Child and Adult Used Bicycles Can Be Donated at Department of Transportation Event on Friday, Oct. 20, in Rockville

Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Donation Drive from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact. Bikes will be collected, rain or shine, outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at East Jefferson and Monroe Street in Rockville.

Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Rockville Bike Hub volunteers will refurbish the bikes and MCDOT will place them with low-income children and adults in the County through the MCDOT Bike Match Program or through the Rockville Terrific Kids program.

“Since the program began in June 2020, our Bike Match program has received about 850 bike requests, and we have placed over 600 donated bikes,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “However, that still leaves a need for over 200 bikes in just that program. We are hoping to be able to collect enough bikes to fulfill all of these requests.”

The bike donation event also will be accepting donations by check. Checks can be made out to the Rockville Bike Hub and left with staff at the donation site. Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information about the bike donation event, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dir/BikeDrive.html.

Bikesharing is Big in the Metro Area

How big is bikesharing locally?

According to the Greater Greater Washington blog, Washington's Capital Bikeshare has “regained its crown as largest overall network, growing from 305 stations to 347 stations,” unseating New York City.

The post by Dan Malouff stated that “Overall, the number of bikeshare stations nationwide increased about 20%, from 1,925 in 2013 to 2,345 in 2014. Thirteen new bikesharing systems opened nationwide last year, and four small existing ones closed, bringing the US total up to 49 active systems.”

Read the entire piece, including the chart of U.S. rankings.

Bikesharing Station Site Identification Program Earns Award

For the second straight year, the County has received a 2013-2014 Technology Solutions Award from the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for its “Bikeshare Station Site Identification and Property Verification” program. The award was presented in the Energy/Environment Technology category

The award-winning program allows Department of Transportation staff to collaborate with organizations outside of County government to research and identify potential bikeshare station locations in the County.

Once again, Montgomery was the only county in Maryland -- and the only Washington, DC metropolitan area jurisdiction -- to be recognized as an award winner by PTI in its annual technology solutions awards competition.

For more information on bikesharing in Montgomery County, visit MCDOT's bikesharing website or call 240-777-7170 for general information or 240-777-8380 for information on bikesharing for low-income populations.

Board of Public Works Funds Five More Down County Bikeshare Stations

The State Board of Public Works (BPW) recently approved $250,000 to purchase and construct five new Capital Bikeshare Down County stations to augment the County’s existing 49-station system.

Two more stations will be added upon arrival of the additional station equipment. The five new stations are expected to be installed in spring 2016. The County will fund the bikes and operating expenses.

Usage of the County’s Bikeshare program nearly doubled from 1,630 in March to 3,182 in April, an increase of 95 percent. The total number of trips since the program began, in September 2013, through April 2014 is 11,533.

Get more information about Capital Bikeshare.

Read more about the BPW funding.