Spurred in part by the fatal crash of a Reston teen on a mini bike earlier this year, Fairfax County Police are undergoing safety and law enforcement training about two-wheeled motorized vehicles.
Law enforcement officials say there were 600 crashes — 12 of them fatal — among riders of mopeds, mini-bikes and motorscooters in Virginia in 2013. Alcohol was a contributing factor in 20 percent of all accidents and 10 percent involved excessive speed, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
The DMV says 1,967 people have been injured in 2,062 moped crashes over the past five years.
Fairfax County Police do not keep stats on mopeds, mini-bikes and other similar vehicles on county streets, they say they see anecdotal evidence of growing popularity. Warm weather and high gas prices may be possible contributors.
A new state law governing mopeds went into effect July 1 requiring owners to register with the DMV.
Virginia law requires moped drivers to be at least age 16; drivers and riders must wear a Virginia State Police-approved helmet. Drivers are also required to wear a face shield and add safety glasses or goggles if they are riding a moped that lacks a windshield.
State law also says that it is illegal to drive a moped if your driver’s license is suspended or revoked for convictions of DUI, underage consumption of alcohol, refusing a blood or breath test, or driving while on a suspended or revoked license for a DUI-related offense.
A bike is considered a motorcycle if it can go over 35 mph. Motorcycles are subject to a different set of regulations, including requiring a motorcycle endorsement on the driver’s operator license.
Mini-bikes, such as the one the Reston teen was driving in the May accident, have seat heights less than 24 inches high and are considered “motor-driven cycles.” They are not required to be registered with the state of have a license plate.
Those bikes are supposed to be for entertainment on private property and are not street-legal, Fairfax County Police said.
Officer Joseph Moore, instructor of the recent FCPS motorbike training, says that mini-bikes’ low line of sight — which may not be higher than the bumper of a car — make them especially dangerous on roadways.
“The best safety tip I can give you is be smart and be careful,” he said. “Keep in mind you are not as visible as you think you may be.”
Photo: Fairfax County Police undergo motorbike safety training/Credit: FCPD
See more information on new laws and safety tips in this FCPD video.
After decades of envisioning, five years of building and more than six months of delays, Metro’s Silver Line finally opens on Saturday.
The 11.4-mile extension brings a new level of public transportation to this part of Fairfax County. There will be five stops from McLean to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue. Wiehle-Reston East will be the end of the line for at least five years, when Phase 2 of the Silver Line — which will extend the service from Reston to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County — will open.
Wiehle-Reston East will also be the only Silver Line stop with parking. The 3,300-spot garage held a ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday.
With the Silver Line opening comes a lot of questions on cost, logistics, Reston traffic and train times, among other things. Reston Now has (or will get) the answers! Ask us your question in the comments below and we will respond there or in an additional article.
All systems are go for Saturday’s opening of Phase 1 of the Silver Line, Metro officials said in Monday’s weekly press conference call.
There are still a few punch list items remaining — among them, application of heat tape on rails as a cold-weather precaution and Certificates of Occupancy for three stations.
Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said the heat tape, along with outstanding drainage issues, is the responsibility of contractors for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which constructed Phase 1. Those items can be done after service begins, he said. He also said he expects the Certificates of Occupancy for the McLean, Tysons Corner and Spring Hill stations to arrive this week.
“From a systems perspective, everything is running as designed and we see no issues,” Stessel said. “The last step is a couple of regulatory documents. I see no reason they will not be in hand in short order.”
Construction of the Silver Line suffered many delays as it neared the end of the five-year building period. As recently as June 9, Metro was expressing frustration at the slow pace of the work. Prior to that, MWAA and Metro reached an agreement in April that allowed MWAA to complete remaining items after the project was handed over to Metro — and avoid paying potential fines for every day the project was delayed.
Now it is just a matter of employees and trains getting used to adding thousands of riders to the rail system every day.
