You know how sometimes you buy something online and there’s a little notice beneath the product description that says, “Some assembly required”?

This is kind of like that. But it will all be worth it. You can bet your best walking shoes on it.

Walk & Ride Registration Steps

Step 1: Anytime before October 11, visit the Walk & Ride Challenge website. Check out the menu at the top of the website for details about prizes and rules.

Step 2: Read the instructions on that website (they’re in the blue box), then click on the teal-colored sign-up square that hovers in the upper left of the big Walk & Ride graphic.

That will take you to a special sign-in page. (Please ignore the red letters that say “unauthorized access prohibited and punishable by law.”) If you are a Montgomery County employee or otherwise have an account, enter your email and password.

Assuming you don’t have a password, however, click the link beneath the blue sign-in button, where it says “Don't have an account? Sign up now.” That will take you to a page where you will enter your “user details” to set up your account.

Step 3: After signing up, you can either set up a team as the Team Captain or
register as a Team Member. Simply follow the instructions in the boxes to complete the registration process.

Next…Have Fun!

Once you’re done registering, you’ll be all set to get walking on Monday, October 14.

Pro tip: Huddle with your team at the end of each weekday in walking meetings to get everyone’s step count for the day. Then enter the steps into the Walk & Ride portal.

Downtown Bethesda has so many great spots you can walk to — with your team or solo — during your lunch period or on your walk home from work: art galleries and studios, plus cool stores and shops of all kinds. It’s a treasure trove of walkable destinations.

Of course, walking has health benefits galore, too. Walking is a great way to keep your body healthy, release stress, improve your mood, get energized, and improve the quality of your sleep.

Questions: Contact Kristen Blackmon at BTS (301-656-0868 x119 or KBlackmon@bethesda.org).

Whether or not you’ve opted to participate in Montgomery County’s Walk & Ride Challenge, you can also enjoy Walktober, a whole month devoted to walking, courtesy of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).

MDOT is offering weekly walking-themed webinars — aka Walkinars — every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. They’re all free, but you need to register for each one separately.

Here’s the Walkinar schedule:

Every Walkinar features engaging presenters and panelists who are sure to put an extra spring in your step while expanding your knowledge.

Fun Fact: Former BTS Director Francine Waters is one of the presenters for Walkinar #4. Now with MDOT, she helped launch the very first Walk & Ride Challenge in 2007. She also created, developed, and launched Maryland’s first Walktober campaign in 2020, to raise pedestrian awareness across the state. 

Questions: Contact Kristen Blackmon at BTS (301-656-0868 x119 or KBlackmon@bethesda.org).

If you joined the thousands of people in the DMV region who used alternative mobility modes to get around on Car Free Day, September 23: “Thank you!”

Remember, if you participated, you can still fill out Montgomery County’s Car Free Day pledge to be eligible for additional prize drawings. But act quickly. The County’s retroactive pledge deadline is October 11.

Last year, Car Free Day garnered 5,000 pledges. We’re hoping the region exceeded that number this year!

Ever have an “ugh” trip across the American Legion Bridge during Beltway backups? (Been there, done that.) Kiss those stop-and-go frustrations goodbye by riding the new Fairfax Connector Express Bus (Route 798) between Bethesda and Tysons.

Operated by Fairfax Connector, the 798 express bus is an efficient and eco-friendly transportation option. It’s quick and convenient, too, with weekday rush-hour service only, and a total of five stops:

Click here for the Route 798 infographic.

Try It Free: Get free ride coupons from BTS! Contact Allison Kemp (301-656-0868 x121 or AKemp@bethesda.org).

BTS Seeks Advisory Committee Members

Do you live in downtown Bethesda — or in a neighborhood that’s adjacent to BTS’s service area? If so, you’re invited to apply to serve on our Advisory Committee.

If you’re not sure where your residence is located relative to our boundaries, simply enter your home address at the top left of this map.

The map also shows the boundaries of all of Montgomery County’s Transportation Management Districts (TMDs) in red. The TMDs were established by Montgomery County many years ago to address transportation issues within their defined territory.

The Bethesda TMD is served by Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS), which is a division of the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP). BTS operates through a contract agreement with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Commuter Services Section.

Our Advisory Committee advises BUP’s board of directors and MCDOT on local transportation needs. (Whew, that was a long — but necessary — explanation.)

We have two vacancies on the Advisory Committee, one for an applicant living within the TMD boundary in downtown Bethesda, and the other for an applicant living adjacent to the TMD boundary.

Advisory Committee members serve three-year terms. There’s no compensation involved, but it's a great way to weigh in on local transportation issues. The Advisory Committee meets every other month on the third Friday morning in downtown Bethesda (or virtually on Zoom).

If you’re interested, please send a brief resume or letter — by November 1 — detailing your pertinent experience, interests and community activities to Kristen Blackmon, Director, Bethesda Transportation Solutions, kblackmon@bethesda.org.

For more information, contact Kristen at 301-656-0868 X119, or email kblackmon@bethesda.org.