Bicycling in Montgomery County Where we are and where we’re going Montgomery Bicycle Advocates (MoBike) – 5/14/11

4.35

$4.3 5

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 Trails Highly 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 Policies Supporting 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!