Posts by Alison Gillespie
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Keep Beach Drive car-free on the weekends
Since 2020, Montgomery Parks has been running the wildly popular Open Parkways program on Beach Drive and in two other locations – Little Falls Parkway and Sligo Creek Parkway. Over the last year, the open parkway on Beach Drive was used more than 135,000 times. Earlier this month, Montgomery Parks leadership announced that they would like it permanent. Keep reading…
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Bike lanes are coming to University Boulevard in Wheaton this summer
This summer, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will install bike lanes along University Boulevard in Wheaton by closing one lane of traffic to cars on each side of the road. The temporary bike lanes will be marked by flex posts. Keep reading…
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A new bill proposes to make Maryland school zones safer for pedestrians, cyclists
Most people look forward to a new school in their neighborhood, but aren’t as excited about the potential for more car traffic and unsafe conditions for walking and biking. A new bill making its way through the General Assembly in Maryland seeks to fix that. Keep reading…
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Newell Street in Silver Spring is closed to cars — but for how long?
In September, Montgomery County got its first “playstreet” when the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) closed down one block of Newell Street, and effectively doubled the size of a small park near Silver Spring’s Metro station. Now, residents who have loved riding bikes, eating picnics, and walking their dogs in the expanded open space are afraid it may be taken away. Keep reading…
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A new program lets picnickers have food from local restaurants delivered to Montgomery County parks
To help local businesses survive the economic hardship of COVID-19, Montgomery County has started an initiative to promote restaurant delivery to local parks. As of right now the program is focused on food but may soon also allow limited consumption of alcoholic beverages in some park locations. Keep reading…
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Advocates push for 19 additional miles of shared streets in Montgomery County
A group of four organizations is calling on Maryland’s State Highway Administration to implement 19 miles of shared streets to “promote greater connectivity of bicyclists and pedestrians, and make it safer for those who do not want to drive or do not have access to a car to make through Montgomery County.” Keep reading…
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Montgomery County is finding creative ways for people to reclaim streets during the pandemic
Over the past several weeks, government agencies, advocates, and residents in Montgomery County have found creative ways to reclaim unused space for recreational use, dining, and more during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep reading…
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Montgomery County may rescind its bag fee, but some environmentalists criticize the move
Montgomery County may join a growing list of jurisdictions that are temporarily rescinding fees on plastic shopping bags as part of coronavirus management efforts, but some environmentalists are pushing back against the move. Keep reading…
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Snow removal in cities prioritizes cars and often ignores people with disabilities
Often, Montgomery County’s public transit system seems like a poorly-executed retrofit to a car-centered community. This is especially true during snowstorms. While roads get lots of attention and people demand that they get cleared quickly, bus kiosks often get buried or blocked completely. Metro stations often become inaccessible by foot due to uncleared sidewalks. Keep reading…
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Here’s how Montgomery County could prioritize pedestrian safety in White Flint, Forest Glen, and beyond
Just as consumers advocated for car safety many years ago, pedestrians and community members today must advocate for a safer, more walkable Montgomery County. Keep reading…