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Bethseda Commuter Solutions
Commuter Spotlight: Bike Commuter Spirit Award Winner Claudia Blackburn
For the past two years, Claudia Blackburn has biked 35 minutes to work from her home in White Flint to her office in Downtown Bethesda. She is dedicated to being as active as possible as she ages, and finding the most environmentally friendly approach to transportation to work. Rain, snow, cold, in the dark -- she will ride, as she considers riding to work a gift.
Claudia advises other cyclists to “Follow your gut. I have avoided several accidents because I listened to my inner voice - to double check, to stop when I didn't have to stop. I have switched out to a more upright and comfortable ride to work and always bring latex gloves to avoid greasy hands before work. I joined an inexpensive gym at work to take showers. Initially, it may feel a little scary, but you get use to the challenges.”
Meet Our New Advisory Committee Members
Jeff Boden is the owner of EmbroidMe Bethesda, on Wisconsin Avenue and he is representing the interests of small businesses located in Downtown Bethesda.  He is a member of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce and interested in traffic, parking and pedestrian safety issues.
Allison Lazare works for United Educators in Downtown Bethesda and represents larger employers in Downtown Bethesda. She comes to our Advisory Committee from the Friendship Heights Advisory Committee, where she participated in Bike to Work Day. She is proud that United Educators offers transit benefits at a higher rate than parking benefits.
David Storper owns PrepU in Downtown Bethesda and is also representing small employers on our Committee. Some of you may have met David at our Bike to Work Day event, where he was talking to cyclists his special bike flags called Take Your Lane. The adjustable flags providing a visual cue for motorists about the safe and legal three-foot passing distance. David has lived in the DC area for 20 years bike commuter for nearly the entire time. 
Diane Yochelson is the founder and President of Peak Impact, LLC, which provides coaching and mentoring to small businesses. She is one of the representatives of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce on our Committee. Diane has a diverse background, having served on the staff of the US Senate Small Business Committee, and then in the field of commercial real estate. Diane is also an active member of the Bethesda Chevy-Chase Rotary Club.
We would also like to thank the five members who will be leaving our Advisory Committee and who have faithfully served our community for many years: 
  • Charles Andrews
  • Clyde Garrett
  • Russ Phillips
  • Ben Schlesinger
  • Philip Shar
Downtown Bethesda Sector Plan Update
The Montgomery County Planning Board, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, completed the first of five work sessions to review the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan on July 20. The session addressed several issues and considered transportation infrastructure. Planners are summarizing all public testimony received from the June 24 public hearing through July 2, when the public record for the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan closed. The four remaining sessions are scheduled for September 17, October 5, October 22 and November 12 and will be held at the Montgomery County Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910).  Click here to learn more about the planning process.
Circulator Hours of Operation Have Changed
The FREE Bethesda Circulator has returned to its original hours of operation. They are as follows: 
Mon. - Thurs., 7am - 11pm
Friday, 7am - 12am
Saturday, 10am - 12am
The Circulator's hours were extended while Lot 31 was closed for the construction of the new Capital Crescent Garage.
Click here to read more about the FREE bus that will take you around Downtown Bethesda, including a route map. And don't forget, you can track the bus on your iPhone or Android using the FREE App! 
Numbers of Pedestrian Collisions Declining County-Wide
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has reported that pedestrian collisions "declined by 16 percent in 2014 compared to 2013," and that severe collisions are at an 8-year low!
Reductions in speed stemming from "traffic calming measures" and safety improvements are credited with reducing the severity of pedestrian collisions. Montgomery County Police have also been conducting pedestrian safety stings around the County, in addition to public safety campaigns.
Bethesda Transportation Solutions
7700 Old Georgetown Road | Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: 301.656.0868 | www.bethesdatransit.org


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