HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2015-08-20 New Bike Route
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release Media Contact:
Betsy Fields, Research & Communications Manager
bfields@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
New Bike Route Installed on Plaza Street
Leesburg, VA (August 20, 2015) – The Town
of Leesburg recently created a new bike
route connecting the trail system on the
north side of town with the W&OD Trail.
The new bike route begins at the W&OD
Trail crossing on Sycolin Road, near
Frederick Douglass Elementary School, and
extends north along Sycolin Road, Principal
Drummond Way and Plaza Street to
Battlefield Parkway. The bike route, which is
approximately 1.6 miles long, contains both
dedicated bike lanes and “share the road” sections. The dedicated bike lanes are marked with white
lines separating them from the motor vehicle travel lanes and from the on-street parking lanes. The
entire route will be designated with bicyclist stencils on the pavement and signage alerting drivers to the
presence of bicyclists on the road.
When a bicycle is being operated on a road, it is considered a “vehicle” in accordance with the Virginia
Department of Transportation. As such, all bicycles being operated along public roadways shall obey all
traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings. Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic on the right side of
the roadway. Bicyclists and motorists basically have the same rights, responsibilities and duties, and the
laws governing traffic regulation apply equally to both.
In addition, the Leesburg Town Code requires bicyclists 14 years of age or younger to wear protective
helmets when riding on any highway, sidewalk or public bicycle path.
The bike route project was initiated at the request of Council Members David Butler and Katie Sheldon
Hammler, who expressed concern over the lack of a safe route for residents in north Leesburg to access
the W&OD Trail. The total project, including design, pavement markings and signage, cost
approximately $30,000.
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