the sad part of cycling

The following post is about the cyclist struck by a car yesterday crossing the GW Parkway. The article is here: http://www.arlnow.com/2012/06/05/cyclist-struck-injured-on-gw-parkway/ .

I ride this area a decent amount, including my commute to work when I ride to work (admittedly I go a flatter route home, what can I say, I'm tired). It's damn scary. I really hate seeing and reading this. I've been out on the W&OD before and seen the aftermath of a wreck that killed a cyclist turning off of Walter Reed. It shakes you up. When I read this, I was so scared that the fiancé might be involved in a wreck like that. Then I worry a little myself.

This wreck highlights a real difficulty we have in the DC area, and that is multiple jurisdictions. To highlight, that small section of trail is fed by the Mount Vernon Trail, which is in Virginia. However, that section is in DC. Still yet, the National Park Service is in charge of that land. This all leads to no real ownership of problems or solutions. The crossing is dreadful. Cars fly through, despite the low speed limit. By cars, I include myself. There is no business having crosswalks under the current speed conditions. It simply isn't safe. No one is sure who has the right of way, no one is sure who is going to do what, it is just a mess. Something has to be done about the intersection.

In my opinion, some of the lanes must be reduced. This would reduce overall speed but likely have little impact on throughput. Crossing less lanes makes thing so much more predictable, due to the removal of the danger of one lane stopping and another roaring through. Furthermore rumble strips and crossing ahead signs would help to reduce speeds and alert drivers of the oncoming crosswalk. This should help to dramatically increase safety.

I am by no means an expert in this area. I simply like to ride, and try to examine what I think could help. There are so many people at WABA, Arlington BAC, and Bike Arlington that know much more about it. I know they will advocate for better conditions as they always do, which is why so much cycling in this area is great.

It's a sad and scary day to read about a wreck like this, especially when we all know it's such a bad intersection. But let's not forget, cycling is a safe, healthy, and great activity. One bad story shouldn't scare anyone off the bike.

Safe riding everyone!

(thanks to ARLnow.com for the great reporting)