Bikeways Program - Minor projects provides for the planning, design and construction of bikeways, trails, and bike route wayfinding signage throughout the County to develop the bikeway network.
Glenbrook Road
Spring St./Cedar St. Sep. Bike Lanes
Clopper Rd. Shared Use Path (Section 3)
Nebel St. Separated Bike Lanes
Bicycle Route
A bikeway or system of bikeways that have been designated with directional and informational route markers to provide guidance, connectivity and continuity.
Bicycle Lane
Bike lanes designate an exclusive space for bicyclists through the use of pavement markings and signage. The bike lane is located adjacent to motor vehicle travel lanes and flows in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic. Bike lanes are typically on the right side of the street. Benefits include providing obvious space on the road for cyclists and sending a message to other road users to expect cyclists.
Buffered Bike Lane
Buffered bike lanes are conventional bicycle lanes with a designated buffer space separating the bicycle lane from the parking lane. Benefits include reduced risk of "dooring" and greater space for cyclists to maneuver. Potential disadvantage is that motorists and delivery vehicles are more likely to illegally park in the lane.
Raised Separated Bike Lane
Raised separated bike lanes are bicycle facilities that are vertically separated from motor vehicle traffic. Many are paired with a furnishing zone between the separated bike lane and motor vehicle travel lane and/or pedestrian area. Benefits include that motorists are kept from easily entering and it is more attractive to a wider range of bicyclists at all levels and ages than less separated facilities.
Separated Bike Lane
Separated bike lanes are at street level and use a variety of methods for physical protection from passing traffic. A separated bike lane may use a parking lane or other barrier between the bike lane and the motor vehicle travel lane. Benefits include a reduced risk of "dooring," preventing double-parking, reducing risks from motorists entering/existing parking spaces, and more comfortable for bicyclists of all levels and ages.
Shared-Lane Marking
Shared Lane Markings (SLMs), or "sharrows,"" are road markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. Among other benefits, SLMs reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on the street, recommend proper bicyclist positioning, and may be configured to offer directional and wayfinding guidance.
Shared Use Path
A shared-use path is defined as a trail permitting more than one type of user. Paths serve as part of a transportation circulation system and support multiple recreation opportunities, such as walking, bicycling, and inline skating. A shared-use path is physically separated from motor vehicular traffic with an open space or barrier.
Two-Way Sep. Bike Lane
Two-way separated bike lanes are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic and allow bicycle movement in both directions on one side of the road. They may be suitable in locations with width contraints and with limited conflict areas with driveways. This facility dedicates and protects space for bicyclists by improving perceived comfort and safety. A two-way facility usually requires less space than two one-way facilities, and can make maintenance easier.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering (DTE) has the responsibility to plan and construct bikeways. The MCDOT is responsible for maintenance of bikepaths on State roads as well. All bikeways constructed by MCDOT comply with Federal Law under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In an effort to encourage more users to chose bicycling as a safe and desirable travel choice, MCDOT is constructing separated and protected bike lanes, adding sharrows in travel lanes and more directional bike route signs to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to ride a bike.
The County offers 90.1 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly shoulders, and separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) countywide (including municipalities) which break down as:
The County also offers 50.0 miles of signed shared roadway and 18.8 miles of sharrows for on-road cycling, as well as more than 250 miles of paved paths. MCDOT will be releasing a new online interactive map showing all of the bikeways in early 2016.
The Montgomery County Bicycle Action Group (MCBAG) was created by the MCDOT in 1996 in order to gain input from citizens interested in recreational and on-road cycling issues. MCBAG is a group of citizens interested in recreational and on-road bicycling issues who gives advice to the Department on current issues, programs and projects relating to cycling in Montgomery County. The MCBAG meets monthly to discuss and recommend positions on various issues on bicycling on a regional and local basis. MCBAG has approximately 100 members who are contacted by an e-mail mailing list. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please refer to the MCDOT calendar for meeting dates.
Installation Form
Bicycle Racks Info
Bicycle Request Form
CONTACT US
Patricia Shepherd, A.I.C.P., Capital Projects Manager/Bikeways Coordinator Division of Transportation Engineering 100 Edison Park Dr., 4th Floor Gaithersburg, MD 20878 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 240-777-7223
First Separated Bike Lane on Woodglen Drive
Bike Box on Woodglen Drive and Nicholson Lane
Bethesda Trolley Trail South of Edson Lane
Emory Lane (Shared Use Path)
Capital Crescent Trail
Bethesda Trolley Trail Wayside I at Edson Lane and Woodglen Drive
Bethesda Trolley Trail Wayside II at Beech Avenue and Montgomery Drive
Bethesda Trolley Trail Wayside II with Landscaping
Marinelli Bike Lanes (Completed 2013)
Bethesda Trolley Trail