Urgent Bike Route Request

Mon Apr 26 20:01:12 CDT 2004

Thanks for the email....The King Quaker Braddock project is a landscaping project so I am not sure what this limited scope would bring to the table other than aesthetics.  I am supportive of the signage to allow bikes to be walked thru the concourse and the accompanying signage.  I have copied Tom C to this extent and he will advise you on the except for bikes sign.  Have mixed feelings on this one while construction is on going...R

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce&Linda Dwyer" [ouibike at worldnet.att.net]
Sent: 04/26/2004 08:47 PM
To: "kirk kincannon" <kirk.kincannon at ci.alexandria.va.us>; "rich baier" <rich.baier at ci.alexandria.va.us>
Cc: "Rob Krupicka" <rob at krupicka.com>; "BSC" <bsc at Bicycle.Alexandria.VA.US>
Subject: Fw: Urgent Bike Route Request

Rich and Kirk,
I have not heard anything on the below request.  Bike Committee is in limbo, so not sure city staff has an interest any longer.  In case you do, I have another request.  I noticed that the islands at the intersection of King, Quaker and Braddock are undergoing some reconfiguration.  Braddock Road is a major bike route in the current plan.  The NOVA Bikeway study sponsored by VDOT identified King Street a major bike route based on a demand analysis.  Further, as a frequent walker in this area, I can attest that it needs pedestrian improvements.  Further, this intersection is also traversed by the city sponsored Alexandria Heritage Trial for bicyclists and walkers. So, I would hope that any redesign of the islands at this intersection would take bicycling routes and pedestrian crossings into consideration.
Bruce Dwyer
----- Original Message -----
From: Rich.Baier at ci.alexandria.va.us
To: Bruce&Linda Dwyer ; Kirk.Kincannon at ci.alexandria.va.us
Cc: Aimee.Vosper at ci.alexandria.va.us ; maria.mercedes.white at ci.alexandria.va.us ; Eleonore Cox
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: Urgent Bike Route Request

I have forwarded your request to staff to review and I would ask Kirk to call me asap on the route issue.  Rich

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  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Bruce&Linda Dwyer" [ouibike at worldnet.att.net]
  Sent: 02/27/2004 12:15 PM
  To: Kirk Kincannon; Rich Baier
  Cc: Aimee Vosper; Maria Mercedes White
  Subject: Urgent Bike Route Request

Dear Rich and Kirk,

At the last meeting of the Bike Committee, we discussed proposed updated bike routes.  These proposal are in the hands of staff for consideration. One of the proposed routes is in the area of the new Duke Street concourse and we recommend that it is appropriate to address in your consideration of the pedestrian and vehicular traffic movements in the area, so that bicycles are not left out of consideration.  As we understand (and accept) the new Duke St. Concourse is planned for pedestrians only because it is too narrow to accommodate mounted bicyclists. This is similar to the tunnel connecting the Pentagon with the parking lot south of I-395. To facilitate bicycle movement in the area, the Bike Committee asks for two accommodations:
  a.. Allow bicyclists to walk their bikes through the concourse and place signs that read "Walk Your Bike".  We feel this is a more persuasive message than the typical "Bicyclists Must Dismount" signs that are placed at locations where dismounting is not really necessary and therefore are most frequently ignored.  We feel a "Bicycles Prohibited" sign would be totally inappropriate unless bicycles turn out to be a major problem in the concourse.
  b.. Alter the bike routes in this area to allow cyclists to cross Duke at the intersection with Dulany (on the south) and Diagonal (on the north). It is recommend that the bike route from Jamieson to Commonwealth go on Dulany, Diagonal, and Daingerfield to make a more direct route and provide easier and safer access to Metro. Vehicle traffic other than busses is currently prohibited from entering Diagonal northbound from the south. We recommend that the "Do not Enter except buses" sign at Duke be modified to add "except bicycles". On Diagonal southbound, all vehicles are directed to turn right. We recommend signage to permit bicycles to cross Duke onto Dulany. Signage to allow bicycle traffic movements differing from vehicular traffic is a common practice in jurisdictions that support bicycles in their transportation network. If this recommendation is accepted, the bike routing in this area could be simplified to be more direct and much safer by eliminating current routing on Reinekers Lane.
While I am  no longer by Chair of the Bike Committee,  I have been asked to forward this request on to you because of its timeliness.
Thank you

Bruce Dwyer