Over the last several decades, residents have increasingly turned to biking to improve fitness, reduce car pollution, and avoid escalating gas prices. Local governments and planners are encouraging the trend. In our region, they’re building hundreds of miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails and adding bicycle lanes to streets. For example, the Transportation Planning Board at COG has adopted the National Capital Trail Network Map, a planning priority for a seamless pedestrian and bicycle system of off-street trails, connecting 63% of the region's population. Today, momentum around biking continues to accelerate as local governments, advocacy organizations, and transportation planners at COG work together to plan a more bike and pedestrian-friendly region.

In this episode of Think Regionally, host Robert McCartney talks with City of Frederick Mayor Michael O'Connor, Washington Area Bicyclist Association Senior Organizing Manager Kalli Krumpos, and COG Senior Transportation Planner Mike Farrell on some of the plans and programs that expand bicycling in metropolitan Washington.