PROTECTED CROSSWALK UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON WOODMONT AVENUE BY VETERANS PARK IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Yesterday, I told you about a hazardous pedestrian situation on Woodmont Avenue at Fairmont Avenue.

Today, I know the rest of the story.

Apparently, the dangerous temporary situation today is part of creating a safer long-term situation.

Workers are now constructing a protected crosswalk across Woodmont at Fairmont. It is on the southern side of the intersection, parallel to the existing crosswalk near BGR.

This crossing is something many residents of the Fairmont Plaza condominiums have been asking the county to provide for a while. The existing crosswalk is considered dangerous by many, and is heavily used by Fairmont residents.

As you can see in the photos below, the new protected crosswalk will include a concrete island refuge for pedestrians. This will provide some element of safety for those who currently have difficulty crossing it at one time, such as the elderly or disabled.

I use this crosswalk quite often, and have never had a major problem, but it certainly is one that requires extra attention on the part of the pedestrian. And if a car suddenly speeds around the corner as you're crossing, you're stuck out in the road with only your wits and reflexes vs. oncoming multi-ton vehicles. Not a good situation.

BETHESDA SIDEWALK REPAIR UPDATE (PHOTOS)

After belatedly restarting work on downtown Bethesda sidewalks, the MDSHA is finally making some progress.

Unfinished sidewalk construction has bedeviled pedestrians up and down Wisconsin Avenue since the summer.  Trip-and-fall surfaces abounded, and dangerous jaywalking was encouraged in spots.

Now, as these photos demonstrate, bricks have been laid at the corner of Fairmont and Wisconsin.  Other spots remain in shabby condition. Let's hope all of this is finished by the Inauguration, to spare us further embarrassment when tourists pour into our fair city.

TRAIL RAGE!

Packs of Racing Cyclists Set Blood

Boiling on West Bethesda Stretch of CCT

Several users of the Capital Crescent Trail have reported a substantial increase in cyclists using the hiker-biker route to train for racing. Solo, or in packs as large as 20 cyclists, their speed and sheer numbers are intimidating other users of the trail. There have been several impolite verbal confrontations reported as well, after trailgoers warned the cyclists they were endangering others.

The reports are all from west of downtown Bethesda, and specifically, west of Dorset Avenue in Kenwood. This makes sense because that is the last at-grade crossing on the trail until it reaches Georgetown. That means there is no mandatory stop along that stretch, and is perfect for high-speed cycling.

I think going fast is a good thing for exercise. It's also one of the most appealing features of intercity bike routes separated from auto traffic: in some cases, commuters may be able to get to work faster by bike than by car or transit. And that is a powerful selling point to non-cyclists considering becoming bike commuters.

However, the CCT is a shared-use path, and as they say, "can't we just all get along?" Packs of cyclists that large suddenly coming upon a mother pushing a stroller or a hard-of-hearing senior citizen are a recipe for a fatal disaster.

The rules regarding speed are somewhat murky. Generally, bikers are warned to keep to a "safe, reasonable speed." Of course, with such bike facilities being few, it's not surprising that racers would find the CCT the perfect place to train. I don't think they have any nefarious intent, but at the same time, users need to respect each other on the trail.

Serious accidents and injuries from bike-walker/jogger collisions are more frequent on the CCT than many realize. As the weather gets warmer, this is a good time to review some good safety practices on the trail.

First, do not use headphones, particularly if you are a pedestrian on the trail. Keep right. Cyclists should not ride more than 2 abreast. Cyclists should give a loud horn/bell/shouted warning well in advance of passing a pedestrian or fellow cyclist. Be prepared to slow or stop as congestion levels ahead change. If you are walking a dog, keep the length of leash short enough that your dog cannot stray into passing bike traffic, or bite fellow trailgoers. Parents should walk/ride behind their children.

As with much in life, common sense prevails. By being alert and respectful of others, you'll probably avoid 99% of bad behavior and accidents. If common sense is failing, simply turn to the above rules advocated by local CCT users and the Park Police, and everyone on the trail will have a safer and more enjoyable day.

MIRACLE:

BETHESDA WOMAN

SURVIVES BEING HIT

BY TRAIN WITH NO

LIFE-THREATENING

INJURIES

Grinnell College Student Said to Have Attempted to

Outrace Iowa Freight Train

A miraculous ending to a dangerous act is being reported from near Des Moines Iowa tonight.

Anika Manzoor, a 20 year old Bethesda resident attending Grinnell College in Iowa, is reported to have tried to cross in front of an oncoming Iowa Interstate freight train Monday afternoon.

According to Tom Alex, reporter for the Des Moines Register, Manzoor's two friends made it across, but Manzoor slipped and fell in front of the train.

Unbelievably, she was swept aside by a snowplow attachment on the locomotive, and was transported to the University of Iowa hospital, where she remains with non-life-threatening injuries.

We don't yet know Manzoor's side of the story, so it is premature to pass judgement.

However, thankfully this is a good reminder for people about respecting the rules of railroad safety without a tragic ending.

Never walk on railroad tracks. Stop, look and listen before crossing tracks on foot or by car. Never try to "beat the train."

In this time when folks move near railroads and then complain that there are trains passing through (Garrett Park, Randolph Hills, Kensington - the B&O was there long before they were), the rules of coexisting with the railroads that keep America running are more relevant than ever.