MCDOT's Latest Go Montgomery! Transportation Newsletter is Now Available - March 17, 2022

 

TODAY: Montgomery County Steps Up Impaired Driving Enforcement and Provides Safe Ride Options for St. Patrick's Day on Thursday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day for many is a holiday associated with alcohol use. As a result, impaired driving makes the holiday a dangerous time. In an effort to prevent death and injury that often accompany driving under the influence, the Montgomery County Police Department is ramping up enforcement efforts and the MCDOT is providing safe ride resources for residents who will be celebrating with alcohol. Learn more here. MCDOT Celebrates ‘Transit Driver Appreciation Day’ on Friday, March 18, and Encourages Community Support for Bus Operators  MCDOT will join in the worldwide celebration of “Transit Driver Appreciation Day” with County Executive Marc Elrich who will present a proclamation recognizing the day at 12:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Bus Depot. County Executive Elrich will be joined by MCDOT Director Chris Conklin, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne and other County representatives.  This event will be dedicated to celebrating the service of public transit employees and will be streamed live on the @MCDOTNow Twitter account.  MCDOT is one of many public transportation providers to recognize the public service of transit employees and employs more than 650 bus operators to support the transit services that include Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex and Flash. Passengers may take a photo with a “Thank You” sign, then tag @RideOnMCT and @MCDOTNow on Twitter with the hashtag #TransitAppreciationDay to receive a free SmarTrip card while supplies last. Once the photo is posted, direct message Ride On with an address noting where to mail the SmarTrip card. Comments and notes of thanks are also appreciated.  MCDOT Increases Ride On Bus Service; Reinstates Ride On extRa, Flex and Flash Bus Service The new schedule changes returned bus service to 86% of pre-COVID levels on Sunday, March 13. This is a 6% increase from the temporary January reduction due to the number of employees who were sick from or exposed to COVID-19 during the recent surge. The bus routes that have resumed service or increased frequency include:  Ride On Flex, the on-demand service in Wheaton/Glenmont and Rockville is now in service. Ride On extRa, the limited-stop service along MD 355 between Lakeforest Transit Center and Medical Center is now in service. Flash, the bus rapid transit bus line servicing US 29 has resumed full weekday service and continues to service the Food and Drug Administration campus in White Oak.   Ride On bus service increased frequency on routes 9, 14, 20, 30, 43, 56, 61, 63, and 100.  Learn more here. MCDOT Offers Reduced-Price Adult Bike Classes this Spring Classes are led by certified WABA instructors and designed for adults aged 18 or older who have never ridden a bike before, have tried to learn but have been unsuccessful or who have not ridden for some time. Students will learn the basics of balancing, gliding, pedaling, and stopping using techniques to ride comfortably and confidently. The adult "Learn to Ride” and “Basic Skills” classes will be offered for $10 for County residents and free for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Capital Bikeshare For All members. Bikes and helmets will be provided to participants. Classes are offered in April, May and June. Learn more here. Montgomery County High School Students Can Become ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’ and Help Make Roadways Safer; Deadline to Apply is Monday, March 21 MCDOT is seeking 30 Montgomery County high school students to submit applications to serve as ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors.’ The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Youth Ambassadors are tasked to complete a group project that encompasses engineering, education, or enforcement topics. Resources and project guidance are provided by the County to execute projects that will ultimately improve the safety of County residents. Students can earn 21 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participation. Interested public, private and home-schooled high schoolers can learn about the program and apply here.  Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Presented His FY23 Recommended Operating Budget; Includes Investment in Education, Transportation and Climate Change County Executive Marc Elrich presented his recommended operating budget for FY 2023 on Tuesday, March 15. The presentation was recorded and available for viewing online here.  The Council’s public hearings on the operating budget are scheduled for April 19 and April 20 at 1:30 p.m. and April 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. Those interested in testifying in person or virtually can sign up starting on March 24. Learn more here. Public Invited to Attend the Virtual New Hampshire Avenue Roadway Safety Forum, Tuesday, March 22 Do you have roadway safety concerns about New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650)? Join this virtual public forum at 7:30 p.m. to voice your opinion, recommendations, and concerns about New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650) from I-495 to Piney Branch Road (MD 320). A future roadway safety audit will identify the risk to road users: pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists. The information gathered in this public meeting will be used to recommend improvements. Register to attend here. Sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids or services will be available upon request by contacting Wade Holland at 240-777-2623 or email visionzero@montgomerycountymd.gov. MCDOT to Host the First New Hampshire Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Virtual Meeting in April  MCDOT will kick off the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) planning study with the Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) at the first virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. Staff will introduce the project and share some of the initial work being done and lay out the work ahead.  