Metro Says

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

eb/bikecanopy.pr 00-295

Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6513
Gail Tate-Nouri, 240-777-7194

For Immediate Release: August 7, 2000

METRO SAYS "YES" TO COUNTY REQUEST
FOR COVERED BIKE RACKS

Metro has installed a canopy over half of the 28 bike racks at Grosvenor Metro Station in response to a County request. The canopy, which protects bikes from the weather, was installed in mid-July and has been an immediate hit with bike commuters.

"Encouraging residents to consider alternative forms of transportation is an important part of our comprehensive plan to reduce traffic congestion," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "By making it easier to bike to Metro, we'll not only support commuters who use mass transit, but we'll also reduce parking demand at the stations, as well."

There are 1,528 free bike racks and 640 rental bike lockers at County Metro stations. The County and Metro are working cooperatively to have a total of 1,000 lockers in use by 2004. The County is also working with the Maryland State Highway Administration to provide safe bike lanes and paths to improve bike travel in many areas of the County.

Later this year, a pilot project offering the free use of five new bicycles for daytime errands will be implemented in the Rock Spring Office Park.

This program is part of the County's broader effort to improve transit access along the Rockville Pike corridor. Other initiatives include free mid-day Ride On shuttle buses along the Pike, a planned 1,500-space parking garage at Grosvenor, and a three-mile long bike trail between White Flint Metro and NIH that will begin construction this year.

"Cycling to Metro from neighborhoods that are too far for walking but too close for driving improves Metro access and can be a healthy choice for many commuters," said Gail Tate-Nouri, bicycle planner for Montgomery County. "It is part of our County plan to provide as many travel choices as possible to reduce traffic congestion; bicycling to Metro contributes to that goal."

The canopy installation is one of the first such projects on the East Coast. Metro will be installing five of these canopies on a trial basis in the Washington Metropolitan area to gauge customer acceptance and to respond to the growing popularity of bicycling.

For more information, contact Gail Tait-Nouri at 240-777-7194.

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