On his first day on the job, January 1, 2010 as the new Chairman of the Arlington County Board, Jay Fisette decreed in his opening day speech that one of his top priorities for 2010 is to expand bicycling in Arlington. His other priorities being fiscal sustainability of the County's 2011 budget and launching a Community Energy and Sustainability Task Force to create a Community Energy Plan. Says Mr. Fisette on his bicycling initiative:
"Arlington has a longstanding commitment to become one of the best places in the nation to bicycle. I love cycling and at different times in my life have done all my commuting on a bicycle. I have also traveled extensively by bicycle, including many vacations, as well as a three-month ride from England to Greece. I have always found the bicycle to be a wonderful compromise between walking and driving – as you can truly experience your surroundings while covering good distances. Bicycling is good for one’s health, great for the environment and a sustainable form of transportation.
Our 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Access and Safety Program will build upon existing efforts to educate residents and commuters about the benefits of bicycling and walking, as well as to implement planned infrastructure and facility improvements -- such as additional bike lanes, improved bike signage and bicycle parking facilities in major business districts.
I was impressed with the large numbers of cyclists on trips to Portland, San Francisco, Boulder and Paris. Each year it becomes easier and safer to bicycle and walk in Arlington. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, dedicated cyclist, recently asked, "How many people, right now, are stuck in traffic on their way to ride a stationary bicycle in a health club?" It is time for Arlingtonians to rediscover their bicycles and I plan to lead the way. Look for me in the bike lane! I commit to riding by bicycle to work at least once a week throughout 2010."
In their opening speeches, all of the Board Members echoed Mr. Fisette's emphasis on sustainability and transportation options.
Vice Chair Chris Zimmerman, regarding sustainability said "Transportation is a key example. Much of the excess use of fossil fuels in the U.S., and as much as a third of greenhouse gas emissions, are attributable to the transportation sector. Locally, our quality of life is bound up with the state of transportation...expanding the role of bicycles, and continuing our successful efforts to promote public transportation, are priorities to which I expect to devote much time. I’ll also continue to work at the regional level for action to reduce the automobile-dependence that chokes the area on traffic, threatens its economic vitality, and devours non-renewable, carbon-emitting energy.
And Board Member J. Walter Tejada said: "I am proud of our FitArlington programs. In support of our Chairman’s stated priority of making Arlington a premier bicycle jurisdiction, I am happy to work with him in promoting the Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Safety Program. While bicycling is indeed a great transportation alternative, it is also a fun way to build a healthy and fit community. I will work to promote responsible bike use and, through outreach efforts, will strongly encourage the participation of our young people and all members of our diverse community."
All this emphasis on bicycling as a transportation option is a good thing for the future. Cities like Portland, Boulder, New York City and more recently Washington, D.C. have been experimenting with new ways to make bicycling more accessible and safer for all. Expect to see Mr. Fisette expand upon his remarks with specific enhancements in the very near future. In the meatime visit the new and improved www.BikeArlington.com web site that we just relaunched to coincide with the renewed emphasis on bicycling as a transportation option.
Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Transportation Bureau Chief for Arlington County in the Department of Environmental Services, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a Metro/biking commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.
