Bike HoCo Bike Corral at Fireworks Display

From Warren Wortman, chair of the Bike Corrals:

Wow, what a great day! The Bike HoCo 4th of July Corral was a big success. We corraled 52 bikes without incident. Our new weather-proof, paperless tags were very successful, and the check-out system went smoothly. Hats off to all of you!

This could not have happened without all our wonderful volunteers! Thank you for all your service. Volunteers put up signs the night before, set up the corral at 9 AM, and stayed until well past 10 PM. 

Thank you for providing a safe place to park bikes, resulting in less traffic, more efficient parking (no automobile parking spaces were used), less pollution, and, most importantly,  giving our bike corral users an opportunity to experience the joy of bicycling.

For those wanting more volunteer opportunities, please visit our corral website and click on Volunteer. We still need volunteers for the EC Music Fest on August 19th from noon until 8:00 pm.


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At a June 30 press conference, the County Executive and Director of Recreation and Parks announced the 4th of July celebration at the Columbia Lakefront and Bike HoCo’s bike corral:

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, along with the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, Columbia Association, and other community organizations, announced the County’s annual Fireworks Display at the Lakefront in Downtown Columbia, beginning at 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4th. The free event will also include food trucks beginning at 5:00 p.m. and live musical performances hosted by the Columbia Festival of the Arts beginning at 6:00 p.m. Pictures from the announcement can be found here.

…

Howard County Police Department will be closing both directions of Little Patuxent Parkway between Symphony Woods Rd. and Governor Warfield Parkway beginning at 6:30 p.m. on July 4th. The road will reopen at approximately 11:00 p.m. Eastbound Little Patuxent Parkway between Broken Land Parkway and Symphony Woods Rd. will be closed from about 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Traffic delays can be expected. 
 
“July 4th is a perfect time to “park once” and enjoy all that Downtown Columbia has to offer and to experience just how close and connected our neighborhoods and amenities are,” said Phillip Dodge, Executive Director of Downtown Columbia Partnership. “Just like we suggest on concert nights, you should arrive early, park in our garages, and then enjoy the restaurants and other attractions nearby.” 
 
Free bicycle parking will be available for those who choose to travel to Downtown by bicycle. “Beat the traffic this 4th of July- ride your bicycle from all over Columbia to the Bike HoCo bike corral at the lakefront. Join us for free, protected bike parking at Wincopin Circle & Little Patuxent Parkway from 3 - 10 pm,” said Rebecca Bryant of Bike HoCo. [emphasis added]

Trip Rewards Available Now!

Bike HoCo in collaboration with the Downtown Columbia Partnership is excited to announce a new Trip Rewards Program.   With your minimum $20 donation to Bike HoCo, not only will you make advocacy for safe cycling possible, help fund needed rest stops and maintenance stations for bikers, as well as increase accessibility to cycling for those that to start, you will also become one of our Trip Rewards members! 

Bike HoCo Trip Reward members receive discounts from local merchants throughout Columbia.  Trip Reward members receive a vinyl sticker to attach to their bike helmet. When you ride your bike to a participating business, simply show your helmet with an attached sticker at checkout to qualify for your reward. 

Visit the Trip Rewards page to donate and see a list of participating merchants

12th Annual Bike HoCo Ride


Half and Quarter Century

Sunday October 2, 2022 Sunday, October 9, 2022

After a 2 year pandemic delay it is time again to join Howard County cyclists on Bike HoCo’s 12th Annual Bike HoCo Ride. Enjoy a great early Fall ride and prepare for next weekend’s Sea Gull Century in Salisbury with a half or quarter century ride. Bike HoCo is your local Howard County bicycling advocacy 501(c)3 non-profit. This is our only annual fundraiser and helps support our efforts in bicycling safety, education and as an active transportation alternative.

DATE & TIME:

Sunday, October 2, 2022 Sunday, October 9, 2022

  • Check-in/Registration -- 9:30 – 10am (ALL participants must check-in/sign waivers)

  • Distances: 51 or 26 mile routes (Half and Quarter Century +1)

  • Riders are welcome to BYOB/food to tailgate in the APL Picnic pavilion (across softball field) after the ride. We’ll have water and some snacks available.

LOCATION:

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Start/Check-in/: APL Softball Field Parking Lot

  • GPS/Google Maps location: Across from 7188 Sanner Road, Clarksville, MD 21029  

Please pre-register so we will have adequate rest stop supplies.

DONATION/ANNUAL FUNDRAISER:

Please donate using the button below:

  • Bike HoCo is a §501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization so donations are tax deductible.

  • We request a minimum donation of $5 per rider to help fund our efforts as advocates for Howard County bicycling. If you can, please consider donating $20 to become a Supporting Member of Bike HoCo and support our advocacy including school bike safety training, bike corrals and lobbying HC Government.

  • This is Bike HoCo only 2022 fundraiser, so please consider donating even if you don’t ride.

You can also pay/donate cash when you check-in/sign waiver

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Sign in starts at @ 9:30 am -- ALL riders must sign waiver

  • Ride Routes (Bike HoCo will post cue sheets and GPS data file on its web site prior to the ride and we will have paper copies at check-in):

  • Rest stop @ Glenwood Community Center (Rt 97 & Carrs Mill Rd. Otherwise, routes go by various convenience stores

  • You can BYO beer/wine/food for post-ride socializing in the picnic APL Pavilion.

