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Evalutaion and Planning

Bicycling in Rockville

Rockville Bikeway Master Plan
The Rockville Bikeway Master Plan was adopted in October 1998.  With the strong support of the Mayor, City Council, City staff, and citizens, new bicycle facilities were added and new bicycle safety and promotion programs were undertaken.  This transformed Rockville from a city with a few unconnected bicycle trails into one of Maryland’s leading communities for bicycling.

Implementation of the recommendations in the 1998 Plan, changes in local conditions, updated national guidelines, and increased interest in bicycling for both transportation and recreation warranted an update to the Plan.  The Rockville Bikeway Master Plan Update was adopted by Mayor and Council on April 26, 2004.

The 2004 Plan Update established the following vision statement:

“Bicycling in Rockville is for all types of trips; for all types of people; for all parts of the City.”

The physical recommendations in the 2004 Plan Update are shown on the Bikeway Recommendations Map and Town Center Bikeways Map.

Background
In the five years after 1998 Rockville Bikeway Master Plan was adopted, the City of Rockville 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 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 safe bicycling education 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. These 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 with very specific recommendations for projects to be implemented, support from the Mayor and Council, and cooperation among city departments.

 Bike improvement form