Biking in the Burbs

I moved to Arlington two years ago from Fairfax County. I live near East Falls Church station and I work in Falls Church City, about two miles away. I took the opportunity to switch to bicycle commuting because it was a no-brainer. But I've also switched to bicycling for almost all my errands. Now the only time my car gets used is to visit my parents. I think Arlington, a metropolitan "urban county" is great about bicycle friendliness, but living on the border of Falls Church and Fairfax County, I know bicycling as transportation in the suburbs -- not just for leisure jaunts --- can be somewhat an uphill experience, and I'm brainstorming on ways I might compile online what I've learned about bicycling as a means of transportation and doing personal business to promote the Car-Free Diet in the Greater Falls Church area, which could do a great job like Arlington and be totally bikeable too.

James Moon, East Falls Church

Comments

[Allen Muchnick]

The biggest obstacle to utilitarian bicycle use in the greater Falls Church area is the lack of good bicycle parking at most destinations. The City of Falls Church and Fairfax County lag well behind Arlington in getting bike parking provided in new development and in retrofitting bike racks into urban streetscapes.