In celebration of 20 years of advocacy, we are continuing to look back at key moments when our collective voice made a difference for bicycling in Fairfax County. One such moment came in March 2012, when FABB once again called on local bicyclists to rally in defense of the county’s Bicycle Program.
As you may recall from our last post, in 2009, FABB and other advocates successfully prevented the complete elimination of funding for the Bicycle Program. Although the Bicycle Coordinator position was saved, operating funds were slashed by 45%, leaving the program with only $170,456 of its original $379,000 budget. By 2011, the situation worsened when all operating funds were cut, leaving the Bicycle Coordinator with no budget and limited staff.
Then came March 2012. Wanting to stop this slow strangulation, FABB planned, organized and then issued a call to action. We urged cyclists to contact the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and demand funding for the Bicycle Program. The response was overwhelming—hundreds of letters flooded the Board’s offices, and FABB representatives testified at budget hearings.
Yet, despite this strong show of support, the Board once again denied operating funds. The Bicycle Program was left with only a small pool of infrastructure funds.
Persistence Pays Off
The lean years continued until 2014, when the Bicycle Master Plan was completed and funding for bike infrastructure was included in the six-year transportation package. But it wasn’t until 2016—after another major advocacy push by FABB—that operating funds were finally restored. This victory reinforced a hard truth: persistent advocacy is essential to ensuring that bicycling remains a priority in Fairfax County’s transportation plans.
Progress and Future Challenges
In 2021, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors set an ambitious goal: identifying $100 million over six years for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The focus was clear—improving safety and access for all residents, especially near schools, parks, transit stations, and activity centers. This commitment was further strengthened in May 2022 when the Board unanimously endorsed the Safe Streets for All program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing systemic transportation safety issues for people walking, biking, and using other forms of active transportation.
But advocacy never sleeps. With changes at the federal transportation level, we may be heading into another lean period for funding. Now more than ever, FABB needs your help to ensure that bicycling remains a priority in Fairfax County’s budget and transportation plans.
Join Us in Making a Difference
- Speak up at public meetings to support bike infrastructure.
- Volunteer with FABB to help us advocate for safer streets.
- Contact your elected officials and urge them to prioritize biking and walking in future budgets.
Let’s build on the successes of the past 20 years and make sure Fairfax County’s future is bike-friendly. Want to help? Reach out to us at [email protected].
Together, we can keep the wheels turning!
