Cyclists Can Now Get 'Hitched' in McLean

The next time you head downtown, why not hitch up your bike and stay a while?

A number of bike hitches have been installed in McLean thanks to the efforts of Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust, the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, the JBG Cos. and others.

It's part of an ongoing effort to make McLean more bicycle- and pedestrian friendly, said Marcus Simon, a state delegate-elect and vice chairman of the chamber.

The chamber reached out to private businesses and landowners to secure spots for posts at Staybridge Suites McLean-Tysons Corner (two hitches), Greenberry's Coffee and McLean Properties (two hitches), Giant (four hitches) and the McLean Square shopping center (two hitches).

Simon said the initial locations were chosen because the businesses were eager to buy into the idea, but the effort to install more posts in the greater McLean area will continue. The chamber will make it a point to recommend the amenities for appropriate new developments as they go through the Fairfax County permitting process, for instance.

For Simon, a triathlete who likes to bike around town with his two young children, the posts make family activities even better — and they fill a need, something that was noticeably missing, he said.

"We like to bike into town, stop at Star Nut Gourmet and get some gelato," he said. "It's nice not to have to stack our bikes on top of each other by a newspaper box."

He added: "Seeing them, it's is just a visual reminder to folks that, 'Hey, maybe the next time I go into town I can ride my bike.' "

Where would you like to see bike hitches installed in McLean? Tell us in the comments below.