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Advocates propose removing stop signs on W&OD trail crossings; Falls Church commissioners urge NOVA Parks coordination
Summary
Andrew Olsen of Bike Walk Falls Church presented data showing higher injury rates where the trail is required to stop and recommended moving stop control to the roadway or piloting four‑way stops for both trail and road. Commissioners praised the research but emphasized the need to coordinate with NOVA Parks and city staff before any changes.
Andrew Olsen, leader of Bike Walk Falls Church, presented research and a set of recommendations to the Falls Church Planning Commission on Jan. 7 aimed at reducing injuries at W&OD Trail crossings.
Olsen said historical stop signs placed on the trail — often installed in the 1970s and 1980s when trails were primarily recreational — now conflict with modern traffic patterns and federal and state design standards. He showed Virginia State Police injury data across the 45‑mile W&OD network, arguing that crossings where the trail is required to stop while the road does not have higher injury counts per year and per vehicle. Olsen recommended reassigning control to the roadway (signing the road to stop and changing trail graphics to "slow and look") and piloting four‑way stops in complex urban locations such as Great Falls/Grove and Grove/Great Falls to improve predictability.
"When you look at the data on where people get hurt at W&OD crossings... the bars on the left where the trail has stop signs are the most dangerous crossings," Olsen said, summarizing his analysis.
Commission response and next steps
Commissioners praised Olsen’s work ethic and research but stressed that final decisions rest with NOVA Parks and that the city must coordinate with parks staff, police and public works. Several members voiced concerns about enforcement, changes in bicyclist behavior (particularly the rise of e‑bikes), and driver expectations, and urged a regional, coordinated approach rather than unilateral local action. Commissioner Krasner noted the growing speed and prevalence of e‑bikes and said changes to control and signage would require public education and time for behavior change.
Olsen said he has already discussed the topic with city staff (police, public works) and plans to meet with the new NOVA Parks director; he suggested Falls Church could pilot changes in a more urban segment to inform a regional approach. Commissioners recommended that any next steps be framed as exploratory: staff analysis, NOVA Parks coordination, and potential piloting and data collection rather than immediate local implementation.
Ending
The commission did not take any formal action; members encouraged the presenter to discuss the recommendations with NOVA Parks and for city staff to continue their technical review. Olsen said he will incorporate the commission’s feedback before meeting with the NOVA Parks director.