The Silver Line began simulated service on Sunday, with trains running every 12 minutes and without any issues, said Stessel. The trains are running on schedule but without passengers. Passenger service begins at noon on Saturday.
On Monday morning, trains ran every six minutes on a regular weekday rush hour schedule, also with no problems.
“This week is about familiarizing employyes with operation of trains on the new segment,” said Stessel. “Station managers were at their posts this morning. They opened the stations, even though they are not open for passengers. Crews will also be out prepping stations for opening day — powerwashing, painting and putting finishing touches on facilities.”
Some Blue Line riders are affected by additional wait times due to the addition of Silver Line cars, but Stessel said increased wait times affect only 10 percent of Metro riders.
“Silver Line changes mean more service and a lesser wait for 37 percent of Metro riders,” he said. “Thirty-three percent (mostly riders on the Red Line and Green Line) will see no change.”
Plans for Saturday include a ribbon cutting and remarks from local dignitaries at 10 a.m. Passengers will be able to board the first trains at noon. Comstock will also have a public reception on the Reston Station plaza from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More Silver Line opening news:
It’s a big week for transportation in the Tysons Corner-Reston corridor as Metro’s Silver Line opens Saturday.
Rideshare app Uber is getting involved too. Through Thursday, all uberX rides from Tysons to Reston (or vice versa) and anywhere in the zone (see graphic) are free.
Visit the Uber blog for more information, but here are the basics:
- Enter the promo code SILVERLINE by logging into your account here or in the app. You only need to enter the code one time to unlock your two free uberX rides.
- Between July 21 and July 24 at 11:59 p.m, begin or end your uberX trip from Reston to Tysons and your ride will automatically be free up to $30 (limit two rides).
- Even after your two free rides, uberX fares are 25 percent cheaper the rest of the summer.
There are some other local perks too. Show your Uber receipt for discounts:
- Chef Geoff’s Tysons Corner – Free appetizer 4-8 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- PassionFish Reston Town Center – Free glass of wine with the purchase of any menu item, Monday through Thursday.
Graphic by Uber
Searching for a new home? Start with these open houses this weekend.
1703 Ascot Way
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$269,900
Open Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m.
11753 Indian Ridge Road
4 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$549,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
1599 Autumn Ridge Circle
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$447,500
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11103 Watermans Drive
4 BR, 3 BA TH
$574,750
Open Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.
1924 Lakeport Way
4 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$649,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11406 Windleaf Court
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$389,999
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11300 Gatesborough Lane
3 BR , 2 BA SFH
$549,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
11218 Wedge Drive
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$760,000
Open Sunday, 12 to 3 p.m.
12165 Abingdon Hall Place
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$475,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
For more open houses and complete real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate Section.
A man was injured in Reston when two suspects robbed and assaulted him early Wednesday, Fairfax County Police said.
The man was walking at 12:20 a.m. in the 11700 block of Sunset Hills Road, near Plaza America, when the two suspects approached him, police said.
The suspects assaulted the victim and took property, police said..
The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Both suspects were described as black males, about 17 to 22 years old and about 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Metro is still planning to open the Silver Line on July 26 even though work remains unfinished by Bechtel contractor Dulles Transit Partners.
Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said on Monday that several items DTP should have completed by now are not finished.
One area — the application of heat tape on the third rail — is to be done by the end of July according to the post-operational readiness agreement. Stessel says the heat tape work has not even started.
“It has been disappointing to us to see that the contractor has not been taking advantage of every available work window,” he said. “They could have done much more.”
Stessel said DTP has also not resolved water leaks at several stations. He said that the heat tape, which prevents freezing so it isn’t urgently needed in July, can be applied after opening.
“Our goal has been to get anything that required track access out of the way so it does not affect passenger service,” said Stessel. “Unless they step up their game, we will have them do that during non revenue hours.”
Meanwhile, the Tri-State Oversight Committee has completed its inspections and found no issues, Stessel said. Certificates of Occupancy should be in place next week.
