FABB News – November-December 2019 (originally distributed on November 6, 2019)
FABB Continues to Grow, Appoints Executive Director
New FABB Executive Director Matt Roberts
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce that we have hired Matt Roberts as our first-ever Executive Director,” said Sonya Breehey, President of the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling. “Matt brings a wealth of experience in growing and leading mission-driven nonprofit organizations, and we look forward to working with him to achieve our vision of making bicycling safe and accessible for everyone in Fairfax County.”
Read More Here.
Thank You! 4th Annual Tour de Mt. Vernon a Great Success
On Saturday, October 19, 2019, a boisterous crowd of approximately 160 warmly clad riders were greeted by a bright sun and a well-prepared group of volunteers for the 4th Annual Tour de Mount Vernon. FABB was a proud partner with Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, his great staff, and other sponsors of the event.
The 20-mile and 32-mile rides started at the historic Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton and allowed the riders, many of whom had participated in previous tours, to ride past a number of historical and other scenic sites in southern Fairfax County, including Occoquan and Pohick Regional Parks, Gunston Hall, Accotink Bay, and Fort Belvoir.
See a great video from FCT here about this year’s ride.
Read More Here.
VA Elections Bring Big Change, New Supervisors to Fairfax
This Tuesday’s elections in Virginia brought some sweeping change to the makeup of the Statehouse, with Democrats taking control in the House of Delegates and the Senate for the first time in more than 20 years. In 2020, Fairfax County will also see a number of new faces and some returning officials following competitive races.
In early May of 2019, FABB reached out to each candidate running for a seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) with a survey about transportation, access, safety, and related policies in the region.
Candidates who replied to FABB’s survey and will be on the BOS in 2020 include Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill), Penny Gross (Mason District), and Dalia Palchik (Providence). You can see their replies to our questionnaire on FABB’s blog here.
We look forward to working with the new and returning Supervisors towards a common goal of making bicycling transportation safe, accessible, and commonplace in Fairfax County!
FABB Weighs in On Long Bridge
Although not in Fairfax County, one of the most important transportation projects in our region is the planned rebuilding of Long Bridge, the lone bridge that carriers rail traffic across the Potomac River between Virginia and the District. Proposals to renovate the 115-year-old bridge include making a pedestrian and bicycle crossing part of the project.
Read More Here.
FABB Hosts ‘Walk and Talk’, Agreement Reached on Bicycle Improvement
On October 15, 2019, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Final Development Conditions and Proffers for 117-acres owned by the Exxon Mobile Foundation. The property between I-495 and Gallows Road is being leased for 99-years to the Inova Center for Personalized Health (ICPH). FABB participants played a key role in having ICPH agree to build a 10-foot wide cycle track on the east side of Gallows Road, maintain bicycle parking and trails on the property, provide access for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over I-495, and contribute $700,000 to plan for the bicycle crossing. County studies and additional work are needed before the improvements will be built. No time schedules for the improvements were given.
On October 17, the Sierra Club, Friend of Holmes Run, the Coalition for Smart Growth, FABB, and ICPH hosted a “Walk and Talk” on part of the property being improved. Those attending had a chance to see and hear more about how the natural resources will be protected and about the approved bicycle improvements. ICPH agreed to establish a web site and a communication protocol so community questions and concerns can be quickly resolved. Since the bicycle trails, the seven parks, and 33-acres of undeveloped space will be open to the public, having good communications and a strong working relationship with ICPH is a critical need.
Speak Up! Are Your Cycling Needs Being Met?
Virginia and Fairfax County transportation planners are proposing to widen the Fairfax County Parkway between Route 29 and Ox Road. Plans to replace the traffic signal at Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) and Popes Head Road (Route 654) with an interchange, including access to the future Shirley Gate Road extension and Patriot Park, are being further developed and refined. The VDOT preferred design option for the Popes Head Road interchange is Triple Roundabouts that will allow traffic to flow freely via two new bridges over Fairfax County Parkway. Some additional bicycle improvements are also being planned.
More information about the project is available here.
FABB participants that live in the area need to speak up and make their positions known.
- Should shared use paths be included on both sides of the parkway?
- Are the proposed bicycle improvements that best that can be provided to make bicycling better?
- Are bicycle signs and signals appropriated in this location?
- Are bike storage lockers and parking racks in the area properly located near bus stops?
- Is the preferred solution for vehicles also the preferred solution for bicyclists?
Plan to attend the public information meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m.
If you have specific concerns you would like FABB to address please send an e-mail to [email protected].
Learn More Here.
