Columbia, MD – The Horizon Foundation commends Howard County lawmakers for passing a resolution that would establish the county’s first bicycle master plan and pave the way for a new “complete streets” approach to road design so that all residents can safely and easily travel whether by foot, bike or car. The resolution also convenes a workgroup of bicycle advocates, transportation officials and others to develop a comprehensive complete streets policy and complete streets design manual to guide future road projects in the community.
The resolution, CR 35-2016, was proposed by County Executive Allan Kittleman, approved by the county planning board in January, and unanimously approved with amendments by the County Council last night.
Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation, issued the following statement:
“The passage of this resolution marks a significant step forward in setting the vision for a future Howard County that is designed and built to support the health and well-being of those who live or work here. We believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lay the groundwork for a built community that is thoughtfully developed to improve quality of life, health, safety and the environment.
“Horizon applauds County Executive Allan Kittleman for his leadership in proposing the resolution and introducing the BikeHoward bicycle master plan. We further commend the County Council for strengthening the resolution and tasking the implementation workgroup with creating a comprehensive, world-class complete streets policy.
“How we plan, build, operate, and maintain our streets shapes how our community functions. A comprehensive complete streets approach creates a sense of community that is accessible, sustainable, healthy, connected and economically thriving.
“This is a key moment in our county’s evolution. We are proud of our county’s leaders and our many partners, and we look forward to a future when all residents can easily and safely take a walk, jog or bike to get around the community in their daily lives.”
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The Horizon Foundation is an independent philanthropy dedicated to improving the health and wellness of people living or working in Howard County, Maryland. We invest in strategic grants and initiatives to achieve the greatest impact. We also build partnerships and advocate for public policy changes that advance our mission. For more information, visit www.thehorizonfoundation.org.
