Article on bike sharing in Reston

Bike sharing on horizon for Fairfax is the title of an article in the The Examiner about the possibility of bike sharing in Reston or Tysons. As we reported earlier, Fairfax applied for but didn't receive TIGER II funds for bike sharing. See our article in Reston Patch about the feasibility of bike sharing in Reston.

In the Examiner article Supervisor Hudgins discusses her interest in bike sharing:

"I am very interested in seeing it happen," said Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, a Democrat whose district includes Reston. "I think it's a possibility in the near future."

Officials say plans for bike sharing are still just being discussed and they aren't sure if a Reston pilot would be plugged into the Capital Bikeshare brand already popular in the District and Arlington. But they said they hope some form of bike system will be in place in time for the opening of Metro's Silver Line at Reston, slated for early 2014.

"The county definitely does want bike sharing," said county spokeswoman Beth Francis. "We don't have funding right now, but it's definitely in the plans."

Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Alexandria are already slated to join the Capital Bikeshare program.

Hudgins toured Arlington's bike facilities last summer. She said she wants to talk to Reston businesses and community members to figure out details such as where to put stations.

She said the county, like Arlington and the District, would search for a private partner for the bike system.

Record numbers of cyclists register for Bike to Work Day

Congressman Connolly addresses the Reston crowd

FABB representatives attended all 9 Fairfax Bike to Work Day events today. We couldn't have asked for better weather, and the crowd at the Reston Town Center Pavilion was one of the largest yet. Region-wide 12,700 people registered for the event, a record number.

Congressman Connolly, Supervisor Hudgins, and Reston Association President Ken Knueven spoke to the Reston cyclists. Congressman Connolly started the Fairfax bicycle program by finding funds for the bicycle coordinator position, the bike map, and funding the program. Supervisor Hudgins suggested holding the first every Fairfax County Bike to Work Day event back in 2002 and has been a supporter of bicyclists since she was elected into office in 2000.

Two younger BTWD riders
(FABB's Rob Henenlottter in
the background)

RA President Knueven said he borrowed a bike and rode the short distance from his home near Lake Anne to the Town Center. He said it reminded him of the joys of bicycling from his youth. He plans to purchase a comfortable bike and said he will start riding to his office at the Town Center. He epitomizes the reason for holding Bike to Work Day.

Hope everyone has a great commute home.

For more photos see the FABB Flickr pool.

See our Reston Patch blog post, Bike to Work Day in Reston.

Check out the video of a ride today from the Greenbelt Pit Stop to the Downtown/Reagan Plaza Pit Stop (from WashCycle):

This was also the final day of the Vienna area Bike/Walk Challenge. See the Vienna Patch article with highlights and totals from the week, Bike/Walk Challenge Day Five: Best Day Yet!:

"Friday's grand total was 1,485 - the highest of the week. More than half of all elementary school students participated in the event.

Vienna Elementary School saw the largest ever bike count ever on Friday with 78 kids cycling to school. "We overflowed our two racks and the extra one brought over from the ball fields," said Sean McCall.

Wolf Trap Elementary's bike train had three Fairfax County Police Bike Patrol Officers and members of HPC Junior Team riding with students.

Louise Archer, the largest elementary school in Vienna, saw the most students participating this week."

Update: Kingstowne Patch article on Bike to Work Day at Franconia-Springfield pit stop.

Burke Patch article on Burke pit stop. That's FABB's Alan Young with the cellphone in hand, probably demonstrating the FABB app that aggregates FABB's social feeds. The app is being developed by his grandson and should be available at the app store in the near future.

Ped/bike bridge at Wolf Trap being installed

Bridge span being lowered into place.

The first span of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Dulles Toll Road at Wolf Trap Farm Park was installed last night. This bridge will connect the trail on the south side of the Toll Road with a new trail on the north side that will lead to the park. The existing bridge on Trap Road over the Toll Road is very narrow with no room for pedestrians.

This project is part of the Beulah Road Walkway Project that was initiated by the NoVi Trails group headed by Jenifer Madden. It shows that hard work, persistence, and patience pays off. Funding was obtained from several sources with the help of Congressman Moran and the support of Supervisors Hudgins and Foust.

The final span of the bridge will be installed tonight. Congratulations to Jenifer for her work on making this facility a reality.