I’ve gotten to know Jim Gugel, the Director of Planning for Frederick County. He is a great person to talk to about what is going on around the county.
One day I was talking to Jim about biking, and he told me that back in the late 90’s there was a big push for creating a bike network in Frederick County. There was an entire advocacy group and the county government drafted a Bikeways and Trails Plan.
Unfortunately there is no digital copy of the plan, but I have a paper one (and I’ve put up here pictures of the cover and the map). Please click here to see the plan (thanks Ellen!). The plan envisions an entire network of bike trails going across the county much in the style of some of the country’s best bike networks like in Boulder, Colorado.
Why do cars have to always be the only option to get around? For now, our transportation system makes them nearly the only choice. But imagine a world, or at least a Frederick County, where an entire network of bike paths linked the various neighborhoods and towns. Traveling about the county by bike would be safe and convenient.
And an entire new choice of transportation with ZERO carbon emissions would be available. Additionally our young people, who are often isolated without access to a car, would more easily be able to get around. Everyone’s health would benefit from a great form of excercise. And our beatiful county could be even more enjoyed through great bike trips.
When you look at the plan from 1999, it’s all there: a smart approach, right of ways, etc. We just need to urge our leadership to make it happen. If we are serious about global warming and protecting the future of our planet, we need to start at home. Enabling people to get out of the cars and travel at ZERO gallons per mile fuel efficiency seems where we need to start.
I’d like to somehow get a group together to start advocating for this. Anyone interested? Please leave a comment.
