 Annual Montgomery County Ride On Bus Food Drive to Run from May 21-27MCDOT and Manna Food Center are once again asking Montgomery County residents to help fight hunger. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off on all Ride On, extRa, Flex and Flash buses. Riders who donate will have their bus fare waived. Last year, the food drive expanded to include the Montgomery County Public Libraries and the County’s five Regional Services Centers, which are also taking in non-perishable food donations. Learn more and view a list of locations here.  MCDOT to Sponsor Seven Pit Stops During Washington Region’s Annual ‘Bike to Work Day’ Event on Friday, May 19Bike to Work Day is held annually across the nation on the third Friday of May to celebrate bicycling as a fun, healthy and climate-friendly way to get to work. MCDOT will sponsor seven pit stops with refreshments, music and local vendor displays throughout the morning of Friday, May 19. There will be free raffle prizes and a grand prize raffle of a new bike at each MCDOT-sponsored pit stop. Residents biking to work, as well as leisure riders, are encouraged to participate. Register to participate at biketoworkmetrodc.org. The MCDOT-sponsored pit stops will be at: - Downtown Bethesda at Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, Bethesda. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Friendship Heights at the Shops at Wisconsin and Western Avenues, Chevy Chase. 6:30-9 a.m.
- North Bethesda at Pike and Rose, west of 935 Prose St. (next to Bark Social), North Bethesda. 6:30-8:30 a.m.
- Fallsgrove at Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Falls Grove Dr., Rockville. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Rockville Town Square at Dawson’s Market, 225 N. Washington St., Rockville. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Silver Spring Downtown at Veterans Plaza, Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St., Silver Spring. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Downtown Wheaton at Marian Fryer Town Plaza (co-sponsored with Montgomery Parks), 2424 Reedie Dr. (next to the Wheaton Metro), Wheaton. 7-9 a.m.
Pitstops operated by other organizations will be at: - Gaithersburg-Kentlands at the corner of Great Seneca Highway and Orchard Ridge Dr., Gaithersburg. 7-9 a.m.
- Gaithersburg Olde Towne Plaza (afternoon), 1 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. 4-6 p.m.
- National Institutes of Health, Building 1, 1 Center Dr., Bethesda. 7-9:30 a.m.
- Rockville at Twinbrook, 5635 Fishers Ln., Rockville. 7-9 a.m.
- Downtown/Old Takoma, 7035 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Sligo Creek Trail, at New Hampshire Ave., Takoma Park. 7-9:30 a.m.
All riders are encouraged to wear a helmet. |
 MCDOT Celebrates National ‘Public Works Week’ With Paint the Plow Contest and Truck Day Event on Sat., May 20MCDOT will kick off “Public Works Week” with Truck Day at the MCDOT Depot and Salt Barn in Gaithersburg. Truck Day is a free, family-friendly event that invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles that make the county run. Truck Day will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 20 at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Truck Day will offer the opportunity for a hands-on experience with MCDOT vehicles including a bucket truck, tractor, semi-truck and bus. The event also will feature first responder vehicles and a fire engine, with the chance to meet the essential workers who operate them. MCDOT Highway Services will be available to answer questions and share how their vehicles work and the role their vehicles serve. As part of the event, attendees will have a chance to vote for their favorite snowplow design and name in the “Paint the Plow” contest where middle schools compete against each other recognizing the roles of essential workers. MCDOT's Flash bus will also be onsite for touring. |
  Ride On Bus Schedule Changes Implemented on Sunday, May 7MCDOT adjusted Ride On bus schedules to improve rider experience and efficiency based on ridership. Three routes including 16, 20, and 26 underwent running time adjustments to improve on-time performance. No other routes will be affected. The new schedules are available at rideonbus.com and in print at various locations. Service levels have remained the same, three lines underwent slight time changes. Throughout the year, ridership data and on-time performance are monitored regularly to identify routes that could achieve increased efficiency with schedule updates, to better serve our riders. |
 MCDOT Receives Canopy Partnership AwardMCDOT Chief of the Tree Maintenance Section Brett Linkletter was recognized with a Canopy Award for Partnership by the non-profit association Casey Trees on Friday, April 28. Linkletter is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the county’s more than 300,000 trees, most of which are located along the right-of-way along neighborhood streets. Casey Trees is a DC-based non-profit association dedicated to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of the greater DC metropolitan area. The Canopy Award recognizes and partners who have made significant contributions to that mission. |
 Students of Rock Creek Valley Elementary School and Montgomery County Officials Celebrated ‘Bike & Roll to School Day’ in RockvilleRock Creek Valley Elementary School students joined thousands of students around the world to participate in Bike & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 3. Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass, County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez and Chris Conklin, MCDOT Director, participated in the event, which promotes biking and walking to schools as a healthier, greener travel alternative. The event was organized by MCDOT Safe Routes to School program as part of the Vision Zero plan. MCDOT and Vision Zero staff were on site distributing safety education materials and giveaways. Students also met Zeal, the Traffic Safety Zebra, and Sparky, the Fire and Rescue Dog. By incorporating exercise into their daily routine, students can create habits that promote a lifetime of healthier living. Regular physical activity not only reduces childhood obesity, but also improves concentration and memory, strengthens the immune system, improves sleep and reduces stress. |
 ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Montgomery County Teen Video Contest Winners AnnouncedHigh school students across Montgomery County have a message for their peers: “Put those phones away when driving or walking.” That theme was emphasized as MCDOT announced the winners of its “Heads Up, Phones Down” video contest. Individual Winners: Group Winners: - Grand Prize: Anna Li, Isabel Wu, Poolesville High School, Poolesville. Trapped.
- First Runner Up: Vesper Ruhlen, Alex Hazoume, Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda. Stay Aware.
- Second Runner Up: Tatiana Zeman, Emilia Hicks, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville. Your phone is replaceable. You're not.
 Regency Taxi Launches Montgomery County’s First Hybrid Wheelchair-Accessible TaxiAbdellatif Ouardi, an affiliate taxicab operator with Regency Taxi, is driving the first hybrid wheelchair-accessible taxi in Montgomery County. The taxi, which was purchased by Mr. Ouardi, has been providing accessible service to residents who are disabled for the past few months. “Being able to provide wheelchair-accessible transportation to residents who need that assistance is great,” said Mr. Ouardi. “As a micro-business owner, not having to worry as much about sudden spikes in the cost of gas, and reducing my environmental footprint are also things that can help my business grow”. Residents can reserve a trip with this vehicle by visiting the Regency Taxi’s website here or by calling 301-990-9000. DID YOU KNOW? MCDOT’s Call-n-Ride program for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities offers subsidized taxi trips. The service helps transport participants to medical and/or personal appointments and can be used for essential delivery services.  MCDOT Continues Adult Bike ClassesThe adult classes are open to residents 18 and over and led by experienced Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) instructors. Advance registration is required to participate and costs $10 for Montgomery County residents and free for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members. Each student will progress at their own pace. Both classes below will be held at the Wheaton Ice Arena (back parking), 11717 Orebaugh Dr. in Wheaton. - SATURDAY, MAY 20 - 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
*Spanish Adult Learn to Ride Clinic will teach balancing, gliding and pedaling with the goal of riding by the end of the class. Bicycles and helmets will be provided at no charge.
- SATURDAY, JUNE 3 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Adult Basic Skills Clinic will teach basic skills like starting, and stopping, turning, weaving and gradual breaking. Bicycles and helmets can be rented.
Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/cycleclss. |
 MCDOT’s Proposed University Blvd (MD 193) Bus Lane Pilot ProjectMCDOT is proposing a dedicated bus lane pilot this Summer/Fall on University Boulevard, between Amherst Avenue and Dennis Avenue, to evaluate the potential for improving passenger travel times, service reliability, and customer experience by testing dedicated bus lanes. Visit the project website for more information here. For questions or feedback, contact Gary Erenrich, Special Assistant to the Director at 301-221-8104 or gary.erenrich@montgomerycountymd.gov. |
 Virtual Public Hearing on the Replacement of Redland Road Bridge (M-0056) Over Mill Creek in Derwood on Wednesday, June 7MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed replacement of Redland Road Bridge (M-0056) over Mill Creek in Derwood on Wednesday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. The existing single-span concrete slab bridge will be removed and replaced with a new prestressed concrete box beam superstructure, precast concrete abutments and wing walls. The new superstructure will be constructed in the same location using accelerated bridge construction techniques to minimize the disruption to the traveling public and local community. This project will also include roadway work at each end of the bridge and stream restoration. Online registration is required to attend. Learn more here. |
 Flash is Getting Around in May Be sure to catch the Flash at any of the following events. Spin the prize wheel to win fun prizes while you learn where Flash is coming to Montgomery County: - Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
MCDOT Truck Day at MCDOT's Salt Barn (17000 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville). - Saturday, May 27, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Rockville Hometown Holidays Music Fest at Redgate Park (14500 Avery Road, Rockville). - Saturday, June 3, 12 - 4 p.m.
White Oak Community Extravaganza (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring). - Sunday, June 4, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Taste of Wheaton at Marian Town Plaza (2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton).
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 County Program Helps Families Improve Car Seat SafetyThe Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) infant and child car seat safety program is available to help families install and use car seats. County residents may schedule an appointment for either an in-person or virtual car seat check. Alternatively, residents may schedule a video appointment to receive remote face-to-face education and guidance on car seat usage and limited installation assistance via video chat. Learn more here. |
PARTNER & COMMUTER NEWS Metro Increases Red Line Train Frequency to Help Alleviate Overcrowding Red Line trains are arriving every six minutes during weekday morning and afternoon rush hours — a two- to four-minute improvement over the last Red Line service increase in mid-March. Learn more here. Metro Moving Toward Rail Car Design That Allows for More Space Metro is planning for a more open design for its next generation of rail cars that will better accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles, while giving passengers the ability to switch cars when trains get crowded. Read the Washington Post article here. Local Train Track Expansion to Start in 2024 In the $3.7 billion plan, the state agreed to buy 386 miles of railroad right of way and 223 miles of track from CSX Transportation. The expansion will add 44 miles of new track between Washington and Richmond. Learn more here. New MVA Interactive Dashboard Tracks Fatal Crashes The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) recently debuted a new interactive tool where anyone can track fatal crashes statewide. Learn more here. MARC's New Study Explores How to Boost Brunswick Line Service MARC released a draft technical report in January on how to expand service on the Brunswick Line and improve its regional links to Martinsburg, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. Learn more here.  NHTSA Estimates for 2022 Show Roadway Fatalities Remain Flat After Two Years of Dramatic IncreasesThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released its latest projections for traffic fatalities in 2022, estimating that 42,795 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This represents a small decrease of about 0.3% as compared to 42,939 fatalities reported for 2021. Learn more here. |
 A Maryland County Tries to Rally Suburbanites for BRTMontgomery County is going big on BRT — or at least it hopes to. The built environment of the Maryland suburb is sprawling, congested, and plagued by traffic violence — like most American suburbs. But the county of over one million people is racing to create a transit network that meets the moment and anticipates more growth still — and a system that’s foreign to most Americans. Read the Streetsblog article here. |
 The Future of Transportation: The Role of Bike LanesAs cities become more congested and people look for alternative modes of transportation, bike lanes are becoming a crucial part of urban planning. These designated lanes for cyclists are changing the way we move around our cities, promoting safety and sustainability while reducing traffic congestion. Read the Momentum Magazine article here. |
 Summer Travel Season Could Be Busiest Ever In MD, AAA SaysThe summer 2023 travel season could be the busiest ever, above pre-pandemic numbers, AAA is warning travelers to prepare for busy roads, trains and planes this summer. Read the Patch article here. |
 The Incredible, Earth-Saving Electric Bike is Having a MomentElectric bicycles of all shapes and sizes have whirred and zipped their way into the mainstream in recent years as the pandemic has supercharged an e-biking boom that was already well underway. Read the Business Insider article here. |
 Mobility Could Be Transformed by 2035, With US Car Sales Dropping 30%: ReportPrivate car sales in the U.S. could decline as much as 30% by 2035 compared with 2015 levels, as governments discourage private-vehicle use and consumers adopt new mobility options, the report says. Read the Smart Cities Dive article here. |
 For more information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news to your mobile phone or email inbox. |
