Open for Review Maryland BikeShare Program – Baltimore Region

2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program Amendments

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently launched the Maryland Bikeshare Program, which provides grants to support the planning and establishment of local bikesharing programs in Maryland. The Bikeshare program is part of the bigger Cycle Maryland initiative to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride, and to make bicycling a true transportation alternative.

>> Learn more about Cycle Maryland @ cycle.maryland.gov

In the Baltimore region, MDOT has selected the following projects to receive funding:

• Howard County – Feasibility study
• Baltimore City – Bikeshare implementation

The next step in the process is for these projects to be added to the Baltimore region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as a new project. The total cost is just under $1.3 million, including approximately $922,000 in federal funding.

What is Bikesharing?
Bikesharing is a system in which bicycles are available for shared use between established stations.

Bikesharing systems provide an affordable option for short-distance trips as an alternative to public transportation, driving in a car or walking. It can help solve the “last mile” problem, connecting public transportation riders to their final destinations. Bikesharing is not a substitute for private bike rental services, but rather it provides an option for short-distance trips.

How will the money be used?
Funding will be used to study the possibility of starting a Bikeshare program in Howard County. In Baltimore city, funds will be used to set up the Bikeshare program - including items such as the purchase of bicycles, docking stations, and related amenities (terminals, spare parts and supplies, etc.).

>> Download details about the project (pdf)

Public Review and Comment

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board welcomes your comments on adding the Maryland Bikeshare project to the regional Transportation Improvement Program for these two projects.

A public review period will be held from Tuesday, March 19 through Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Public Library - Finksburg Branch (2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, MD 21048). This library is accessible by transit through Carroll Area Transit Service. To schedule a ride, please contact CATS at 410-876-RIDE or 866-304-2287.

Comments are also welcome during the Public Comment Opportunity at the:

• BRTB Technical Committee meeting on April 2 at 9:30 a.m.; or
• BRTB meetings on April 23 at 9 a.m. (tentative vote).

>> BRTB Resolution 13-24 (pdf)

>> View a summary of April 2013 TIP amendments (pdf)

>> Download a flyer (pdf)

>> View public meeting presentation (pdf)

Share Your Thoughts

To share your thoughts and ideas, submit all comments in writing to:

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
Offices @ McHenry Row
1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230

Fax: 410-732-8248
E-mail: comments@baltometro.org

All mailed comments must be received no later than 3 days after the end of the comment period.

For more information:

Jason Biernat, jbiernat@baltometro.org, 410-732-0500 x1048