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MCDOT LATEST NEWS
Child and Adult Used Bicycles Can Be Donated at MCDOT's Annual Bike Drive Event on Friday, Oct. 20, in Rockville
Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. MCDOT's annual Bike Drive will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact.
MCDOT is sponsoring the collection of child and adult bikes in partnership with Rockville Bike Hub. From 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, bikes will be collected (rain or shine) outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at East Jefferson and Monroe Street in Rockville.
Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Rockville Bike Hub volunteers will refurbish the bikes and MCDOT will place them with low-income children and adults in the County through the MCDOT Bike Match Program or through the Rockville Terrific Kids program.
Community members can organize a bike collection at their school, place of worship or within their neighborhood and bring the bikes to Rockville on Oct. 20.
Learn more here.
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Montgomery County Calls for Feedback on Conceptual Findings from the Ride On Reimagined Public Transportation Study
The ongoing Ride On Reimagined Study is a full-scale re-assessment of how the Montgomery County public transit network will operate in the County, with the goal of creating a future-focused public transportation system.
New concepts from the study incorporate the planned Flash bus rapid transit corridors, supplemented by additional frequent high-capacity bus routes and new all-day express service linking Downcounty and Upcounty hubs as well as Tysons in northern Virginia.
Local routes will provide connectivity throughout the county with trips operating at a minimum of every 30 minutes, supplemented by new Flex zones to offer on-demand, corner-to-corner service throughout the day.
MCDOT has been holding a series of pop-up events to share proposed changes to individual routes and are on:
Email your feedback to rideon.reimagined@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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OCTOBER IS WALKTOBER
Montgomery County Announces 'Walktober' Events to Promote Walking Throughout October
MCDOT is partnering with the State of Maryland to celebrate “Walktober,” a month-long series of activities in October promoting Maryland’s official exercise: walking. Maryland named walking as the official State exercise in 2008.
MCDOT will be hosting a series of outreach events throughout the County designed to highlight the importance of walking and to promote the work being done under the Vision Zero program to make walking in Montgomery County safer for people of all ages and abilities.
“As we experience the cooler fall weather, and the changing of the leaves, it is a great time to go for a walk outdoors,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Walking is great exercise; it provides stress relief and fosters community connectedness. Safe walkways and bike paths are a critical part of our transportation infrastructure. We work to improve and build it out further every year. This is a great opportunity to enjoy it.”
MCDOT will be hosting a series of outreach events throughout the County designed to highlight the importance of walking.
View some Walktober events below:
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Register for Walktober’s Free Virtual Equity Walkinar on Thursday, Oct. 26
MCDOT’s Bikeways Coordinator, Matt Johnson, will be featured on a State panel for a free webinar to discuss tools and techniques for addressing transportation equity. He will give an overview of Montgomery County’s efforts to develop a toolkit to improve the designs of roads, sidewalks, and transit stops for people with vision disabilities and the planning and design processes to improve their ability to provide feedback.
Register for the free Equity webinar. For a full list of free walkinars, visit the Maryland Department of Transportation's website here.
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MCDOT Celebrated ‘Walk and Roll to School Day’ on Wednesday, Oct. 4
MCDOT and Vision Zero Initiative partnered for a celebration of the 26th Annual “Walk and Roll to School Day” with a fun-filled morning event at Brooke Grove Elementary School in Olney. Portions of the event were streamed live @MCDOTNow on X and Facebook social media accounts and video clips from the event are available on MCDOT's YouTube Channel here. View event photos here.
Learn more here.
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Monday, October 16 - November 3 Transportation Management Districts Walk & Ride Group Walking Challenge
Employees who work for businesses located within the County’s six Transportation Management Districts (Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Downtown Bethesda, North Bethesda, Greater Shady Grove and White Oak) can register for team walks and compete for prizes based on their step counts. Employees do not need to be physically present at the worksite to be on a Walk & Ride team – and they do not need to be County residents. More information, including how to register, is available on MCDOT’s event website here.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH & HALLOWEEN SAFETY
‘Be Seen on Halloween’ Emphasized for the Halloween Weekend
MCDOT wants to ensure that trick-or-treaters have a safe and fun Halloween, particularly since it will be dark during many of the festivities.
