Presenting the Proposed Regional Bike Network

The Baltimore region will work together to create a bicycle network that expands opportunities for users of all ages and abilities. This connected network will support improved safety, mobility, and equitable access to jobs, schools, housing, transit, parks, and other daily destinations.

For each of our goals, we have drafted objectives that define the outcomes we are seeking. The project will know it is meeting these objectives by tracking how specific performance measures improve as the network is developed. Read our draft objectives  here .

The first comment period, known as the “ Listening Phase ”, ran from May - July, 2024, and included ten public meetings, an interactive website, and an online survey. This outreach aimed to understand the community’s vision for a regional bike network, what project goals matter most to them, and their opinions on biking in the region.

Ninety three percent (93%) of people said a regional bike network is important to them!

From May to October, we traveled around the region to hold pop-up interviews. We spoke with 135 people in the community to learn why they bike (or do not) and how we can make biking better in the region. You'll see quotes and photos from these interviews throughout this StoryMap.

Public feedback helped improve the vision and goals, guided the identification of the Proposed Regional Bike Network, and contributed to the creation of objectives and performance measures.

The project team started identification of the Proposed Regional Bike Network using data and analysis based criteria. This work was done in collaboration with counties and cities in the Baltimore region, as well as the state.

The team focused on identifying comfortable and low stress bike lanes and paths that improve connections in key areas:

• Places with many opportunities for short trips (areas with a lot of people, jobs, or nearby schools or public transportation), since most bike rides are under four miles.
• Vulnerable communities that need more transportation options.
• Regional parks, recreational areas, and greenspaces.
• Public transportation stops, especially those with frequent service.

This draft network was then improved using experience and knowledge based criteria. This included input from the public and the project Steering and Advisory committees, as well as one-on-one meetings with each jurisdiction in the region.

Public feedback highlighted the need for a continuous, comfortable, and safe bike network that is separated from traffic. People emphasized the importance of direct routes to neighborhoods, parks, major destinations, and public transportation, as well as closing gaps in the current bike network. People also wanted to increase connections to neighboring regions. Feedback from the project committees and one-on-one meetings with local jurisdictions reinforced these points.

View the graphic and maps below to learn more about the data and analysis-based criteria used to identify the Proposed Regional Bike Network.

The Proposed Regional Bike Network includes bike routes that are comfortable and safe to bike on, based on current plans for the Baltimore region. These routes are either well-separated from traffic or are on roads with low speed limits and little car traffic.

The goal is to create an equitable and connected bike network that is safe and comfortable to use for everyone, regardless of age or ability. By identifying a regional bike network, we can focus on building connections that people want and need. We can also invest limited money where it will make the biggest difference.

The Proposed Regional Bike Network is organized into three main types: • Regional Bikeways • Community Bikeways • Local Bikeways

Would you like to download PDF maps of the Proposed Regional Bike Network? The button below will take you to a regionwide map. For more detailed maps, please follow the links below the button.

•  Baltimore City 
•  Northwest  (Carroll County + northwestern Baltimore County)
•  Northeast  (Harford County + eastern Baltimore County)
•  Southwest  (Howard County + northern Anne Arundel County)
•  Southeast  (Queen Anne's County + southern Anne Arundel County)

Do you have any specific comments about the Proposed Regional Bike Network? Let us know by placing placing comments on the map and providing responses to the survey!

Comments are welcome until January 10, 2025.

As you explore the interactive map and we encourage you to think about some of the following questions.

Do you feel the Proposed Regional Bike Network:

• Provides connections across the region?
• Connects major centers within the City of Annapolis, Baltimore City, and each county to the regional network?
• Connects to the high-frequency public transportation?
• Correctly identifies the comfort level of the current and planned bikeways based on your experience or knowledge?
• Would provide a comfortable biking experience to get where you want to go?
• Would achieve our Goals and Objectives? ( view here )
• Correctly identifies bikeways as Regional, Community, and Local?
• Will lead to a more bikeable Baltimore region?

COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED

COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED

• Click on the survey box to add your responses and to scroll through the survey.
• The expand button on the upper right corner will open the survey in a new browser window.
• To view the survey in another language, click the “Translate” button in the upper right corner.
• If you need help participating, please leave us a voicemail at 855-925-2801 x 7480 or email us at  BikeBaltoRegion@publicinput.com .

Visit the  project website  where you can give additional feedback, sign up for periodic email and text updates on project, view the public meeting flyer ( PDF  and  digital  version), and check out the Frequently Asked Questions section for responses to commonly asked questions about the project.

• SURVEY AND COMMENT MAP: Give your feedback through the online survey and comment map
• PUBLIC MEETING: Give your feedback at the  December 10 in-person meeting  or  December 12 virtual meeting 
• EMAIL: Send an email to  BikeBaltoRegion@publicinput.com 
• VOICEMAIL: Leave us a voicemail at 855-925-2801 x 7480
• TEXT: Text bbr2 or bbrespanol to the number 855-925-2801 to take the survey
• MAIL: Mail a letter to us at Baltimore Metropolitan Council, 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Reach @BaltoMetroCo on social media with #BRTBListens

Your input matters! Comments are welcome until January 10, 2025.

You can view the answers to  Frequently Asked Questions , email us at  BikeBaltoRegion@publicinput.com , or leave us a voicemail at 855-925-2801 x 7480.

The Bikeable Baltimore Region project is a regional partnership between Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), City of Annapolis, Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Anne’s counties.