The Project
In 2026, Howard County, MD embarked on an update to BikeHoward, the County’s comprehensive bicycle master plan originally adopted by the Council in 2016. Since the adoption of the original plan, Howard County has made significant strides to make biking across the County more accessible and comfortable for riders of all ages and abilities.
Scheduled to be completed and adopted in Fall 2026, the BikeHoward update will guide the County’s bicycle network development and policies over the next decade. The planning process includes a public engagement tour throughout the County, a review of previous and concurrent planning efforts, and analysis of existing bicycling conditions, including level of traffic stress and crash history. The plan is being developed in coordination with the County’s Bicycle Advisory Group (BAG), a group of organizational partners and local advocates originally established as part of the first BikeHoward plan.
The updated BikeHoward plan will include programmatic and policy recommendations, as well as a vision for the future network of dedicated bicycle facilities in Howard County. These recommendations will outline desired outcomes, approximate timelines, and responsible parties, including various County departments and partner agencies. Each segment of the future network will be prioritized based on key factors such as alignment with County goals, connectivity benefits, and community input. The network will likely be implemented through a combination of capital projects, regularly scheduled roadway resurfacing, and integration with new development across the County.
In 2026, Howard County, MD embarked on an update to BikeHoward, the County’s comprehensive bicycle master plan originally adopted by the Council in 2016. Since the adoption of the original plan, Howard County has made significant strides to make biking across the County more accessible and comfortable for riders of all ages and abilities.
Scheduled to be completed and adopted in Fall 2026, the BikeHoward update will guide the County’s bicycle network development and policies over the next decade. The planning process includes a public engagement tour throughout the County, a review of previous and concurrent planning efforts, and analysis of existing bicycling conditions, including level of traffic stress and crash history. The plan is being developed in coordination with the County’s Bicycle Advisory Group (BAG), a group of organizational partners and local advocates originally established as part of the first BikeHoward plan.
The updated BikeHoward plan will include programmatic and policy recommendations, as well as a vision for the future network of dedicated bicycle facilities in Howard County. These recommendations will outline desired outcomes, approximate timelines, and responsible parties, including various County departments and partner agencies. Each segment of the future network will be prioritized based on key factors such as alignment with County goals, connectivity benefits, and community input. The network will likely be implemented through a combination of capital projects, regularly scheduled roadway resurfacing, and integration with new development across the County.
