CAMBRIDGE, Md. - The City of Cambridge has partnered with the Maryland Department of Transportation [MDOT] in a grant program for bike lanes.
Seven streets within a section of the city are the ones up for debate. The 40,000 dollar grant project would impact Glasgow St. I and II, Race St., Locust St., Dorchester St., Academy St., and Cedar St. These streets fall into one particular section that connects wards 1, 3, and 5.
Ward 5 commissioner Brian Roche says this will not only allow an safer and easier way of travel for bicyclists and scooters, but it will also target those big investments areas. Such as, the packing house, waterfront district, and downtown neighborhoods.
Roche says, "The goal is to make safe accommodations for all modes of transportation and abilities between our principal economic development projects like the packing house, the waterfront, and neighborhood revitalization areas and our traditionally underserved neighborhoods."
Roche added that a good number of people in Cambridge use a bike or scooter to get around. "So actually to get to services or to employment, we found out that with the scooter project they have data that the vast majority [of people] was using them to get to work. That was surprising to us."
Some people in the community say bike lanes are needed.
Amanda Kidd says, "having come from the district, that opportunity offers new means and ways for people to transport and travel throughout the city."
But, others can't agree that some streets, like Race St., are the right fit.
Timothy Lindsay says, "I've had people pass me on the right side and I've had people pass me on the left side. Throw bikes into the mix and I think it's gonna create a lot of safety issues."
A link to the public comment survey can be found here.
A public comment meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 26.