As FABB marks our 20th anniversary in 2025, we’re taking stock of the major progress we’ve made—and recommitting to the hard work ahead to make Fairfax County and the entire Capital Region more bikeable, livable, and connected.
One milestone we’re especially proud of is our continued role in the Capital Trails Coalition (CTC), a regional partnership working to complete the Capital Trails Network—an ambitious 881-mile system of multi-use trails that will connect communities, create healthier and more sustainable transportation options, and support economic growth across the region.
A Vision with Impact
In April 2021, FABB joined the CTC and partner organizations in releasing the landmark report, The Economic, Health, and Environmental Benefits of Completing the Capital Trails Network. The report laid out a compelling case for trail development:
- $2 billion in economic impact over 25 years
- 19,580 metric tons of CO₂ emissions avoided annually
- $517 million in public health savings every year
More than just paths for recreation, trails are essential infrastructure. They increase property values, attract business investment, reduce car traffic, improve air quality, and provide equitable access to transportation and green space.
The report also underscored the network’s potential to strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness and mobility while creating welcoming, safe, and active spaces for people of all ages and abilities.
Progress in Fairfax County
Since the report’s release, we’ve seen real progress in our own backyard. Fairfax County has added more than 25 miles of new trail segments, including:
- The I-66 Parallel Trail, connecting communities along one of the region’s busiest corridors
- The Route 7 Shared-Use Path, improving access between Tysons and eastern Loudoun
- The Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail, linking neighborhoods and historic sites
Fairfax County Trail Connections Map from 2021 Report.
These projects bring us closer to realizing the full vision of a connected, safe, and accessible trail network. But we’re not done yet. Roughly 35 miles of planned trails in Fairfax County are still waiting for funding and implementation.
Upcoming priority projects include the South County East-West Trail, which would connect the Backlick Run Trail to the Burke VRE Trail, and the Fairfax segment of the Arlington Boulevard Trail, a vital east-west connection that will serve commuters and recreational riders alike.
Since our founding in 2005, FABB has been a leading voice for bicycling in Fairfax County—championing better planning, design, and funding for bike infrastructure. As part of the Capital Trails Coalition, we’ve helped push for local trail connections that serve not only Fairfax riders, but help close critical gaps in the region’s larger network.
Our mission remains grounded in equity, accessibility, and sustainability—the same core values that animate the CTC’s work.
Join Us for the Next 20 Miles—And the Next 20 Years
As we celebrate FABB’s 20th anniversary, we know there’s still work to do. Completing the Capital Trails Network—and connecting it more fully to neighborhoods, schools, transit hubs, and town centers throughout Fairfax—will take sustained advocacy and strong community support.
We need your voice, your volunteer time, and your passion for safe, active transportation.
Whether you’re new to FABB or a longtime supporter, this is the perfect moment to get involved and help shape a more connected future.
Contact us at [email protected].
Here’s to the next 20 years of building trails, building connections, and building a better Fairfax.
