Bicycle Neighborways

Project typeCity Project
StatusCompleted

Project Description

The Bicycle Neighborway Guidelines and Fair Woods Parkway Neighborway project will develop a set of guidelines for designing bicycle neighborways in the City of Fairfax, and will then develop a more detailed design for implementation on Fair Woods Parkway between the George Snyder Trail and the cul-de-sac at the northern city line.

The proposed concept and other project documents are posted below. Feedback on the project has been collected on Engage Fairfax.

What is a Bicycle Neighborway?

A Neighborway is a low-stress neighborhood street that accommodates bicycle travel through signage, pavement markings, and traffic calming. Neighborway bike routes are typically on low-volume, low-speed streets that provide a comfortable alternative to busy arterial roads. Neighborway streets are shared by automobiles and bicycles, enhanced with features that aim to increase driver awareness of bicyclists and reduce speeds to make travel more comfortable for bicyclists of all ages and abilities. Neighborway treatments can also benefit pedestrians and drivers by calming traffic and encouraging predictable travel behavior.

The city's bicycle plan, Bike Fairfax City, recommends a network of neighborway routes throughout the city. For more information, view the plan online.

Neighborway Design Guidelines

The Neighborway Design Guidelines(PDF, 25MB) will inform the development of Neighborways throughout the city. These guidelines outline the goals and performance targets for the streets in the Neighborway network (see map below). The guidelines also include a toolbox of traffic calming measures that may be considered in addition to signage and pavement markings to help achieve the performance targets on each street.

Neighborway Network Map(PDF, 1MB)

Fair Woods Parkway Neighborway

Fair Woods Parkway was selected for the first neighborway treatment. The project area is between the George Snyder Trail crossing (just north of Fairfax Boulevard) and the cul-de-sac at the north end of the road. This will enhance a north-south bike route and a connection to the Vienna Metrorail Station, and will connect to other bike routes and trails planned throughout the city.

Estimated Schedule

Fall-Winter 2022: Neighborway Guideline and Fair Woods Parkway Concept Development
Spring 2023: Fair Woods Parkway Neighborway Concept Design
Fall 2023-Spring 2024: Fair Woods Parkway Neighborway Concept Revision
Summer-Fall 2024: Fair Woods Parkway Neighborway Construction