Arlington Public Library: Cycling Through Arlington's History

Arlington VA

13 May, 2021

11:57 AM

Description

Press release from Arlington Public Library: May 13, 2021 The County Sheriff's department and a local chapter of the VFW team up to form a bicycle safety club for youth in Arlington. According to a February 24, 1939 news article, the "bicycle rage of the [18]90s" was on the upswing, and conditions for cycling were hazardous on the local roads. Bicycling remains a popular recreational activity in Arlington, though largely regulated to neighborhood street cycling alongside pedestrians. 1972 The Washington Area Bicyclists Association is formed, drawing members from the DMV region and advocating for improved bicycle facilities. 1973 The County completes its first commuter bikeway, connecting to the Spout Run Parkway and providing access to Rosslyn. Additionally, an eleven-member Bicycle Advisory Committee is established to advise on cycling-related issues and development. The Washington Area Bicyclists Association is formed, drawing members from the DMV region and advocating for improved bicycle facilities. The County completes its first commuter bikeway, connecting to the Spout Run Parkway and providing access to Rosslyn. Additionally, an eleven-member Bicycle Advisory Committee is established to advise on cycling-related issues and development. Children line up for bicycle safety inspection, run by the Arlington County Police Department, 1969. 1974 Arlington's Master Bikeway plan is released, which calls for an 80-mile network of trails for commuter and recreational use. 1977 Metro stations debut in Arlington, which shapes the County's transportation plan to include a bike trail along the route of I-66 and bicycle parking at the new stations. 1982 Custis Trail is completed, adding 8.5 miles of trail to the area. Arlington's Master Bikeway plan is released, which calls for an 80-mile network of trails for commuter and recreational use. Metro stations debut in Arlington, which shapes the County's transportation plan to include a bike trail along the route of I-66 and bicycle parking at the new stations. Custis Trail is completed, adding 8.5 miles of trail to the area. Bike underpass at Wilson Boulevard and Four Mile Run. Date unknown. (210-0103) The Arlington Bicycle Transportation plan is adopted, and $7.3 million is eventually allocated to develop new bike trails, bicycle lanes, and bicycle parking. The County adopts the Bicycle Element, a new planning document focused on continuing bicycle development. Arlington launches Capital Bikeshare in partnership with the District of Columbia. Sources Active Living and Biking: Tracing the Evolution of a Biking System in Arlington, Virginia, by Royce Hanson and Garry Young Baseline Report – The State of Bicycling in Arlington, County publication Sources Active Living and Biking: Tracing the Evolution of a Biking System in Arlington, Virginia, by Royce Hanson and Garry Young Baseline Report – The State of Bicycling in Arlington, County publication To learn more about Arlington's history, visit the Center for Local History on the first floor of the Central Library. Do you have a question about this story, or a personal experience to share?  Use this form to send a message to the Center for Local History. Central Library, First Floor 1015 North Quincy Street Arlington VA 22201 703-228-5990 This press release was produced by Arlington Public Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.