The opening of the $2.9 billion, 11-mile Phase 1 of the Silver Line has been delayed by several months. Many of the delays this spring were due to unfinished items. MWAA (which oversaw construction of Silver Line Phase 1) and Metro reached a special agreement in April to allow the turnover of the project to Metro with unfinished items, provided DTP got the work done prior to passenger service.
As recently as June 9, Metro was expressing frustration at the slow pace of work.
In other Silver Line news:
Simulated Silver Line Service begins Sunday. Trains will run on the same schedule that they will operate after July 26. The trains will not be available for passengers. However, passengers can ride the trains from East Falls Church to Large Town Center as part of Orange Line service. Beginning Monday, July 21, trains at the far end of the Orange Line will run every six minutes during rush hour.
The Metro website has been updated. The online trip planner now includes updated schedule information to include the Silver Line fares and schedules.
Metro alerts have been updated for Silver Line users. If you get Metro Alerts, you can now pick Silver Line info (i.e., delays, issues) to be sent to you.
The first train on the Silver Line will leave Wiehle-Reston East at noon on July 26.
Coming soon to Reston’s Lake Fairfax Park: A new and improved Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole.
The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a public groundbreaking ceremony Saturday at 1 p.m. to kick off the $5 million renovation.
The project will substantially increase the size of the Lake Fairfax facility. The expansion will include:
- 3,000-square-foot tot spray pad with spray features
- 5,300-square-foot-active spraypad with spray features
- Slide tower with three flume water slides
- Interactive play structure.
Also in the works: A 1,000-square-foot restroom and mechanical building; improvements to the pool deck; relocation of shade structures; new shade structures and related utility and site work.
The park authority says more than one million people have visited the Water Mine since it opened in 1997. The festivities will include refreshments as well as special activities for Water Mine attendees.
Those attending Saturday’s festivities may enter through the side entrance, park authority officials said. There will also be special activities Saturday.
The project is scheduled to be completed in late summer of 2015.
Photo of The Water Mine/Credit: Fairfax County
It is still one year until the World Police & Fire Games come to Fairfax County, but there is a chance to get in on the fun next weekend at Reston Town Center.
Fairfax 2015 is hosting a community day on Sunday, July 13 from noon to 6 p.m.
There will be a full day of sports, music and fun so visitors can get a sneak peek at the 2015 World Police & Fire Games events, which organizers say is the largest multi-sport competition ever staged in the Washington metropolitan area.
Among the activities:
- Live demonstrations of Honor Guard, Muster Carts, K9, Police Motors, Lawfit, Tug of War, Darts, Martial Arts and Sub Grappling — most of which will be competitions in the 2015 World Games next summer.
- Kids Zone featuring face painting, a visit from Emmie the friendly clown, and an ultimate fire fighter activity.
- A full lineup of fire engines, police and sheriff cruisers for children to explore.
- Visit the Sheriff’s Office booth and get a free ID card for your child.
- A local DJ will perform live throughout.
From June 26 through July 5, 2015, more than 12,000 officers from police, fire and public safety departments in 70 countries will compete in 60 individual and team sports as well as police-and-fire-specific activities, such as ultimate firefighter.
The competition is held every other year. The 2013 Games were in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The Fairfax games will take place at 53 venues in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Reston will play a key role. Reston Town Center will serve as the Athletes Village for the event. Athletes Village is the location for registration, information, competitions, nightly entertainment and socializing with fellow athletes.
Games officials estimate that the Fairfax County economy will see a direct benefit of $60 to $80 million dollars from the event.
Reston will also be the venue for some of the sports competition, though details are still being finalized. Weightlifting and Honor Guard competitions will be at the Hyatt Regency Reston. Officials are also looking into a Dodgeball competition held here, as well as the open water swim and a cycling event.
Photo: Competitor at 2013 World Police & Fire Games/Credit: Discover Northern Ireland
July 4 is Friday. Do you know where you are celebrating? Here are some ideas in and around Reston.
