Why Fairfax Needs a Bicycle Master Plan
"I wish I could ride my bike to work or to school but it's just not safe enough around here." Approximately 200,000 Fairfax residents own a bicycle but few use them for transportation. For residents to dust off their ten speeds, they need better connected bike routes, secure bicycle parking and education programs to help them travel comfortably and safely. Fairfax County has become bike friendlier with the adoption of the Countywide Trails Plan in 2002, the subsequent hiring of the bike coordinator and the recent finalization of the County Bike Map. However, the County does not have a bicycle master plan for bicycle transportation over the next decade. Ideally, according to the VDOT Bicycle Facility Resource Guide, a bicycle plan includes:
- goals and objectives
- existing bicycle facilities and roadway network
- planned bicycle and roadway improvements
- routes and/or locations of proposed bicycle facilities, including bike storage and racks
- preferred facility type, such as wide outside lane, bike lane, and shared use path
- prioritization of projects (short-term versus long-term)
- strategies for implementation including identifying potential funding sources, developing conceptual maintenance plans, and assigning operational tasks to agencies
The new Fairfax County Master Bike Plan would build on the information in the Trails Plan and the County Bike Map and create a coordinated strategy for the County. Currently, the county lacks the systematic analysis of the network needed to economically improve connectivity for riders. In fact, in a FABB questionnaire, most current Board members supported "the creation of general plan for bicycle accommodations". There is great potential for ridership rate increases for all ages of cyclists through targeted facility improvements and education programs. The existing road network combined with the trail network already provides the routes to access work centers, public transport hubs and other destinations such as libraries and schools. We need the strategic plan to assist the bike riders out of their cars and contribute to a better quality of life in the County.
BICYCLING & TRIPS
- More bicycles are sold each year than passenger cars in the US
- Cars are used for 75% of trips under 1 mile in the US
- Nearly 40% of all trips in the US are less than 2 miles
- One mile of bicycling saves one pound of carbon: If 10% of County trips less than 5 miles were taken by bicycle, we would save 250 tons of carbon/year (assuming 1 lb/mile driven)
- 38% of Washingtonians who bicycle commuted for the first time during a ride to work day commuted by bike after the event.
ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR FAIRFAX COUNTY
- Transportation Policy Plan: Objective 2: Increase use of public transportation and non-motorized transportation. Objective 4: Provide a comprehensive network of sidewalks, trails and bicycle routes as an integral element of the overall transportation network. Objective 6, Policy c. Integrate non-motorized transportation projects into the programming of construction and maintenance projects and improve bicycle level of service with road reconstruction projects. Objective 7, Policy e. Apply best practices for walkable communities, pedestrian and bicycle planning, quality of life, and ecological preservation.1;
- Cool Counties Initiative: Transportation - Programs and Operations: Non-motorized transportation practices that reduce emission of greenhouse gases. Examples include: provision of secure bicycle facilities; bicycle lanes; locker/shower facilities in offices; extensive, well-maintained, safe, and well-connected trail system.2;
- Transit-Oriented Development Plan Amendment: "Maximum pedestrian and bicycle access must include an integrated pedestrian and bicycle system plan"3;
- Tysons Task Force Recommendations: An integral component of the four-part framework for transforming Tysons: "2. Redesign the transportation network with a strong focus on transit, walking, and bikes;"4;