The National Safety Council tells us that children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. It is important that families take extra precautions to “be seen on Halloween”.
The following tips can help keep trick-or-treaters safe:
- Drivers should slow down and be alert.
- Never drive after consuming alcohol.
- Drivers and trick-or-treaters should avoid looking at electronic devices and be aware of their surroundings.
- Parents and trick-or-treaters can make themselves more easily seen by carrying glow sticks or flashlights, using reflective tape or stickers on costumes and wearing light colors.
- Trick-or-Treaters should always walk on sidewalks or paths when available.
View more tips here.
MCDOT wishes you a fun and safe Halloween this year!
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SoberRide Offers Free Rides The Saturday Before Halloween
The Washington Region Alcohol Program’s (WRAP) SoberRide program will offer a limited number of codes for a FREE Lyft ride home (up to $15). The SoberRide® code will be posted at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 at wrap.org/soberride.
Download the Lyft app to your phone and enter the code in the app's 'Promo' section.
MCDOT Sponsors Free Electric Scooter Clinics for Those 18+
Participants will be able to take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws. Those interested in e-scooters can stop in at any time during the clinic between 1 - 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 22
(Rain date: 10/29)
Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot)
7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda
- Saturday, Oct. 28
(Rain date: 11/4)
Montgomery College (parking lot 13)
850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville.
Learn more at tinyurl.com/cycleclss.
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Monster Flash Bus at HalloWheaton on Sunday, Oct. 29
Be sure to visit the Monster Flash bus, a decorated haunted house experience, at HalloWheaton, a FREE event on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 12-4 p.m. at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza located at 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.
There will be fun for all ages including vendors, crafts projects, lawn games, face painting and more. Learn more here.
MCDOT Hosts Adult Learn to Ride Bike Classes in November
These popular bike classes are designed for adults aged 18 or older who have never ridden a bike before or who have not ridden for some time.
Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes and costs $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members.
Bicycles and bike helmets will be provided at no charge. See bike classes below:
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MCDOT Promotes Pedestrian Safety the Month of October
October has the highest number of pedestrian-involved crashes in Montgomery County and Maryland (Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office).
The MCDOT Safe Routes to School program will be participating at several family friendly events, giving out safety prizes and promoting safe walking and biking. View our calendar of events here.
Attention Residents 50+: Free Travel Training Workshop on Thursday, Oct. 9
Ride Smart Travel Training is a FREE half-day workshop hosted by the JCA Connect-A-Ride program designed to help residents aged 50+ gain confidence taking Metrorail and other public transportation.
Participants learn how to read the Metro map, understand digital schedule signs, load a fare card, and quickly find a station’s emergency and accessibility features.
Travel Training includes classroom training; a trip on a Ride On bus; a visit to a Metro station; and a roundtrip train ride.
To register, call 301-738-3252 or email connectaride@
accessjca.org.
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MCDOT PUBLIC MEETINGS
MCDOT Holds Community Meetings on School Specific Walkability Studies for Safety Needs of Elementary School Students
MCDOT will present the findings of two separate elementary school walkability studies, North Chevy Chase (in Chevy Chase) and New Hampshire Estates (in Silver Spring). Online registration is required to attend both.
- North Chevy Chase Elementary School Walkability Study.
Thursday, Oct. 19,
from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting.
Online registration is required.
- New Hampshire Estate Elementary School Walkability Study
Wednesday, Oct. 25,
from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Virtual and In-Person.
Location: New Hampshire Estate Elementary School Cafeteria, 8720 Carroll Ave., Silver Spring.
Online registration is required.
The meetings will review study findings and discuss the sidewalk and safety needs of students walking and biking to the studied school.
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MCDOT Introduced Newell Street Shared Street Planning Study on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Silver Spring
MCDOT presented long-term alternatives from a recent facility planning study at a public in-person meeting. The public can watch the meeting recording on the project website sometime next week.
The public can still provide feedback until 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27 to Bikeway Coordinator Matt Johnson via email at matt.johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov.
In 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the block of the street between Kennett St. and East-West Hwy., adjacent to Acorn Park, was closed to vehicle traffic and used to create additional outdoor space to support safe social distancing. The street has since been reopened to vehicle traffic.