Residents can register to attend here.  A recording of the meeting as well as presentation materials will be available after the meeting on the project website. Annual ‘Bike to Work Day’ Will be Held on Friday, May 20, with Montgomery County Once Again Fully Involved Bike to Work Day registration is now open and the first 15,000 bicyclists who register and participate will get a free T-shirt and automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike. The event is held across the nation on the third Friday of May to celebrate bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. Starting at 6 a.m., bike riders can stop by one or all six pit stops that will be sponsored by MCDOT for refreshments, to listen to live music, visit local vendor displays and participate in free raffles that include  a chance to win a new bike. Teleworkers and leisure riders are encouraged to participate. Learn more here. METRO NEWS Metro Will Boost Weekend Metrorail Service for Cherry Blossom Season Beginning Saturday, March 19, Metrorail will run more trains to increase weekend service with no daytime track work scheduled for four consecutive weeks. Traditionally one of the busiest ridership periods, the Cherry Blossom season and other spring activities bring large crowds of visitors to the National Capital Region. To accommodate additional riders, every weekend between Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, April 17, Metrorail will operate as many trains as possible matching weekday service levels – every 10 minutes on the Red Line and 20 minutes on all other lines. In Downtown DC where most stations are served by multiple lines, trains will arrive every 6-10 minutes. Learn more here. Bicycles Allowed on Metrorail With weather warming, a reminder that bicycles are welcome on Metrorail during all hours. Metro encourages bicyclists to be considerate of other customers and adhere to these rules when traveling with a bicycle. Rockville Metro Station Updates The East-side Kiss and Ride lot will be closed on Friday, March 18. Vehicles parked in this area may be ticketed and towed. The West side Bikeshare Station is now open after being closed for several months due to the Rockville Canopy construction project. View the Bikeshare Station Map here. Before traveling check Metro’s Status and Alerts page or follow @Metrobusinfo on Twitter for up-to-date information about service disruptions and delays. ROAD WORK & CLOSURES Hampden Lane and Wisconsin Avenue Temporary Lane and Sidewalk Closures at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda On Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Berg Corporation will conduct sidewalk and road closures to facilitate the demolition of the existing structure at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue. Hampden Lane will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic between East Lane and Wisconsin Avenue. The sidewalk of southbound Wisconsin Avenue will be closed to pedestrian traffic between Montgomery Lane and Elm Street. For questions contact Brent Walker at 301-908-5921 or bwalker@bergdemo.com. Georgia Avenue Temporary Lane Closures at 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring On Saturday March 19 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Silver Spring Apartments, LLC will close northbound and southbound lanes on Georgia Avenue/MD 97 at the Planning Place intersection for paving. For questions contact Shannon Strong at 410-703-6544 or  shannon.strong@bozzuto.com. Montgomery Avenue Temporary Lane Closures at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda  Avocet Towers Investors, LLC has temporarily closed two lanes of traffic on Montgomery Avenue at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue/MD 355 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday for storm drain work. Closure is expected to last until the end of April. For questions contact Nathan Squires at 301-395-5772 or nsquires@flippo.com. Stars on Cars: New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Safety Labeling The US government’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), also known as the five-star safety rating, is getting a major update. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a set of new proposals for the federal program aimed at curbing the surge in pedestrian deaths. For the first time, NHTSA will consider the inclusion of advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) features, like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, and lane-keep assistance. These ADAS features, which are quickly becoming standard in most vehicles today, could become essential criteria for a five-star safety rating from the government.  AAA: $4 Gas is the Tipping Point for Most Americans A new AAA survey finds 59% of Americans will make lifestyle changes as gas reaches record highs. Among Americans who said they would make changes in response to higher gas prices, a majority (80%) said they would opt to drive less, with some differences among age groups: 18 to 34 year-olds are almost three times as likely as those 35 and over to consider carpooling (29% vs 11%), which would likely involve major changes to their daily travel plans. Those 35 and over are more likely to favor combining tips and errands (68% vs 52%) and to reduce shopping or dining out (53% vs. 43%). Read the AAA press release here. Opinion: Why Bad Driving Habits from the Pandemic Might be Here to Stay Roads seem much more dangerous, even though fewer people are driving. Read the Washington Post article here. Paying Too Much at the Pump? Low-Cost Electric Bikes Can Do 500 Miles for $1 It is ridiculously cheap to charge an electric bicycle, and efficient. Read the Electrek article here. For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news. March 17, 2022 Visit the Go Electric! Event This Saturday, March 19 Residents are invited to attend the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Go Electric! event being held on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rockville at Montgomery College, North Campus Drive.   