BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director Michelle Pourciau today announced that the installation of bike lanes will soon begin along Monument, Centre Street and Maryland Avenue and to continue to Madison Street during Spring/Summer of 2019. Additional improvements to the bike lanes on Cathedral Street and N Liberty Street will take place during final construction. These bike lanes are being installed as part of the final phase of construction for the Downtown Bicycle Network, which includes 10 miles of biking facilities in the downtown area. 

The project includes a two-way separated bike lane along Maryland Avenue/Cathedral Street and bike lanes on Preston and Biddle Streets.  The network also includes buffered one-way protected bike lanes on Madison Street, along with buffered two-way protected bike lanes on Druid Hill Avenue, Centre Street, and E. Monument Street.

“This important project establishes a downtown network of bike lanes from which further connections can be made into neighborhoods throughout the city,” said Director Pourciau.  “The Department of Transportation is committed to providing safe streets for all users that include a variety of options for alternative modes of travel.”

Portions of the Downtown Bicycle Network are nearly complete, including Maryland Avenue/Cathedral Street, Preston Street, and Biddle Street. Final construction along E. Monument, Centre Street, and Maryland Avenue is scheduled to begin on or about October 15, 2018 and is expected to be complete in approximately 8 weeks, weather permitting.

"The Downtown Bike Network is an ambitious project, and was the first in the city to thoughtfully plan a network of dedicated protected facilities for people who bike. Bikemore was practically founded on making sure this project was completed--knowing that it would become a catalyst for both increasing ridership and spurring construction of protected bike lanes throughout the city,” said Liz Cornish, Executive Director of Bikemore. "We take great pride in having been a part of helping to see this project come to fruition and are grateful for DOT's commitment to seeing it through to the finish. Projects like the Downtown Bike Network make biking a safe and comfortable choice for Baltimore residents of all ages. And that has a real impact on our city's health and prosperity."

The remaining portions of the 10 mile network of downtown bike facilities will connect Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to N. Washington Street along Druid Hill Avenue, Centre Street, E. Monument Street, and Madison Street. It will also improve connections along the Jones Falls Trail on Fallsway between Centre and Madison Streets.  Expanding upon our network of separated protected bike facilities, a two-way protected bike lane between N. Eutaw and N. Washington Streets will connect to the existing bike facility along Maryland Avenue.

“The completion of the Downtown Bicycle Network is a critical step to implementation of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan, which calls for a network of protected and supporting bike lanes that will allow cyclists to get around Baltimore City safely and easily,” said Jon Laria, Chair of the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission.  "Implementation of this network is the highest priority for the Commission and it’s especially gratifying to see these major east-west facilities being added to the north-south Maryland/Cathedral cycletrack, already a significant commuting route.  Now, we need to focus on expanding the network into neighborhoods throughout the City.”

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is committed to providing safe streets for all road users, and the completion of the Downtown Bike Network brings the city closer to making biking a viable transportation option for residents.