The month of May marks National Bike Month for communities across the country. This year, Takoma Park had a very productive month. Here’s a round-up of May’s initiatives, as well as additional resources for helping you get around on a bike!
New Initiatives and Announcements
Announcing Two New Bike Infrastructure Grants!
In May, the MWCOG Transportation Planning Board (TBP) awarded the City of Takoma Park two new grants, totaling $130,000 in technical assistance. One grant supports preliminary designs to upgrade the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which crosses through Takoma Park along Takoma Ave and Fenton St. The second grant supports preliminary designs for the New Ave Bikeway to connect from Poplar Ave to Kansas Ave NE at the DC border. To learn more, visit the City’s ‘Bikeways Program’ web page.
Big Bike Rack Install of 2022
In April, the City ordered 52 new bike racks and one new public bike repair station. The new racks will be installed in all six wards, with a special focus on public parks, local shopping destinations, and areas of the City currently underserved by bike infrastructure. The new repair station will be the City’s fourth, located at the Recreation Center. Racks will be installed on a rolling basis over the next couple of months.
Bike Repair Stations Get a Tune-up
The City maintains three FixIt bike repair stations for riders to pump up their tires and make basic adjustments and repairs with some shared tools. The three stations, located at Albany Ave & Takoma Ave, New Hampshire Ave & Sligo Creek Trail, and the Takoma Park Police Station, each got a tune-up with fresh parts, just in time for springtime riding weather!
Residents Biked to School and Work en Masse
Each year, the City of Takoma Park joins with local partners to put on National Bike to School Day (May 4) and National Bike to Work Day (May 20) programs. This year, in the face of unexpected adversity, students, residents, and neighbors showed up in a big way! Hundreds of students from all five local public elementary and middle schools wheeled their way to school, despite morning rain. And over two hundred riders registered to visit one of the City’s two Bike to Work Day Pit stops, despite daytime temperatures pushing past 90 degrees. Participants at each received bike safety swag, including lights, bells, and reflective bands.
Ongoing Initiatives and Resources
Catch a Ride with Capital Bikeshare
Did you know that Takoma Park houses seven Capital Bikeshare stations, with three more just across the border? Getting around on a shared bike has never been easier, with standard and electric-assist bike options! Check out one of the 600+ stations in the DMV region today! Learn more at: https://capitalbikeshare.com/
New Ave Bikways Advances to Final Designs
It’s been a long journey, but we’re reaching our destination! The New Ave Bikeway, Sections A & B, are both in their final design stages! Once completed, they will present a two-direction, separated, multi-use path along the west side of New Hampshire Ave for people on foot and on wheels. To see how we got to this point, check out the City’s ‘New Ave Bikeway” web page for technical designs, schedules, and more!
Maple Ave Complete Street Seeks New Funding
Maple Ave is one of the most important civic, recreational, and residential corridors in the City, providing much-needed connectivity for bikers and pedestrians, but right now, the roadway doesn’t work well for many of its users. Last summer, consultants completed a preliminary design to reimagine Maple Ave, from the DC border to Sligo Creek Parkway, as a more bike and pedestrian-friendly street. City staff is currently exploring options for additional funding to advance the design process and incorporate additional feedback received about the preliminary (30%) designs.
Contact
Housing and Community Development
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov
