Department of Recreation and Parks 
Bikeway Plans

Bicycling in Rockville

	Bikeway Master Plan - Adopted April 23, 2004 (.pdf)
	Appendix A - Level of Service Model Summary (.pdf)
	City of Rockville Bikeway Map (.pdf)
	Town Center Bikeway Map (.pdf)

 

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.

Jeff Radan, the City’s former Bikeway Coordinator, helps local teachers teach the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program lessons. Photo by teacher at…??	Bicycle Safety Education is being offered to 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders in Rockville Elementary Schools. Photo by Jeff Radan, City of Rockville

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.

Differences Between 1998 Bikeway Master Plan and 2004 Bikeway Master Plan Update
There are a number of differences between the 1998 Rockville Bikeway Master Plan and the 2004 Plan Update.  Below is a general overview of the new material in the 2004 Update.

• The vision statement has been broadened.
  
• Recommendations are related to specific goals in the Transportation section of the Rockville Comprehensive Master Plan.
  
• Town Center and Fallsgrove recommendations are incorporated into Plan.
  
• Bicycle facility classification system has been changed to conform to 1999 AASHTO Bicycle Facility Guidelines.
  
• Bicycle Level of Service is used to inform recommendations.
  
• Design standards include a typical 36-foot Rockville residential collector street.
  
• Maintenance section includes maintenance responsibilities and schedule.
  
• Recommendations include some that can be implemented when funding is available and others that can be implemented when reconstruction or redevelopment occur.
  
• Regional routes and connections are included in recommendations.
  
• Additional bikeway connections are included in recommendations.
  
• Additional improvements to intersection barriers are included in recommendations.
  
• Bicycle-friendly roadway design standards are recommended.
  
• The Update recommends that a Safe Routes to Schools Program should be developed in Rockville.
  
• The Update recommends that the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Program should be expanded.
  
• The Update recommends that developers should be required to provide bikeway facilities.
  
• The Update recommends that environmental impacts of bikeway facilities be considered during their development.
  
• The Update recommends that a distinctive bikeway signage system be created.
  
• The Update recommends that a user-friendly bikeway map should be created.

There are also several key similarities between the two plans:

• Both Plans stress the importance of the public involvement in Plan implementation.
  
• Both Plans stress the role of the Citizens Bicycle Advisory Committee as critical to the success of the plan.
  
• Both Plans stress that the support of Mayor and Council is important.
  
• Both Plans stress that cooperation between city departments and citizen committees is very important.