BikeHoCo asked county executive candidates to complete active transportation questionnaires, read their responses below:
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):
51 = https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40862522 (cue sheet here)
26 = https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40913750 (cue sheet here)
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.
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
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.