A left-turning cyclist waits for a signal. Photo by Bryan Goebel & SF Gate.
Traffic light sensors may not detect bicycles, making for unreasonably long waits at intersections where few cars show up to trigger the signal. So bicyclists (and motorcyclists) may take it upon themselves to run the red light anyway, which has always been illegal — until now.
A new law that took effect July 1 allows cyclists to run an unresponsive red light after waiting through two cycles or two minutes, whichever is shorter. Virginia Code 46.2-833 says:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.
Read more from Old Town Alexandria Patch.
According to Abingdon Recreations and Parks, all sections of the the Va Creeper Trail. Several sections of the trail, including Trestle 7 were damaged in a late April storm.
The New Alvarado Station. Photo courtesy www.vacreepertrail.org
In addition, the Alvarado Station and Museum (pictured above) will also be officially opened June 23. The station will provide public restrooms for trail visitors and museum space for railroad and trail artifacts
With over 100,000 bikers and hikers using the trail last year, the Virginia Creeper trail is a popular rail-to-trail and economic engine for the small communities surrounding Damascus, Virginia
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has initiated a community outreach effort to receive input from the public on a proposed list of prioritized bicycle and pedestrian improvements countywide.
The meetings will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the following dates, at the following locations:
- Thursday, June 23, 2011: Guilford Elementary School, 600 West Poplar Street, Sterling
- Monday, June 27, 2011: Mill Run Elementary School, 42940 Ridgeway Drive, Ashburn
- Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg
For more meeting details, click here or to see a map of the proposed projects, click here.
US Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood talks about the updated US Bike Route system on his blog, Fastlane. The Secretary, who is a strong supporter of getting folks out of their cars mentions how these routes can be used for transportation as well as recreational benefits.
Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood
According to Lahood, “Thirty states are now working on routes to serve as easy-to-ride trunk lines connecting city, regional, and statewide cycling trails. These will provide transportation, tourism, and economic development opportunities across the country.”
Ginny Sullivan, Special Projects Director for the Adventure Cycling Association says, “”The US Bike Routes system is ramping up as states begin work on implementation and submitting applications to AASHTO for new route approvals. It’s an exciting phase!”
The VBF has been working closely with ACA and VDOT to make changes and improvements to the US Bike Routes in Virginia. Stay tuned for updates as we work through the approval proecess.
The East Coast Greenway is an off-road route running nearly 3000 miles from Maine to Key West. 25% is already complete, with the rest in development. The East Coast Greenway Alliance is seeking a coordinator for its mid-Atlantic region, which includes Virginia. The application period runs through June 20. From the job description:
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Trail Coordinator (RTC) is a full-time position that carries region-wide (NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, & DC) responsibilities for all aspects of ECGA involvement in trail implementation, State Committee/volunteer development and support as well as some fundraising tasks related to the region. She/he will function as part of the ECGA trail program staff from a location within the region, based in either a home office or partner organization’s space.
Read the rest in a PDF file after the jump. [continue reading…]
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