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SpringfieldSpringfield Wellbeing FranconiaFranconia ❖❖ KingstowneKingstowne Page 8 NewingtonNewington Follow on Twitter: @SprConnection on Twitter: Follow Classified, Page 14 Classified, ❖ The bicycle and pedestrian overpass on Backlick Road crosses the Franconia-Springfield Sports, Page 12 Parkway and I-95. ❖ Commuting by bike poses challenges and conveniences. Roads,Roads, CarsCars ChallengeChallenge Entertainment, Page 10 BikeBike CommutersCommuters News,News, PagePage 33 Food Truck Changes Considered in Putting On Fairfax County Dancing Shoes News, Page 8 News, Page 4 Photo by Abigail Constantino/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comJuly 3-9, 2014 online at www.connectionnewspapers.comSpringfield Connection ❖ July 3-9, 2014 ❖ 1 POTOMAC RIVER 3750 Jefferson Davis Hwy. 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Roads, Cars Challenge Bike Commuters Hooes Road bike trail ends at the Springfield Fire Station on Backlick Road. To him, drivers on their phones are the Viewpoints Commuting by bike most dangerous to bicyclists. “I can’t pre- dict what drivers distracted by their devices poses challenges and are going to do,” he said. What is the scariest part of your bike ride Young suggests that, on the road, bicy- conveniences. clists need to ride about three feet out from to the Franconia-Springfield Metro? the curb or where the right lane begins. — Abigail Constantino By Abigail Constantino Bicyclists would be more visible to cars and The Connection bicycles would be perceived as vehicles in this position. he most direct way from the Fairfax County Department of Transpor- Saratoga Shopping Center to tation Bicycle Coordinator Charlie Strunk Tthe Franconia-Springfield said that perhaps driving tests should be metro station by bicycle is modified to include questions about bicycle through Hooes Road, that is, with the ex- awareness. But it is not only motorists who ception of actually getting on the Franconia- need to change their behavior on the road. Springfield Parkway on a bicycle. In 2012 there were 106 reported bicycle But the sidewalk ends at White House accidents in Fairfax County. Forty-five were Drive and does not resume for 0.8 miles at bicyclists’ faults, 56 were drivers’ faults and John Bell, Springfield Aaron Gibson, Alexandria Lackawanna Drive. This stretch of road is five were unknown or inconclusive. Ten “If I were to stay on the highway, which “Crossing Franconia-Springfield Road thin and winding, with blind turns, rolling occurred in the Springfield-Burke area. I used to do, that was scary because there’s where it turns into Manchester.” terrain and cars that often go faster than Strunk said that he has known people who no bike paths and the cars are going very the 35 mph speed limit. have behaved differently when they were on fast. So, I choose not to do that.” Trails and sidewalks are available but they a bicycle than when they were in a car. He would add more mileage and time to the said that it is as if there were different kinds commute. Bike commuter Ivory, of Alexan- of modes: driver mode and biker mode. dria said that “bike paths take you too far out of where you need to be at,” so he pre- ON JUNE 17, the Fairfax County Board of fers to use the sidewalks instead of the trails Supervisors approved a 100 million trans- when he bikes from Richmond Highway to portation bond referendum. Eighty-four the Franconia-Springfield Metro. million of the proposed bond will be allo- cated for pedestrian and bicycle improve- A CENSUS BUREAU report found that ments. Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Spring- although bicycling makes up a relatively field) was one of two dissenting votes. Tim Larson, Springfield small portion of commuting activity, travel Herrity said that he is supportive of trails “There’s some sketchy areas as I’m to work by bicycle increased from 488,000 but the scope and extent of what is pro- Bobby Tillett, Springfield crossing Backlick Road...There’s graffiti, in 2000 to 786,000 in 2008-2012 nation- posed in suburban areas do not make sense. “Coming down Frontier Road, there’s it’s not always well-kept. There are ar- wide. In Fairfax County, the American Com- “I’m not anti-bike and anti-pedestrian.” a