ActiveFairfax Explained

In my August newsletter I wrote excitedly about the launch of the ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan. Here I wanted to spend a few more words outlining what this project is (and isn’t), why it’s important, and how Fairfax County residents can take part in the process. Already clued into this effort? Jump to ‘So What Can You Do?’ below for links to take action.

Background

First, the basics. ActiveFairfax was initiated in 2020 to consolidate the various policies and plans guiding the development of trails and bikeways – namely, the 1976 Countywide Trails Plan and the 2014 Bicycle Master Plan. Having to consult two or more plans made for an unnecessarily confusing and time-consuming process when it came to actually building projects. During this multi-agency, collaborative streamlining effort staff also took the opportunity to vet segments for environmental feasibility and with an equity lens to ensure that the future network benefits and is accessible to all residents.

Importantly, the resulting consolidated map doesn’t propose what facilities go where; rather, it sets out the key local and regional routes. To help determine the types of facility that would be appropriate on a given route, staff concurrently developed the Active Transportation Toolkit, a guidance document with best practices and design recommendations. It reflects two important emerging truths:

  1. Context matters. Bike infrastructure in one area may not be warranted, appropriate, or needed in another; flexibility to choose between (good) options should allow for more nimble and rapid implementation.
  2. Consensus evolves. Best practices today are not the same as they were 15 years ago; behavioral and transportation research is now clear around the need for off-street or protected bicycle accommodations, that paint is not enough.

Together the draft map and Active Transportation Toolkit lays out a vision for where and what a comprehensive all-ages-and-abilities active transportation network could and should look like. What it does NOT do is fund or otherwise begin to build out this ambitious network – we’re certain to face a budget battle in the future, but hopefully one we’re well-equipped to win by having the right plan in place (for now we have to make do with the Board of Supervisors one-time, ad hoc active transportation investments).

So what can you do?

Now is the time to learn about and help shape the vision for active transportation in Fairfax County, to ensure the future network meets YOUR needs. Below are the ways to get involved:

  1. Visit an Open House event. Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation (FCDOT) has scheduled twelve in-person Open House events across the county beginning on Tuesday, September 3rd. These will be opportunities to learn about the plan, explore the map with your neighbors, and meet and ask questions of staff. Virtual meetings to be held in November as well. 
  2. Take the survey. Share high-level feedback on the map and proposed facility types – what should or shouldn’t be in the mix? 
  3. Comment on the interactive map. Did an important connection to a school or destination get missed? Should a particular route definitely feature one kind of facility versus another? Drop a comment directly on the interactive network map.
  4. Read up on the plan and toolkit. The new toolkit is an amazing and comprehensive primer on how Fairfax is now thinking about accessibility, facility types, and active transportation in general. This document is expected to guide decision making for the foreseeable future and is worth perusing.  
  5. Stay tuned for more (including a meetup!). I’ll be sharing reminders and updates as I get them, and I’m also hoping to find time in late September or early October for an advocate meetup – I’m eager to hear your thoughts, reactions, and takeaways.

This is just the beginning of a LONG process. Public engagement runs through December 20th, after which FCDOT will synthesize the feedback and prepare a report for the Board of Supervisors, who will hopefully adopt ActiveFairfax sometime in mid-2025. It may be years before we start to see its impact. But getting the long-range planning right is an absolutely critical first step if we are to realize our shared goal of a transportation system where biking, walking, and transit are the best ways to get around.

I hope you’ll join me in working to bring about that future.

– Kevin O’Brien, Virginia Organizer

Page last updated by Kevin O'Brien on September 3, 2024.