Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 12, 2009

Metro to improve bike, pedestrian access to Shady Grove Metrorail station

New bike path expected to attract more people to bike, walk to station

Metro is working to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to the Shady Grove Metrorail station. The Board of Directors planning committee today gave approval to issue a real estate permit to Montgomery County, Md., to construct, operate and maintain a bike path on Metro property at the station. The Board is expected to take a final vote later this month.

The bike path will be constructed on the east side of the existing access road between Shady Grove Road and Redland Road, and will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the Shady Grove Metrorail station. The 10-foot wide path will be approximately 4,700 feet in length, and will be paved, fenced and illuminated.

For residents of areas who will enjoy improved bike access, Metro planners say the bike path could attract 19 percent of those who currently drive to the station to bike there instead. The bike path is also expected to free up some of the existing parking spaces and reduce the need to build more parking to meet expected growth in ridership.

The bike path is estimated to cost $2.7 million and is being paid for with federal and state funds. Montgomery County will own, operate and maintain the bike path.

Based on Metro’s 2007 Metrorail Passenger Survey, about one percent of riders arrive at a Metrorail station on a bike. Metro has almost 1,700 bike racks in the Metrorail system and plans to add 300 new racks this year.

This spring, Metro plans to launch a Web application that will allow people who want to rent bike lockers at Metrorail stations to check their availability and be placed on a wait list if none are available. In addition, Metro will conduct a study to identify Metrorail stations where improved pathways could attract more people to bike or walk to the station.

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News release issued at 3:01 pm, March 12, 2009.