Bike Lanes Proposal In Alexandria Would Connect Bicyclists To Trail

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A gap for bicyclists on the Mount Vernon Trail could be addressed with a bike lanes proposal being considered in the City of Alexandria.

Bike lanes are proposed on East Abingdon Drive, a one-way street parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The roadway's right lane would be converted into two-way bike lanes, while the left lane would remain open for vehicular traffic.

Currently, the Mount Vernon Trail splits on the George Washington Memorial Parkway where East Abingdon Drive begins. One way runs along the waterfront. The other way runs along part of East Abingdon Drive, but the trail has a gap between Slaters Lane and the train tracks. On the part where the trail doesn't exist, bicyclists must either ride in the street or the narrow sidewalk.

According to a city presentation on the bike lanes, the proposal would remove the gap while providing a safe place for biking and a buffer between vehicular traffic and pedestrians on the sidewalk. It could also reduce wrong-way cycling and reduce vehicle speeds along the roadway.

To implement the bike lanes, the city will look to transition Abingdon Drive to one vehicular lane starting at Bashford Lane. Two options being considered are a merge lane or a lane drop where the bike lane ends.

The city estimated around 400 people bike along the Mount Vernon Trail and East Abingdon Drive daily. East Abingdon Drive's right lane is high occupancy vehicle only during a.m. rush hour. Bike lanes could cause additional queuing of vehicles approaching Slaters Lane from East Abingdon Drive, adding an estimated 10 to 20 seconds of travel time. The city does not expect a significant impact to the p.m. rush hour.

The proposal will be considered by the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board on Oct. 23. Residents can provide feedback on the proposal through Sept. 17.