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Walking & Biking

  • 4 months ago
  • 11 comments
  • Edge
topic Hi everyone, and thanks for this nifty forum!
Hubby and I are headed for his new job at Fort Detrick and we are excited about coming into Frederick, it looks like a nice little town and a "soft landing" for a couple spoiled by almost 6 years in Germany.

Especially with the price of gas going completely nuts, how friendly is Frederick to the pedestrian or bicycler?

I've lived in places where you'd think there was a bounty on them.. Indianapolis comes to mind..

Thanks for any ruminations on the subject,

Edge

11 comments

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    Sculpturegirl 4 months ago with 1 point
    Frederick is a great town, no doubt about that. You will find, however, that being a pedestrian here isn't as friendly as Europe. I've tried getting around on bike and the stress of nearly being killed by motorists was killer on my blood pressure. The brave among you may get a thrill from this, though.

    I do walk a lot, though. I live downtown and walk to work when I don't have something heavy to carry. On the weekends, we take walks in Baker Park and enjoy first Saturday on foot. But, to essentials like the grocery store, etc. we have to drive :-( Fortunately, we are part of a CSA and get food delivered here every week. (www.eatlocalfrederick.com for more info.)

    There are great places to bike for fun, such as the C&O canal, but you are probably looking for transportation. I have heard about a connector path for bicylces in the works, but don't know where it is exactly.

    I grew up in the military and know what it is to be the "new kid" over and over again. If you need a friendly face to show you around town, let me know!

    Cheers,
    Sarah
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    quigley 4 months ago with 1 point
    I moved here from Germany, too, about eight years ago and remember how bike-friendly the country was. I don't own a car so I'm both a serious bicyclist and pedestrian (I live and work downtown). I'm a stickler to obeying traffic laws while on my bike, yet I've been hit three times by poor, ignorant drivers (no injuries, thank goodness). But...there are lots of bad bicyclists, too. I'd say look and act like a serious bicyclist and most drivers will give you some request.
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    Cygnus 4 months ago with 1 point
    I don't like bicycling much around here, and I live close to the countryside. Often there's very little room for a bicycle to maneuver, such as if I want to ride up to an appointment on TJ Drive; the bridge on Opossumtown Pike leaves just about no room for a bicycle.

    The C&O canal is nice . . . when it isn't muddy. I enjoy the W&OD and the Western MD trails too, but neither one is close by.

    I do wish there was a nice bikeway in Frederick like the B&A when I was living in Glen Burnie, but I doubt it'll ever happen.
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    shantileigh 4 months ago with 1 point
    I lived in Madison, WI for three years, and they had the best bike and pedestrian access of any community I've lived in. There were bike lanes all over the city streets with walking and biking trails connecting to the lakes and parks. With Frederick's downtown parking issues, and such a large population living in and around the downtown area, I'm surprised that there hasn't been a greater movement to make the downtown district bike-friendly with bike racks and lanes. Now that I'm thinking of it, if anyone knows how I could get my hands on a bike rack, I'd throw one in front of my clinic to promote downtown bicycling (although you'd still have to contend with the street traffic...).
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    Escape 4 months ago with 1 point
    Frederick could definitely be a better place for transportation cycling. I am working with an advocacy group trying to improve this very issue. Things seem to be moving in the right direction, albeit a little slowly. Don't be too discouraged by this. After you get settled-in help us make the community better. I have been cycling (both for sport and transportation) in Frederick for a very long time and have only had a few negative incidents.
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    Edge 4 months ago with 1 point
    I'm gonna need some fashion tips, I guess.. How DOES one dress and act like a serious cyclist? 8-) Here in Germany you get Oma in her nice coat and shoes on her shiny city bike! Another granny rides around with her little dog in a basket on the back of her bike. Very Cute.

    We've got things set up so that I can work at home (I'm a Rolfer, greetings to the acupuncturist!) and hubby can walk to Fort Detrick for his job. Shopping, heading for the farmer's market, and tourism we may have to drive to. Fact of modern life, unfortunately. I believe that in 100 years we will be looking back saying "WHAT were we thinking??" ;-D

    We will be looking at joining the "cycling community" there and helping to improve perception and education about "alternative" transport. Hubby's in public affairs, so he may have some ideas.

    Thanks Sculturegirl, I'd love a tour of the nice areas (we're close to Gambrills SP) when we finally get our things, including my bicycle! Hubby will be in the market for a recumbent trike, I think we found a source for those out in Mt Airy.

    We've gone from buckets of hail to sunshine in 5 minutes here in Eastern Bavaria. What kind of weather should bikers/strollers be prepared for in Frederick County?

    Thanks so much for the warm welcome,
    Edge
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    cityside 4 months ago with 1 point
    Downtown's obviously very pedestrian friendly. The more sprawly parts outside it, not so much. As for biking, there's plenty of room for improvement. My in-laws live in Buckeystown and its amazing the number of road bikers you see out there on the weekend. Also amazing that people don't get killed biking down New Design, Manor Woods, etc. I've never had too much trouble biking around downtown. Patrick and Market can be a little hairy, so I tend to stick to the smaller streets and alleys to get around. Overall, though, it would be nice to see a trail system develop. There's even economic development potential, too, since I suspect a lot of those bikers on the south side of the county come up from MoCo and DC.
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    Edge 3 months ago with 1 point
    Well, we're here, and so far quite pleased with the walkability by Ft Detrick. I'm eyeballing the clouds at the moment, planning a quick bike ride down to Rosemont to try and buy a helmet. I'm not a road biker, more basic transportation and recreation.
    My own bike and helmet should get here in a couple weeks.
    As walkable as this town is, I'm surprised not to see more people enjoying it.
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    guy1320 3 months ago with 1 point
    Welcome! Too bad the weather isn't better, but it should get there. As far as walkability. It depends on the neighborhood, some are better than others. You will probably see people walking up and down 7th street (by the fort and the shopping center soon).
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    Edge 3 months ago with 1 point
    I mentioned it on another part of the forum, but wanted to mention it here as well, that we have been using the bus system to enjoy downtown on the weekends, and have been quite happy with it.

    The big problem is infrastructure:
    Lack of a Walk signal across 7th at the Frederick Shopping Center
    Lack of a crossing on the Rosemont side of the Military Rd entrance to Ft D & bus stop
    The Opossumtown Pike and Thomas Johnson walk signal Does Not Work
    I have had to hop onto sidewalks in slightly heavier traffic with cars parked on the sides, but that's normal in most American cities.
    Sweet signs with a bike on them, saying "share the road" nice, but bike lanes would be better..

    Compliments:
    Drivers are extremely kind, when they are paying attention.
    People do walk and bike!
    Does not feel like a big, car-bound city in the Ft D or downtown areas. Other areas may be different.

    Love that we can walk to grocery, dinner or lunch.
    Also walking to the grocery at 7th, and biking up to Thomas Johnson on O'town Pike for grocery options.

    I'm not naming names, is that encouraged or?
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    Sculpturegirl 3 months ago with 2 points
    I biked around town yesterday and the drivers for the most part were polite. I was a little scared, but I have a driving threshold. 0-1mile I walk if I'm not carrying something heavy. 1.5-3 miles I bike if I can. Most of the time when I wind up driving short distances it is because I am late!!!!
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