Go Montgomery! May 29, 2019

MCDOT and Dockless E-Scooter / E-Bike Companies Offer Safe Rider Training Sessions June 1 as Program Launches Don’t miss one of the free training sessionsoffered in Silver Spring and Rockville on Saturday, June 1, to mark the launch of an e-scooter / e-bike pilot program in certain areasof the county. Starting in June, Lyft, Bird and Lime will begin offering dockless vehicles in these areas at no cost to the County. Read more. Elrich, MCDOT and Other Officials Get Autonomous Vehicle Demo During a tour of Robotic Research in Clarksburg, officials took a ride in Olli, an autonomous electric shuttle. Similar shuttles may one day be used to supplement transit options in Montgomery County. Read more. Wheaton Safety Walk Identifies Ways to Improve Conditions for Pedestrians, Bicyclists and Motorists MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, County Executive Marc Elrich, Council President Nancy Navarro and other officials looked at opportunities to make the area in and around the Wheaton Central Business District safer for all road users and improve ADA access. View photos. Elrich, Conklin Activate MCDOT’s Newest HAWK Beacon in Aspen Hill County Executive Marc Elrich and MCDOT Deputy Director Chris Conklin joined Councilmembers Sidney Katz and Evan Glass to activate the County’s newest high intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacon in the 3900 block of Aspen Hill Road. Learn more about how this signal protects pedestrian safety between two busy shopping centers.  MCDOT Celebrates National Public Works Week with MCDOT Day and Truck Show MCDOT gave the public an opportunity to see some of its specialized equipment in action and learn more about MCDOT’s services. View MCDOT Day newsletter. US29 FLASH Update Excavation and grading in preparation for the relocated bus station and a new bike share platform are underway in front of the Shoppes of Burnt Mills on US 29. Utility excavation is in progress on Castle Boulevard between Castle Ridge Circle and Castle Terrace. Forms are being erected for the new concrete curb and gutter at the bus platform in the Burtonsville Park & Ride Lot. More about FLASH. MCDOT Promotes Transportation Careers at Take Your Child to Work Day MCDOT entertained and engaged children at the County’s Take Your Child to Work Day event. The young visitors learned about transportation careers and innovations. GreenFest Draws Large Crowds; Free Ride On Shuttle Carries Hundreds to Brookside Gardens Area residents hopped the free MCDOT Ride On shuttle at Glenmont Station for the annual celebration of sustainable living held this year in Brookside Gardens. Among the many attractions, the popular MCDOT booths offered remote-controlled truck play for children, bike and pedestrian safety aids, native trees and so much more. Learn more. MCDOT Begins Semi-Annual Spring Cleaning of County Parking Garages The Division of Parking Management has begun its semi-annual washing of the interior of all 21 County-owned parking garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton. The washings are taking place on nights and weekends through mid-June.  Check Out MCDOT's ‘Don’t be Distracted Creative Contest’ Winners Four high school, middle school and elementary school entries were chosen as winners of MCDOT’s Don't be Distracted Creative Contest. The works of art and videos, created by students, urge everyone to help prevent distracted walking and driving. It’s Not Too Late: Take Ride On’s Website Usability Survey To help provide better transit information, Ride On has put together a short, eight-question survey to get input from passengers. Take the survey. Construction Activity Continues Inside Medical Center Metro Station The next phase of MCDOT’s MD 355 (Rockville Pike) Crossing Project has begun with activity inside the Medical Center Metro Station. The project is creating a safe pedestrian passageway between the Medical Center Metro Station and the Walter Reed National Military Center Bethesda. Learn more about the project status and the new entrance coming to Medical Center Metro Station. Ride On Schedule Changes As of May 12, Ride On made several changes to bus routes 1, 4, 9, 10 (Sunday only) 16, 20, 24 and 34 (Saturday only). In addition, time changes were made to the following routes to better reflect actual travel times: Routes 43, 48, 57, 58, 60, 63, 66, 67, 70, 71, 74, 78 and 79. There is no longer a Route 63X; this service has been added to Route 63. View details. Wayne Avenue Cycle Track Construction Well Underway  Wonder what is happening along Wayne Avenue? A protected bikeway is under construction and the first island for a protected intersection at Second and Spring streets has been installed. The new Wayne Avenue median is almost finished, making room for the cycle track and enhancing safety by preventing mid-block u-turns. May 29, 2019 Update on Residential Road Repairs Timberlawn Subdivision Resurfacing Project, Rockville Beverly Farms Patching Project, Potomac Wilson Lane Concrete & Replacement Project, Bethesda Brinkwood Road Subdivision Resurfacing Project, Brookeville Outstanding Customer Service Mr. Ermine Jackson on Route 54 has been an outstanding Ride On bus driver and a person of character. He is a soft-spoken man who greets all his customers in a very friendly manner.  Especially during the months when the weather was colder, it was greatly appreciated that Mr. Jackson was always on time. As a long term Ride On customer, I am happy to see drivers who combine professionalism and a commitment to safety with excellent customer service.  --Val S. MCDOT Extends National Bike Month Celebration into June Feel more confident while using your bike to commute, run errands or just for fun. MCDOT is co-sponsoring a number of activities in June: Learn to Ride Class -- June 1 (Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Parking Lot) Confident City Cycling Class -- June 1  (Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Parking Lot) Guided Community Bike Ride in Silver Spring -- June 15 Bike to Work Day a Great Success On Bike to Work Day, MCDOT’s six sponsored pit-stops saw record-breaking attendance, while a pop-up bike lane in downtown Bethesda drew appreciation from bikers navigating streets with heavy construction activity. See photos of the event, and learn how some riders combine biking with Ride On for an easier commute. MCDOT’s Annual Give and Ride Campaign Collects Hundreds of Pounds of Food for Needy Families Ride On bus passengers rode free while helping hungry families by donating canned or nonperishable food during MCDOT’s 32nd annual “Give and Ride” food drive, held in partnership with Manna Food. Read more. Wheaton Revitalization Project on Schedule The MCDOT project to build a new Town Center and office building to house several County departments and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission headquarters remains on schedule and is expected to be completed in summer 2020. See the latest newsletter.

