Arlington Cyclist Wins Trip to Tour de France

By ARLnow.com

Published June 23, 2011 at 3:54PM

Arlington resident and competitive cyclist Joe Praino has won a dream trip to the Tour de France after collecting the most votes in a nationwide contest.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 23, 2011 at 8:27AM

Pentagon Suspect Suspected in Shootings — The man whose arrest prompted authorities to shut down Washington Boulevard during the Friday morning rush hour is now being investigated for a possible connection to a mysterious series of incidents of shots fired at the Pentagon and various Northern Virginia sites linked to the Marine Corps. Yonathan Melaku, a 22-year-old Marine reservist, is currently being held at a Loudoun County jail. [Inside Nova]

Arlington Cabbies Stage Sit-In — Arlington taxi drivers surprised county officials by packing into a Arlington County office yesterday in protest of regulations that they say give the owners of taxi companies too much control over drivers. [Washington Examiner]

News

Pedestrian Improvements Underway on Shirlington Road

By ARLnow.com

Published June 21, 2011 at 10:35AM

The sidewalk in front of the Weenie Beenie, between Four Mile Run Drive and 27th Street S., is being expanded from 5.5 feet to 12 feet. In addition, the traffic signal at Shirlington Road and Four Mile Run Drive is being upgraded, LED street lights are being added and other aspects of the streetscape are being improved.

The improvements are intended to make bike and foot travel safer in an area of high pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The sidewalk serves pedestrians heading between Nauck and Shirlington, as well as cyclists and joggers heading between the W&OD Trail and the two sections of the Four Mile Run Trail.

News

Meeting Tonight to Discuss Pike ‘Bicycle Boulevards’

By ARLnow.com

Published June 1, 2011 at 3:29PM

Much of the Pike — with four travel lanes, a turn lane and, eventually, a streetcar line — does not have room for bike lanes. Meanwhile, traffic tends to be too fast and too congested for safe shared use by bicyclists. And the sidewalks are too narrow for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely co-exist.

So what are cyclists — and county planners — to do? The solution being discussed tonight, which has been in the works since 2004, would create two “bicycle boulevards” that run on quiet residential streets parallel to the Pike.

News

Meeting Planned to Discuss Capital Bikeshare Expansion

By ARLnow.com

Published June 1, 2011 at 1:40PM

With about 30 new Capital Bikeshare stations planned for the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor over the next 6-12 months, the county is seeking input as to where exactly the new stations should go.

Planners have already identified 33 potential CaBi expansion sites throughout the corridor. They have now scheduled a public meeting to discuss the proposed station locations and to gather additional location suggestions. The selection criteria for new stations stipulate that the stations get 4+ hours of direct sunlight daily, be on flat ground and avoid creating “a dangerous situation for street users,” among other requirements.

Events

Crystal City to Host WABA’s ‘Bike Fest’

By ARLnow.com

Published May 26, 2011 at 10:54AM

Bike fest will feature food, drinks, desserts, carnival-style games, a silent auction, a raffle, sideshow performances, live music and dancing, bicycle art, palm readings, a photo booth and a bike building contest. The musical acts will include D.C.-based progressive acoustic act Second String Band and DJ Jennder.

The event is being held from 8:00 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, June 11 in the Crystal City Shops at 1750 (241 18th Street S.).

Events

Street Closures Planned for Sunday’s Bike DC Ride

By ARLnow.com

Published May 20, 2011 at 3:33PM

A number of road closures are planned for the annual Bike DC ride through the District and Arlington. The route, which starts at the Capitol, will take cyclists across the Roosevelt Bridge, up the GW Parkway and down to the Air Force Memorial, before returning to the District.

As a result, the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from about 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Events

Bike to Work Day Approaches

By ARLnow.com

Published May 19, 2011 at 11:23AM

Arlington is going all-out for National Bike to Work Day tomorrow.

From 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., the county will be playing host to three Bike to Work Day “pit stops” — each with music, speakers, bike giveaways, local exhibitors and free food and drinks: