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Bicycling in Montgomery County
Where we are
and where we’re going
Montgomery Bicycle Advocates (MoBike) – 5/14/11
4.35
$4.35
Where we are
• Most roads are not bike-friendly
• Frustrating gaps and holes in the bikeway network
• Too few paths – many canceled over the years
• Missed opportunities to incorporate bikes into road projects
• Can’t rely on just having a bike, even in urban areas
The not-so-good news…
Missing Links
As many missing links (magenta) as routes (green)
Gap – Metropolitan Branch/Capital Crescent Trail
Gap – Twinbrook Parkway
Gap – Bethesda Trolley Trail
Gap – US 29 Commuter Bikeway
Where we are… the good news
• More people are biking for transportation • Sector plans are recognizing bikes• Working well with county and state DOTs• Better county road design standards• Improving connectivity one project at a time –
– Rock Creek Trail bridge– Montrose Parkway Trail– ICC Trail (sections)
Vision for the future
• Better infrastructure – Make biking more feasible
• Complete streets – All roads should support bicycling
• Bike-friendly growth – Biking and Smart Growth go together
• Robust networks – Quick access to all destinations
• Stand-alone trails – Highly effective bypasses
• Programs and Policies – Supporting bicyclists’ needs
Better Infrastructure
• Build what’s needed – Bike lanes, shoulders, shared use paths, new trails, good street design
• Fill in gaps and build missing links –
“I would bike there if only there were a good, safe route”
• Track progress against the Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan
• Require developers to make bike improvements
• Prioritize projects to give the best bang for the buck
Make biking more feasible
Complete Streets
• All roads should serve bicyclists and pedestrians, not just drivers• New or rebuilt streets should must provide for bicycling – don’t
waste opportunities!• Community plans (sector plans) should support biking on every street• Establish priorities for improving existing streets• Balance on-road vs. off-road accommodations
All roads for all modes
Bike-friendly Growth
• Smart Growth is good for biking – easier distances, local shopping, available transit
• Biking in turn supports Smart Growth – provides a transportation option that makes it all work
• Biking supports transit – larger accessibility radius• Biking reduces congestion where it’s the worst• Focus bike improvements on short trips –
– Short trips are doable for most people, strong bang for the buck
• Target locations: White Flint, Wheaton, Kensington, Silver Spring, Bethesda
Biking and Smart Growth go together
Robust Networks
• Great networks within communities• Great connections between communities• Once again: no gaps, holes, or missing links• Connect routes to each other• Network of “spine” routes criss-crossing the county
– Support typical commuting distances– Make longer distances shorter (in miles or minutes)– Direct access to every community
Quick access to all destinations
Stand-alone TrailsHighly effective bypasses
• Fast, direct and safe transportation – – Fewer road crossings– More direct than zig-zagging roads– Bridges and tunnels
• Quality of Life –Exercise, tours and hikes, family outings• Rails to Trails – Metropolitan Branch, Capital Crescent, Bethesda Trolley
Trail
• Linear parks – Rock Creek, Matthew Henson, and NW Branch trails
• Along highways/rail lines – Rt. 29, ICC, Midcounty Hwy, Corridor Cities Transitway, Purple Line
Programs and PoliciesSupporting bicyclists’ needs
• Bike Share• Trail maintenance, snow removal• Bike racks and showers• Laws to protect bicyclists
– No texting while driving, hands free calling
– Recognizing cyclists rights on the road
• Use all available funding sources – federal, state, county and… developers
Happy Riding!