Image by Randall Myers licensed under Creative Commons.

Live in Ward 3? Like to bike?

Join the newest bicycling advocacy group, W3BA, for their kickoff meeting on Thursday, March 22 at 6:30 pm at the Tenleytown Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave NW). Mike Goodno of the District Department of Transportation will discuss the current and future state of bike lanes in Ward 3, and there will be plenty of chances for discussion.

Check out these other great events this week:

Tuesday, March 20

Bus rapid transit open house: Montgomery County is wrapping up the preliminary design phase of the US-29 BRT project. Attend one of two remaining open house meetings in March to get information on how BRT will operate along the corridor, how existing local bus service can better link with the US-29 BRT, efforts to incorporate art into station designs, and updates to the station area designs including approximate right-of-way needs. The meetings are on Tuesday at 6:30 pm at White Oak Community Center (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring) and Wednesday at 7 pm at Blair High School (51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring).

Wednesday, March 21

11th Street Bridge and Anacostia Watershed: 11th Street Bridge Park is an old freeway bridge being transformed into DC's first elevated park across the Anacostia River. Join Montgomery County Parks and Planning for a lunch session from 12:30-2:30 pm at 8787 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring. 11th Street Bridge Park Director Scott Kratz and Anacostia Watershed Society Director of River Restoration Programs Ariel Trahan will discuss the park, and recreation and restoration of the Anacostia River.

Help enhance federal open space: The National Capital Planning Commission recently released the draft updates to the Parks & Open Space Element, a document that establishes policies to protect and enhance the federal parks and open spaces in the Washington region. It's open for public review and comment period until Monday, May 7. Learn more about the update at an open house at 6 pm at National Capital Planning Commission (401 9th Street, NW, Suite 500).

New bridge over Arizona Avenue NW: The District Department of Transportation is working to reconstruct a 110-foot-long walking bridge over Arizona Avenue NW to improve the connecting trail from Galena Place NW to the Sherier Place/Nebraska Avenue NW in the Palisades. Come to the meeting to weigh in on the project at 6:30 pm at the Palisades Public Library Second Floor Meeting Room (4901 V Street NW) at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, March 22

Union Station expansion: Union Station is planning an expansion to grow and modernize, support more rail and transit service, and integrate with the community. Currently, they are working on the environmental impact statement. Come to the next public meeting about the project to learn more about the next steps of the project. There will be an open house from 4-8 pm and formal presentations at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm at Washington Union Station’s Presidential Room (East Hall) at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE.

County Executive candidate forum: Curious about all the people running for County Executive in Maryland? The Woman’s Democratic Club of Montgomery County, MD is hosting a forum for all six County Executive Democratic Candidates — Roger Berliner, David Blair, Marc Elrich, Bill Frick, Rose Krasnow, and George Leventhal. Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart will moderate. The forum will begin promptly at 7 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD.

Next Monday, March 26:

The closer, the better: “Within Walking Distance,” the latest book from Philip Langdon, looks at how buildings connect to the public realm. In particular, he looks at bicycling, public transportation, and incorporation of nature and parks into city or town life. Want to hear from the author himself? Head to an evening lecture and networking event with Philip Langdon at 6 pm at the National Press Club, 13th Floor, 529 14th St NW.