Bicyclists without family passes will be banned from riding in Arlington National Cemetery starting Oct. 26, the Army announced.
The move comes amid “legitimate safety concerns” as cyclists and pedestrians mix on cemetery grounds, according to a post on the cemetery’s official website. It also addresses what the service considers unintentional infringement on grieving family members.
“While we know that riders intend no disrespect, bicyclists traversing the cemetery grounds do impact funeral services and the experience that families expect and deserve as they visit their loved one’s grave,” the post reads.
Guests visiting graves can obtain a pass at the cemetery’s welcome center and ride a bike to and from the gravesite, according to a September report in the Federal Register outlining the new rule.
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The Army received more than a dozen comments on the policy during a 60-day comment period that began in May, per the Federal Register. All of those that directly addressed the proposed rule were against it: Some disagreed with the Army’s notion that bicyclists infringed on the decorum of military funerals, others said the cemetery offered a shortcut for biking commuters, and others praised the environmental and health benefits of cycling.
The service rejected the complaints, pointing out nearby bike trails of similar distance that negate the need for a shortcut and stressing safety concerns.
“As there are no bike paths on the cemetery grounds, mixing cyclists with pedestrians and vehicles creates a safety hazard,” according to the post on the cemetery’s website. “This new policy has been deemed necessary to alleviate these concerns.”
The Army-run cemetery hosts 4 million visitors annually and can hold up to 30 funeral services a day, the Federal Register entry states.
Starting next week, no bikes allowed in Arlington Cemetery without family pass