Stop by MCDOT's displays to learn about Ride On’s electric buses, Lime e-bikes and e-scooters, Capital Bikeshare e-bikes, electric lawn equipment and more. Learn more here.  MCDOT Announced the ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Video Contest Winners on Friday, March 11 MCDOT received 170 video entries for the 'Heads Up, Phone Down' safety contest which asked high school students to produce 30-second  videos encouraging peers to not allow cell phones to distract them while driving and walking.  Learn more here. Residents Can Vote for their Favorite Video by Friday, March 18 Residents can participate in selecting winners for the “People’s Choice Awards” by visiting the contest website and cast votes for their favorite video. The winning teens will receive $100 Nike gift cards. MCDOT Will Celebrate Ride On's 47th Anniversary on Friday, March 25 Between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., Ride On staff will commuters and pass out giveaways at various transit centers in Montgomery County.  MCDOT is Hiring Full-Time and Part-Time Bus Operators MCDOT is looking for dynamic individuals with a passion for public service, at any stage of their career. No experience is necessary. MCDOT offers the following benefits: Competitive Starting Salary Paid Commercial Driver’s License Training Paid Holidays, Annual and Sick Leave Retirement Benefits Health Insurance Ongoing Professional Development  Career Path for Advancement Learn more and apply at rideonbus.com/jobs. Elementary School (K-5) Students Invited to Participate in Art Contest on Pedestrian Safety MCDOT is asking Elementary School students in grades K-5 to use their creativity to design an original art project to help promote pedestrian safety among their peers. Students have until midnight on Thursday, April 28 to submit their artwork for a chance to win Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift cards. Learn more here. Federal Government Extends Mask Requirement on Public Transportation Through Monday, April 18 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the requirement for masks on all public transportation. All MCDOT buses have a supply of masks for those who cannot provide their own. MCDOT Reopens Beach Drive Bridge in Bethesda MCDOT Celebrates Women's History Throughout March DID YOU KNOW? After watching New York City streetcar drivers constantly stopping to clean snow off their windshields, Mary Anderson invented an early version of the modern-day windshield wiper. PARKING UPDATES Hours Changing for On-Street Parking Meters in Silver Spring and Wheaton On Friday, April 1, MCDOT will begin the process of extending on-street meter parking. The new hours requiring payment in Silver Spring for on-street parking meters will be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The new hours requiring payment in Wheaton for on-street parking meters will be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Parking meters accept credit cards, coins and mobile payment through the Park Mobile app. A Reminder to Note the Hours Posted on a Parking Meter It is illegal to park longer than the hours posted on the parking meter. Inserting additional coins after the time has elapsed does not extend the allowable time a vehicle may remain parked in the same space. The fine for overtime parking is $55. MCDOT offers long term parking at public parking lots and garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. Visit MCDOT’s parking website for a list of parking facilities, prices and maps. SAVE THE DATE: GreenFest to be Held at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Saturday, April 23 Plan to attend this year's GreenFest and be sure to visit MCDOT’s booth to learn about the department's green initiatives. More details to come. Go Mobile With SmarTrip® and Get Ten Free Capital Bikeshare Rides Create a mobile SmarTrip® card before Thursday, June 30 and you can earn ten free 30-minute classic bike rides on any one of Capital Bikeshare’s 5,000 bikes across 600+ docking stations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Learn more here. To report down trees, sidewalk or curb damage, streetlight outages, pot holes, foliage obstruction and more, call 311 or report it online at montgomerycountymd.gov/ 311.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Transportation Newsletter is Now Available - March 3, 2022

 

MCDOT to Increase Ride On Bus Service Effective, Sunday, March 13 MCDOT will increase Ride On bus service beginning Sunday, March 13. The new schedule changes will return bus service to 86% of pre-COVID levels. This is a 6% increase from the temporary January reduction due to the number of employees who were sick from or exposed to COVID-19 during the recent surge. Routes that will resume service or increase frequency include:  Ride On Flex, the on-demand service in Wheaton/Glenmont and Rockville will resume service. Ride On extRa, the limited-stop service along MD 355 between Lakeforest Transit Center and Medical Center will resume service. Flash, the bus rapid transit bus line servicing US 29 will resume full weekday service and will continue to service the Food and Drug Administration campus in White Oak.   Ride On buses will see an increase in service on routes 9, 14, 20, 30, 43, 56, 61, 63, and 100.  