Take action now: write to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors.
In a flurry of budget-cutting and who-knows-what other politics, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors wants to eliminate, permanently, the bike coordinator position, and all County bicycle programs. This is at odds with recent efforts to develop a bike master plan, to improve quality of life and transportation options, and make Fairfax a more desirable location for businesses.
30% of Fairfax residents do not drive motor vehicles. To simply stop development of other options is a big step backward indeed.
Politicians need to hear from their constituents. Kate Schwartz of the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club asks all cyclists in Fairfax County to write to their Board of Supervisors, and provides some language for doing so:
“Please act now to write to the FFX county board of supervisors and spread the word since bicycling programs are at risk of permanent elimination. This proposed budget cut will create a lasting loss of future cycling & pedestrian facilities, trails, equipment and resources.
I urge you to sustain Fairfax’s bicycling programs since the county’s future business viability depends upon these programs. Creating new and maintaining existing cycling and pedestrian facilities must remain permanent pillars of the county; they are essential to fostering more innovative transportation solutions in an area that’s desperate for transportation alternatives. The Board has always emphasized that Fairfax County must preserve its national reputation as an attractive location for businesses and their employees. Bicycling programs, such as trails and on-road bike accommodation directly improve businesses’, residents’ and visitors’ quality of life by reducing traffic congestion, pollution and obesity, boosting employee productivity, and increasing cardiovascular health & fitness. What other county programs and facilities can claim these wide-reaching benefits?
How can the Board of Supervisors reconcile Supervisor Cook’s position (“bicycles are not transportation devices”) with the Board’s December 7 meeting, where the board discussed the need for the county to explore new and innovative approaches to transportation?
Dedicated bicycle and environment facilities and staff partnered with private- and public-sector employers can formulate and execute new transportation solutions, as we witness today with Tysons Corner’s new multi-modal transportation solutions plus walking and bicycling facilities integrated into the replacement bridges during the Beltway HOT lane construction. Eliminating bicycling programs will only increase congestion, pollution and obesity, while slashing employee/employer productivity. Fairfax County’s future business viability depends upon having a dedicated & permanent bicycling program.“
Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling are on top of this story. Check with them for updates, and follow them on Twitter (@WABADC, @BikeFairfax).
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The county executive is proposing to permanently cut operating funding for the bike program. The coordinator position will remain, but without funds to conduct a program. This is after Supervisor Cook stated that “a bicycle is not a transportation device” and Supervisor Herrity stated that the bike coordinator position should be cut. The Board as a whole has been supportive of bicycling in the past and now is time for them to respond to the proposed cuts by reinstating the funding for the bike program.
Eliminating bicycle programs is detrimental to the future growth of Fairfax County in terms of quality of life the health of its’ residents. I wonder if Supervisor Cook has taken into account the health costs of decreasing the livability of Fairfax County by eliminating the bicycling program. Why don’t we follow the example of Arlington County who already has implemented numerous bike lanes and measures to make their county bike and pedestrian friendly?
I am a concerned citizen of Fairfax County and I am totally in favor of getting the bicycles off the highways or the county…and the state, for that matter. My next door neighbor was involved in an accident with a bicyclist that thought just because he was on a bicycle and had a helmet, he was entitled to ride the same roads that cars, trucks, and tractor-trailers travel on, but didn’t feel he had to obey all the same laws the vehicles do. He rode between the lanes, passing two lanes of traffic that were stopped at a red light, ran through the intersection and into his path. I can’t for the life of me see why bicycles need to be on the highway as crowded as our roads are. I am the daughter of a very wealthy family and will do everything in my power to make the streets and highways as safe as possible.
Supervisor Cook stated that “a bicycle is not a transportation device” …..can we all chip in to buy Supervisor Cook a plane ticket to Europe to see that when supported, a bicycle is perhaps the BEST transportation device. Jeez….we have too many political “leaders” that have a tiny little world view.
Ms Sampson:
While I appreciate your views, I’m compelled to point out that they seem to suffer from a lack of logic and sense. It is true that all users of the roads should follow the rules. However, there are both law-abiding and law-breaking cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. By your flawed logic, I should use my neighbor’s getting hit by a red-light-running *driver* to fight for a ban on all cars. As to making the roads safer – which is a greater hazard, a distracted driver in a 3000lb SUV, or a guy on a bike?
Further, the goal of expanding bike programs is to create safer ways for people to ride their bikes – recreationally and for transportation. Well-designed roads allow for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians to coexist much more easily and safely. If your goal is to enhance safety for all concerned, then you should support these programs.
Regarding your confusion as to why bicycles need to be on roads: bicycling as a means of transportation is not a luxury but a necessity for many who can’t afford a car. We can’t all be ‘the daughter of a very wealthy family.’ The ‘let them eat cake’ attitude is certainly disappointing from someone of your wealth. If you find bicycles on the roadway to be bothersome, stay in the confines of your gated community.