Numerous quick links

A reopened E Street NW?

D.C. Council member Jack Evans, who represents Ward 2 - where the farmers' market would be held - isn't thrilled with the idea of a rush-hour road closure either. But he tells WTOP he has a solution.

"If we are to go down this road, (we need to) look at reopening E Street, NW behind the White House," says Evans. "Reopening E Street would alleviate any traffic concerns we would have from closing Vermont Avenue."

After Sept.11, 2001, E Street on the south side of the White House was closed for security reasons. But Evans says the east-west connection isn't doing any good being closed.

"Pennsylvania Avenue (being closed) was hard to justify, E Street can not be justified," he says. "If you drive there today, it is being used as a parking lot by the people who work at the White House, for the Secret Service and at the Old Executive Office Building, which is not a security issue. It really needs to be reopened."

It's a CWL item from 2006.

FABB met with the Vienna Police.

We agreed that it's very dangerous to ride on the sidewalk, noting that it is much safer to ride with traffic, on the road. One way to get cyclists off of sidewalks is to publicize the Vienna Bikeway Map so that cyclists know about on-road alternatives to riding on Maple Ave and Nutley St. Signed bike routes would also be helpful. While previous attempts to create a signed bike route from the W&OD Trail to the Vienna Metro station were fought by some residents, we think that attitude may be changing and many more people would support a non-polluting, healthy commuting option.

Fairfax Old Town fails to connect

Instead of connecting pedestrians and bicyclists to downtown Fairfax, the development will dead-end and have only one entry and exit point on the opposite end. It's designed to make it easy for residents to drive out of downtown and get on I-66. It doesn't encourage residents to walk or bicycle to Old Town destinations, even though they will be a five-minute walk away.

More bike racks in Arlington

BikeArlington is installing 60 U racks in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, as well as new and replacement racks along Stuart Street near the Ballston Metro.

And VBF is drumming up support for Safe Routes to Schools.

We’re striving to generate hundreds—if not thousands—of letters from children, parents, program staff and volunteers, and school and city leaders talking about why Safe Routes to School is important to individuals and communities and how it improves transportation, safety, health and the environment.