Comments at Arlington County Board Meeting, September 19, 2026.
According to the Vision Zero Action Plan Update: “Vision Zero in Arlington County has deployed projects, programs, and strategies to reduce and eliminate fatal and serious roadway crashes (p. 9).” There is no mention of bike or shared-use trail crashes, evidently because Vision Zero is not monitoring them. Likewise Vision Zero’s Crash Analysis dashboard shows a dramatic increase in severe bicycle crashes in 2025, but there is no breakdown of crashes on County bike trails.
While micromobility devices are promoted throughout the 2026 Draft Multimodal Transportation Plan, there is no discussion of their hazards. This is most concerning, since Arlington bike trails are now all but overrun with micromobility devices traveling up to 20 mph that represent a hazard to other bikers and pedestrians. Another even more concerning development is the appearance on the trails of e-motos that typically weight 150 lbs.
Google AI reports that: “An impact from a 150 lb. bike going 20 mph on a pedestrian delivers a highly dangerous amount of kinetic energy, capable of causing severe trauma, broken bones, and potentially life-threatening injuries.”
People don’t need to walk, run or bike in fear of their lives on the local bike trail. I have no objection to e-bikes and infrastructure on city streets. I object to the hazards they present on recreational use trails.
If Vision Zero were serious about reducing critical bike crashes, it would recommend a reduction in the 20 mph speed limit for micromobility devices on County bike trails. This is a non-starter with County transportation wonks, and as a result, your life is at risk on County trails.