  • Wear Club or Group jerseys if you have one.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We need volunteers to help staff rest stop.  If you can volunteer, please contact: president@bikehoco.org

New bicycle lanes, 108 and Centennial Lane

HEADS UP: Starting this spring, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin an improvement project to enhance safety and traffic operations at the intersection of MD 108 (Clarksville Pike) and Centennial Lane/Beaverbrook Road in Columbia. Utility relocations are already underway.

Project improvements include:

- Widening both directions of MD 108 approaching Centennial Lane/Beaverbrook Road to accommodate new turning lanes at the intersection and new bicycle lanes;

- Constructing a new second left-turn lane from eastbound MD 108 to Centennial Lane;

- Extending the right lane on westbound MD 108 by approximately 350 feet;

- Widening Centennial Lane to accommodate the new double left-turn lanes;

- Upgrading the pedestrian signal and crosswalk;

- Improving area drainage systems; and

- Installing a new traffic signal for the new turn lanes.

Electronic message signs and barrels and flagging operations will be in place as occasional single-lane closures will be required. However, SHA does not anticipate any traffic detours and pedestrian access in the area will be maintained during construction. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by fall 2022.

While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, drivers are reminded to stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Please slow down and don’t follow too closely when traveling through a work zone. Remember, work zone safety is in your hands.

For questions and/or more information about this project, visit https://bit.ly/3c8spzd and/or contact SHA at 410-545-0303.

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2021 Active Transportation Open House

You can help! Attend the 2021 Active Transportation Open House. The Open House will cover biking, walking, micromobility, and Complete Streets in Howard County. It will be held virtually over eight days from February 19 to 26 for people to explore as their schedules allow and include office hours when staff will be available to chat or answer questions by video conference. Our Open House website will include links to those office hours when they are available.

Patapsco Regional Greenway -- Comments requested

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The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), as the metropolitan planning organization for the Baltimore region, seeks public comments through Friday, July 17 on a new section of the Patapsco Regional Greenway in Howard and Baltimore Counties

In 2017, the BRTB approved a concept plan for the Patapsco Regional Greenway. Now they are seeking your input on the Elkridge to Guinness route.

Choosing the Best Pathway

Earlier this year, the design team studied the area and developed three options, also called “alignment alternatives,” for the Elkridge to Guinness connection and the Patapsco River crossing.

Each of the three potential trail placements include a Patapsco River crossing. All alternatives would also pass through the numerous wetlands and floodplains of the Patapsco River Valley. Federal and State regulations provide protections for the river and its associated wetlands and floodplains, so the design team looked for options that would minimize impacts to these environmental resources.

The BRTB seeks feedback on three possible trail routes. Highlights are below.

Alternative 1: The Patapsco Route

The Patapsco Route has several options to take trail users through the floodplain of the Patapsco River and into Historic Elkridge via a bridge over the Patapsco River. Changing Main Street in Elkridge to a one-way road would provide enough space for a low-stress separated bike lane.

Length: Cost Range:

1.8 Miles $2.5 to $4.2 Million

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Alternative 2: The Northern Link

The Northern Link efficiently ties the area of Guinness Open Gate Brewery to the Thomas Viaduct inside the Patapsco Valley State Park. Sharrows, also known as shared lane markings, along the low-volume Levering Avenue would allow trail users to come into Historic Elkridge.

Length: Cost Range:

1.2 Miles $1.9 to $2.4 Million

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Alternative 3:  Elkridge Spur

The Elkridge Spur provides efficient connections between the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Historic Elkridge and the Park, with an optional loop trail that would also provide an opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the Patapsco River.

Length: Cost Range:

2.5 Miles $3.8 to $4.3 Million

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Based on your input, and the input of our project partners, the project team will choose a preferred alignment and complete a preliminary design. Once 30% design is completed, Howard and Baltimore Counties will apply for a grant to complete the design.

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Bike Lanes Through Resurfacing

This year, Howard County is proposing to implement the recommendations of BikeHoward, the Howard County Bicycle Master Plan. Two projects currently being proposed include:

  • North Ridge Road in Ellicott City – the shoulder will be converted to provide new, painted bike lanes from Sonia Trail to Executive Center Drive. 

  • Marshalee Drive in Elkridge – the shoulder will be converted to new, painted bike lanes from Montgomery Road, past Avalon Drive, to the road adjacent to 6070 Marshalee Drive. 

 

Both of these projects are related to road resurfacing. These road segments were recently resurfaced, providing the opportunity to add bike lanes when restriping the road. Please note: Converting the existing shoulders to bike lanes on Marshalee Drive further east to Gatepost Way is also being considered, although this portion was not recently resurfaced.

 

The Office of Transportation will present the proposal and hear feedback from the community at two virtual community meetings of neighboring residents, adjacent businesses and property owners, and interested members of the public.  The meetings will be hosted on the virtual meeting platform, Webex.

-        The North Ridge Road meeting will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 7:00pm.

-        The Marshalee Drive meeting will be held Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 7:00pm.

 

Those who wish to attend are asked to notify our office by emailing transportation@howardcountymd.gov by 3:00pm of the day of the meeting with their name and affiliation. They will be sent the Webex login information as well as general information on using Webex. All residents and roadway users of all travel modes are invited to attend. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in reaching out to community members who would be interested and encourage them to attend. Informational fliers have been included for your use.

 

Community members can also provide feedback by emailing transportation@howardcountymd.gov until July 14, 2020 for the North Ridge Road location and July 15, 2020 for the Marshalee Drive location. After the meetings, the Office of Transportation and Department of Public Works will consider all feedback received and determine whether to move forward with the proposals. If implemented, markings would be added this summer. We look forward to seeing you and Bike HoCo community members at the meeting and hearing your feedback.