TheWashCycle

Regional snow clearing getting better for cyclists

The Gazette had an article on the first snow event to result in snow clearing.

With forecasts calling for a dusting to 2 inches of powdery snow on Tuesday, Devlin said, workers initially thought they would be able to use a snowblower to clear the trail. The 3 to 4 inches that actually fell required them to go back and plow, however.

“Had we started with a plow from the start, we probably would have done it in four hours, tops,” he said. “[The] first one out is always more difficult.”

People who wrote in said that the Bethesda-to-Washington segment of the trail was mostly cleared to the pavement by Tuesday evening, making it easy to bike and hike. They did say, however, that the Washington portion of the trail had packed snow and ice, and reminded people to watch out for black ice on the pavement

Arlington County cleared snow from trails this year and DDOT was out removing snow from trails and protected bike lanes by noon on Tuesday. So snow removal was better this year than in the past (but not perfect). 

At the Bicycle Advisory Council this week, the DDOT representative noted that they learned a lot from this snow and they're hoping to learn more throughout the season, which they're viewing as a test year. For example, the Toolcat they bought fits everywhere they want to go, but the blade on the front is wider, so it doesn't. [They plan to order a new blade]. They also had trouble getting equipment to negotiate the Met Branch Trail switchback at M Street NE. Such experiences are not just informing them about what equipment is needed, but how future projects should be designed, operated and maintained. So, things are better this year, and should get even better going forward. 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Because this year, the region is actually going to clear it from bike trails and facilities so that bike commuters who rely on them can still use them - unlike what has happened in other years.

Arlignton County will be clearing snow from up to 10 miles of trail 

The targeted areas include 5.2 miles of the Custis trail from Lynn Street to the Washington & Old Dominion trail; 1.25 miles of the Bluemont Junction trail from Fairfax Drive to the W&OD; 2.25 miles of the Four Mile Run trail from National Airport to Shirlington Road; and 0.4 miles of the Route 110 trail between the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.

Sorry W&OD Trail fans, but NVRPA was concerned the trail would be damaged. 

DC will be clearing all bike lanes and most of their trails.

And finally, Montgomery County 

is launching a pilot snow removal program this winter for the Montgomery Parks portion of the Capital Crescent Trail, located in Bethesda. Parks staff will clear snow on three and a half miles of the trail starting at the Bethesda Avenue entrance point to the Montgomery County / Washington D.C. line, as well as along 12 feeder trails. Parks staff will begin clearing the trail within 24 hours from when snow stops falling.

It remains to be seen what NPS will do about Rock Creek and the MVT. 

The future of Arlington bicycle facilities

Most readers by now know that Arlington added its first cycletrack on S. Hayes in August, and perhaps that the county plans to add another stretch to S. Eads this year (though talk was of doing it this September) between 15th and 23rd, but there is more that Arlington is working on and planning to do on top of that.

On S. Eads, the county will reduce the road from 4 lanes to 3 (one in each direction and center turning lane) to make room for the protected bike facility. This is a pilot project but if all goes well, it would become permanent.

Wilson Blvd between Rosslyn and Courthouse could also get a protected bike lane when it's repaved next year. This is in design and evaluation right now. Another project on Wilson will repave the road from N. Frederick to Manchester street in spring of 2015. That project will create bike lanes between Bluemont Park and N. Frederick Street. Sharrows will then connect those bike lanes to ones on N. George Mason Drive and the Bluemont Trail. Later those bike lanes could be converted to cycletracks. 

Construction is expected to begin in late 2015 on improvements to the Custis Trail around the "Intersection of Doom" in Rosslyn. This will include widening the trail from 10 feet to 16, improving visibility at the Holiday Inn entrance, removing a lane from Lynn Street that will shorten the crossing there and adding waiting areas at both corners. Control of right turns on red are in development. 

The County is working on a complete review of bicycle parking and planning to use an app to help them with this. Efforts include review of best practices from elsewhere, better coordination with other County agencies, installation of more bike parking in the curbside right-of-way (especially in commercial districts), changes to the zoning code to require bike parking minimums in all development and working with private property owners to add more bike parking. In addition, the County plans to start using an app called RackSpotter that will allow for crowdsourcing the location of every bike rack in the county in order to create a complete inventory as well as identify places where racks are needed. Users will also be able to see where the closest rack is, including a photo. Games to encourage use will be used. The product is currently in beta testing. 

