In June, the Montgomery County Planning Board gave approval to transmit a proposed zoning text amendment (ZTA) to the County Council to modify the bicycle parking requirements in the county's zoning code. This ZTA would fulfill a recommendation in the 2018 Bicycle Master Plan to update bicycle parking requirements and "end-of-trip" amenities that must be provided as part of the developments projects within Montgomery County.
Highlights of the ZTA include requiring spaces to accommodate larger bicycles, such as cargo bikes and recumbent bikes, and provide bicycle repair stations and charging capabilities for e-bikes within long-term storage areas of many multi-family residential and commercial buildings.
The staff report shows how the new zoning requirements would require more and better bicycle storage, while also changing the requirements for things like churches, assisted living units and day care facilities. It standardizes and defines things like "bicycle locker" and it makes the inverted U rack the default type. It even requires an outlet nearby for charging e-bikes. It also changes the rule requiring facilities for male and female and instead requires two "all-gender" shower facilities for the comfort of all users, regardless of gender identity.
Not sure when the Council will take this up (or if they already have) but it seems like a lot of good changes.
MoCo is easily the weakest jurisdiction around (okay, maybe PG County) in terms of cycling matters.
Posted by: Crickey | September 19, 2019 at 05:29 PM