Letter: Fairland and Briggs-Chaney Master Plan

Expanded bikeshare, a continuous trail network, and road diets—it's a good plan. A version of this letter was also sent to the Montgomery County Council.

You can view this document in PDF form here.

2023-Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan-Planning Board

Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan Public Hearing Montgomery County Planning Board

May 4, 2023
Chair Zyontz and Planning Board Members,

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) offers brief comments on the Public Hearing draft of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan.

WABA is a nonprofit organization with over 700 Montgomery County members. We envision a just and sustainable transportation system where walking, biking, and transit are the best ways to get around.

We fully endorse the draft master plan Transportation Goals found in Section 3.C and the steps outlined to achieve them.

We note and endorse Section 3.C.3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Network Recommendations including the creation of a continuous trail and path network with public-area and HOA connections, creation of sidewalks or sidepaths along all public roads, completion of the Breezeway Network along U.S. 29 and MD 200 within the plan area, and expanded Capital Bikeshare infrastructure. WABA would be pleased to support applications for federal planning and construction grants suggested in the master plan.

We note and endorse Short-Term Capital Improvement Program Priorities including, notably, study of the feasibility of road diets on major arterials. Lane narrowing and speed-limit reductions are essential steps toward advancing roadway safety for vulnerable road users.

The draft master plan is excellent work. Please approve it with any necessary revisions that come to light.

Finally, we hope to see planning of similar bicycle and pedestrian network improvements, in conjunction with the planning and construction of US 29 bus rapid transit, for the full extent of US 29 from the Washington, DC border to Howard County and on and along other identified Montgomery County transportation corridors.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

Seth Grimes, Maryland Organizer Washington Area Bicyclist Association seth.grimes@waba.org

More about Complete Streets

Complete Streets are streets designed to accommodate all users, and that prioritize historically underinvested modes of transportation like transit, walking, and biking. An incomplete street might lack adequate sidewalks, low-stress bike infrastructure, or safe and comfortable access to transit.

Effective Complete Streets policies change the way a jurisdiction plans and builds transportation infrastructure—sidewalks, low stress bike infrastructure, and transit should be included in any new or rebuilt street by default, rather than as an add-on when there's space or demand.

While most regional jurisdictions have a Complete Streets policy of some sort, they lack teeth and permit transportation departments to continue to build streets that put cars first and squeeze other modes into the margins.

More about Advocacy

WABA fights for a region where biking, walking and transit are the best ways to get around.

We educate policymakers and organize grassroots advocates for to speak up for safer places to bike and walk; and for laws and policies that protect people who are walking and biking, reduce dangerous driving, and facilitate changes to the built environment.