Earlier this month, Virginians elected Abigail Spanberger as the next Governor of the Commonwealth. In her victory speech, she emphasized her commitment to serving all Virginians—an inclusive message that gives us hope that she’ll be a champion for those of us who bike, walk, and rely on transit every day.
While Governor-elect Spanberger’s transportation plans are still taking shape, we were heartened by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s (WABA) smart and ambitious “wish list” of ideas for the new administration. Their priorities reflect both the daily challenges faced by people getting around Northern Virginia and the enormous opportunities to make our communities safer, healthier, and more sustainable.
What WABA (and FABB) Hopes to See
- Unlock Local Solutions: Local transportation planners—especially in fast-growing suburban areas like Fairfax County—often know exactly what’s needed to make streets safer. But they’re frequently constrained by outdated Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards and inflexible funding rules. WABA is calling for new leadership and policies that empower cities and counties to tailor designs and investments to their communities’ needs. In short: more “yes,” fewer roadblocks.
- Reorient Transportation Spending: Despite mounting maintenance costs and persistent congestion, Virginia continues to spend heavily on new highway lanes and car-centric projects. WABA urges the state to shift toward fixing what we already have and investing more in transit, bike infrastructure, and other transportation demand strategies that serve more people and reduce environmental impact.
- Fund Transit for the Future: Metro is a pillar of Northern Virginia’s transportation network—and when paired with safe bike routes, its reach is even greater. Yet Metro continues to struggle with unstable funding. WABA calls on the Spanberger administration to secure long-term financial support for Metro and to implement recommendations from the DMV Moves task force to keep the system strong.
Why This Matters in Fairfax County
Fairfax has made great strides thanks to local advocates, supportive supervisors, and forward-looking staff. But too often we hear the same thing WABA does: “VDOT won’t let us.” We need a state administration that trusts our local leaders and provides the tools and funding they need to innovate.
That’s where you come in. You can help FABB unlock local solutions.
WABA’s call to action is a rallying cry we can all get behind—but progress in Fairfax County depends on you. Whether you’re advocating for safer crossings near your school, working to connect trail gaps in your neighborhood, or testifying for better bike facilities in a road project, FABB is here to help amplify your voice and support your efforts.
Let’s make sure our new governor hears us loud and clear: Virginia’s future includes bicycles.
Want to help keep moving Fairfax forward? Contact us at [email protected].
