Action Alert: Braddock Road

Our Ask:

Implement protected bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements at intersections on Braddock Road from West Street to Russell Road, as recommended by Transportation and Environmental Services (Option 1B, 2A, and 3). These choices provide the maximum safety for students and citizens of all ages that live or travel in our City.

What You Can Do:

Send a message to the Alexandria Traffic & Parking Board using the suggested text below.

Level of Effort: 15 minutes in your pajamas
Deadline:   20 Feb 2026
Suggested Text: 

“Dear Traffic & Parking Board,

I support the safest biking and walking options for the Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvement Project, Options 1B, 2A, and 3, because these make this road the safest for all users: drivers, walkers and cyclists.”  

Add your personal experience. Perhaps these have happened to you:

  • “When I walk or bike in this section of the Braddock Rd I’ve had cars or trucks
    • … pass me closer than the state allows ( 3 ft legal limit)
    • … pass with excessive speed … turn in front of me …. close calls w doors etc.
  • “I’m a parent that would love to bike or walk with my child to …. but I don’t because of the dangers of ….
  • “I’m a ‘walk-to-school’ student that uses Braddock road, but….
  • “As a senior citizen, I don’t bike or walk along this corridor because of the dangers
  • “When it’s dark out….

Other talking points you can make:

  • Improves neighborhood livability providing safer access for pedestrians and cyclists to the nearby shops and businesses, while adding minimal delay for drivers. 
  • The new design will give ALL users of a public road a space to drive, walk or cycle but with reduced conflict points and reduced exposure of danger to vulnerable road users 
  • Improves the safety of the entire biking and walking network in the city because these options:
    • eliminate a dangerous gap in the long planned city-wide bike network 
    • allow all ages and abilities to ride Braddock road not just the spandex or confident riders
    • will be safer for everyone: drivers, walkers, cyclists which is more important that preserving its current dangerous configuration
  • Safety is especially important because:
    • of the metro station and nearby walk and bike trails
    • large student population at GW Middle School that likes to bike or in the school’s designated ‘walk zone’ (no yellow bus service)

Reference Links

“11 Ways to Make Streets Safer for Walking“, by Jay Walljasper, AARP Livable Communities, Aug 2017
https://www.pedbikeinfo.org