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!