VIRGINIA BEACH
Cyclists have been asking for years for a safe place to ride, and many city officials thought a 5-kilometer loop offered the answer.
A recent study raises questions about the feasibility of such a loop and its cost to taxpayers.
The report, by InS ites Landscape Architecture, initially considered five options around the Sportsplex area. But only one remains in play, given how much land is needed and the city's economic development and recreation plans for that corridor.
The total cost of the lone proposal is $13.9 million, far more than some city officials anticipated.
There's also the question of whether the loop would meet the requirements of the entire cycling community.
"I'm not really sure if it's going to answer the need," said Councilwoman Barbara Henley.
Virginia Beach's Parks and Recreation staff recommended that, if City Council members are interested in building a loop, they consider a 2.4-kilometer path west of the Princess Anne Athletic Complex off Dam Neck Road. The loop there would circle around open fields and a pond and take up about 25 acres.
As proposed, joggers and casual walkers could also use the path. City officials could close sections around the loop to lengthen the trail to 5 kilometers for races.
"It's something that takes a lot of space and it costs a lot of money, but I think it is a viable amenity that obviously there's been some interest in providing," said Barry Frankenfield, a planning and design administrator for the Beach's Parks and Recreation Department.
The city can build a more basic loop at the same location, minus additional parking spaces, a concession stand, rest-
rooms and lighting, for $3.3 million, Frankenfield said.
Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said it's important to hear cyclists' ideas on the study.
"I'm glad we're making progress," Wilson said.
Bill Collins, the president of the Virginia Cycling Association, said the multi-use loop would give children a safe place to ride, but he's not so sure that racing cyclists would get much use out of it.
It's difficult for racers, who are pedaling at high speeds, to share the path with joggers and people walking with baby strollers, Collins said.
Tom Coghill, who is active in the local cycling community, said he would like to see the loop built, but wonders if the city has more pressing recreation needs. For example, the Lake Edward community has been asking for a recreation center for years, Coghill said.
"I'd rather see them put a rec center in Lake Edward than this," Coghill said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Cycling Loop folly
I am very happy that that any effort is being made for the benefit of cyclists in this area, however I think this proposal is a poor choice. It will not be sustainable because at its core it will be boring. It will take even the most novice rider only a brief period of time to circle a 2.4 km paved path. Then what? Keep going around like a hamster in a treadmill? If thats the effect you want go spin at the multitude of gyms around. Paved path? How about the boardwalk? Its longer and far more interesting. No serious rider is going to go there for training because a. It will not provide any challenge and b. Aforementioned novices will be in the way. What really kills me is the cost to taxpayers of $3.9 million. I will not sit here and badmouth without a solution. I say take the 25 acres of land (or find another park or two) and allow a series of multi-use trails to be built for cyclists (mountain bikers), hikers and
Why not widen a walkway
Why not widen a walkway around an existing public park? That way we don't have to purchase 25 acres of land, just 2.5 miles of asphalt. I am sure that would be less that $14 million.
Maybe Bill Collins and Tom Coghill are right...
I am a cyclist and I am involved in bike racing as well. As much as I would love to see a velodrome or some other form of dedicated cycling/multi-use course in Virginia Beach I really do not think it is in the best interest of the community as a whole. I believe that the money would be MUCH better spent on making this area more bike friendly and our roads safer. Widened sidewalks like those on Dam Neck and London Bridge aren't the solution. We need bike lanes and convenient routes for us to commute on our bikes. A paved bike path, like the W&OD in Northern Virginia, on the old Norfolk Southern rail line. That would open access between the Ocean Front and the "Downtown" area. Widened shoulders or a bike lane along Dam Neck Road to make it easier to get too and from the Amphitheater and Landstown Commons. Bike lanes on General Booth and Shore Drive to make it easier and safer for Virginia Beach residents to access the Ocean Front. Helping to convert the Virginia Beach area in to a cycling friendly community is how I best see the money spent.
Is the VAB City Council on drugs?
Incredible! The Virginia Beach City Council can't seem to find enough ways to reduce their addiction to spending to deliver much needed tax relief to over taxed beach homeowners - but they are considering spending tens of millions of tax dollars for a bike track? If this non-essentail boondoggle does move forward (and who is willing to bet it will not?) then I wonder how many cyclists will use it if they are made to PAY for it? Given the $14M price tag I suppose a beginning cost of about $12,000.00 a year to purchase unlimited access for 12 months of use might be appropriate? Yup, $1000.00 a month might cover the cost. Depending on how many cyclists use it. I wonder how many bike riders will be willing to pay their fair share of the cost for construction and maintenance? Or is this just another example of a special interest group looking for someone else to pay for their hobby?
50/50 but leaning to 70/30
I'd say it's 50/50 at this point, 50/50 on whether the Beach's Kangaroo Council will support or build this. 50% for it because it looks like the right thing to do and it panders to one small segment of the population/interest group, cyclers. However, 50% against it because there's no payoff for them or their puppet-masters. There is no big name developer involved (or at least disclosed) to shovel the taxpayers' money to. That alone will most likely stall this project and make it a 70/30 bet at best, maybe even 80/20...
Cycling on the road
For the reader who commented that the 'bozos' will continue to ride in the road and others who are unaware of the law...I would like to help you understand the LAW. Cyclists are legally bound to ride in the road and follow traffic laws. I prefer to cycle well left of the shoulder in most situations. This allows vehicles to see me better, and prevents them from attempting to pass me without changing lanes. This may require the motorists to slow down until an opportunity to safely pass arrives, possibly adding 10-30 seconds to your drive...when traffic slows I will move over and make room to pass me in the same lane, but over 15-20 mph a bike and car in the same lane is not safe.
Is this right?
Is the proposal seriously for a 2.4 kilometer loop for bicycles? Those of you who may not know, 1 km = 0.62 miles. I'm not an athlete, but even I would pedal this loop in about 8 minutes. That's just short, expensive sillyness. VB offers the Boardwalk bike path, and First Landing State Park. I'd rather see some bike lanes on routes that could actually get people from home to work.
"Racing Cyclist"
"Not sure if Racing Cyclist will get much use of it....." due to the joggers and childern.
I like doing 130mph on my Sportbike, but all these cars and trucks get in my way on 64. Any chance we can get the tax payers to build me a Sportbike track???
Clowns in Cars
Bozos, Mr. Baskins? This type of ignorance and arrogance can be seen on every highway and bi-way in your community. When you pass a bicycle on a highway, you must follow the same rules as passing a car. No one complains about your aggressive driving, so what gives?
When in doubt or unable to prove a point, simply rely upon a circumstantial ad hominen attack.
HUH??
14 MILLION dollars for a track that our cycling community said doesn't suit their needs. Thank you for the candid input. Any bets that Virginia Beach builds it anyway??...
Focus on transporation
That project would do nothing for using your bicycle for transportation. I think a lot more people would bicycle commute if there was someplace to ride.
Ride in the street
Some will always ride in the street, but if you want to get anywhere on a bike here, you have no other choice but to risk your life. This place is anti-bike all the way.