In prior years hundreds of bicyclists at Bike to Work Day have learned about FABB and signed up to receive Bike News. Their interest and involvement allowed FABB to expand our alliances.

Can you host a FABB information talk at one of the Fairfax County pit stop locations on Friday, May 19, 2023?

FABB will supply volunteers with a tablecloth, logo, handout materials, talking points and membership signup information. Volunteers will greet cyclists and discuss the work of FABB. Most pit stops last for 2-3 hours. You will need to agree to pick up and return unused supplies to a Fairfax location. Depending on the pit stop, you may need to bring a small table.

Please visit SignUpGenius to volunteer.

You can play a big role in expanding FABB's membership base and encouraging better bicycling. Contact [email protected] for more info.

Andrew Sheldon has accepted the position of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools. Andrew has over eight years of experience related to safe routes to schools.

In his most recent role as a Health and Physical Education teacher, Andrew was one of the first members of the traveling bike fleet. He organized the first Title 1 middle school to receive their own set of bikes, allowing him to teach students to ride for the first time as well as how to ride safely.

Also, he helped to improve the bike safety program by creating the engaging curriculum teachers in FCPS use today. He also organized many events promoting pedestrian and bike safety. Andrew is looking forward to the partnership with FABB to continue to advocate for the growth of the Safe Routes to School program. 

In February 2023, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and project partners completed the draft 30% design of the preliminary engineering of the Long Bridge improvements over the Potomac River into Washington DC. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are included, however your continued support is needed so the best improvements possible can be built. Some design features of the crossing are still being considered.

On March 27 (6:00-7:00 PM) attend a Virtual Public Meeting on the project. Register for the meeting. You can also take the Long Bridge Spring 2023 Survey! The survey will be open through April 10. Your attendance and survey reply will show your support for this much needed regional project.

On March 1, 2023, the Fairfax County Trails, Sidewalks, and Bikeways Committee (TSB) recommended to Jeffrey McKay, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors:

• hiring the necessary staff with sufficient dedicated funding for the Safe Streets for All Program;
• implementing a turn calming program;
• providing high visibility crosswalks on all four legs of signalized intersections, adequate lighting, signage, and pedestrian signals to increase safety for pedestrians crossing at intersections; and
• maintaining the crosswalk where there has been a pedestrian fatality.

Read the letter and attachments.

The Virginia Bicycle Federation, a unified, statewide voice of Virginia bicyclists since 1980, is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization with an educational and advocacy mission to promote a bicycling friendly Virginia. Learn more what VBF has accomplished.

In March FABB renewed its group membership in VBF so they can continue their efforts in supporting bicycling throughout the Commonwealth.

March 30 Public Meeting on PanAM Shopping Center Rezoning

The property owner is asking to convert some of the stores and parking lots to 516 units of multi-family housing. Bicycle parking numbers are not disclosed and only an on-road bike lane is being proposed.

Plan to attend a public meeting on March 30 and advocate for bike parking and protected bike lane on Nutley.

In an effort to support the Tysons Community Partnership, FABB will provide 8 volunteer ride marshals for the inaugural Pedal With Pedals Family Bike Ride in Tysons on Sunday, April 2. Thanks to those who volunteered. Ride participants are encouraged to either ride to the start or take METRO and enjoy the many family friendly activities on the Tysons Corner Center Plaza from 8 to11 AM. Register on Eventbrite.

The 1.3 mile planned ride will be a loop around the Mall. Fairfax Co police will lead and follow the riders on the open streets. FABB ride marshals will be interspersed among the riders to ensure a safe, fun ride for all.

The ride is affiliated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival and is limited to 300 riders.

2023 FCDOT/VDOT Paving & Restriping Meetings

VDOT and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) use the repaving program as a low cost opportunity to increase driver, bicyclist and pedestrian safety with road and crosswalk improvements.

The repaving program can include limited bike lane, shoulder and crosswalk improvements with signage and markings. Bike lanes or shoulders are usually installed where excess pavement width is available. Many factors need to be considered for the installation of crosswalks, including the traffic speeds and volumes, available sight distance, presence of curb ramps, and pedestrian activity. 

More Information will be posted on 2023 Paving and Restriping Program | Transportation as soon as it's available; please check back soon.

The public is invited to provide feedback on bike lanes, turn lanes, crosswalks, and on-street parking by attending a virtual public meeting or by submitting comments online.

The following meetings have been scheduled:

Thanks for Your Service

FABB Board Member Bethany Usher has been selected as the Provost of Radford University and will be relocating from Springfield, VA in a few months. Bethany frequently rode to George Mason University where she worked and has a passion for safe bicycling. She represented FABB at the Northern Virginia Recreational Trails Summit and at Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

On May 19, 2023, Bethany and others are hosting the FABB Bike to Work Day pit stop at the Burke VRE.

Best wishes to Bethany as she begins her new position and explores bicycling opportunities in Radford.

Tour de Hunter Mill

The Tour de Hunter Mill on Sunday, May 7 is a community bike ride offering 3 routes (long, short & family.) Join your neighbors, family, and friends on a scenic ride that begins and ends at Reston Community Center, Hunter Woods. The long and short rides also include an optional pit stop at Frying Pan Farm Park.

More information and updates can be found on the Tour de Hunter Mill web page. If you would like to volunteer to help with the ride, please email [email protected]. Registration will be open soon.

Phase II of the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements project will have a shared use path on both sides of Braddock Road. Given the width of Braddock Road, this will allow people biking and walking to avoid unnecessary intersection crossings to access the path.

Unfortunately, many public comments have questioned or opposed the presence of a dual path configuration. 

We are asking you to send an email to VDOT engineer Mr. Calvin Britt at [email protected] indicating that you support having a shared use trail on both sides of Braddock Road in the Phase II of the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements project.

Bicycling Classes

This spring and summer, FABB will be supporting as well as partnering with various organizations to bring a collection of hands-on bicycling classes for new and experienced bicyclists!

For the month of April, FABB, George Mason University Parking and Transportation, and the City of Fairfax are hosting the following two Learn to Ride classes for adults:

• Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 9am: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-learn-to-ride-a-bike-tickets-560587029897
• Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 9am: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-learn-to-ride-registration-573078612557

The subsidized classes are $10 and require advance registration.

Share with friends and family who are looking for this opportunity. These classes fill up fast! If you can't reserve a spot, then [email protected] to get on the event's waiting list or to be notified when future classes are scheduled.