MCDOT Wins $240,000 Grant to Install Bikeshare Stations in White Flint and Twinbrook

For Immediate Release: Monday, October 31, 2016

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has won a $240,588 Maryland Bikeways Program grant from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to establish a four-station satellite Capital Bikeshare network in White Flint and a another station in Twinbrook.  Working in concert with the County, the City of Rockville received a grant award for two stations in Twinbrook.  Together, these seven stations will provide local Bikeshare access to the White Flint and Twinbrook Metrorail Red Line Stations.

There is a growing need for innovative, sustainable forms of transportation like Bikeshare.  The grant will cover 80 percent of the cost for the purchase and installation of all seven stations and bikes. Montgomery County will leverage state funds and private capital, right-of-way and operating funds committed to Bikeshare in White Flint and Twinbrook to provide this sustainable, non-motorized mode of transportation to expand mobility in White Flint and Twinbrook.  The JBG Companies committed to fund $15,000 towards Montgomery County's efforts to obtain a grant to establish Bikeshare in the White Flint/Twinbrook areas. The City of Rockville will contribute to the planning, operation, and maintenance of the new stations located in the City. 

“I would like to thank the Maryland Department of Transportation for their continued partnership and support of Montgomery County’s Bikeshare program,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “This is the third MDOT grant for Bikeshare that MCDOT has received in the last four years. This grant will help us expand our access to Metrorail in White Flint and Twinbrook, bolstering sustainable local and regional transit options for local residents and businesses. We are committed to embracing sustainable mobility improvements like Bikeshare as we expand travel alternatives throughout the County to create a balanced and comprehensive transportation system.” 

The Bikeshare network is the latest initiative in the large-scale effort underway by the County and its private sector partners to create a thriving, diverse, mixed use community in White Flint, a master plan-designated Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA).  Both White Flint and Twinbrook are priority development and job growth areas.  

MCDOT has installed and operates a 57-station Capital Bikeshare network using the Metrorail Red Line as a spine.  Stations are located inside the Beltway in Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, Takoma Park and Silver Spring. A satellite network operates in the Rockville and Shady Grove/Life Sciences Center areas. A second satellite network will begin to operate in Wheaton by July 2017; stations for the Wheaton network were funded by a 2016 Maryland Bikeways Grant.  Bikeshare Stations in White Flint and Twinbrook will be operational in July 2018.

More information about Capital Bikeshare is available online.

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Media Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-7155

Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-7155