MCDOT is conducting a facility planning study to examine the future of this portion of Newell Street. Keeping the roadway open to traffic is under consideration, but the study will also look at how to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and expand green space in the area.
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MCDOT IS HIRING
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MCDOT is Hiring for multiple positions including Senior Engineers, Senior Planning Specialists, Project Managers, Technicians, Field Supervisors and more. Visit the Montgomery County Human Resources page for a complete listing.
Search 'Transportation' for current job openings online here.
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MORE COUNTY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Ride On Attends Resource Fair at the Beacon 50+Expo, Sunday, Oct. 22
The Beacon newspaper’s annual in-person 50+Expos invites older adults and their families to attend this free event that runs between noon and 4 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building (1 Veterans Plaza Place). It features a diverse array of exhibitors, including government agencies, nonprofits and local businesses that will provide a range of valuable resources, health screenings, vaccine shots, entertainment and more.
Ride On will have a table promoting transit services, the Seniors Ride Free program and giveaways. Learn more here.
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Picking the Perfect Pumpkin Patch
With Autumn here and Halloween just around the corner, it is important to know where to go to pick the perfect pumpkin. Luckily, Montgomery County is home to some of the top farms with pick-your-own pumpkin patches near Washington, DC.
We’ve compiled locations, hours, what to expect, and more to give you the best shot at picking the perfect pumpkin patch this season. Learn more here.
Download and use Ride On’s Trip Planning app to get you to a local pumpkin patch this weekend!
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Germantown Police and Fire Open House, Saturday, Oct. 28
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On Saturday, Oct. 28, the MCDOT Pedestrian Safety team will join the 5th District Police Station and Fire Station 29 for an Open House from 12- 3 p.m. at 2000 Aircraft Dr. in Germantown.
This event will also have activities for the entire family, including public safety demonstrations, police and fire and rescue vehicles on display, music, and games.
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MCDOT Participates in National Heritage Month Celebration Friday, Oct. 13
Join MCDOT at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for live music – popular local Latin bands and Artists, environmental demonstrations, games, local artisan vendors, and cocktails and drinks. The celebration will be held outside Marian Fryer Town Plaza located at 2501 Ennalls Ave. in Wheaton.
Stop by and meet Ride On staff who will have a table full of giveaways and information on MCDOT transportation services, including Ride On, Flex, Flash, and extRa bus service. Also, learn about free transportation services for older adults & persons with disabilities and the Kids Ride Free program. The TRIPS Mobile Commuter Store will also be onsite providing information on transportation options and selling SmarTrip cards.
Take the bus there by planning your trip with the Ride On Trip Planner.
National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 16-20
Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is a public education program encouraging parents, students, teachers, school bus operators, school administrators and other interested parties to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety.
- The school bus is one of the safest modes of transportation, but illegal passing poses a significant threat to riders. (Source: NHTSA)
- Last school year (2022-2023), 50,431 drivers passed a stopped school bus and were issued a ticket. (Source: MCPD)
- All 1,300 county school buses are equipped with enforcement cameras. (Source: MCPD)
Watch this safety video, which was made for elementary school students emphasizing safety tips for children traveling to and from school on the bus featuring MCDOT’s safety zebra.
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Thanks for Participating in Car Free Day; Here's How to Keep the Momentum Going
More than 4,000 commuters and residents around the D.C. region took the pledge to go car-free on Thursday, Sept. 22.
MCDOT Commuter Services staff distributed registration cards for raffle prizes and giveaways to 400 residents who stopped by tables set up outside five transit centers.
Commuters working in Montgomery County can get a transit benefit of up to $300 a month for using public transit, or vanpooling, by asking their employers to set up a transportation benefits program and applying for MCDOT's FareShare program.
The program offers reimbursements to local businesses for their employees’ costs for commuting to work by public transit less $25—and the money is tax-free to the employee.
National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 15 - 21
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is offering free resources on teen driving.
Some of the greatest dangers for teen drivers are alcohol and other drug use, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and driving with passengers in the vehicle.
- Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States.
Learn the Rules of the Road:
- Don’t Drive Impaired.
- Buckle Up — Every Trip. Every Time.
