photo by @SRtwofourfour

Bike4thePike

June 23rd, 2018
Penrose Square to Four Mile Run Drive
Bike4thePike was organized by Chris Slatt a leader in the organization
Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County. It was a protest ride to highlight the unsafe conditions for bike riding on Columbia Pike (list of conditions is below). There was a large crowd of riders who were joined by Arlington Board Member Erik Gutshall. The riders met at Penrose Square, where they began their ride on Columbia Pike, which ended at the Food Truck Party on Four Mile Drive. The leader of Bike Lane Uprising was also there. She came from Chicago to join the Protest.

photo by Judd Lumberjack

Food Truck Party

The following is from Bike4thePike website:

We are seeking the following actions from Arlington County to improve cycling along the Pike:

A parallel bike & pedestrian bridge over Four Mile Run immediately adjacent to the existing bridge to provide dedicated, safe space for cyclists and pedestrians. The sidewalk on the existing bridge is dangerously narrow and lacks any sort of buffer from speeding traffic. Timeline: within three years.
A comprehensive safety review of the Washington Blvd / Columbia Pike interchange for cyclist and pedestrian safety in the next year. This interchange has been the site of numerous bicycle and pedestrian crashes since it was "improved" by VDOT several years ago. Timeline: within a year.
A traffic signal at 9th & Walter Reed Drive to ensure safe passage across this busy arterial for cyclists on the 9th Street Bike Boulevard. Timeline: within three years.
A traffic signal / HAWK or other crossing treatment that requires drivers, by law, to stop at Glebe Rd & 9th St S that does not require cyclists to leave the roadway or dismount to activate it. This would aid safe passage for cyclists on the 9th Street Bike Boulevard across Glebe Road. The existing Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon is not effective and is clearly not located with usage by cyclists in mind. Timeline: within four years.
Funding and construction of the "Hoffman Boston Connector / Army Navy Country Club Emergency Access Road", provision of a safe, direct connection between it and the Washington Blvd Trail across Columbia Pike and increased County effort to connect the Emergency Access Drive directly to the 11th / 12th Street Bike Boulevard. Timeline: within five years.
A medium-to-long-term plan for addressing the George Mason Drive gap in Columbia Pike bike accommodations so cyclists no longer need to detour all the way to 8th St S or ride on a narrow sidewalk between Quincy St and Taylor St. Timeline: within twelve years.
A fresh look at plans for the Pike East of Washington Blvd to see if a better bicycle facility can be provided than the County's planned 10' sidewalk, given that this portion of the Pike is a) last in line for construction b) faces uncertainty due to Arlington National Cemetery's Expansion c) is the portion with the fewest alternative routes and d) sees the least automotive traffic.
Re-engaging the Arlington Heights Civic association in a conversation about two-way bicycle traffic on the 9th Street Bike boulevard within the neighborhood to eliminate the current Eastbound detour. more information at Bike4thePike website