2008-06-30 Dennis Montgomery Declaration (Montgomery v eTreppid)
Bicycling in Montgomery County Where we are and where we’re going Montgomery Bicycle Advocates...
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Transcript of Bicycling in Montgomery County Where we are and where we’re going Montgomery Bicycle Advocates...
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!