The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) today joined students, families, and faculty at Poolesville Elementary School to host a celebratory event in honor of National Bike and Roll to School Day. The event was one of many across the nation to promote pedestrian safety and walkable communities and encourage active lifestyles.
The event was organized by MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program as part of the County’s Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Participants included County Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland; MCDOT’s Deputy Director of Policy Haley Peckett; SRTS staff; County police officers; firefighters from the County’s Fire and Rescue Service; MCDOT’s Zeal the Safety Zebra mascot; Sparky, the Fire and Rescue Dog; and T-Recs, County Recreation’s mascot.
“When we prioritize active transportation modes, such as walking and biking to school, we build stronger communities and healthier children, and we save lives,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through Safe Routes to School and Vision Zero, we are building safer streets and better access to our schools. We know many students across the County may be walking or biking to school for the first time today, and we hope this event will encourage them to do so again.”
Incorporating exercise into their daily routine helps students establish habits that promote a lifetime of healthier living. Regular physical activity not only reduces childhood obesity, but also improves concentration and memory, strengthens the immune system, improves sleep, and reduces stress.
“We conduct safety audits at 15-20 MCPS schools each year, and when needed, add infrastructure to slow down traffic, increase pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and improve visibility at crosswalks, making our roads safer for students and families,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We also offer educational activities such as Walking Wednesdays and bike rodeos to make learning about safety engaging and fun. I hope students enjoyed biking to school today and will join us this Saturday at Safety Day for more hands-on safety demonstrations.”
The free, student-led “Safety Day event” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC), 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Safety Day is organized and staffed by local high school students participating in the County’s Vision Zero Youth Ambassador program and will highlight driver, bike, and pedestrian safety with interactive and educational experiences including safety demonstrations, games, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Pedestrian safety audits evaluate walkability within a one-mile radius of elementary schools, 1.5 miles of middle schools and a two-mile radius of high schools.
The sidewalk projects currently in the construction phase under SRTS program include:
Potomac
- Cabin John Middle School
Approximately 0.45 miles (2400 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed along Bells Mill Road, from Gainsborough Road to Fox Hills Trail. Existing ramps will be rebuilt to be ADA-compliant, and high-visibility crosswalks will be installed.
Germantown
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Approximately 0.5 miles (2700 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Lake Seneca Elementary School, and Waters Landing Elementary School walksheds in the following locations:- Wanegarden Drive: Between Lake Seneca Elementary School and Wynnfield Drive.
- Waldorf Drive: Between Wisteria Drive and Wynnfield Drive (east side of roadway only).
- Teakwood Lane: Between Willow Cove Manor driveway entrances, connecting gaps between existing sidewalks.
Silver Spring
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- Northwood High School
Approximately 0.13 miles (700 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed along Gabel Street from Breewood Road to University Boulevard.
- Roscoe Nix Elementary School
Approximately 0.22 (1160 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed along Mount Pisgah Road from Oakview Drive to Grey Castle Way.
MCDOT recently completed a 0.3-mile sidewalk construction project at Travilah Elementary School under SRTS.
During the previous fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, MCODT constructed 5.85 miles of sidewalk including 1.5 miles around schools under the SRTS.
Partners in Bike and Roll to School Day include Montgomery County Department of Police, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, and Montgomery County Public Schools.
To learn more about National Bike and Roll to School Day, visit walkbiketoschool.org for ideas and best practices from the National Center for Safe Routes to School. View photos of the event on the MCDOT Flickr page.
For information on MCDOT programs and services, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
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Read the original article at mcdot