Every Tuesday, 76‑year‑old Bob Hartt, who is totally blind, pedals a 20‑mile round‑trip from Alexandria, Virginia, to Hains Point in East Potomac Park and back. He does it on a tandem with a sighted captain from the volunteer group Tuesday Night Tandems, which pairs blind cyclists with experienced riders.
“I lost my sight gradually when I was much younger,” Hartt said. “Blindness is not the end of anything—it’s a chance to be creative and learn new ways of doing things.”
Hains Point, at the southern tip of the park, has become the group’s favorite destination. Volunteer captain Steve Omelsky of Oakton, Virginia, rides in front of the tandem and says, “I love cycling, so I joined the group right away. It’s a great way to help people who would otherwise never get a chance to ride.” He adds, “We always bring a tandem group through here—it’s the best place to cycle in the whole city.”
For Hartt, the experience of feeling the wind and the motion of the bike while swaying together with a partner is “an incredible, incredible experience” that he could not have on a solo bicycle.
Rudi Riet, president of the Potomac Pedalers and a volunteer with the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes, says Hains Point offers a uniquely level playing field. “It’s quiet, peaceful, and literally a road to nowhere,” he explained. “There’s no raceway, just a safe, flat path that anyone can use.”
That safety and accessibility are now under threat. The Trump administration has announced plans to convert the nearby East Potomac Golf Links into an 18‑hole championship‑level course capable of hosting major tournaments such as the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup. While the proposal promises national prestige, local cyclists worry it will crowd out the open, low‑traffic space that Hains Point provides.
“There are no real substitutes for Hains Point that offer the same combination of accessibility, location, and light traffic,” Riet said at a recent rally called Hains Point Hoopla 2.0. The event, organized by the Washington Area Bicyclists Association and the advocacy group Save East Po, drew hundreds of cyclists, families, and community members who share the concern.
Hartt echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of preserving public space for all users. “We love the camaraderie and the open space. We want to make sure it’s preserved for cyclists, pedestrians, and everybody else who uses it,” he said.
Why the park matters to families and faith‑based groups
Local churches and family‑oriented nonprofits have joined the effort, viewing Hains Point as a wholesome environment where children and seniors can enjoy outdoor activity without the pressures of traffic or commercial development. The park’s calm atmosphere aligns with the community’s desire for safe, family‑friendly recreation that supports physical health and social connection.
“Our families need places where we can walk, bike, and pray together in nature,” said a representative from a nearby faith‑based youth group. “Hains Point gives us that blessing.”
What’s next?
The Trump administration has not yet released a detailed environmental impact study, but officials say the golf‑course project will bring economic benefits and tourism to the District. Local advocates plan to submit comments during the public‑review period and to continue lobbying city officials to protect the park’s current layout.
“We respect the administration’s right to develop public lands,” Riet noted, “but we ask that they consider the unique needs of blind cyclists and the broader community that relies on Hains Point’s open space.”
As the debate unfolds, blind riders like Hartt remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that Hains Point will stay the accessible, peaceful haven it has always been.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