Trip planning and real-time bus arrival information are available at rideon.app/directions. County, State, and Federal Leaders Celebrate Completion of New Crossing for MD 355 in Bethesda, Dedicated to Local Champion for the Project Construction of the complex project took about five years and includes a shallow pedestrian underpass below MD 355 that provides pedestrians and cyclists a safe means of crossing the busy roadway, new 120-foot-deep high-speed elevators, and emergency stairs creating direct access between the station and the east side of MD 355, and a new elevator and staircase between the existing Metrorail platform and mezzanine level. The project involved deep excavation that was done by drilling and blasting through rock. In addition, roadway surface improvements such as a traffic signal, pavement resurfacing, sidewalk/bike path, median work, and stormwater management facilities were completed.  The shallow underpass under MD355/Rockville Pike was named to honor Alperson, a Silver Spring native who was a leader in the effort and died on May 14, 2020. Alperson served on the staff of then-Congressman Van Hollen and worked for the Montgomery County Government as the Military Installations / BRAC Coordinator.  Learn more here. Council Approved Bus Operator Salary Increase  On March 1, the County Council voted to approve a new bus operator and transit coordinator salary increase. The salary adjustments make the positions compatible with other local transit providers. Learn more here. North Bethesda “Flash” Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Advisory Committee Meets Wednesday, March 9 The first North Bethesda Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting will be on Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m.  CAC’s provide feedback on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) planning studies and local ridership preferences and make recommendations. Participation in the CACs by residents, business owners, and interested citizens ensures the project is being vetted and supported by members of the public. Online registration is required to attend. A recording of the meeting as well as any presentation materials will be available after the meeting on the project website here. Montgomery County High School Students Can Become ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors’ and Help Make Roadways Safer; Deadline to Apply is Monday, March 21 MCDOT is seeking 30 Montgomery County high school students to submit applications to serve as ‘Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors.’ The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Youth Ambassadors are tasked to complete a group project that encompasses engineering, education, or enforcement topics. Resources and project guidance are provided by the County to execute projects that will ultimately improve the safety of County residents. Students can earn 21 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participation. Interested public, private and home-schooled high schoolers can learn about the program and apply here. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 21. Montrose Parkway  Renamed Josiah Henson Parkway The Montgomery County Planning Board has passed a resolution to rename Montrose Parkway in honor of renowned local abolitionist the Rev. Josiah Henson. Henson led 118 people to freedom as a conductor of the Underground Railroad. The Parkway runs through the former plantation property of Isaac Riley, where Henson was enslaved. The former plantation extends to Old Georgetown Road where the Josiah Henson Museum and Park are located. The renaming ceremony, held by the Friends of White Flint, will take place Friday, March 4 at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Montrose Parkway and Stonehenge Place in Rockville. MCDOT will be replacing the sign. MCDOT Extends Parking Permits to Additional Garages MCDOT's Parking Convenience Sticker (PCS) monthly permits will now be honored at the Metropolitan Garage 49 in Bethesda and Carpool permits will be honored at the Wheaton Market Garage 13 and Amherst Garage 45. MCDOT offers several PCS permits to maximize the value and availability of parking within the Parking Lot Districts. Learn more here. MCDOT Will Hold a Virtual Public Meeting to Discuss the Tuckerman Lane Sidewalk and Bikeway Project in Potomac on Thursday, March 10 The virtual public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. The project provides for a facility planning study of pedestrian and bicycle facilities for an approximate 3.8-mile section of Tuckerman Lane between Falls Road (MD 189) and Old Georgetown Road (MD 187).  The proposed sidewalk will enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with disabilities as they travel to nearby destinations, such as local schools, a shopping center and places of worship. Public input is encouraged and may influence the future design of the proposed improvements. Online registration is required. Learn more here. METRO UPDATE Older SmarTrip Cards Are No Longer Accepted As of Tuesday, March 1, old farecards are no longer accepted at fare vending machines in stations, fareboxes on buses, parking facilities and retail locations. SmarTrip cards purchased prior to 2012 contain outdated chip technology and do not work with the new faregates now installed or partially installed at nearly half of all stations.  Check the serial number on the back of the SmarTrip card. If the serial number does not start with “0167,” it needs to be replaced. Learn more here. For Metrorail Weekend Service Adjustments, Click Here Who Do You Call to Get a Pot Hole Fixed? MCDOT maintains more than 5,200 lane miles of roads in Montgomery County and repairs potholes year-round with dedicated crews that patrol in pothole trucks on weekdays and respond to repair requests as well as stopping to fill other potholes they encounter. For most potholes, MCDOT uses “cold patch” material. However, where potholes require more than a simple fix, multiple visits may be required that will take more than three days because the area may need to be excavated and repaved with asphalt.  Residents can report a pothole on a County road to the MC311 system – either online or by phone at 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or through Twitter. