BIKEWAYS

The Division of Transportation Engineering administers and manages the County's Bikeway Program. We receive and review requests for Bikeway construction along County-maintained and State-maintained roadways. All Bikeway constructed by MCDOT comply with Federal Law under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Program Overview

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE) has the responsibility to plan and construct bikeways, as well as provide maintenance for approximately 100 miles of bike facilities. This consists of a network of shared use paths, bike lanes and shared roadways bike routes primarily located within the road rights-of ways. The MCDOT is also responsible for the maintenance of bike paths on State roads as well.

OUR RELATIONSHIP TO PARK TRAILS

Bike trails within Montgomery County Parks are the responsibility of the Maryland National Commission of Parks and Planning http://mncppc.org/. Their Department of Parks maintains about 45 miles of paths and trails. The M-NCPPC is also responsible for Master Plan recommendations as well as the Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan. The MCDOT Bikeway Program provides the linkage between Parks, Parks Trails and major State road trails and for the implementation of bicycle facilities(paths, bike lanes and shared lanes on roads).

OUR BUDGET INFORMATION

To learn more about the Bike Program and its Annual Bikeway Capital Improvements Program Approved FY09-14 Budget.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIKEWAY PROGRAM

The Bikeway Program develops and constructs new projects to provide bicycle facilities for all types of riders (recreational, novice, experienced, and commuters) in Montgomery County. Many of the projects are derived from the Master Plans. Bicycle facilities are needed for the experienced and commuter cyclists who primarily use the roadways, as well as for the recreational cyclist who may feel more comfortable cycling on a separate shared use path. Bicycle facilities under the jurisdiction of MCDOT primarily are located within road right-of-way but also include some recent rails to trails conversions.

RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONVERSIONS

We have two shared use paths within the category of a former railroad converted into a trail corridor: the (North) Bethesda Trolley Trail (from Bethesda to Rockville) and the Georgetown Branch Interim Trail (future Capital Crescent Trail) from Bethesda to Silver Spring. The Georgetown Branch Interim Trail is a crushed stone trail in the corridor under study by the MTA for the Purple Line Transitway. The permanent trail is planned to be constructed alongside the transitway once design and construction are funded.

WHAT ABOUT CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT

The Bikeway Program also sponsors the Montgomery County Bicycle Action Group(MCBAG), which is a citizen’s bicycle advisory group sponsored by the MCDOT comprised of representatives of the cycling community and citizens who meet monthly to discuss issues of interest pertaining to cycling in Montgomery County. Anyone can join.

OTHER INITIATIVES

In addition, the program develops innovative bicycle-friendly features for the County including bike racks on County buses, bike lockers/rack programs, borrow a bike programs, and alternative mode endorsement. In an effort to address global warming, the bike program endorses the provision of transportation choices to reduce air pollution caused by automobile trips. We encourage your ideas and your participation towards this goal.