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
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
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
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
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.
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.
FATAL ANNAPOLIS BIKE CRASH
See this great essay by Rachael Maney of Bike Law.
11th ANNUAL BIKE HOCO RIDE
All routes have changed. New links are below.
11th ANNUAL BIKE HOCO RIDE
Saturday October 12, 2019
Hosted By
Bicycling Advocates of Howard County (Bike HoCo)
Time again to join Howard County cyclists on Bike HoCo’s 11th Annual Bike HoCo (All-Club) Ride. Enjoy a GREAT Fall ride.
DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 12, 2019
· Check-in/Registration -- 8:30 – 9am (ALL participants must check-in/sign waivers)
· Staggered Start (all rides start after 9am ~ 5 minute intervals)
· Distances: 63 (Metric Century), 42, 34 and 26 mile routes
· Riders are welcome to BYOB tailgate in parking lot area
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
PRE-REGISTRATION: On Eventbrite
Please pre-register so we will have adequate supplies at rest stop. Information and registration (cut and paste if the link doesn’t work):
DONATION/ANNUAL FUNDRAISER: Use our Donate button at: https://bikehoco.org/take-action/ or send via Paypal to webmaster@bikehoco.org (You can also pay/donate cash when you check-in/sign waiver).
· Bike HoCo is a §501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization.
· We request a minimum donation of $5 per rider to help fund our efforts as advocates for Howard County bicycling.
· This is Bike HoCo’s only 2019 fundraiser, so please consider donating even if you don’t ride.
· Our primary use for the funding (since we’re all volunteers) is project/grant effort to increase bicycle safety training in HC public schools.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Sign in starts at @ 8:30 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):
o 63 mile Metric Century: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28758300
o 42 mile: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31275973 (NEW LONGER ROUTE WITH MORE CLIMBING)
o 34 mile: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31275907 (CHANGED RETURN TO AVOID TRIADELPHIA)
o 26 mile: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31272468
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 parking area.
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
Patuxent Branch Trail Closure
Due to the extreme amount of overhead tree hazards along the Patuxent Branch Trail, the trail will be closed from Savage Park to Lake Elkhorn until further notice.
Howard County Recreation and Parks Good news! Beginning June 24, our contractors will begin to clear the trees that created hazardous conditions on Patuxent Branch Trail following the tornado. Please remember to stay safe by not going on this path until we post that it is open. We hope to complete the work in about a week (weather permitting).
Triadelphia Bridge Resconstruction/Closure Impact on Cycling
SHA held a community information meeting last night at Glenelg HS on the State project to expand Route 32 from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway with shoulders from Linden Church Road to I-70. As part of this project the Triadelphia Road Bridge will be rebuilt and expanded over the 4 lanes and will include addition of pedestrian walkway and bike lanes. Construction will commence after school is out (late June/early July) and last over a year.
Issue: During the reconstruction only Westbound (toward traffic circle at Ten Oaks) traffic will be allowed on the bridge with only one 12 foot lane open for traffic. This will remain the status of the bridge until late Spring of 2020. Vehicular traffic going Eastbound (toward Columbia) will be directed to 4.5 mile detour including RT-32 for 1.5 miles to Rosemary Lane and back to Triadelphia (toward Triadelphia Ridge ES) then to Folly Quarter Road. This is NOT a safe option for any cyclist with fast traffic on Rt 32 and a steep climb on Rosemary Lane.
Jack Guarneri and Chris Tsien from Bike HoCo and Stuart Lamb from Glenelg Gang attended the meeting and spoke with engineers and consultants from SHA, Senator Katie Fry Hester (District 9), and Kim Pruim from County Executive Ball's Office. We expressed our concerns and discussed potential options for a key route used by hundreds of cyclists weekly. None of these options are in current SHA plans but include:
Potential use of the existing sidewalk adjacent to traffic lane to allow cyclists to at least walk bike over the bridge
Permit two-way traffic on single lane by using an alternating direction traffic light.
Building a temporary ped/cycle bridge could parallel the construction project crossing Route 32 with temporary wood chip paths on each side.
Investigate a possible temporary path in the vicinity of schools that would parallel Route 32 (this has right-of-way and potential wetlands issues).
We will continue to press on all these options with SHA and County, but the bottom line is construction starts in a little over a month and cycling groups and individuals should start identifying alternative return routes. Possible safer ways to get back toward Columbia from Glenelg area will add significant mileage but include:
Taking Southbound Ten Oaks Road all the way to Route 108 and then East back toward Homewood/Centennial Lane.
Taking Northbound Ten Oaks to Pfefferkorn and Route 144 Frederick Road back to Triadelphia or to Centennial Lane.
If you have other suggestions or comments let us know by email to: president@bikehoco.org or comments on our Facebook page (https://www,facebook.com/BikeHoCo/).
We will continue to keep you informed on status.
