June 2026 - Bethesda Mobility Solutions Newsletter

Metro Red Line Closure Alert

These Red Line stations will be closed from July 6 to September 6: Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda. Please scroll down to our story below for details.

Kudos to All Who Made Bike to Work Day a Success

Bike to Work Day 2026 drew 415 registrants to our downtown Bethesda pit stop event. Check out the Bethesda Bike to Work Day 2026 Photo Album.

Two Award Winners

Bethesda Transportation Solutions presented two Bethesda Bicycle Commuter Spirit “Golden Gear” Awards: one to bicycle commuter Sam Tignor and one to local bike shop owner David Bondareff. This year’s awards were wearable gear-shaped medallions with huge gold chains.

Lots of Prizes

There was a free raffle during the event with prizes donated by local businesses. Bethesda’s Griffin Cycle donated a Marin bike that was raffled off at the end of the Bethesda event. A generous $575 gift certificate to Terrapin Bicycles was also given to a Bethesda bike commuter, randomly selected from all Bethesda Bike to Work Day registrants and attendees. A DJ provided music entertainment in between the speakers, proclamation, award presentation and prize raffle drawings.

Wonderful Speakers & Helpers

Montgomery County Regional Services Center Acting Director TJ Dant presented a proclamation from County Executive Marc Elrich.
Maryland State Delegate Marc Korman served as pit stop emcee.
Maryland State Delegate Sarah Wolek, Montgomery County Councilman Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Councilman Evan Glass and MCDOT representative Joe Moges spoke.
Bethesda Transportation Management District Advisory Committee Members volunteered at the event, handing out T-shirts, bike maps and giveaway items to registrants.

Tasty Treats

Breakfast and beverage options were abundant thanks to these businesses: Bagels were donated by Bethesda Bagels; parfaits and coffee were courtesy of Silver restaurant; Just Ice Tea provided free tea; Drink More Water provided water; The Salvation Army provided fruit; and Bethesda Transportation Solutions provided cookies.

Generous Sponsors

Sincere thanks to our 28 sponsors, who donated great prizes, food and beverages, or had a table at the downtown Bethesda pit stop, including (listed alphabetically):

Bike to Work Day Sponsor Spotlight

Each issue of our newsletter for the next few months will highlight Bike to Work Day pit stop sponsors who were at the downtown Bethesda event. This month, we feature Bethesda Bike and Ski, Griffin Cycle, Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA), Pedego Electric Bikes and WABA.

Bethesda Bike and Ski is a community-focused bike, ski, and snowboard shop dedicated to helping Bethesda riders and riders-to-be get out on the roads, trails, and slopes, and to enrich the community with everything that comes with it. Steps from the Capital Crescent Trail, Bethesda Bike & Ski carries a premium selection of road, mountain, e-bike, and kids' bikes alongside skis, snowboards, and accessories — plus expert service and repairs for all of it.

This year, Bethesda Bike & Ski is proud to introduce the Commuter Concierge Plan — a membership built for riders who depend on their bikes every day. Members get priority service with a 48-hour turnaround target, same-day minor repairs, an annual tune-up, loaner bikes, and access to commuter clinics and events. Starting at $29/month, it's designed to keep Bethesda commuters moving — no waiting, no worry.

"Bike to Work Day is exactly why we're here," says cofounder Jeff Labow. "It's one of the best reminders that there's a whole community out there pedaling alongside you — and we want to make sure every one of those riders has the support they need, not just one day a year, but every single day."

Griffin Cycle: Thanks to Griffin Cycle for donating a Marin bike for our drawing and for providing bike maintenance checks during the pit stop! Griffin Cycle’s hybrid and road bike rentals make exploring area bike trails easy. (Helmets and locks are included in the rental.) They also provide bike service and repairs seven days a week. And if you already have a bike but it doesn’t feel quite right, drop by Griffin for a complimentary review of the fit. Visit GriffinCycle.com for hours, upcoming deals and special events.

Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA): MWABA connects blind and visually impaired adults and youth in D.C., Maryland and Virginia to activities that help them live healthy, active and balanced lifestyles. MWABA organizes tandem bike rides from Bethesda and Eastern Market, hikes around the region, and goalball and yoga in D.C. MWABA members discover new sports and practice familiar ones in an open and welcoming environment. MWABA board members Kristin Long and Shira Gordon, who live in Bethesda, staffed an information table during the pit stop.

