Bikeshare: Where the Bikes Aren't

With Reston now slated to get its bikeshare stations by late 2016 or early 2017, we've gotten our first glimpse at what is likely to transform our midrise suburban community into something like Sweden, only with more midscale chain dining options that don't offer lutefisk. V. v. exciting! (The bikes. Not the lutefisk.)

But we digress. Right now, it looks like the loaner bikes will only ply their way between Reston's gritty urban core and the Metro station. It's not too much of a leap to imagine that during peak times cyclists will be able to get between those two points faster than in a car, even with a pitstop for some felt swatches and potpourri at Michaels (bikeshare station #2).

Of course, there's a teensy five-lane problem with this plan, and its name is Sunset Hills. People will need to bike it, or at least cross it to get to the W&OD trail. But maybe that won't be so bad. Just check out this photo:

Which, judging by the position of the sun, was taken very very early in the morning. On a Sunday. On a leap year. Actual road conditions may vary.

But county officials have, as they say in the movies, A Plan. Give us some sweeeet blockquote, BFFs at Reston Now:

Fairfax County plans additional bike improvements (lanes, signage) countywide, as well as an awareness and safety campaign prior to the system opening.

We're still waiting on a W&OD bridge over Wiehle Avenue, but a few helpful signs will be good too!

And, of course, there's the question of why there are no bikeshare stations planned for Less Sought After South Reston. (There also aren't any in the works for fancypants North Reston, but that's because you're required to be riding this bike -- or better -- if you venture north of Baron Cameron.) Here's the official explanation for snubbing South Reston, courtesy of Reston Now:

The county looked into stations at various office buildings in south Reston, but decided the locations would throw off the balance of bikes throughout the day.

“People would ride to work on the south side and there would not be any constant flow,” he said. “Bikes would just sit by the workplaces all day.”

But from the same article, we also have this:

The design will not have to go through Reston Association’s Design Review Board as no stations are on RA land.

Hmmm.

Still, this is all very exciting. Our only request is they consider opening a bikeshare station at the Tall Oaks Stucco Wasteland Village Center while there's still time (and space) to do this: