Montgomery County, Maryland planners were trying to raise the bar for bicycle infrastructure planning and design in North America.

David Cranor reports on the recently approved Bicycle Master Plan in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The plan, "calls for more than 1,000 miles of trails, paths, and separated bike lanes; expanded bicycle parking near transit and in commercial areas; and bicycle-supportive programs and policies," according to Cranor.
A couple key concepts drive the goals of the new bicycle plan. First is the idea that bike infrastructure can contribute to Vision Zero traffic safety goals. The second is a shift more toward biking as a form of transportation, not just recreation.
The article includes a lot more detail about how planners gathered the information and made the decisions to most effectively address those ideals.
It's been a big year for transportation planning in Montgomery County. Here's a rundown of transportation related coverage of Montgomery County in 2018:
- 'Barnes Dance' Coming to Montgomery County, Maryland (May 2018)
- A Public Service Announcement to Explain Newfangled Bike Infrastructure (May 2018)
- Montgomery County Community Wants Walkability for its Town Center (August 2018)
- Walkable Suburbia (September 2018)
- Local Concern Grows Over Maryland's Plans to Widen Interstates (September 2018)
- Bus Rapid Transit Line Breaks Ground in Maryland (October 2018)
FULL STORY: Montgomery County’s 1,100-mile bicycle master plan raises the bar. Now it needs funding.

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service