*WABA Eisehower endorsement

[Bruce Dwyer]

January 12, 2000

Mr. Robert O. Cassada
Programming and Scheduling Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Mr. Cassada:
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) believes the City of
Alexandria proposed Eisenhower Avenue Greenway Project is well conceived to
support the WABA goal of enhancing the quality and quality of bicycle
facilities in the area.  WABA is a non-profit organization with over 3,500
members.  Many of our members are committed bicycle commuters and we view
the Eisenhower Project as one that will greatly improve the availability and
safety of commuting routes for residents of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and
Arlington.  This route is currently used by many of our members as a through
route on the way to jobs in Washington. The Eisenhower Valley is projected
to be a major employment center itself in the near future and WABA would
very much like to see  bicycle facilities planned and in-place to properly
serve the bicycling needs of this area.
The importance of the Eisenhower Valley bike route has been amplified to
WABA over the course of the last year.  A year ago, a major segment of the
route was closed for a construction project.  The City did resign an
alternative route, but that route requires cyclists to use an inadequate
sidewalk or to use an unsafe street, the only short-term solution. We have
been surprised by the number commuters and recreational bicyclists who have
contacted us expressing concern with this situation, an indication of the
popularity of this route.
Safety for bicyclists is a primary concern of WABA and its members.  The
safety concerns raised by this recent construction project will be even more
so as future development occurs in this area. WABA believes that
establishing the greenway project plan and initiating construction of the
improved facility will preserve the integrity of the greenway as a safe
bicycle transportation corridor. The priority of improving the deteriorating
condition of the existing trail and building a separated grade crossing of
Eisenhower Avenue in the first phase is consistent with the safety concerns
of our members.
WABA would like to compliment the City of Alexandria for putting a Bicycle
Master Plan in place and for taking the necessary steps to implement the
plan.  WABA  has found that the education of bicyclists on safe riding
behavior is only part of the solution to lowering bicycle accident rates.
Just as important is the development of safe bicycle facilities, as the
Transportation Equity Act recognizes.  Awarding TEA-21 funding for this
project would be a major contribution to safer and better bicycling in the
Washington area.
Please feel free to call me (202-628-2500) if you have any questions.  Thank
you.
 Sincerely,

Ellen Jones
Executive Director
Washington Areas Bicyclist Association