An article entitled "Fairfax County looks to Create Bicycling Program" ran in the Examiner a few weeks ago. It's gone now, but here's the text:
Fairfax County - Fairfax County is looking at the possibility of investing $840,000 to create a countywide bicycle program.
According to a Feb. 20 memorandum, the cost would include creating the position of Bicycle Program coordinator, establishing a bicycling network within the county and for contractors and consultants to provide an inventory of the county’s bicycle infrastructure to be used in creating a map of bicycle paths and trails.
The idea of creating a plan to improve bicycle transportation in the county was first floated in 2005, but in the 2007 budget formed by County Executive Anthony Griffin, there was no funding in place.
County Chairman Gerald Connolly, D, asked for and received unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors to put the plan on the boards consideration list for fiscal year 2007.
Fairfax already has a similar program for pedestrians in the county.
“We want to have a coordinated, comprehensive bicycle policy so that we can make sure were doing everything we can at all levels of commuting,” Connolly said. “We have some trails and paths in the county, but we need to do more and we need someone in place who can coordinate these efforts.”
Included in Griffin’s proposal is $56.85 million for discretionary board use. This plan would fall into that category.
Kathy Ichter, head of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, said the hope is to model the initiative on the current position in county government of a pedestrian coordinator.
“Urban issues are becoming more and more in the forefront in our area and people are looking at ways to get from point A to point B without always having to get in their cars and drive,” she said.
“The fact of the matter is there are needs for bicyclists and they may be getting left in the dust, and the purpose is to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Why bike to work?
- Riding to work costs less than driving or taking transit, especially if you already own a bike.
- Cycling allows you to stay in shape while you commute. A five-mile, one-way commute burns 300 calories round trip for a 130-pound woman.
- Biking to work means less traffic congestion and pollution for the region.
(Photo Caption: A cyclist waits to cross over Wiehle Avenue along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and near Sunset Hills Boulevard in Reston)
I think a bicycle co-ordinator is key to any area transportation plan. DC has two bicycle coordinators (Jim Sebastian and Chris Holborn) and they get a lot done. I moved here shortly before they hired Mr. Seabastian, and it's clear to see the improvements in cycling that have occured since then. You need someone who can look at every project and add cycling input (thought it's probably too much work for one person). If Fairfax goes through with this, they'll only be about 5 years behind DC, Arlington and Alexandria. That will leave PG County as the big glaring hole in bicycle Program Management. And WABA is supporting the effort in their latest Quick Release
WABA urges you to contact County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly and your district supervisor and voice your support for these initiatives.
Please contact Chairman Connolly and your district supervisor to ensure your comments are recorded. Call or write to:
1) Chairman Gerry Connolly. The email address is [email protected]. The office phone number is 703-324-2321.
2) Your district supervisor. For contact information about your district supervisor, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board.
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