- Keep Your Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel, and Mind on the Driving Task.
- Obey All Posted Speed Limits.
- Limit Passengers.
Learn more at nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
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Safer Street Crossings with Hybrid Pedestrian Beacons
Hybrid Pedestrian Beacons, also known as signalized pedestrian beacons or high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacons, are an attractive and cost-effective option to meet pedestrian safety needs at mid-block crossings or where the traffic volume is too low to warrant a continuously cycling traffic signal.
These traffic safety devices are pedestrian-activated and help protect bicyclists and pedestrians by stopping traffic. In evaluating sites for a hybrid pedestrian beacon installation, MCDOT considers the volume of pedestrian traffic, the type of roadway, traffic speeds and installs these beacons where traffic speeds are 35 mph and lower.
These beacons are being placed throughout Montgomery County and align with the County’s Vision Zero initiative to improve pedestrian safety. Learn more here.
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MCDOT Highway Services Employees Receives Proclamation
Councilmember Natalie Fani-Gonzalez presented a proclamation to MCDOT’s Highway Services Division which received and resolved 43,000 service calls.
MCDOT’s Highway Services Division serves as the County's ‘boots on the ground,” for Montgomery County. They are the County’s emergency response team for storms, managing the Storm Operations Center (S-O-C) to monitor conditions and react. They are responsible for closing roads in times of floods, removing fallen trees in the roadway, and clearing snow to ensure emergency access. They are also responsible for paving and maintaining over 5,000 miles of roadway, to managing our stormwater, planting 2,000 trees a year in the County’s right-of-way, and maintaining hundreds of thousands more with six certified arborists. They also manage leafing and street sweeping. Street sweeping efforts removed 821 tons of debris in Fiscal Year 23 that would have otherwise ended up in our waterways.
MCDOT Wraps Up Road Restriping Efforts on Century Boulevard in Germantown
Century Blvd. striping was completed on Tuesday, Oct. 10 with the exception of the BUSES ONLY Markings which will be completed in the next week or so.
Also, a portion of Century Blvd. between Crystal Rock Dr. and Cloverleaf Center Dr. is receiving patching, milling, resurfacing, and utility adjustments this fall. The project started in September and will take 4-6 weeks to complete. Lane shifts, closures and temporary detours are expected.
View the project newsletter here.
Did you Know?
MCDOT is responsible for investigating and repainting over 5,000 miles of County-owned roads. Lane markings and road paint fade over time. If you come across a road in need of repainting contact MC311 Customer Service Center.
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MCDOT Begins Arterial Road Resurfacing This Month on MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac
The project will consist of milling, patching and resurfacing the existing pavement to improve roadway conditions. Work will take four to six weeks to complete between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting. View the project newsletter here.
Additional Fall projects include the following arterial roads in Germantown: Seneca Meadows Pkwy., Brink Rd. and Century Blvd.
MCDOT Garage Washing / Degreasing Update
MCDOT's Fall washdown of our parking garages in Wheaton concludes in Amherst Garage 45. Cleaning crews have now started Silver Spring Fenton Street Village Garage 4 today. View the washing/degreasing schedule here.
CONTACT MC311
TO GET IT DONE
MC311 agents are available between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Friday by phone at 311 (or 240-777-0311) or 24/7 online at montgomerycountymd.gov/MC311.
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Latest Podcast from the Department of Permitting Services Focuses on Public Right-of-Way
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Montgomery County Bill Phasing Out of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums
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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed Bill 18-22, Noise Control – Leaf Removal Equipment, into law. This new law will phase out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. View Bill 18-22, including the Sept. 26, County Council staff report here.
MCDOT has been transitioning to all electric-powered blowers for a couple of years.
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Montgomery County Council Passes Montgomery Planning's Pedestrian Master Plan
The Pedestrian Master Plan are recommendation from the Park and Planning Department to increase multi-modal transportation and safety.
The 298-page document includes policy recommendations, prioritization of pedestrian and bicyclist zones, ways to eliminate barriers to walking in the county, and includes analysis from surveys done of county pedestrians. Learn more here.