8 a.m., Reston Town Center
There will be live music, face painting, waving flags and free massages, as well as a race. Come out and root for your favorite military branch in the “Battle of the Branches” competition. Potomac River Running will make a donation to the USO on behalf of the branch with the most runners in the race.
More details and registration on Potomac River Running’s race site.
Georgetown Pike and Walker Road.
8 a.m. – 5K Walk/Run — Great Falls Freedom Memorial (Library Grounds). Register the morning of race.
8 a.m. – 1:30pm – INOVA Blood Drive — Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department. Everyone who completes the donor screening procedure will receive a $10 Gas Card. Photo ID required.
9 a.m. – Little Patriot Parade, Village Centre Green (at the Gazebo) — Babies and Toddlers up to age 5 are welcome to parade their finest patriotic display around the Green. Awards for “Young George Washington,” Little Miss Betsy Ross,” and “The Star Spangled Family.”
10 a.m. – Main Parade, Great Falls Village Centre — See the floats, horses, antique cars and pets in the main parade.
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Festivities, Food & Fun, Village Centre Green. After the parade, enjoy burgers, dogs and sno cones along with music, field games and festivities on the Village Centre Green with your Great Falls neighbors.
Herndon Community Center/Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Ave.
6:30 p.m. – Face painting, balloon animals, bingo and crafts. Festival foods will be available for sale.
7 p.m. – Live music with The Plaids Band.
9:30 p.m. – Fireworks set to music. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. No pets.
Lake Fairfax Park Fireworks Spectacular
1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Park open all day, including carousel and Water Mine.
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Free admission. Arrive early to get a good seat.
Town of Vienna 4th of July Celebration
120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna (Yeonas Park – Southside Park)
Festival at the Community Center, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Entertainment at Yeonas Park, 7 p.m. Fireworks at Southside Park, 9:15 p.m.
The day’s activities include a flea market of arts and crafts, food and drink, music, family games, children’s entertainment, antique and classic car display and of course, fireworks at Southside Park.
For more ideas, including events in Washington, D.C., check this list from the Fairfax Convention and Visitors Center.
Photo: Fireworks/Credit: ARLnow.com file photo
Looking for a new home? Start with this weekend’s open houses.
12114 Quorn Lane
4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH
$569,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11698 Generation Court
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$435,000
Open Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
2022 Peppermint Court
4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH
$775,000
Open Sunday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
1534 Moorings Drive
1 BR, 1 BA Condo
$224,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
11412 Fieldstone Lane
5 BR, 4.5 BA SFH
$1,049,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
1404 Northgate Square
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$224,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11145 Glade Drive
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$785,000
Open Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m.
1679 Bayfield Way
2 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$379,900
Open Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
For more open houses and complete real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate Section.
Bikeshare consultants looking at the feasibility of putting Fairfax County’s first bikeshare program in Reston, say Reston could support a bikeshare system.
Consultants Charlie Denney and Fionnuala Quinn of Alta Planning + Design, hired by the county last winter, say that the feasibility study should be finished by the end of June. At a community meeting at Dogwood Elementary School Wednesday, they gave participants some of the highlights of the study:
In general, bike sharing would be feasible in Reston as the community makes the transition to a transit-oriented place. In July, Metro’s Silver Line will open its first station here (Wiehle-Reston East), with the Reston Parkway station slated to open in 2018.
Phase 1 would consist of 13 stations with 130 bikes. Locations would include the plaza at the Wiehle-Reston East Silver Line Station; Sunset Hills/Plaza America; Reston Town Center/Freedom Drive; Bluemont/Transit Center; Restom-Wiehle East Southside; Town Center Parkway and Market Street; Reston Town Center/Fountain Drive; Market/Explorer Streets; Town Center Parkway/Reston Hospital; Bowman Towne Drive/Library; and two at the Spectrum.
The estimated cost of phase 1 would be $1.2 million: $54K is for startup costs, $766K for capital (cost of stations, docks, bikes), and $397K for operating costs.
