See also: Biking in Rockville   
  

Master Plan Update Process
A process to update the City’s 1998 Adopted Bikeway Master Plan was launched with the formation of a citizen task force supported by staff from the Transportation Team and the Recreation and Parks Department. This updated plan features goals and objectives that can be integrated with the goals and objectives of the newly revised Rockville Comprehensive Plan, new definitions of bicycle facilities from the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities (adopted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 1999), and improved maps. It also takes advantage of the recommendations of recent planning efforts, such as the Town Center Master Plan and the Fallsgrove development plan, as well as the recommendations of bicycle plans in surrounding areas, such as Gaithersburg and Montgomery County.

The Bikeway Master Plan Update was adopted on April 26, 2004.

During the planning process, the City will also create a user-friendly bicycle map that can be distributed at places such as bicycle shops, libraries, schools, and parks.

Public input is a key component of the Bikeway Master Plan Update. The Bikeway Master Plan Update Committee, a special subcommittee of the Citizens Bicycle Advisory Committee is helping to generate goals and objectives of the plan, review the plan text, and recommend routes where new bike paths, lanes, and signs are needed. A public meeting was held in spring 2003 when the planning process was nearly complete, to present a draft plan and receive feedback from citizens. All Rockville citizens and visitors were encouraged to attend this public meeting and to provide their input to members of the Bikeway Master Plan Update Committee, Citizens Bicycle Advisory Committee, and directly to the Transportation Team staff. Incorporating ideas from a wide variety of citizens and receiving support from the community will ensure that the Bikeway Master Plan Update continues the success of the 1998 Bikeway Master Plan.

Background

In the four years since the 1998 Rockville Bikeway Master Plan was adopted, the City of Rockville has completed over 20 miles of multi-use paths, including nearly all of its 10-mile Millennium Trail, signed nearly 20 miles of bicycle routes, and striped more than two miles of bike lanes. The City has also secured funding for and designed a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across I-270 at MD Rt. 28, created trail crossing design guidelines, and continues to construct safer street crossings for bicyclists. Bicycle racks have been installed in many parts of the city, including at Metro Stations and in the Town Center area, and bicycle accessibility to recreation areas has been improved, including paths in city parks and bike lockers at all City-owned recreation facilities.

In addition to facility improvements, the City has promoted and offered education about safe bicycling to residents. Ride for Rockville, Bike to Work Day, and Commuter Assistance programs have been established to encourage bicycling in the City. Neighborhood residents receive mailings when a new bikeway is added near their homes. Rockville is also serving as the pilot location for Maryland’s new pedestrian and bicycle safety education program. The classes are already being taught in the City’s elementary schools.

The achievements of the 1998 plan would not have been as great without the involvement of the Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee, support and ideas from other citizens, support from the Mayor and Council, cooperation among city departments, and very specific recommendations for projects to be implemented.

 Though many accomplishments have been made, more work is needed before Rockville is a place where all citizens can bicycle to all parts of the city for all types of trips. Most of the recommendations of the 1998 plan have been addressed, and the City would like to develop and prioritize a new set of strategies for improving bicycling in Rockville for the next 10 years through the Bikeway Master Plan Update.

Bob Schneider, Sprinkle Consulting, Inc.
December 3, 2002