New Bike Paths and Safer Streets Coming to Local Neighborhoods
Local transportation planners are moving forward with several projects to build new bike lanes and trails. These projects aim to make riding a bicycle safer and help people get around without needing a car. Currently, work is happening in several busy neighborhoods, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. These improvements will make it easier for families, students, and workers to travel safely.
Among the active projects, crews are building parts of the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring. Another major project is the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Silver Spring. In Wheaton, crews are working on McComas Avenue to build a neighborhood greenway. A greenway is a street designed to slow down cars so that cyclists and walkers can share the road safely. Together, these active projects will add more than two miles of new bike paths to the local network.
Big Plans for Future Trails
In addition to the work already underway, local planners have 20 more projects in the design phase. These future projects will add nearly 18 miles of bike-friendly paths across the area. The goal of these updates is to redesign local roads so they work better for everyone, whether they are driving, walking, or riding a bike.
By creating better connections to neighborhoods, schools, and shopping centers, officials hope to make it easier for people to leave their cars at home. In recent years, the community has already added more than 17 miles of new bike paths, including paths that connect to the new light rail line. Currently, the entire area has 112 miles of bike lanes, paved shoulders, and protected paths where bikes are separated from cars.
Safe Parking and Better Transit Connections
New trails are only part of the plan. To help cyclists keep their equipment secure, a new secure bike parking facility is being built inside a parking garage in downtown Silver Spring. Located near the corner of Dixon Avenue and Bonifant Street, this indoor parking area is scheduled to open later this year. This facility will give riders peace of mind when they leave their bikes to go to work or shop.
The trail network is also designed to connect smoothly with public transportation. For example, the Metropolitan Branch Trail will link riders directly to major transit hubs, local college campuses, and nearby neighborhoods. Eventually, this trail will stretch all the way to the central train station and the historic national park area in the nearby capital city. Because these trails are so long, they are being built in smaller sections over time, with each new section making the overall network larger and more useful.
How Bike Paths Work with Public Buses
The county is also expanding its rapid bus network. These fast and frequent bus lines are designed to work hand-in-hand with bicycle paths. When streets are designed with both buses and bikes in mind, traffic congestion goes down, and it becomes much easier for people to get where they need to go. It also gives residents more ways to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.
Key features of this transit integration include:
- Safe crossings: New bus stations will feature safe crosswalks and pathways for pedestrians and cyclists to cross busy streets.
- Easy boarding: The rapid buses allow riders to step directly on board without climbing stairs, making it much easier to carry a bicycle.
- Onboard storage: Every rapid bus is equipped with bike racks inside or on the vehicle so riders can easily combine cycling and bus trips.
One rapid bus line is already running along a major local highway. A second line is currently planned to open on another busy roadway by the end of the decade.
Get Involved and Project Timelines
Local residents who want to share their feedback or learn more about these changes are encouraged to join a local bicycle advisory group. This group helps residents stay updated on new projects and share their ideas with planners to make the streets safer for everyone.
One of the major projects currently under construction is:
- Capital Crescent Surface Trail (Phase 2): Located in Bethesda, this project spans a quarter of a mile and is expected to be finished in the coming years.