The American Legion Memorial Bridge is plagued with congestion daily during peak hours. Many commuters are forced to drive a motorized vehicle every day because they see no other feasible alternative. 

A bicycle bridge between Maryland and Virginia, near the American Legion Memorial Bridge, would offer commuters an alternative and reduce congestion.

According to the U.S. Census Buereau's American Community Survey in 2011, commuting by bicycle in the Washington, DC area has risen by 315% since 1990. In the Washington, DC area, 3.2% of the population now rely on bicycles for commuting. Since 2000, the United States has seen a 47% growth in bicycle commuting, and an 80% growth in bicycle-friendly communities. 

In recent years, Tysons Corner, VA and Montgomery County, MD have experienced business and economic growth. In the U.S., the current economic growth rate is 3.6%, yet the income growth is falling far short of achieving the same. With limited income growth and decreasing access to a convenient route to work, many consumers will choose the cheaper option of bicycling to work. 

The benefits of this bridge go well beyond the mere convenience of commuting for bicyclists:

• Less congestion during peak hours on this span of Interstate 495;
• Less local pollution;
• Faster response times for emergency vehicles;
• Opportunity for business growth for companies wishing to cater to the newfound growth of cyclists; and
• Improved overall community health.