Agency Bike to Work Event is May 18 at Penn Station; Bike to Work Day is May 19 Statewide
BALTIMORE, MD (May 16, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is enhancing and expanding its cyclist-centered facilities throughout the Baltimore region and the state, and is reinforcing the agency’s commitment to greater bicycle-transit connectivity at events this week celebrating Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 19.
In advance of Bike to Work Day, the agency will host a bike to work “pit stop” with cyclist-friendly giveaways at Penn Station in Baltimore from 6 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 18, to thank riders who bike to work. Then, for Bike to Work Day on Friday, the Maryland Transit Administration will support events at various locations in Baltimore and Frederick.
“Bicycle accessibility is critical in the administration’s mission to provide a transportation network that works for all users – and across all modes,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The Maryland Transit Administration is continuing to expand bicycle-transit connectivity, giving riders more travel options and providing the best possible door-to-door transit experience.”
Bike to Work Day provides an opportunity to highlight enhancements made by Maryland Transit Administration to make it easier for bike riders to use its services. Many of those enhancements have been designed in partnership with other agencies.
“Our mission is to bring a comprehensive, rider-friendly system that is fully accessible to bicycles and scooter riders,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “By further expanding our bike and scooter enhancements, we are making it easier for people to choose to take transit.”
The agency is advancing initiatives to make it easier for bicyclists and scooter riders to take transit:
- As part of its $43 million Fast Forward: Customer Experience Enhancement Project, the administration is adding bike racks at 29 Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train and Park and Ride locations around the state. Once completed, bike racks will be available at every rail station in the MTA system.
- MARC is retrofitting several more single-level MARC IIA train cars into “bike cars,” with 25 bike racks. This will allow MARC to have “bike cars” on more of the Maryland Transit Administration service and accommodate the growing demand for bicycles on MARC trains.
- The Maryland Transit Administration is currently designing a pedestrian/bicycle bridge to allow people on foot and bicycle to more safely cross Patapsco Avenue from the Patapsco Light Rail Station.
- The agency also is studying the conversion of most of the bike lockers in the system to allow for Bluetooth access, making them easier for customers to use.
- In Frederick County, the agency is working with county officials and the National Park Service on a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for a trail connection between the Monocacy MARC station and the Monocacy National Battlefield.
As evidence of the agency’s commitment to alternative travel, the Maryland Transit Administration allows allow personally owned bicycles, e-scooters and e-bikes on Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway and MARC Train services at no added cost.
For more information on Bike to Work Day and Bike to Work Central MD, visit the website here.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates local and commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jerimiah Moerke
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-3625
jmoerke@mdot.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
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