NOVA Parks News

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Fairfax Station, Va. (September 3, 2026) — In an effort to increase e-Bike awareness and enhance safety along the W&OD Trail, NOVA Parks and the Friends of the W&OD are launching a regional effort in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. A series of free e-educational events about the safe use of electric mobility devices will be hosted in partnership with various public safety agencies that enforce state and local regulations in the Washington and Old Dominion Regional Park (W&OD) and along the W&OD Trail.

“The W&OD Trail connects Northern Virginia’s communities, and we appreciate the tremendous partnership with our local law enforcement agencies to ensure those communities remain safe,” said NOVA Parks Executive Director Justin Wilson. “NOVA Parks, The Friends of the W&OD and our partner jurisdictions along the trail are working together closely to help ensure the safety of all trail users.”

The community is encouraged to attend the free events to learn about Virginia laws being enforced along the W&OD Trail and safe operation of e-bikes, electric dirt bikes, electric scooters, mopeds, and other electric personal mobility devices. Responsible riding and trail etiquette will be highlighted, and all ages are invited to participate in the following events:

• Fairfax County Police Department:
  W&OD Trail Safety Event
  Friday, September 4, 8-11 a.m. 
  McLean and Reston along the W&OD Trail
• Herndon Police Department:
  E-Bike Info Session
  Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. 
  814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon, VA 20170
• Vienna & Herndon Police Departments:
  Two Towns Bike Rodeo
  Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.-noon 
  138 Church St. NE, Vienna, VA 22180

“The Friends of the W&OD always welcome questions, concerns, and collaboration with trail users,” said Kelley Westenhoff, President of the Friends of the W&OD. “We are delighted to work alongside our local law enforcement partners to address this important issue.”

The first e-Bike safety event in this series took place in partnership with Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office on August 1. The event stressed the legal use and safe operation of e-bikes and electric scooters in Loudoun County. An e-Bike safety event in partnership with Arlington County Police Department will be announced.

Since 1991, the resident-driven organization, the Friends of the Washington and Old Dominion (the Friends), has been a dedicated partner with NOVA Parks in protecting and improving the W&OD Trail. The Friends support the trail by funding improvement projects and organizing the Trail Patrol, a team of volunteers who promote safe use of the trail through the “On the Go & On the Know” Trail Safety Guidelines and provide assistance and information as needed.

Visit novaparks.com/TrailSafety for more information about the regional W&OD Trail safety event series.

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About NOVA Parks
Founded in 1959 as a conservation organization, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) represents three counties and three cities — Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and the City of
Fairfax. The regional agency manages 37 parks with 12,500 acres of parkland, including waterparks, golf courses, campsites, historic sites, event venues, boat launches, annual holiday light shows, and a vertical adventure course.

About Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park
Often called the skinniest park in Virginia, Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD) contains a 45-mile paved trail between Arlington and Purcellville, Virginia. The park and trail are named for the railroad that last traveled along its path, helping establish many hubs for economic development, which are now Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Leesburg, and Purcellville. The W&OD is now an important carbon-free transportation network for its more than 2 million users per year.