Design options for bicycle-only route developed along Connecticut Avenue between Manor Road and Chevy Chase Lake Drive
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, recently commissioned Toole Design Group of Silver Spring, MD, nationally recognized experts in bicycle planning and design, to develop conceptual designs for a “cycle track” on Connecticut Avenue between Manor Road and Chevy Chase Lake Drive. These concepts incorporate the latest research and best practices to facilitate bicycle access to the future Capital Crescent Trail, Connecticut Avenue Purple Line station and future development around the station.
Review the Connecticut Avenue Cycle Track Concepts Study.
The 2013 Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan recommends a shared-use path on the east side of Connecticut Avenue that transitions to a separate sidewalk and bike-only route in the vicinity of the Purple Line station. Separating bicycles and pedestrians in this area is important due to the substantial pedestrian activity anticipated around the Purple Line station.
What is a cycle track?
A cycle track (also known as a “separated bike lane”) is a bike facility that is physically separated and distinct from both vehicular travel lanes and sidewalks. This separation greatly increases the comfort and safety for bicyclists by separating them from both vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Cycle tracks can operate in one or two directions, and can be located at street level, sidewalk level or an area in between.
Montgomery County opened its first cycle track in November 2014 along the west side of Woodglen Drive between Nicholson and Edson Lanes in the White Flint Sector Plan area.
Learn more about bicycling planning efforts in Montgomery County on the Montgomery County Planning Department’s Bicycle webpage.