OCEAN CITY – Mapped out bike routes in Ocean City are coming closer to fruition as the Transportation Commission is working out the kinks.
For several months, the Transportation Commission has been reviewing potential bike routes throughout Ocean City that avoid main roadways, such as Coastal Hwy. and Baltimore Ave., to provide a safe alternative route of transportation.
This week the commission met to continue discussion over the proposed bike routes that are still in the works as well as seek legal advice when it comes to crossing private properties and hear of potential grant funding.
“This goes hand-in-hand with our Walk Smart/Bike Smart program that has already been initiated,” Mayor Rick Meehan said of the town’s pedestrian safety campaign in partnership with the State Highway Administration (SHA). “We are looking for safe, alternative forms of transportation. Specifically, there is a defined bike route downtown that we know is there, and are working on expanding that.”
Ocean City GIS Coordinator Karen Zera has presented maps starting with the Downtown Circuit that is a loop from Somerset Street to 17th Street, using an alley way on the east side of Coastal Hwy. and St. Louis Ave.
The Midtown Connector is from 15th Street to 35th Street following mostly along Atlantic Ave., or the Boardwalk.
The Midtown Route is from 34th Street to 92nd Street on the east side of Coastal Hwy. using alley ways on the east side of Coastal Hwy. and cut through on private property where available. This segment, which is known as “High Rise Row,” is an area of concern as Coastal Hwy. is lined with towering condominium building with most of their parking lots fenced off to the public.
The Northend Bikeway is from 118th Street to 146th Street that takes Assawoman Dr., which runs parallel with Coastal Hwy., on the eastside until 130th Street where bicycles can cross Coastal Hwy. and ride along Sinepuxent Ave., which also runs parallel to Coastal Hwy. on the west side practically to the Delaware line.
City Solicitor Guy Ayres was not in attendance to give legal advice as far as involving private properties, but Ocean City Grants Coordinator Wayne Pryor was present to help the commission explore funding opportunities.
“From the scope I have heard … I think this would be something for the Maryland Bikeway Program that supports projects that maximize bike access,” Pryor said.
Meehan recognized mapped bike routes will benefit residents and visitors alike, especially summer employees and students in the downtown area.
“What we are looking for is a way to promote this, such as signage, and a way to define it with maps that will help people become more aware of what they really can do, and the routes that are defined are safe,” the mayor said.
OCPD Captain Kevin Kirstein stated the police department is on board when it comes to separating bicycles from vehicles if the vehicles are well aware of the bicycle routes.
“Anything we can do to put bicycles further away from the cars or to keep them in an area that is clearly designated and anticipated to by the car driver to see bicycles, so it gives us some concern when some of the routes go down through the alleys and parking lots,” he said.
Councilman Dennis Dare agreed, stating a bicycle route map will be helpful in educating the public but signage having bicyclists and vehicles aware of the routes is key.
Councilman Tony DeLuca recognized the Midtown Route will continue to be an area of concern until the commission received the city’s legal counsel’s input.
However, a route from 62nd Street to the Inlet should be prioritized, as it coincides with SHA’s MD 528/Coastal Highway Community Safety and Enhancement Project that aims to reconfigure Coastal Hwy. in the test area of Route 90 to Convention Center Drive. The project aims to widen existing sidewalk widths for pedestrian volumes and to bring sidewalks, entrances, pedestrian ramps and signals up to current ADA standards.
“If there is only so much funding available, we would have to let them [state] know what those priorities are and what issues we have fixed,” DeLuca said.
Pryor pointed our pairing Ocean City’s proposed bike routes with the Walk Smart campaign and the concept of the MD 528 Community Safety and Enhancement Project will be an added benefit in applying for grants.
The commission was in consensus the Downtown Circuit is ready to go and could be a project in itself to apply for state funding. Meehan also suggested approaching the Ocean City Development Corporation to partner with the town on the project.
As for the remainder of the routes, Ayres’ input will be sought.