The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is applying for about $590 million in federal stimulus money to make a series of rail improvements in the Richmond area.
These improvements are needed for the development of a high-speed rail corridor through Richmond.
Between $90 and $100 million of these improvements will be used to speed passenger trains through Richmond’s ACCA yard. This enhancement would allow passenger trains to move through the yards at 45mph, rather than slowing them to 10mph as is required by the current design.
Though the new route would be a great connector between the northern and western suburbs of Henrico County, and between the City of Richmond and downtown, there is no mention of bike-ped access either across or along the new rail line.
Rails with trails can provide important connections both within, and between, our communities.
A Rockbridge cyclist was successful in having a pitbull registered as a dangerous dog under Virginia’s Dangerous Dog Act. This 2006 Virginia law provides requirements for any dog that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person and establishes restrictions and penalties for their owners.
In May, a 65 year old Rockbridge County woman was bicycling on a rural road in the George Washington National Forest. While passing a parking area at a forest trailhead, another woman came off the trail with her unleashed pit bull terrier. The pitbull charged the cyclist, biting her on the leg.
The cyclist pressed charges under the 2006 law.
The General District court in Rockbridge County found the dog to be a “dangerous dog” as defined under Virginia’s statute. This required the dog’s owner to pay a $100 fine, have a fence approved by the animal control officer and to carry liability insurance.
Charles Francis McCarty Jr., 46, was killed on August 18, while riding in the 900 block of Johnson Rd. in Chesapeake at about 10:30 PM. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he was struck by Sarah Magnolia Perry, 21, of Chesapeake, who fled the scene but later returned, where she was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Perry bonded out of jail the next morning. Her court date is scheduled for December 7.
Since alcohol was involved, Perry may be charged with manslaughter. We hope so. Unfortunately in Virginia, drunks may get charged but the merely careless go free, such as the driver who killed Dan Hersh in Virginia Beach.
Join Bike MS and the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club of Roanoke for the 2009 Bike MS “Best of the Blue Ridge” ride, aka the Artie Levin ride, Saturday and Sunday Sept. 26-27. “The Artie” is well known for its weekend-long festival atmosphere with live music and great food, held annually in honor of Roanoke cyclist and fitness celebrity Artie Levin. The BRBC’s flagship annual event is now a fundraiser for Bike MS.
In addition to the beloved Artie routes on Sunday, Sept. 27, you can enjoy more great riding on Sat, Sept. 26. There are four routes from 25 to 100 miles on both days. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Botetourt and Rockbridge counties. [continue reading…]
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