Pitch Your Thoughts on the State's Revised Bike Plan

Have an idea for the state's revised Bike Master Plan? State planners are accepting written public comments until December 10.

The Maryland Department of Transportation's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was first adopted in 2002. The plan lays out a 20-year vision for cyclists and walkers across the state, incorporating local plans along the way.

Learn more about the state's plan on the DOT's website.

This year, the plan is being revisited in part to incorporate recently enacted federal transportation legislation—namely, "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century."

Following this process, the plan is set to be updated every five years with public input.

Comments can be provided via email to ksylvester@mdot.maryland.gov, or by mail to:

Office of Planning and Capital Programming
Maryland Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
P.O. Box 548
Hanover, MD 21076

City, County Have Separate Plans

Meanwhile, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County planners have been working on their own plans, which would work in tandem with the state's initiative.

In 2011, Toole Design Group worked with cycling enthusiasts to create the Annapolis Bike Master Plan, which wrangled together dozens of bike paths, trails and streets across Annapolis into a city-wide network. 

However, the Annapolis City Council has yet to adopt the first set of recommendations for the plan, which would require budgetary funding.

Cycling advocates have also pushed for the completion of several planned trails in the county, which could work hand-in-hand with the city's. 

The largest projects include the South Shore Trail, stretching from Odenton to Annapolis, as well as the completion of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail from the south edge of Odenton to the Patuxent River, adjoining with Prince George's County. 

The Broadneck Hiking and Biking Trail's first phase was opened to the public in September.  The .8 mile stretch of the trail stretches between Green Holly Drive and Cape St. Claire Road. Future phases of the trail are in the design stage, but have not yet received funding. The ultimate goal of the project is to span College Parkway and link up with the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail near Ritchie Highway.

For several years, trail projects were on hold due to a lack of funding. But there is more than $6 million set aside in the county budget in 2014 and 2015 for the completion of the South Shore Trail, and land acquisition is happening now. 

The extension of the WB&A Trail, meanwhile, will be funded and completed largely by the builder of the Two Rivers housing development. Preliminary work on the development has begun, and trail work could begin soon. 

The trails would be part of the broader East Coast Greenway, a 2,500 traffic-free path linking Maine to Florida.