Cecil County, Maryland Bicycle Master Plan
Overview Background Schedule and Tasks Network Assessment Network Identification Next Steps
Schedule and Tasks May 2011 Plan Scoping and Mobilization Data Collection and Review onths 18 m Issues, Opportunities, and Constraints Bicycle Master Planning Prioritization and Implementation Nov 2012 Plan Adoption
Plan Purpose Transportation, recreation, fitness Safety and comfort Links to other modes Target investments Provide an action plan Bicycle Friendly State/Community designation
Plan Approach Cecil County Growth Areas Chesapeake City Cecilton Focus Groups Agency/ Stakeholder Coordination Public Outreach North East Charlestown (Elkton) Rising Sun Port Deposit (Perryville) Public Workshop Locations
Why a Bike Plan for Cecil County? Cecil County Residents Said * : I do not bicycle in my area because I have a car/ mostly drive Congestion on the roadways County roads feel unsafe / too hilly There are no bike paths or room on roads I don t have: time, a bike, interest Motorists speed There are easier ways to get around Poor health/ Age And many, many more! *Responses based on WILMAPCO Public Opinion Surveys in Cecil County
Why a Bike Plan for Cecil County? Cecil County Residents Said * : I bicycle in my area whenever I want. Bike routes or lanes are adequate and I have places to ride my bike safely. 11% 10% 2006 2010 I would bicycle more frequently in my area if I felt safer with more bike routes and lanes. 16% 25% I do not bicycle in my area because I don't feel safe. There are no bike lanes where I can safely ridemy bike. 32% 39% I do not bicycle in my area for reasons other than safety. 32% 35% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% *Responses based on WILMAPCO Public Opinion Surveys in Cecil County
Challenges Major roads are difficult for bicycling Safe access to commercial and retail sites Existing infrastructure Hatem Bridge, existing ROWs, etc. Culture
Opportunities Livability and attractiveness Address growing population Consumer markets Economic benefits Links to historic & cultural resources Tourism
Existing Conditions Regional and State Bicycle Networks
Existing Conditions Bicycle Level of Comfort (BLOC), 2011 Bicycle Facility Needs: Tier 1 4 miles
Constrained Areas Corridors MD 222/ 275 MD 272 US 40 Intersections US 40 at MD 213, MD 272, and MD 222 Bridges Hatem Bridge MD 213 Bridges Through Elkton Through g Chesapeake City Over Bohemia River
Countywide Needs Enhanced visual cues/ motorist awareness Enhanced intersection conditions Bicycle way-finding Bike parking at shopping & work centers Natural, historic, & cultural connectivity Education and enforcement programs
Bike Network Identification Considerations to determine selected routes: Safety/ low-conflict Route directness Accessibility Cost, public acceptance, implementation
Countywide Destinations
Countywide Bike Routes Emphasize bike routes of countywide significance that connect to or are located in the County s designated growth area. North-south/ west-east connectivity Access to destinations of countywide significance Cross-jurisdictional connectivity Inclusion in other county or regional plans
Proposed County Bike Routes
Local Bike Routes Emphasize bike routes that are located in incorporated areas. Access to key local destinations and points in the county Connections to existing i or planned bike facilities i Linkages to transit services Inclusion in local plans
Local Routes Rising Sun N. Walnut St. Pearl St Mount St. Colonial Way/ Dawn Dr. 2.81 miles
Additional System Improvements Bike Parking & Policies Parking design Location and placement Installation requirements Bike Transit Integration Bike racks on all buses Better accommodations on rail Key stops that need stationary parking Key routes that feed into transit service Future Harford connection
Public Outreach Fairhill Mountain Bike Jamboree - Oct. 23 Comments: -prefer to ride off-road; on-road doesn t feel safe Public Workshop- Nov. 1 Comments: - cyclists should not be on the roads -safety ft -County ownership of plan
Next Steps Hold Public Workshop #1 Presentation to County Commissioners Solidify local bikeways identification focus groups & municipal meetings Solidify additional system improvements Attend more public outreach events Develop draft recommendations
For Information & Updates www.wilmapco.org/bikececil Questions?