Arlington Pit Stop Route Questions

**BobK** · 05-14-2013, 04:24 PM

Hopefully you guys can help me out with a couple of route questions for Friday's extended commute. My usual commute is from Alexandria to DC via the 14th Street Bridge on the MVT. But I am thinking about extending the ride on the MVT up to Rosslyn on Friday to check out the pit stop there and to snag some of the premium swag (the water bottles look like a must have to me!). I do have a couple of questions though.

First, what is the accepted protocal for the single lane section of the MVT under the (I think) Memorial Bridge? The signage there says to walk the bike through that section, but the cyclists I see there are usually riding through. I have only riden that area of the MVT on weekend mornings without any traffic to speak of, but assume it will be a lot busier on Friday. Do most of you dismount for that narrow section?

Also, am I really going to die when I cross Lynn St. at the Custis trail? It sure sounds like there are a lot of accidents there, but it does have a signal there, right? Are the majority of people who get hit there running the red light?

Thanks for the help with these questions!

Bob

**TwoWheelsDC** · 05-14-2013, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by BobK

First, what is the accepted protocal for the single lane section of the MVT under the (I think) Memorial Bridge? The signage there says to walk the bike through that section, but the cyclists I see there are usually riding through. I have only riden that area of the MVT on weekend mornings without any traffic to speak of, but assume it will be a lot busier on Friday. Do most of you dismount for that narrow section?

Also, am I really going to die when I cross Lynn St. at the Custis trail? It sure sounds like there are a lot of accidents there, but it does have a signal there, right? Are the majority of people who get hit there running the red light?

Thanks for the help with these questions!

Bob

1. No need to walk, but don't enter if someone is already in the tunnel headed toward you. My opinion is that the situation calls for a modified "zipper" method (like exiting parking lots after events) where people alternate the right of way, one at a time, and not in groups (although a-holes still do this regularly). When approaching, yield to folks coming toward you if they are closer to the tunnel entrance than you.

2. No, you won't die...just don't bomb into the intersection expecting cars to yield. Also, keep an eye out for cars coming off 66 in the southernmost right turn lane....they get impatient that the cars in front of them aren't turning through the light, not realizing that the cars in front of them are waiting for pedestrians, so they speed around into the crosswalk. The times I have seen near-misses (including one of my own), that is how it happened. So cross quickly, but cautiously, and you'll be fine.

**jrenaut** · 05-14-2013, 04:54 PM

I ignore pretty much all "cyclists must dismount" signs. They're ridiculous. TwoWheels' instruction is, I think, exactly correct.

Amalitza · 05-14-2013, 05:02 PM

What Two-Wheels said. Just wait for anyone already there to get through. It is too narrow for two-way traffic.

I was once partway through when an oncoming cyclist entered the other end. Rather than doing the sensible thing and just stopping in place until he was passed (I was there first, right?), I just slowed as much as possible and squished as far over to the right as possible, which resulted in my bumping my handlebars (I think) against the wall on the right, which knocked me over against the railing on the left. Or something like that. Skinned my hand, bruised a knee, or maybe the other way around. Other guy just kept going. His friend (who had stopped before entering to wait for me to get through) apologized on his behalf as I sheepishly shrugged at my demonstration of grace and style.

**dasgeh** · 05-14-2013, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by BobK

Also, am I really going to die when I cross Lynn St. at the Custis trail? It sure sounds like there are a lot of accidents there, but it does have a signal there, right? Are the majority of people who get hit there running the red light?

The danger at Lee and Lynn is from drivers not looking for cyclists. One would hope this would not be an issue on bike to work day. One would also hope that ACPD would be there, ticketing scofflaw drivers, but that's probably wishful thinking.

**sjclaeys** · 05-14-2013, 05:16 PM

I find using a jousting lance helps when going under the Memorial Bridge. Seriously, what Two-Wheels said, though there can be some tricky stand offs from either both cyclists thinking that they were there first and have the right of way or engaging in a perpetual "no, after you" waiting for the other one to go.

**rcannon100** · 05-14-2013, 05:19 PM

In celebration of Bike to Work day, it is the one day of the year where Arlco acts like a grown up urban environment and posts po po at the intersection of Lynn and Lee, helping traffic to negotiate safely through the box.

Unfortunately the rest of the year we cling to our memories of Arlington as a place of chicken coups and dairy farms - refusing to acknowledge the big city traffic at our door step and acting responsibly.

**DismalScientist** · 05-14-2013, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by acl

It is too narrow for two-way traffic.

The most bad-ass cyclist always has the right of way.

**bobco85** · 05-14-2013, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by DismalScientist

The most bad-ass cyclist always has the right of way.

I just pictured two cyclists, each trying to get a KOM on opposite traveling Strava segments that pass under that bridge, colliding in a big jumble of stupid.