County Executive Ball Announces Funding for BikeHoward Express in Capital Budget
March 29, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the largest, single year investment ever dedicated solely to bicycle infrastructure in Howard County. The investment will be included in his FY2020 Capital Improvement Budget, to be presented to the County Council on Monday, April 1. The investment includes $2.2 million in county and grant funding, providing the next step towards BikeHoward Express, an integrated 48-mile network of bicycle infrastructure. Developing this network will provide significant economic, environmental, safety, and health benefits for our community.
BikeHoward Express is a comprehensive strategy to significantly improve bicycle infrastructure throughout Howard County. More than half of residents are within a mile of the network, which would link them to schools, parks, MARC Stations, park and ride lots, and key employment centers, such as Columbia Gateway.
“I am proud to invest in a future of multi-modal transportation in Howard County that improves sustainability and accessibility,” said Ball. “Our investment in BikeHoward Express will make it safer and easier for residents to travel by bike in Howard County. This innovative investment is better for economic development, our environment, our health, and equity, as it is necessary to improve the bikeway for those without access to a car.”
“This meaningful investment will bring BikeHoward closer to its goal of 48 miles of connected bike infrastructure in Howard County,” said Howard County Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby. “When we expand connectivity in our community, we are dedicating ourselves to improved health outcomes, greater access to employment, and a more sustainable future. I am excited to see County Executive Ball’s commitment to BikeHoward Express in the FY2020 Capital Budget, and I look forward to working with him to advance this initiative.”
“We thank County Executive Calvin Ball for listening to the voices of thousands of residents and 46 local businesses and civic organizations who want to see a more bikeable and walkable community. We’re shifting to a higher gear,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, President and CEO of the Horizon Foundation.
“Many thanks to the County Executive for investing in Howard County’s biking infrastructure and for supporting the years of work by cycling advocates,” said Councilmember Deb Jung. “I am looking forward to a more bikeable Howard.”
"BikeHoward is a necessary infrastructure project that will promote accessibility to adequate public transportation for residents,” said Councilmember Opel Jones. “I am excited that County Executive Ball has provided funding for the expansion of our trails, ensuring a healthier and eco-friendly option for commuters around the county. This initiative ensures our position to remain as one of the top ten healthiest counties in America."
“Bike HoCo's (Bicycling Advocates of Howard County) objective has consistently been to increase bicycling safety through infrastructure improvements and to help build an energy efficient, environmentally sustainable transportation system to meet the needs and desires of all HC residents from 8 to 80+,” said Jack Guarneri, President of Bike HoCo. “The funding that County Executive Ball is committing is more than the total county funding over the past 3 years, since the Bike Howard plan was unanimously approved by the County Council. If you really want to accomplish something transformative you'll find a way, and we are extremely gratified that the county has found a way.”
The funding contributions will include $220,000 of federal grants through the Transportation Alternatives Program for the design of the Dobbin Road/McGaw Road shared-use pathway, and $1,980,000 in county funding. The plans include construction of the North Laurel Connections bicycle route, finalizing the design of the South Entrance Trail and Dobbin Road pathway, and implementation of a countywide bicycle wayfinding plan. For more information on BikeHoward Express, visit our site.
Make your voice heard TODAY
Our county leaders are in talks about a complete streets bill which would help the county be more bikeable and walkable, and they need to hear from you right now.
Last week, many of you attended the county executive's second FY 2020 budget hearing and participated in our complete streets learning session. THANK YOU! Because of your support, the county is making it a priority to build safer spaces for biking, walking and riding the bus.
Special thanks to Councilwoman Christiana Mercer Rigby and Acting Director of the Howard County Office of Transportation Chris Eatough for sharing your commitment to a strong complete streets vision. Thanks also to Board of Education Chair Mavis Ellis and Member Sabina Taj for joining us.
At the session, we discussed the importance of a strong county vision, funding and laws to making changes that all of us can see and use.
At the hearing, people and organizations testifying in support of Bikeway and complete streets funding included: Alex Obriecht of Race Pace Bicycles, Chris Tsien of the Bicycling Advocates of Howard County, Jennifer White of the American Heart Association, Annalisse Daly of the Guilford community, Nikki Highsmith Vernick of the Horizon Foundation, Kevin McAliley of the Wilde Lake Community Association, Susan Garber of the Savage Community Association and Larry Schoen of the Multimodal Transportation Board.
We need (1) increased Bikeway funding and (2) a strong complete streets law to make sure we have safe spaces for biking, walking and riding the bus for years to come. These measures “will ensure our youth can safely get to part-time job opportunities after school and people with disabilities get around town without the challenges of disconnected sidewalks,” White said in her testimony.
Please keep the drumbeat going and tell county leaders you want safer, better biking and walking now.
The Annapolis bike lane program
Not Howard County, but still important to area cyclists:
Annapolis has launched a pilot program to establish a bike lane on Main Street. The pilot program is scheduled to end Oct. 19, after which the city will decide whether to proceed with a permanent lane.
There are many people speaking out on the issue. The Capital Gazette has lots of coverage. Read more at http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/annapolis/cgnews-bike-lane-20180920-storygallery.html#