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Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards

Status

Planned

Location

The Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards parallel Columbia Pike along 8th Road S. and 9th Street S., North of Columbia Pike and 12th Street S., South of Columbia Pike. The Bike Boulevards are approximately 4.3 miles long and connect community members to nine Civic Associations, schools, businesses, parks, local and regional trails, and other destinations.

About the Project

Due to limited space, traffic volume and transit operations, Columbia Pike cannot accommodate biking facilities; therefore, routes on parallel secondary streets are a safer alternative. These are designated as bicycle boulevards in the county’s Master Transportation plan and “are designed to give priority to bicyclists for through travel and to link with trails and other streets that are safe and comfortable for riding.”

Project Goals

Conduct an existing conditions analysis
Improve the comfort, connectivity, and safety for all users along the Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards by deploying tactical treatments, pavement markings, and signage to the existing on-street-route
Develop recommendations for future capital investment to further enhance the Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards

Project Background

The Bicycle element of the Master Transportation Plan informs the objective, scope and establishes safety and design guidelines for bicycle boulevards in the County. The aim is to provide a parallel East – West bicycle priority connection in the Columbia Pike Corridor connecting residents to schools, businesses, community centers, and the greater bike network.

The NACTO All Ages and Abilities Guidelines, referenced in the MTP, provides additional automobile speed and volume guidelines for all bike facilities including Bicycle Boulevards.

The Columbia Pike Multimodal Street Improvements Study identified the development of bicycle routes and bicycle boulevards parallel to Columbia Pike as an essential part of multimodal corridor improvements.

The Vision Zero Multimodal Safety Engineering Toolbox provides many treatment suggestions to reduce traffic speeds and improve comfort, and safety of all users along the bike boulevard route.

Past Improvements

Previously completed improvements

Improvements to the intersection at Walter Reed Drive and 12th Street South completed in February 2019.
Improvements to four intersections along 9th Street South (South Highland, South Cleveland, South Adams and South Wayne Streets) completed in January 2018 (photos in image gallery).
HAWK beacon at the intersection of South George Mason Drive and 13th Street South completed in November 2015.
Improvements to the intersection of South Quincy Street at 12th Street South completed in October 2014 (photos below).
Improvements to the intersection of South George Mason Drive at 13th Street completed in September 2014 (photos below).
Rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RFB) and crosswalk installed without turn restrictions at the South Glebe Road and 9th Street South intersection in May 2014.
Signs and pavement markings installed along 12th Street South and 9th Street South in September 2013.

Past public process

Initial community meetings were held with adjacent civic associations in summer 2012. Additional community meetings were held in spring 2014 with the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Columbia Heights Executive Committee, and the Penrose, Alcova Heights, Arlington Heights, and Douglas Park civic associations.
In February 2018, staff performed pre-construction coordination for the South Walter Reed Drive/12th Street South project at meetings for the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Columbia Heights Civic Association and Douglas Park Civic Association.
In August 2018, staff gave an update on the 9th Street South bike boulevard project to the Arlington Heights Civic Association.
- View the presentation

Public Process

Fall 2024 - Existing Conditions

Engagement Level: Involve

Learn more about the Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards using our interactive Story Map.
Share your experiences of the Bike Boulevards using the online feedback form and interactive map.

The project team will use your feedback, existing plan guidance and other information to develop concept plans for street segments and intersections along the bike boulevard routes.

Engagement Materials

Spring 2025 - Concept Design Engagement

Engagement Level: Involve

Learn how community feedback helped inform the concept designs
Share your feedback on the concept designs.

The project team will use your feedback on the concept designs, along with existing plan guidance and other information to develop a final design for implementation.