The Recent History of Cycling Through Arlington Cemetery

Cycling through the VA, a blog dedicated to convincing the VA to open a Los Angeles cemetery to bike commuters contacted a couple of Arlington cyclists to ask about biking through Arlington Cemetery. Mark Wigfield gives the current state of things

It's true that cyclists must show a driver's license before entering Fort Meyer, but this is generally a short transaction, and cyclists are not required to wait in the line of cars from the western (Hatfield) gate, but are checked separately in the curb lane.  There are some idiosyncrasies: Cyclists can enter the Cemetery from Fort Meyer descending east into DC, but may not enter the Cemetery ascending west. Instead, they must go through Fort Meyer at the bottom gate (the Wright Gate), which is only a minor inconvenience. Most guards are trained in the process of clearing cyclists, but there can be some confusion in non-rush hours. Cemetery also doesn't open until 8 am, but cyclists may descend through Fort Meyer before then. The bottom gate on the east (Wright) closes at 9 pm.

And then Randy Swart gives some history on how things have changed over the years

before the opening of the Custis Trail when I-66 was constructed in the 1970's it was the preferred route for many in N. Arlington. Although there were fewer bike commuters in those days, they were a tenacious lot. The Cemetery attempted to shut down bicycle access at one point in the 1960's and the cyclists went to Congressman Joe Fisher, then our representative and a senior member of the Military Appropriations subcommittee, for help. He made inquiries, and the route was reopened.

In the 1970's there were no restrictions on where a bicycle could go in the cemetery. We rode the main route both ways, and many used a route to the south of the main road that had gentler slopes and was somewhat shorter, but passed through throngs of tourists. [...] After repeated complaints from the tourists, the cemetery designated the main route through as the only bicycle route, closing off the other areas to bike traffic or touring. They painted a stripe on the main route and guards told bikes to follow the stripe. This change didn't affect access. I was able to lead bike club rides through other parts of the cemetery by sending a letter to the Superintendent with a map showing that we would not be using the main tourist route to the Kennedy grave or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Superintendent would issue a permit for the ride to show to the surprised guards.

In the early 1980's the cemetery noted that bikes were breaking the speed limit downhill on the main route. Their guards hid behind trees and checked speed with radar guns. They issued the first ticket to a scruffy-looking, long-haired . . . lawyer. When they got to court he had three defenses ready, based on jurisdictions, signage, etc, but the judge threw the case out based on the first one. That was the last time I know of that they actually issued a ticket. [...]
Fort Myer has been open to bicycle use for almost all of the years that I have been using the cemetery route. After 9/11 they did close for a time, but it was based on security concerns as opposed to just bicyclephobia, and we did not protest. The cemetery route was inaccessible at that time as well, since the Ft Myer link was closed. The Fort reopened the route to bikes, checking our panniers carefully for a time. With rare exceptions it has been open, and is open now.

Photo by Mo Kaiwen

Comments

[Purple Eagle]

Is there a route map available somewhere that shows these access points to the cemetery/fort?

[Mary]

I too would appreciate a map or other advice on cycling through Ft Meyer to Arlington House. Years ago I would ride through the gate near what is now the Airforce Memorial. I wanted to take my daughter to the historic house last fall but gave up after calling both the Park Service and the Cemetery for advice on how to bike there. The NPS referred me to the Cemetery, which told me to come through the main entrance (at Mem Bridge) and walk up the hill.

[Brendan]

Is this google bike route correct? It appears to recommend the wrong gate: http://tiny.cc/9EbWv

Here's a pdf map of Ft. Myer with gate names. You must note that north is at the left of the page, not the top: http://www.fmmcmwr.com/documents/myer_guide_map_Jan_09.pdf

[washcycle]

It does direct you through the Henry gate, which I've never used. I'm not sure if you can.

[Jonathan Moore]

Gaining Access to Fort Myer
Fort Myer Gate Information
Fort Myer’s Hatfield Gate is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fort Myer’s Wright Gate (near Iwo Jima Memorial) is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

Fort Myer’s Henry Gate—an “exit only” gate—is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on weekends and holidays.

http://www.usarmyband.com/visit/directions_to_memorial_chapel.html

[Jonathan Moore]

Mary,

Try this route...
http://tinyurl.com/ycfsu5c