couple right turns where there’s signs eas where there’s no light. It’s dark. I’ve munity Survey reported that 0.2 percent of Herrity gives the proposed improvements that say ‘Yield for Pedestrians’ but most never encountered any hazards. No one residents commute to work. on Lorton and Silverbrook roads as one of cars don’t yield for bikes.” has threatened me or anything. It’s still The report also said that changes in in- the concerns he has for voting against the not pleasant riding in the dark in a shady frastructure, such as those that accommo- transportation bond. The county’s proposal area like that.” date non motorized travel, influence deci- calls for about 30 feet of shared paths and sions people make about their trip to work. bicycle lanes. “You don’t need 30 feet of Alan Young, of Burke, has always ridden right of way for bicycles and pedestrians ... to work. He bikes 14 miles each way to his That’s three lanes,” he said. Bill Ericson, Kingstowne, shares job in McLean, and it takes him one hour Strunk said that Fairfax County riders are the best part of his commute and 10 minutes. He rides on the road most geographically diverse. “There are different “...The best part is relaxing and get- of time. riders in Reston, Mount Vernon and Spring- ting some exercise.” Young has seen an increase of bike riders field” and they have different needs, he said. every year, and he believes that the percep- But, if there is really good infrastructure tion that bicycles are not vehicles is chang- “You’re going to encourage people to walk ing. and bike.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Springfield Connection ❖ July 3-9, 2014 ❖ 3 News Photos by Abigail Constantino/The Connection From left — Supervisor Pat Herrity (R- Springfield), Lori Cohen of the Empire owner Empire and Relay Jeff Cohen and for Life of Spring- Del. David Albo field/Burke Co- (R-42) partici- Chairwoman pate in Relay Laurie Chadwell for Life of organize cancer Springfield/ fundraiser at the Burke’s “Dance Empire in Spring- for a Cure” field, on Wednes- fundraiser at day, June 25. the Empire on Wednesday, June 25. Putting On Dancing Shoes From left — Lisa Pyon, Carol Relay for Life of Springfield/Burke raises Wooddell, Diane Sward, Nancy money for cancer research. Baldino and Sarah Ide, of Springfield, By Abigail Constantino “When you have events like this, you’re attend Dance for a The Connection able to raise funds for the same purpose that Cure at the Em- maybe the overnight relay did not,” such pire on Wednes- elay for Life of Springfield/Burke as people coming from work, said Nancy-jo day, June 25. held a fundraiser at the Empire Manney, executive director of the Greater Rin Springfield on Wednesday, Springfield Chamber of Commerce. June 25. The event’s theme is Lori Cohen, who handles the marketing “Dance for a Cure.” DJ Lance Ortega pro- and venue rental for the Empire, contacted vided the selection of music. the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Virginia House of Delegates member Relay for Life of Springfield/Burke to see if David Albo (R-42) said that these types of there was an opportunity to hold an event events help the cause by raising money. in the club. “We want to get the commu- “That’s the most important thing because nity involved, allow them to use the venue research and everything cost money,” he for community-type events,” she said. said. Local businesses donated raffle prizes and Lisa and John Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) services, which ranged from scented candles Pellegrin, of said that, in addition to money, these events to a weekend stay at a local hotel to lunch Fairfax Station, also bring awareness to cancer and its pre- with Supervisor Herrity. The $5 admission attend Dance for a vention. Herrity’s mother is a cancer survi- fee included five raffle tickets, but there was Cure at the Em- vor. also the option to pay $25 for 30 tickets. pire in Springfield Laurie Chadwell, co-chairwoman of the Relay for Life of Springfield/Burke started on Wednesday, Springfield/Burke chapter, said that hold- five years ago in honor of local teacher and June 25. ing the fundraiser at a club brings aware- swim coach Beth Bryan, who died of cancer in ness to a different demographic. “We reach 2009.