Cheltenham Drive Bikeway plans advancing in Bethesda

Plans for the Cheltenham Drive Bikeway in downtown Bethesda are now scheduled to be reviewed by the Montgomery County Planning Board at their December 11, 2025 public meeting. The County Department of Transportation has filed a Mandatory Referral application with the Planning Department for one-way, separated bike lanes on both sides of Cheltenham, between Woodmont Avenue and Tilbury Street. Mandatory Referral means that commissioners cannot stop or reject the project, but only make recommendations and suggestions based upon public comment, staff advice, and their own expertise. This is standard procedure for government projects. Residents or other stakeholders with questions regarding this project may call Eli Glazier at the Planning Department at 301-495-4548.

MDSHA updating River Road bike lanes in Bethesda (Photos)

Maryland State Highway Administration contractors are updating the bike lanes along River Road between Brookside Drive and Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda. Single-lane closures will be implemented between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and overnight, between now and the end of October. New pavement markings and green surface paint are being applied to the lanes. Flexposts will be installed alongside the lanes.

New bike and pedestrian crossing signals activated at Bethesda intersection (Photos)

The new bike and pedestrian crossing signals at Wisconsin Avenue and Montgomery Lane in Bethesda have been activated. They had been installed last October, but now the signals and control boxes have been uncovered and put into service. This dual crossing is part of the new Bethesda bikeway segment that connects Woodmont Avenue to Montgomery Avenue via Montgomery Lane. It is part of a larger network of new protected bikeways allowing circulation throughout downtown Bethesda, including segments near Bethesda Row.

Bethesda bikeway on Montgomery Lane nears finish line (Photos)

The leg of the Bethesda bikeway connecting Woodmont Avenue with Montgomery Avenue, via Montgomery Lane, appears to be nearing the finish line. In fact, some cyclists were using the new bike crosswalk on Wisconsin Avenue to reach Montgomery Avenue last night. Bike crossing signals appeared to be operational at the Montgomery Lane-Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) intersection. However, the covers over some of the signals had not yet been removed. 

Montgomery Lane Bethesda Bikeway construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the status of the new protected bike lanes on Montgomery Lane between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues in Bethesda. Some new pedestrian/bike signals have been installed, but are still bagged over at the moment. The bike lane surface itself still hasn't been paved, however. I was able to find a more-recent estimate for the completion date, which was to have been April 2023, so the project is currently about 4 months behind schedule. 

Old Georgetown Road bike lanes continue to confuse drivers in Bethesda (Video)

The confusing layout of the new bike lanes on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda continues to baffle some drivers, and their vehicular forays into them raise safety issues for cyclists. It's the southbound segment between Tuckerman Lane and Democracy Boulevard that has serious design issues, which seem to tempt some drivers to enter the cycling zone, and - worst of all - allow them to do so. Drivers seeking to turn right onto Rock Spring Drive and Democracy Boulevard are most often the unwitting victims.

Montgomery Lane Bethesda bikeway update (Photos)

The construction of a protected bikeway along Montgomery Lane between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues in Bethesda is proceeding slowly. This bike lane will connect to the one on the other side of Wisconsin where Montgomery Lane becomes Montgomery Avenue alongside the Avocet Tower. It's a real mess at the moment, and is a year behind schedule. The project website hasn't been updated for some time, even though work has been ongoing since the last update.

Old Georgetown Road bike lane paint project completed in Bethesda

The Maryland State Highway Administration announced that it has completed a paint project on the new bike lanes along Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. Green paint and striping was applied to the lanes and intersections starting back on April 10. In addition to complaints about the loss of a lane in each direction, more recently, some drivers have raised concerns about new dangers the configuration has created at some intersections (i.e. southbound, between Tuckerman Lane and Democracy Boulevard) and interstate access ramps to the Capital Beltway and I-270.

Photos courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration

Bike lane painting project to begin on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda April 10

A Maryland State Highway Administration contractor will begin a bike lane painting project on Old Georgetown Road (MD 187) in Bethesda on Monday, April 10, 2023. Green paint for bike lanes will be applied to the road between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and during overnight hours if necessary. The project is expected to take two weeks to complete.

Bethesda Bikeway Montgomery Lane construction update (Photos)

Progress continues on the Bethesda Bikeway project in downtown Bethesda. Now under construction is the Montgomery Lane segment of the cycletrack. Concrete islands that will protect the bikeway from automobile traffic have been installed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. As you can see, the actual surface of the future bike lanes is still torn up, with sewer manhole covers sitting up higher than ground level. This bikeway will connect to the Montgomery Avenue segment across Wisconsin Avenue, and extend down to Woodmont Avenue.

Residents create petition to remove bike lanes from Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda

The new bike lanes on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda have been a controversial topic of discussion since their recent installation took many residents by surprise. Drivers have complained of traffic backups, and their anger is compounded by seeing the bike lanes sitting unused alongside two lanes jammed with automobiles. Similar to the negative impacts of the Little Falls Parkway "road diet," the major state highway has become nearly impassable at times for emergency vehicles, presenting a danger to public safety as response times increase on a major route used to reach multi-alarm fires and Suburban Hospital. Now one resident has created a petition to have the lanes removed.

"The bike lanes must be removed without delay," the petition says. It cites the above issues, as well as cut-through traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods, and snow removal problems. The bike lanes were added by the State Highway Administration at the request of Montgomery County elected officials, after the tragic deaths of two young cyclists on the road. As of this writing, there are already 2,584 signatures on the petition to have the bike lanes removed.

Phase 1 of Bethesda Bikeway completed

Montgomery County officials are celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the Bethesda Bikeway in downtown Bethesda. The completed segments run along Bethesda Avenue and Willow Lane from the Capital Crescent Trail to 47th Street near Elm Street Park, and along Woodmont Avenue between Miller Avenue and Montgomery Lane. Both are separated bikeways that include raised concrete medians to protect cyclists from automobile traffic. The completed bikeway segments are part of a new two-way bike network in downtown Bethesda that offers bright green separated bike lanes. Phase 2 is scheduled for completion next year.

“We are committed to the safety of all our roadway users,” Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin said in a statement. “Safety is our highest priority, and we are striving to make changes to our roads as quickly as we can. That is why the Vision Zero funding is so crucial, and I am thankful that [County Executive Marc Elrich] and the Council have been working together to allow for increases in this funding to advance the safety of our residents. I am saddened by every report of another crash resulting in serious injury or loss of life and remain committed to the work we’re doing to reduce and eliminate these tragedies. In addition to making our facilities safer, these projects can also provide assets for our communities. As one example, the Bethesda Bikeway is going to make bicycling much safer and appealing in this area.”

Old Georgetown Road resurfacing project underway in Bethesda (Photos)

A resurfacing project is underway on Old Georgetown Road between the Capital Beltway and Nicholson Lane. Expect lane closures on that stretch outside of rush hours on weekdays. The project is expected to be completed by January, and will also convert one travel lane in each direction into a protected bike lane. Needless to say, if you are concerned about your car getting scratched by debris, take an alternative route during this period.

Woodmont Avenue bikeway construction update (Photos)

Work is already underway on the extension of the Bethesda Avenue bikeway onto Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. The construction area has now been cordoned off along Woodmont. Concrete forms have been created for the islands that will protect the bike lanes from automobile traffic. The Streatery outdoor dining area on the roadway has been closed and cleared away.