The County has nearly completed the installation of 280 on-street wayfinding signs planned for the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and 200 more along the Custis Trail. The County plans to add another 400 signs on its trail network in the near future. 

The County now has 31 automated county devices including the Bikeometer in Rosslyn. The data from these can be viewed by anyone at this website.

Arlington does plan to clear snow from trails this winter, but maybe not from the W&OD Trail. NVRPA is concerned that the trail will be damaged during snow removal.  

One unusual problem Arlington is dealing with is that the only contractor they had to paint bike lanes green went out of business, so they're trying to work through that setback to find a replacement. 

NoMa BID installs bike pump and repair stand

Photo by John

This was installed last week at M Street near the Metro station. 

I've heard varying reports that other pumps, including the one at College Park Metro and another one in NoMa, have fallen apart and so it seems vandalizism and use are going to be an issue. Maintenance will be key to keeping the assets from becoming useless. 

Arlington budgets $300,000 to plow trails

NoVa winter bikers rejoice. 

The Board also funded ... $300,000 for plowing snow from bike trails.

Winter Trail Maintenance Discussed at County Board Meeting

At the February Arlington County Board Meeting, WABA President Mark Blacknell testified on the issue of clearing snow from trails.

County Staff responded that they cleared 18 miles of trails including the W&OD, the Custis Trail and the Four Mile Run Trail among others. Jay Fisette asks if there is a more systemic set of changes that can be carried out to deal with the issue. Another councilmember talks about the communication aspect of this, and how to let people know which trails are cleared. Walter Tejada congratulates the county on their trail clearin during the last storm. 

 

 

Snow hearing right now

Sorry about the lateness of this, but Mary Cheh is holding a hearing on the city's snow readiness right now.

"The hearing will take place at 11 a.m. in the Council Chambers, Room 500, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW."

If someone can go, it would not be a bad idea to ask about trails, cycletracks and bike lanes. 

Wednesday Morning Commute - longtails

Good morning

• Comparison photos of the new 11th Street Bridge which includes sections of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and a much better bike/ped facility. 
• DDOT filled a lot of potholes, but many were not patched well - and not with cyclists in mind. 
• On the Fort Totten Metro "Anna Chamberlain, a DDOT transportation planner, talked about how streetscape improvements could calm traffic, making streets around the Metro station more pedestrian- and bike-friendly. DDOT is also working to improve connections to the Metro, as some areas lack clearly defined walking paths. The agency will begin designing a path connecting the Metro to the Metropolitan Branch Trail within the next few months."
• Failed to report this earlier. CaBi set new one month records in April and then again in May, with 256,968 trips in month as the new high. Ridership was up 38% from 2012 in April and 31% in May. Though mileage data hasn't been updated since March, it's likely the system had it's 5 millionth mile in June. Trips per bike per month are down only a little from 2012, despite a nearly 40% increase in bikes. 
• Bicycle related crashes in Farifax County are up 25% from 2011 to 2012. That seems like a lot even if increased cycling is considered. I wonder if it's better reporting. "As part of their study, Fairfax County police also determined about a quarter of the bicyclists were not wearing reflective clothing at the time of their crashes. Police said they're teaming up with private cycling groups to help educate folks on how to properly share the road." OK, but how many of those crashes were at night? And did the bike have reflectors or lights? I often don't wear reflective clothing, and it isn't required by law. 
• Cargo bikes are catching on, and they aren't just for cargo either. 

Tuesday Morning Commute - New Mexico Avenue

Good morning

• WABA is calling on cyclists to attend the ANC 3D meeting on May 1st to support bike lanes on New Mexico Avenue. "The bike lanes will be about 1 mile in length from Nebraska Ave NW, continuing south to Tunlaw Rd. NW."
• There's a planning meeting tommorrow night on the Rosslyn Plaza project (site plan below) that includes a bicycle and pedestrian bridge would extend over I-66 and the GW Parkway from an esplanade to the Mount Vernon Trail. "Its feasibility has not been determined and will be discussed during the review of the PDSP."
• One man puts Potholepalloza to the test. "Over the next four weeks, I will be biking all over DC to find and report as many potholes as possible. I will track all of the requests to see if and how quickly the potholes get filled, and how well." Is he a hero or just a man who hates potholes? Perhaps the answer is both.
• LAB on Mayor Foxx. "Under his leadership, Charlotte has invested in light rail, a bikeway network, and a bikesharing system. The city’s Complete Streets approach to building a transportation system that serves all users is a model for the nation." 

