Duke Street Bike Route Signs

[Bruce Dwyer]

At the request of the committee at our last meeting, I have sent the
following letter to the city:

604 Melrose Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
March 23, 2001

Sandra Whitmore, Director
Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs
1108 Jefferson Street
Richard Baier, Director
Department of Transportation and Environmental Services
301 King Street
Alexandria VA 22314

Dear Rich and Sandra,

As you are aware, the Bicycle Committee has been very concerned about the
safety of using Duke Street as a temporary bike route since the closing of
the sanitation plant path two years ago.  At that time, we recommended using
Duke Street in the belief that Jamieson Avenue would be available within six
months.  It has now been two years and Jamieson still is not available.  We
appreciate the efforts of city staff over the course of the two years, but
are disappointed that safety has not prevailed in these efforts. We
understand that staff plans to escalate the city’s efforts to get the
Jamieson path open.  However, we can no longer support the use of the Duke
Street roadway or sidewalk as a temporary bike route and recommend that all
the bike signs routing cyclists to use Duke Street be taken down at the
earliest possible date.  Unfortunately, we know of no acceptable routing
until the Jamieson path is opened.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.  Please feel free to
contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Bruce Dwyer
Chair, Alexandria Bicycle Committee


Cc:
Alexandria Bicycle Committee