The City of Alexandria announced last week that four existing bike lanes will be getting new protection, including physical barriers, this summer.
Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services announced the change last week — but it turned into a pretty busy news week after that.
The city will add four buffers to bike lanes on:
- King Street (Janneys Lane to Radford Street)
- North Van Dorn Street (Braddock Road to Menokin Drive)
- Pegram Street (Polk Avenue to North Pickett Street)
- Seminary Road (North Howard Street to Quaker Lane)
The City of Alexandria website said each of the streets currently has painted buffer zones but no physical barriers. While many of the physical barriers on bike lanes are obviously not strong enough to stop a car, it still provides a physical demarcation that helps keep drivers out of the bike lane.
While the Seminary Road bike lane conjures to mind heated discussion over traffic impacts, the city said the new barriers will have no impact on traffic.
The bike lanes are expected to be installed sometime this spring or summer.
This spring, the City will upgrade four existing bicycle lanes to protected bike lanes! By creating physical barriers between cyclists and the road, we’re improving safety for riders of all ages and abilities. Learn more about the upcoming projects: https://t.co/6hZJdlnKxh pic.twitter.com/KyjTegEGZh
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) March 26, 2024