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

Bike to Work Day 2017 Breaks Records

(L-R) Montgomery County Director of  Transportation Al Roshdieh, County County Councilmember Sidney Katz, Rockville Mayor Bridget Newton, and MCDOT's Bruce Johnson pick a raffle winner during the Rockville Town Square Bike to Work Day Pit Stop.

This year's D.C.-area Bike to Work Day broke records, as one of the nation's largest Bike to Work Day (BTWD) events. On May 19, about 18,700 cyclists at 85 pit stops in the Washington metropolitan region celebrated biking as a healthy commuting option by pedaling to work. MCDOT sponsored six pit stops. 

Since 2001, the region’s BTWD participation has significantly grown from a few hundred registrants and five pit stops. According to census data, commuting to work by bike is becoming increasingly popular in the Washington metropolitan region.

The annual event is co-sponsored by Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). The event was created in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists as part of National Release ID: 17-144 
Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-7155

Go Montgomery! May 4, 2017

Visit MCDOT’s Booth Next to the Bohrer Park Playground at GreenFest on Saturday, May 6 MCDOT will have games, kids activities, giveaways and lots of information about the department’s sustainable activities that are helping improve the quality of life in Montgomery County.  Take a Free Ride On Bus to GreenFest Ride On will provide free service between the Shady Grove Metro or the Lake Forest Transit Center and GreenFest from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  MCDOT Wins Five NACo Achievement Awards The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been recognized with five Achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo).  Leggett, Roshdieh Join Officials in Urging Federal Judge to Rule on the Purple Line MCDOT On May 2, Director Al Roshdieh (left) joined supporters of the Purple Line at a rally in Silver Spring. Also pictured are County Councilmembers Hans Reimer (center) and George Leventhal (second from right). Register Now for Bike to Work Day May 19 and Attend an MCDOT-Sponsored Pit Stop Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 19 and MCDOT is sponsoring six County pit stops. Pre-register now to get a free t-shirt at your selected pit stop while supplies last.  Crosswalk Zebra Helps Kids at Argyle Middle School Learn How to Use New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons MCDOT installed new aids to help pedestrians cross safely mid-block. Read more about all the locations.  MCDOT Supports Street Smart Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Awareness on Georgia Avenue at Fenwick Lane MCDOT’s Street Team will be reaching out to walkers and bikers with educational information on Thursday, May 4 from 3 to 6 p.m.  MCDOT Closes Talbot Avenue Bridge in Silver Spring MCDOT has closed the Talbot Avenue Bridge in Silver Spring because an inspection found that it can no longer safely support vehicular traffic.  County Leaders Meet with Federal Agencies to Discuss New Infrastructure Initiatives Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and County senior managers met with leaders of Federal agencies to discuss County initiatives.   Hiker-Biker Trail in Rock Creek Park to be Closed This Spring The section of the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail between Franklin Street and the trail connector at Saul Road will be closed to the public this spring.  May 4, 2017 MCDOT Highway Services Continues Road Repair Projects Highlands of Olney Concrete Repair and Replacement Project Colesville Manor Residential Roadway Resurfacing Project Ride On Customers Offer Compliments for Good Service in April MCDOT appreciates Ride On passengers letting us know when they receive good service. Read some of the compliments received in April. Commuter Services Holds Commuter Information Fairs at Worksites MCDOT Commuter Services will visit worksites to help employees learn about their commuting alternatives. Report issues or concerns to Montgomery County 311. Report pot holes, downed trees, street signs or street light damage, traffic signal issues or other concerns. Visit MC311 online 24/7.

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