Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park last week urged the Maryland Department of Transportation to create bike lanes and markings before the county implements its Bikeshare program next year.
In a letter to acting Secretary of Transportation Darrell Mobley, Floreen asked for buffered bike lanes, non-buffered bike lanes, shared use markings and conflict zone markings where possible in ongoing DOT resurfacing projects.
“Bikesharing has the potential to significantly improve connectivity within Montgomery County and provide an entirely new transportation option for many,” Floreen wrote. “As we encourage this mode of transportation, we must also make sure we have the infrastructure to provide a safe environment for all bicyclists and especially for novice riders who will travel at relatively low speeds.”
Floreen, a member of the county’s Transportation Commitee, said the improvements are endorsed by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.
In August, County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) made a similar suggestion for increasing bike safety before Bikeshare begins.
The county is hoping to build 29 bikeshare stations in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Silver Spring by next spring, with the hope of capitalizing on the popularity of the program in Washington, D.C., Arlington, Va., and Alexandria, Va.
Floreen specifically asked for bike lanes in downtown Silver Spring and asked DOT to consider lanes and markings in ongoing or planned resurfacing projects on Connecticut Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue and Rockville Pike.
Bicycle improvements are included “where appropriate” in the Wisconsin Avenue and Cedar Lane project.