Pedego Electric Bikes Bethesda: Congratulations to Pedego Electric Bikes Bethesda owner David Bondareff for receiving a “Gold Gear” award for his dedication to BTS events and for serving on the Bethesda TMD Advisory Committee as a small business owner. The award was presented May 15 during the Bike to Work Day pit stop event in downtown Bethesda. Pedego Electric Bikes Bethesda is a longtime sponsor of our BTWD event. Stop by to check out their lineup of e-bikes including Pedego, Urtopia, Segway, Blaupunkt, Velotric and more, plus Hiboy and Segway scooters.

Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA): There would not be a region-wide Bike to Work Day around the DMV without WABA. They run the entire event’s online registration, enabling organizations like BTS to know in advance how many cyclists have signed up for each local pit stop. In addition to their annual BTWD labors, WABA also offers bike classes through mid-June.

“WABA had a great time tabling at the Bethesda Bike to Work Day pit stop on May 15th! If you stopped by for a quick snack, information on bike safety, or to join our community of WABA members, thank you for joining us. We loved seeing bicyclists stay safe with the soon to be completed bike lane network in and around the Bethesda Central Business District, and the well established lanes on Old Georgetown Road.” — Ken Reichmann, Development and Membership Manager, WABA

A portion of Metro’s Red Line will shut down starting July 6. The Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda stations will be closed and inaccessible. Trains will not run in either direction between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.

Free Shuttle Buses Replace Trains

Free shuttle buses will run every 5 to 8 minutes during Metrorail operating hours until September 6.

Express bus service will operate in both directions between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations.
Local bus service will run between the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and North Bethesda stations.
The Maryland State Highway Administration is installing special bus lanes at strategic locations along MD 355 to help the flow.

Plan Ahead

Multiple agencies are coordinating to reduce disruption during the project. But this will affect everyone who travels through the MD 355 corridor. So, expect delays and consider other mobility options. (Thanks to Commuter Connections’ Guaranteed Ride Home program, you can confidently leave your car at home and use alternative transportation!)

How You Can Help

Take the Bus: If you typically ride Metrorail, you’ll want to allow extra travel time to board one of the many additional buses that will be put into service to keep people moving. Metro’s shuttle buses will be free. All Ride On buses are already free. Locally, the Bethesda Circulator is also already free.
Carpool or Vanpool: Commuting in a carpool or vanpool will not only make your trip less stressful, you’ll also be helping reduce traffic. Every car we can take off the road will leave more room for emergency vehicles and essential commercial deliveries. Contact BTS for help forming a carpool.
Walk/Bike: If your workplace is within walking or cycling distance of your home, this may be your best commute option.
Telework: Employers, please offer telework and flexwork options. Metro’s closure will only last two months. Temporarily modifying RTO policies will minimize disruption to your own operations while helping your employees — and the community.
Commuter Bus: If you live a significant distance away from Bethesda, check out these commuter bus services from the Maryland Transit Administration and the Fairfax Connector.

Why It’s Happening

The Red Line closure is needed for work to proceed on several projects, including:

Construction of a second mezzanine at the Bethesda station to integrate the MTA Purple Line.
Rehabilitation of the platform at Grosvenor-Strathmore by replacing slab edges and tiles, adding new lighting and modifying drainage.
Replacement of the raised railway across Rockville Pike between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Medical Center.

According to Metro, these projects will provide a “simpler, more direct transfer between Metro Rail and the Purple Line,” improve the “safety and reliability of station infrastructure,” and “upgrade station conditions” (e.g., lighting, drainage and platform improvements). They are a “continued investment in long-term system performance.”

What BTS Is Doing

As one of Montgomery County’s Transportation Management Districts, Bethesda Transportation Solutions is in frequent contact with Montgomery County Commuter Services and others in the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT).
BTS can help you organize a carpool or vanpool, provide information about area bike lanes, advise employers on telework programs, and organize commuter information events in building lobbies.
While we anticipate a surge in requests, BTS will be working hard to respond to all emails and phone calls. Please reach out if you need assistance or have questions (301-656-0868; info@bethesda.org).

The Purple Line team hosted a virtual town hall event May 29 on “live wire” testing of the 2.5-mile section between the Lyttonsville and Bethesda stations. Visit their YouTube page for the recording.
WMATA’s board of directors adopted the FY2027 operating and capital budget with expanded service and no fare increase.
MCDOT will host a virtual public hearing on the Cheltenham Drive Bikeway Project on June 10 at 6:30 p.m.
The County offers adult bike classes through mid-June.
Have a bike or need a bike? Use BikeMatchMoCo.
These Ride On service changes took effect last month.
Plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home this summer.
Bethesda ranks in America’s top five best places to live.

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Metro to Close Red Line Stations for Major Construction