Please visit the MDSHA website and let them know that you want the University Blvd bike lanes in Wheaton, MD to be permanent and NOT removed on November 14!
Here are the details:
Earlier this summer, the Maryland State Highway Administration began a temporary experiment by installing a protected bike lane on MD-193/University Boulevard, between Amherst and Arcola Ave, in Wheaton. But now that the pilot period is over, SHA intends to remove the lanes on November 14, 2021. We need to act now to insist that SHA keep the protected bike lanes in place permanently!
TAKE ACTION
From everything that we’ve seen, the changes on University Blvd have been a tremendous success. The lanes have made it more comfortable to bike and walk on this stretch of University Blvd, increasing safe access to transit and slowing traffic to the speed limit without creating congestion. The SHA should make these lanes permanent and extend them further east and west to bring these benefits to a wider set of users.
To show support for this pilot project, the first of its kind on a Maryland State Highway, please urge MDOT SHA to continue the pilot indefinitely and to extend the protected bike lanes to a longer stretch of University Boulevard.
Use this link to submit your comments: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/83e2ecdb8d034d98b3f0825f2e9810e2
Here are some helpful points you can make in your own words:
- I have loved how safe it is to ride my bike along these lanes
- I am now able to use University Boulevard to safely bike/walk to restaurants, retail shopping, and other amenities in downtown Wheaton
- Please extend the pilot indefinitely. Do not remove the lanes.
- Extend the bike lanes permanently eastward past MD-29/Colesville Road
- I love that there is now a safe connection between the Sligo Creek Trail and downtown Wheaton For the first time, I feel safe walking on the sidewalk along University Boulevard
- It is much easier now for Northwood High School students to safely bike and walk to school
- I am more likely to bike/walk to the outdoor dining area in Wheaton
- It is safer for me to access bus stops along University Boulevard
You can learn more about this project on the SHA project page.
https://mdot-sha-md193-amherst-to-arcola-shared-streets-maryland.hub.arcgis.com
Open Streets Montgomery 
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