Month: March 2012

MDOT Press release

HANOVER, MD – As part of the O’Malley Administration’s Cycle Maryland Initiative, Governor Martin O’Malley today announces 20 winners of his new Bikeways Program Grants.  He announced the new Maryland Bikeways Program in November as a program to support planning, design and construction of projects that create and improve bicycle connections in Maryland to key destinations, like work, school and shopping.  Governor O’Malley’s new program will provide $2.5 million this year to 10 counties, Baltimore City and various municipalities for a variety of projects in different stages of development from feasibility assessment and design to construction.  The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) also has just opened up the application process for the 2013 Bikeways Grants.

“These grants are a great way to help local jurisdictions make key connections to build a more comprehensive bike network that will benefit our citizens,” said Governor O’Malley.  “By getting out and taking a bike ride, we can learn to enjoy more of Maryland’s natural treasures, help reduce the impact on the land, improve our fitness and well-being, and enhance our quality of life.”

The grant winning projects include:  on and off-road bicycle route connections, bike route signage, bike racks and safety improvements.  A complete list of projects is available at this link:

https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20Capital%20Programming/Bike/Images/Update_March_2012/First%20Bikeways%20Projects%20for%20web.pdf

Some of the winning projects are:

–     the Chestertown Rail Trail connecting Washington College to the Chestertown business district and waterfront in
      Kent County on the Eastern Shore;
–     the completion of on-road bike links in the City of Frederick;
–     the signed, on-road bike route connecting Bowie Town Center and local parks in Prince George’s County;
–     the signed bike route connecting Montgomery Mall and Naval Medical Center and Bethesda Metro stations to
      support new BRAC jobs in Montgomery County
–     the signed on-road bike route and striping from Columbia to Fort Meade to support new BRAC jobs in Howard
      and Anne Arundel counties;
–     the design of the north extension of the BWI Trail to the Nursery Road Light Rail Station; and
–     high-density, covered bike racks at Penn and Camden train stations in Baltimore City.

The largest award of $1 million was announced by Governor O’Malley in November for the missing trail link connecting Maryland’s Anacostia Tributary Trail to Washington, D.C.’s Riverwalk Trail.  The current plan is to break ground in 2012 on this final missing link that when complete will offer nearly 60 miles of contiguous trails along the Anacostia River Tributary System, including 39 miles in Maryland and 20 miles of completed and planned trails in the District of Columbia.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2013 ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED

MDOT is now accepting applications for the 2013 Bikeways Grants.  The Maryland Bikeways Program grants are reviewed and awarded to projects that will support plans and projects that maximize the use of Maryland’s existing bicycle facilities, make needed connections and support Maryland’s bike sharing efforts. The Bikeways Program will address key funding gaps for bicycle projects. Program flexibility will help ensure that the best possible bicycle routes can be developed, by utilizing local and state roads, off-road trails, parks and other available pathways. Through strategic investment in the bicycle network, Maryland and our partners hope not only to stimulate the economy, but also to achieve cost savings for households and government agencies.

Governor O’Malley kicked off his Cycle Maryland Initiative to consolidate and coordinate bicycle programs in Maryland in an effort to make bicycling a true transportation alternative and to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride. The goal is to support Maryland’s economy, to provide a cleaner environment and to encourage a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life for all Marylanders.   

For more information on Cycle Maryland efforts or to download a Bikeways Program Grant Application, please visit www.cycle.maryland.gov.  Applications are due May 4th with final grant winners to be announced this summer.

Contact:   

MDOT
Jack Cahalan
Erin Henson
410-865-1028
Continue reading “GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES THE FIRST BIKEWAYS GRANT WINNERS”

by Roland Oehme, sierraclubgreenhome.com
ANNAPOLIS, MD — I attended the annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium in the beautiful capitol of Annapolis on February 22. This annual event is open to everyone, and encourages the public to learn the latest in bicycle advocacy issues statewide.
During the symposium, I sensed an appreciation for past accomplishments as well as a strong desire to increase bicycle safety and awareness, and improve bicycle facilities and infrastructure.
In the United States (with the exception of a few regional examples like Portland, Oregon) most people cannot use bicycling as a safe and convenient commuting method. Bicycling is still rather an anomaly, used by only a few strong souls to commute and by suburbanites who recreate by first driving to bicycle trails– and they frequently have to drive many miles, since trails are not always located where people live.
This despite the fact that bicycle-friendly communities in any setting, whether urban, suburban, or rural, promote a stronger connection to local places and people, a healthier lifestyle, and cleaner air.
Have you ever wondered why visiting Americans become enamored with European cities? In general, Europe’s cities are much more compact, and therefore bicycle-friendly, than our sprawling American urban centers. Bicycling to work and to run errands is a normal part of life for many Europeans, and it is possible because public policies are always updated to allow for easy bicycling.
In fact, many European cities (like London) are realizing that they can achieve an even better quality of life by limiting or completely restricting car access to city centers and enhancing the bicycle and pedestrian access. Bike commuting is very feasible in many parts of Asia as well.
Many at the symposium were asking: can our cities place the same value on walking and bicycling as these other places do?
Carol Silldorff, executive director of the organization that runs the symposium, will give her perspective on some of these issues tomorrow. Check back for an in-depth interview!
Roland Oehme is a green and healthy living landscape architect and writer. Read his blog at: https://www.greenharmonydesign2007.blogspot.com/
Continue reading “Maryland Bicycle Symposium: Greening Our Cities”