Arlington Facility Update Feb 2013

As presented to the Arlington BAC by County Staff (new information in bold)

1.  On-street improvements - For the next couple months staff will be scoping out bike network improvements to two important north/south corridors: N. Harrison Street and S. Eads Street.  Details have yet to be worked out, but both projects should include significant extensions of the bike lanes.  The implementation of both projects will be contingent upon the County's resurfacing plans (and budget) for 2013.  Preliminary layouts will be presented to the BAC for discussion prior to final plans.  Final paving and resurfacing plan expected in March.

2.  Construction of the new FHWA-funded wider sidewalks and buffer along S. Joyce Street under I-395 is largely complete and open for use.  (Street lighting, signals and counting equipment are still to be done.)  Public "ribbon cutting" to take place in March.

3.  Short term safety improvements to the Rosslyn Circle area are complete.  Deficient curb ramps at all the corners surrounding and including Gateway Park (except for three) have been rebuilt to meet current ADA standards.  The remaining corners, NW and NE corners of WB Lee Hwy/Custis Trail at Lynn Street and NE corner of Lee Hwy/Custis Trail at Ft. Myer Drive, will be done in conjunction with the larger Rosslyn Circle project which is at 60% design and currently being reviewed by VDOT.

4.  Washington Boulevard Trail Phase II - Staff has preliminary agreement from the Department of the Navy to renegotiate a new access easement that would reduce impacts on existing trees and allow the trail to be located further away from a streambed.  Implementation of the trail is still planned to start in 2013.

5.  Design work has begun on the creation of a short trail link in Bluemont Park between the Four Mile Run trail and Manchester Street near Ashlawn Elementary School.  Construction is planned for 2013.

6.  Planning work is about to commence on the design of a new ADA compliant trail linking Potomac Yard with the Four Mile Run trail.  This multi-year project will involve the Four Mile Run Joint Task Force (JTF) which is composed of Alexandria and Arlington citizens and staff.

7.  Staff is working with the NVRPA to get approvals to replace extraneous signage and markings with consistent and appropriate traffic controls along the W&OD trail.  Implementation planned for spring 2013.  Awaiting feedback.

8.  Installation of Wayfinding signage along the Custis Trail will begin in February.  First installations will be between George Mason Drive and the Lee Highway crossing near Cherrydale.  Phase I will incorporate the entire Rosslyn-Ballston on-street network and the Custis Trail between Rosslyn and Ballston.  Planning has begun for the next phase, which will include the remainder of Arlington's major trails.

9. Ten of the County's first automated bike lane counters have been installed this season.  Locations include Fairfax Drive in Virginia Square, Quincy Street near Central Library, Military Road and Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards in Clarendon.  Three new automated trail counters have been installed, bringing our total off street counter network to 15.  Two more trail counters will be installed as part of the S. Joyce Street project (see #2).  Staff is working closely with Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS) webmasters to make count data available to the public some time in March.

10.  21 new bike racks were installed in December and January, including the County's first in-street racks (in front of the Java Shack).

11.  Staff has developed options for keeping major trails accessible during ice and snow events this winter.  One option involves utilizing County equipment and staff, another involves hiring contractors.  If a plan is agreed upon to use one or the other (or a combination of both) there may still be time for snow clearing on the trails to take place this season.  Awaiting County Manager feedback.

12.  Staff is refining the design of the new Carlin Springs Road bridge over George Mason Drive.  The new bridge planned for construction in 2014 will include 6ft wide bike lanes and sidewalks.

13.  The intersection of the W&OD Trail at Lee Highway in East Falls Church is being redesigned to better align the trail, improve queuing areas at the crosswalk and improve accessibility.  A related, but separate effort to reduce conflicts with turning traffic by changing signal operations, is also underway.