Security on the Trails

Photo of trail marker Colored and numbered locator signs are installed along most trails to aid in emergency situations.
We should all be reminded that serious crime can occur anywhere, including our trails and parks. It is therefore important that we all make special efforts to protect ourselves and discourage crime.

Choose a safe time and place to exercise, and exercise in well-populated, well-lighted places. Be aware of any personal safety problems in the area(s) in which you exercise. If in doubt, check with the Arlington Police. The Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail south of Columbia Pike and the Route 50 Trail east of Glebe Road are highly visible trail sections and readily observed by neighboring residents and passing motorists.

Tell someone where you are going and when you will return; better still, exercise with a buddy. Bicycling and running clubs often organize group rides or runs and can help individuals find training partners. Call the Arlington Bicycle Coordinator at (703) 228-3681 for information on local bicycle and running clubs.

Keep fully alert and aware of your surroundings while exercising outdoors. Refrain from wearing headphones and other devices which diminish your ability to hear.

Immediately report any suspicious or criminal activity you may witness to the Arlington County Police. Telephones have been installed along many trails and in parks that permit emergency calls at no cost (911 calls only). Symbols on the map indicate general locations of the telephones. When calling Police or emergency services, try to be as specific as possible about the incident location. Special numbered and color-coded markers will soon be installed along the trails to aid callers in identifying their location.

Arlington County has undertaken a trail safety improvement program of increasing lighting, reducing vegetative cover, installing emergency telephones and increasing surveillance on the trails.

The Arlington County Police Department Community Resources Section will give lectures to classes and organizations on crime prevention tactics for pedestrians and bicyclists. There are many effective confidence-building tips! Call the Police Department at (703) 228-4330 for details.

Bicycle Security Tips

Bicycle Security Tips from the Arlington County Police.

Registering your bicycle with the Arlington County Police Department (703) 228-4252 is not mandatory, but strongly recommended. There is no cost for registration. Forms may be obtained at the Department's public counter or you may register online. In approximately one week you will receive a decal in the mail. A permanent record is maintained of each license issued by license number, serial number of the bicycle, and by name of the owner. A decal is provided to affix to the bicycle. For those who want help if their bicycle is lost or stolen, go to the County Website for Bicycle Registration. At the bottom of the page is the Website for Recovered Bicycles.
Other tips include:

Never leave an unattended bicycle unlocked, even in your own yard. Always double check to make sure your lock is closed.
Away from home, choose a parking location visible to passersby, and for maximum theft protection use a U-type lock.
For bicycles with quick-release wheels, lock both wheels and the frame to a secure structure.
Remove easily detached items, such as packs, pumps and lights, before leaving a bicycle unattended.

photo of bike rack in Clarendon

Free bicycle parking racks have been installed at more than 350 locations in Arlington's commercial districts.

Use a high security lock to attach your bike to the rack and position your bike so that it is parallel to the street. Each U-shaped rack holds up to two bicycles, one per side.

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