Harford County Bel Air Bicycle Network Study

Abstract

In 2013, Harford County adopted a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan that establishes goals and priorities for improving the County’s bicycle and pedestrian networks and connecting to key destinations throughout the County. In 2018, Harford County engaged with the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Capstone Studio at the University of Maryland to develop a more comprehensive plan that would include an overall strategy and suite of best practices to guide the development, implementation and expansion of the County’s bicycle network. During the studio’s first phase, students reviewed the existing plan, supporting materials, precedents of bicycle trails and Complete Streets policies, and met with planning officials to evaluate information gaps and missing links and to provide recommendations for developing links. Working in design teams, students addressed the priority connections between the County and the Town of Bel Air. The teams also identified potential connections to or expansions of the green infrastructure network and opportunities for recreational tourism. During the studio’s second phase, students undertook a more detailed analysis of the Town of Bel Air’s 2013 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to advance the proposed segments that connect to the County’s Plan. County-identified priorities include Macphail Road, MD Route 24, and the connection between downtown Bel Air and Harford Community College. The teams field verified the concepts for proposed routes. Standards for trail designs and markers were developed and marker locations were identified.