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MARYLAND NEWS
A Winning Commute with the incenTrip App Webinar, Recording Now Available
If your organization is planning a return-to-office strategy or if you’re just looking for new commute options, check out the recording from last month’s webinar: A Winning Commute with the incenTrip App.
Special guest Daniel Sheehan, Transportation Program Operations Manager for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, presented the new incenTrip features that help you earn more rewards for your commute and start your own commuter challenges at your organization.
The incenTrip app is free and available to all Maryland commuters. Download it from your app store today.
Winter Forecast Prediction For Maryland
If new prediction models from the National Weather Service prove out, Maryland residents could see a warmer-than-average but slightly snowier winter. Read the Patch article here. MCDOT Storm Operations Center is on standby during bad weather conditions.
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METRO NEWS
Metrorail Weekend Service for Saturday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 15
The Red Line is single tracking between Medical Center and Grosvenor stations with trains running every 10 minutes between Friendship Heights and Glenmont and every 20 minutes between Friendship Heights and Shady Grove. Learn more here.
Metrobus to Deliver 24-Hour Service Starting Later This Year
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced a new District-funded initiative called the Overnight Bus Service, which will extend Metrobus operations starting later this year.
Staff is preparing to deliver 24/7 Metrobus service on 13 lines in the frequent serviced network, which is anticipated to particularly benefit late-night workers and businesses. Learn more here.
New Lost and Found Policy Expands Items Metro Will Hold to Return to Customers
Metro will now keep a wider list of lost items left behind on trains, buses, at stations and other Metro facilities. Learn more here.
Halfway to the Finish Line. New Escalators Open at Grosvenor-Strathmore and Farragut North Metrorail Stations, as Construction Moves to K St. Entrance
Metro’s escalator replacement project is headed for the home stretch with installation complete on half of the 130 escalators planned for replacement. As of Monday, Oct. 9 three brand new, more reliable escalators are up and running at the Farragut North Entrance on L Street NW. At Grosvenor, two of four station escalators have been replaced with work continuing on two others. Rail service will not be impacted.
Metro Seeks More Equitable Service for Region with Update to Title VI Civil Rights Program that Ensures Everyone Counts
Metro revised its Title VI Program to better reflect and support customers and the region. The proposed updates will help Metro provide better service, quicker service adjustments, expand service and increase the level of household income that qualifies as low-income.
Public feedback is requested by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15 on the proposed changes.
Take the survey online here.
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TRANSPORTATION-RELATED NEWS
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Road Crash Deaths Drop, But Remain Higher Than Before Pandemic
Traffic fatalities declined for the fifth straight quarter. About 19,515 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023, a decrease of about 3.3% compared to 20,190 fatalities in the first half of 2022.
The number of deaths dropped in 29 states, while 21 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, are projected to have experienced increases. Read the Forbes article here.
The Case for Rider Joy
When was the last time you felt joy while taking transit? Does transit – whether it’s your local Metro station, bus stop, or Bikeshare station – make you feel connected with the people and places around you? Read the GGWash article here.
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Amtrak Remakes Itself With New Trains and Infrastructure Improvements
The White House called it “the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak.” The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enacted in 2021, authorized $66 billion for the nation’s passenger railroad. Read the Smart Cities Dive article here.
67% Of All Housing Units In The US Have Vehicle Parking Within 20 Feet Of An Electrical Outlet
According to the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, 67% of all housing units in the United States have vehicles parked within 20 feet of an electrical outlet. This is significant when planning for the transition to EVs, where at-home charging is important. Maryland has 63% of housing units with an outlet within 20 feet of vehicle parking. Learn more here.
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How Electric Bikes Could Stop Being a Luxury Item and More Accessible
Programs in D.C., Tampa and Philadelphia provide ways for low-income residents to use e-bikes. So cities/states across the United States are rolling out programs to make e-bikes more accessible to lower-income residents. Read the Washington Post article here.
A New U-Md. Research Center Will Study Fairer, Greener Transportation Networks
The Center for Multi-Modal Mobility in Urban, Rural, and Tribal Areas is backed by funding from the federal infrastructure law and will look at the possible benefits of fare-free transit; the design of “complete streets” that are safe for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists; and the role of autonomous vehicles in low-income communities. Read the Washington Post article here.
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