The February cold might have stopped many comfort-loving Tysonians from hopping on a Capital Bikeshare bike. But some hardy souls still braved the weather last month — 262 times, to be precise.
That number is up 32 percent from last February, when 199 individual trips were made on the Tysons part of the Capital Bikeshare system.
This increase compared to last year indicates that ridership is witnessing a positive overall trend, and that more significant increases in usage are likely in store for the warmer months to come. It’s unclear how much of this increase is due to improved bicycle infrastructure and how much is due simply to people becoming more accustomed to bikeshare in general.
The highest number of bikeshare trips recorded in any month in Tysons over the past year was 410 trips in July 2018.
By far the most commonly-used dock this past month was the one located at the Tysons Corner Metro station, with 103 trips beginning there and 119 ending there. Also popular were the stations at Westpark and Jones Branch Drive and at Park Run and Onyx Drive, which saw 40 to 50 departures and arrivals each.
The least commonly used station was the one at the corner of Westpark Drive and Leesburg Pike, which saw only a single departure and a single arrival throughout the entire month.
Vienna is considering opening Capital Bikeshare stations, and Reston’s system may soon see an expansion.
Information for this story was gathered from the Capital Bikeshare’s open system data.
Locals can provide input on proposed road improvements near Tysons Corner Center at a meeting tonight (Wednesday).
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) have teamed up to provide residents the opportunity to speak directly with road engineers and transportation planners at a community meeting.
VDOT and FCDOT are considering a redesign of the connection between Gallows Road, Tysons One Place and Route 7, possibly creating a three-way stop condition at the intersection of Kidwell Drive and Tysons One Place to improve traffic flow.
The design also suggests creating a designated space for left-turning vehicles and bike lanes in both directions on Kidwell Drive, which would complete the designated bike route between the Washington and Old Dominion Trail and downtown Tysons.
A separate proposal would stripe parking lanes where parking is allowed along West Street.
The meeting is set to start at 6 p.m. at the Providence Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive in Fairfax.
The comment period for the proposal ends on April 3. Paving work will then start later that month and end in November.
Come support new #bikelanes south of @tysonspartners tonight at 6:30 (mtg @ 3001 Vaden Dr, 22031).@fairfaxcounty and @VaDOT study to redesign connection between Gallows Road, @ShopTysons, Route 7, @WODTrail. #bikeva
Learn more, attend, comment!https://t.co/4KBE7IPL2M pic.twitter.com/mC4pBYPgWM— Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (@BikeFairfax) March 13, 2019
Photo via Fairfax County
Hopeful photographers planning to enter Vienna’s Photography Contest and Exhibit have a narrow window over the next two days to submit their entries.
All amateur photographers throughout the area are invited to participate in the contest and exhibit at the Vienna Community Center. Participants must submit their photos in person with their application either from 5-8 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) or 12-3:45 p.m. on Friday (March 15).
Each participant is allowed a maximum of three photo submissions across seven categories, with ribbons and awards given to top photographs in each category. The total entree fee is $10, which includes three photos per person.
Submissions are set to be displayed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday (March 16) and from 12-3 p.m. on Sunday (March 17).
The event is hosted with support from the Vienna Photographic Society.
Photo via Vienna Photographic Society
A combination of a bubble tea shop and electronic dance music lounge is set to arrive soon along Maple Avenue.
Currently in Falls Church at the Eden Center, TeaDM Lounge plans to open a new location at 142 Maple Ave W. — the former spot of E.G. Comics.
A TeaDM Lounge employee told Tysons Reporter that a grand opening is expected near the end of April.
Locals who don’t want to wait the month can head to 6765 Wilson Blvd for a taste of the bubble tea, flavored tea, coffee and smoothies paired with electric beats.
Photo via Facebook
Kriser’s Natural Pet, a pet store chain featuring natural food, treats and supplies, will open soon in the Mosaic District.
Sandwiched between Sweetgreen and Nordine Salon and Day Spa, the store will include a grooming area at 2905 District Ave, Suite 180.
Kriser’s offers a variety of food types and supplies available for cats and dogs, along with daycare, grooming and training services.
An employee at Kriser’s told Tysons Reporter that the soft opening is slated for April 13, followed by a grand opening on May 4 for the store.
Locals may have spotted the other nearby locations in Vienna at 144 Maple Ave W. and in Tysons at 7505 Leesburg Pike inside the Whole Foods shopping center.
The Mosaic District spot is also hiring humans — furry four-legged friends need not apply.
“Turns out corgis are adorable but make terrible employees,” a sign on the storefront says.
A man trying to steal from Macy’s led officers on a foot chase at Tysons Corner Center mall, according to Fairfax County Police.
The chase happened Monday around 5:30 p.m. FCPD says a man who was concealing items “left the store without paying for the merchandise and ran away.”
A 24-year-old D.C. man “was arrested after a foot pursuit for grand larceny, possession of burglarious tools and possession of marijuana,” police said in a crime report.
It was fitting that the announcement of Maud Robinson’s death yesterday (Monday) was made public at that night’s Vienna Town Council meeting, a place she and her husband, Charles, had spent decades.
Robinson died at 96 in Inova Fairfax Hospital, one month shy of her 97th birthday.
Robinson had served on the Vienna Town Council from 2000 to 2009. Robinson was also one of the founding members of the town’s board.
At the Town Council meeting, members praised Robinson as a leader in the town and a mentor for many members of the city’s leadership.
“She was a shining example of a lifetime of service,” said Mayor Laurie DiRocco. “She’s been involved in every aspect of life. Her commitment to the town of Vienna unparalleled… I can’t think Maude enough for all she’s done. Her passing is the end of an era.”
Photo via Facebook
The Town of Vienna is poised to rev up public parking discussions again, after recently dropping a plan that would have made it easier to park in the town’s central business district.
One month ago, the Town of Vienna said it had dissolved an agreement to use a four-story commercial building on Church Street as a public parking garage. Now, the push for public parking is making a comeback.
The Town Business Liaison Committee and Mayor Laurie DiRocco are set to host a community brainstorming session about public parking.
The meeting later this week aims to gather feedback from business owners, problem-solve and consider future options, the event description says.
Anyone interested in going can head to the Town Hall (127 S. Center Street) from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday (March 14).
The deadline is nearing for the 30-minute Tour de Tysons bike race around Tysons this weekend.
The race is scheduled for Saturday (March 16) and, unlike most races, is ranked by how far the cyclists can ride. Adult races range from 30 minutes to one hour, while the race for children is around 20 minutes.
All of the men’s categories until the 1:45 p.m. time slot are currently filled, but there are still a few spaces at that time and open spaces for women and children throughout the day.
Registration for the race is $35 for adults and $15 for children.
The event is hosted by the Tysons Partnership and the National Capital Velo Club.
Cyclists who are not registered with the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association will be required to purchase a one-day license with cash at the race.
The event, featuring 10 races from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., has drawn 300 competitors in previous years.
Photo via Facebook
A Maryland man was arrested and charged with DWI after flipping his car during a crash in a Vienna parking lot.
The incident happened just before midnight on Thursday, Feb. 28. Police say the 22-year-old man was driving at “a high rate of speed” through the parking lot of the Cedar Lane Apartments when his car “struck a legally parked, unoccupied vehicle” and overturned.
“The driver, the only occupant in the vehicle, was injured in the accident,” Vienna police said in a crime report. “Upon MPO Borja’s interaction with the driver she detected signs of impairment.”
The driver, a Silver Spring resident, was transported to a hospital and subsequently charged with Driving While Intoxicated.
Photo via Google Maps
