Mapping Bicycle Improvements In Hyattsville
City to be criss-crossed by thousands of feet of bike lanes over the next few years.
The purchase of $55,000 worth of bicycle racks to be installed throughout Hyattsville is among the first steps in a city-wide makeover of its bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
The improvements are planned to be built in three phases. Phase 1, outlined in red on the map above, is to be built this year. Phase 1 includes 25,700 linear feet of bicycle lanes added to the city, mainly along Nicholson Street, 40th and 41st Avenues through central Hyattsville, and trails through southern Hyattsville connecting to the planned extension of the trolley trail (outlined in purple), already partially built on the grounds of the EYA development. From there, riders, walkers and runners will be able to bike on the Trolley Trail from downtown Hyattsville straight up to the grounds of USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center entirely on paved trail or designated lanes.
It is during this phase that the 180 bicycle racks purchased by the city at Monday's City Council meeting will be installed. A final list of bicycle rack locations is being finalized and will likely be released next week according to Jim Chandler, director of Community and Economic Development for Hyattsville.
Phase one of the project will be funded through a $110,00 Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Community Legacy grant awarded in 2011.
Phase 2, outlined in green, adds another 23,900 linear feet of bicycle lanes to be built in 2013. These lanes will connect University Hills and the northern neck of Hyattsville into the downtown system, as well as adding lanes along Ager Road and Hamilton Street in southern Hyattsville.
Phase 3, outlined in blue, plans to add another 17,900 linear feet of bicycle lanes along Belcrest road between the Prince George's Plaza Metro Station area and Adelphi Road as well as along Toledo Terrace at some point in the future. It should be noted that Toledo Terrace is not yet within Hyattsville's municipal borders, but plans are afoot to annex the area into the city as it is redeveloped from medium density apartment complexes to a series of high density mixed use transit oriented developments.
Neighbor
12:17 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
This is fantastic. It's great to see the city moving in such a positive direction. Hopefully capital bike share will also come to this city eventually. This is a great way to prepare for peak oil crisis and lower our carbon footprint.
Westsider
8:44 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I agree, definitely terrific! One caveat though, is that planners may want to give more thought to facilitating bike commuter routes. I love the idea of a paved way to get to USDA - but perhaps some thought that directly outlines how people can get from both Hyattsville metro stations to the Route One corridor, Met Branch Trail, etc. would further facilitate bicycle commuting.
I also would be remiss if I did not mention trail safety to accompany new routes - I stopped bicycle commuting primarly because of safety concerns (first because of crime on poorly lit trails, but also because of the need to ride on non-bike lane main roads for a portion of my commute). No matter the amount of trails, those issues would need to be addressed before I get back in the saddle again.
But overall this is a wonderful move - thanks Hyattsville!