Henrico Shares Plans for Wyndham Safety Enhancements

The gym at Shady Grove Elementary was buzzing on Monday evening as more than 150 residents gathered for a Town Hall on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety hosted by The Wyndham Foundation and the Neighborhood Watch Committee. Concerned residents requested this meeting following several frightening collisions between cars and eBikes/eMotorcycles in the area.

Wyndham HOA President Nate Colarusso welcomed panelists Misty Roundtree (Three Chopt District Supervisor), Terrell Hughes (Director of Public Works), Chief English (Director of Police) and Shawn Kopelove (Police Lieutenant). He then opened the meeting by explaining how the HOA has been working with Henrico County to “…take a broader approach” in studying how traffic and the use of facilities has changed in Wyndham over time. President Colarusso noted, “We are fortunate to have the county leaders we do, who listen and took the time to hear us out.”

Lieutenant Kopelove began by explaining the differences between eMotorcycles and eBikes as well as the laws that apply to their use. Essentially, EMotorcycles are an electric motorcycle and must abide by all the same laws and rules that apply to motorcycles. EBikes are categorized into three different classes (I, II, and III) based on their power level. According to Kopelove, the most powerful of these can exceed speeds of 28 mph, are legal to ride on the sidewalk, and have no licensing or age requirements.

Regarding the eMotorcycles and eBikes, the HOA is evaluating educational resources and researching what other communities are doing to promote safety. Shady Grove Elementary is considering the addition of eBike/scooter education to their current bicycle education, which has a parent sign-off component.

Residents are rightly concerned about more than the eBikes and scooters. There have been many reports of pedestrians not following the law or posted signs along with excessive speed and lack of compliance with signs/crosswalks by drivers. The main takeaway from this town hall was broad support from attendees for changes that will help slow down traffic throughout the community.

Terrell Hughes, Director of Public Works, explained that the county is planning a number of safety upgrades for Wyndham. After the school year begins, a traffic study will be conducted to inform the specifics, but Public Works has already identified the following needs:

• Crosswalk enhancements, including additional crosswalks and flashers to enhance safety
• Intersection traffic improvements
  • Traffic flow in front of Shady Grove Elementary
  • Possible roundabout to replace the intersection of Wyndham Park and Dominion Club Drive
• Placement of solar lights in targeted locations
• Traffic signal upgrade at Nuckols/Wyndham Park Drive
• Bike lane enhancements such as adding bike lines to Wyndham Park Drive
• Additional speed bumps as appropriate
• Upgrading yield signs to stop signs (eliminating “free flow right-hand turns”)

Residents made additional requests including:

• Lower the speed limit inside Wyndham to twenty-five
• Trim landscaping back from sidewalks and at cul-de-sac entrances
• Add sidewalks and bike lanes in Wyndham West
• Improve traffic flow at the Old Wyndham and Pouncey Tract intersection
• A “No U-Turn” sign at the intersection of Wyndham Park and Dominion Club Drive

Supervisor Roundtree thanked participants for sharing their concerns and encouraged those who didn’t get their questions addressed to email her. She reiterated Henrico County’s commitment to finding solutions for these important safety issues. “We’re in this together for y’all’s safety.”