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) fills potholes and maintains all numbered routes, such as Maryland routes 355 or 97. Report potholes on state roads directly to MSHA online or by calling 1-800-323-6742. In addition, municipalities, such as the cities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park, handle their own pothole repairs. With Fewer Drivers on the Road During COVID, Why the Spike in Fatalities? As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country, it led to fewer drivers on the roads and a significant reduction in the number of miles driven. And yet, U.S. government data shows traffic fatalities have surged, along with an increase in crashes involving impairment, speeding, red-light running, aggressiveness, and non-seatbelt use. Read AAA’s article here. Transit Goes Electric Public transit buses are the next frontier in the critical effort to decarbonize the transportation section, looking at the path forward for zero-emissions transit. In North America, the transportation sector accounts for about a third of all carbon emissions. Public transit, though it contributes a fraction of this total, has long been positioned as a highly visible symbol of commitment to a low carbon future: an environmentally sustainable transport option that can empower communities, support regional congestion relief, and reduce air pollution. Read the latest issue of Dar Magazine here. 10 Steps You Can Take to Lower Your Carbon Footprint Small changes alone won't stop climate change, but your actions are still worthwhile. Read the Washington Post article here. For incentives and free home energy assessments offered by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection click here. For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or  or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news. March 3, 2022 Elementary School (K-5) Students Invited to Participate in Art Contest on Pedestrian Safety MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is asking Elementary School students in grades K-5 to use their creativity to design an original art project to help promote pedestrian safety among their peers. Students have until midnight on Thursday, April 28 to submit their artwork for a chance to win Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift cards. Entries must focus on pedestrian safety, rules of the road and what safe streets look like. Only one entry will be accepted from each student. For more information on the contest, resources and how to submit visit the website here. MCDOT Receives 170 Video Entries for the 'Heads Up Phones Down' Safety Video Contest MCDOT Safe Routes to School wants to thank those students who submitted video PSA announcements showing the dangers of distracted driving. Judging is currently taking place and winners will be announced on Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m. on the contest website here. Check Out  Commuter Services Better Ways to Work Newsletter View the newsletter online here or sign up to receive it right to your inbox. Love Flash Contest Winner Announced MCDOT announced the Love Flash Contest winner on Twitter.  MCDOT wants to thank everyone who participated and who currently rides the Flash on Route US29/Colesville Road. Visit the Go Electric! Event, Saturday, March 19 Residents are invited to attend the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Go Electric! event being held in Rockville at Montgomery College, North Campus Drive, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Families can: Learn about electric leaf blowers and mowers. Recycle gas yard equipment and small appliances for free. Tour MCDOT's Ride On electric bus and learn about climate friendly transportation options. Tour electric cars in person and learn about car charging systems. Learn more here. Portion of Sligo Creek Parkway and Trail to Close for One Month Montgomery Parks will be closing a portion of Sligo Creek Parkway to vehicles and the trail to pedestrians and bicyclists from Carroll Avenue to Jackson Avenue beginning on Monday, March 7 for drainage improvements. SAVE THE DATE: GreenFest to be Held on Saturday, April 23 Plan to attend this year’s GreenFest at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton and be sure to visit MCDOT’s booth to learn about the department’s green initiatives. More details to come. Other Than Vehicle Recalls, Did You know Car Seats And Tires Could Be Recalled, Too?  While safety recalls remain in effect for the life of the car, getting the work done as soon as possible keeps the roads safer for everyone, including you and your passengers. Find out if your car or equipment is affected by visiting, NHTSA.gov/recalls. Get Alerts on Safety Recalls  Using the free SaferCar app, you can get recall information sent to your phone. Simply download SaferCar, for  Android and iOS, add your vehicle and equipment information, and you will be alerted if a safety recall is issued.  MCDOT Takes Part in Bike to Work Day Friday, May 20; Registration is Now Open On Friday, May 20, MCDOT and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association will sponsor “Bike to Work Day,” an annual celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. The first 15,000 people to register and participate will receive a free T-shirt and will automatically be entered into a raffle for a new bicycle. This year MCDOT will return to the pre-COVID festivities and sponsor six pit stops: Downtown Bethesda Friendship Heights North Bethesda-Pike & Rose Rockville-Fallsgrove Rockville-Town Square Silver Spring-Veterans Plaza Each location will welcome bicyclists with refreshments, vendor displays, live music, giveaways and raffle prize drawings.  Sunday, March 13 is Daylight Savings; Remember to Set Your Clocks Forward One Hour  It’s finally getting warmer out and the days are getting longer. It's a great time to get out and walk or bike for your health.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.