What is not yet certain: who would pay the bikeshare costs. In other suburban-area bikeshares (Arlington, Montgomery County), funding came from a combination of federal, state and local money, as well as developer proffers, county bicycle coordinator Charlie Strunk said.
Those networks are owned by the jurisdictions but operated by Alta Bikeshare, which oversees maintenance, rebalancing, and the warehouse, among other things. Operations are partially funded by user fees. Membership fees range from $7 an hour to $75 annually, with additional charges per use.
Eventually, Phase 2 would include stations in the Lake Anne and South Lakes areas.
— Bruce Wright of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling contributed to this article.
File photo of Capital Bikeshare in Arlington
What are you doing for lunch today?
Starting Wednesday, June 25, Reston Town Square Park will host food trucks the last Wednesday of the month. The event will run through late October.
Here is who will be parked at Town Square Park (at Explorer and Market Streets and Town Square Park in Reston Town Center) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today: Doug the Food Dude, The Big Cheese, DC Empanadas, and That Cheesecake Truck.
Another popular food truck spot in Reston is on Business Center Drive off of Sunset Hills Road. A rotating group of three or four trucks is parked there daily.
Fairfax County is considering new zoning rules that will make it easier and less expensive for food trucks to do business here.
With the Silver Line opening on July 26, Metro has unveiled three new television ads to spread the word about the 11-mile extension that will bring rail to Tysons Corner and Reston.
The 15-second commercials — that have a little sarcastic spin to them — will begin airing on local TV later this week, encourage residents to “look alive, good times are ahead. The three subjects are apparently very bored Northern Virginians who can look forward to life-changing good times and increased access to employment, entertainment, and shopping without the hassles of traffic or the expense of gas and parking with the Silver Line.
“Now that opening day is in sight, it’s time to get a little excited,” Lynn Bowersox, Metro Assistant General Manager, said in a statement. “These ads are intended to showcase the benefits of the Silver Line and get the word out about the opening date.”
From Metro:
Metro has been conducting outreach to educate current and prospective Silver Line riders across the region for several months, distributing more than 100,000 pieces of information at stations and community events, sporting venues and area festivals. The information includes a Silver Line brochure and an updated Rider’s guide featuring the new system map.
A special website, silverlinemetro.com, has detailed information regarding the five new stations, parking and biking, fares, and points of local interest.
“The campaign moves us from ‘how to ride’ to ‘why to ride’,” said Bowersox.
In addition to the broadcast ads that will air on local television stations in English and Spanish, print ads will appear in July in five languages in community papers, business publications, and online news sites. Movie theater and radio promotions will roll out later this summer, as will post cards mailed to homes near the new stations. Metro will also utilize transit advertising space in its stations and on its buses this summer to promote the Silver Line, Bowersox said.
A cool, rainy morning didn’t dampen the spirit of the RSTA teams Saturday as swimmers across Reston demonstrated their concern for others along with their swimming skills. A towel collection for the homeless and a display of support for a grieving family showed that Reston swimmers have big hearts not only for speed and endurance but also for caring and compassion.
All nine RSTA teams participated in the Reston Aquatics Challenge to see which team could collect the most towels for donation to the Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston. The shelter opens its doors for homeless people to take showers, but it doesn’t always have towels for them. Organized as an Eagle Scout project by Robby Cordts of Troop 1313 in Reston, the challenge collected 365 towels for the shelter.
Winning the challenge with a collection of 98 towels was the Lake Anne Stingrays.
“As swimmers we take towels for granted, however there are people in Reston to whom towels are a luxury,” said Cordts.
Compassion also was on display as several teams selected orange as their spirit theme to honor Newbridge team parent and avid volunteer Dave Tremaine and his family.
“David Tremaine very recently passed away due to colon cancer. He was Hayfield Secondary’s principal in Alexandria — school colors were orange, and a significant part of his wardrobe and persona — and his loss was significant to many in the Reston and Hayfield communities,” said Kimberly Berry of Glade.
Meet results after the jump. Read More
