Annapolis, MD – The City of Annapolis announces several bicycle infrastructure enhancements, designed with community voices and guided by the long-standing goals set forth in the 2011 Bicycle Master Plan. These projects will close critical gaps in the cycling network and support a safer, more connected city.
These projects also help reduce motor vehicle traffic congestion by making alternative modes of transportation more available and comfortable. Creating safe and practical bike routes can enable mode shifts from cars, particularly for shorter trips, which can help reduce traffic congestion.
Community-Led Design Anchored in Strategic Vision
The four projects are the result of active collaboration with residents, cycling community, stakeholder groups, and neighborhood associations, who have contributed to the planning and design through workshops, surveys, and outreach initiatives. These projects also reinforce the strategic framework of the 2011 Bicycle Master Plan, which identified disconnected segments of bicycle paths in all wards of the City as a barrier to safer cycling within City limits.
Three highlighted projects include
- Compromise Street Bicycle Lanes: On Compromise Street between Newman Street and the Eastport/Spa Creek Bridge, a newly resurfaced and paved roadway allows for dedicated bike lanes on both inbound and outbound sides. This route is regularly used by families making their way to and from elementary schools in the downtown area.
- McGuckian at Russell Street Neighborhood Link: This connection links the Homewood neighborhood directly to family-friendly assets, including the Bates Athletic Complex, Bates Heritage Complex, the planned Weems Whalen Field renovation, and is an important link between the Spa Creek Trail, Poplar Trail, and the West East Express Trail which will break ground in early 2026.
- Hilltop Lane Connector (Design Phase): After the tragic death of a cyclist on Hilltop Lane in 2023, the community sought help from the City to make this area safer for cyclists. Construction documents for a dedicated bike-ped path along Hilltop Lane from Boxwood Road to Forest Drive were completed earlier this year and all required permits were recently finalized. The Department of Planning and Zoning is now completing a series of necessary easements adjacent to the path and construction is expected to begin in early 2026. Plans are also advancing to extend the path the full length of Hilltop Lane in conjunction with the City’s street repaving schedule.
- New Trail Signage: In the coming months, residents will begin to see new signage along the City’s major trails to better orient trail users, promote nearby destinations, and encourage more trail use. The new signage is part of a broader campaign which began with mobility initiatives associated with the rebuilding of the Mills-Hillman Garage, and is now focused on connecting all of the City’s public spaces.
Advancing the 2011 Bicycle Master Plan Vision
The 2011 Bicycle Master Plan set up a challenge for municipal planners: complete the fragmented cycling network across Annapolis and Anne Arundel County to make cycling safer. Some bicycle routes stop abruptly, don’t include curb cuts, and generally don’t allow cyclists to get from neighborhoods to job centers. By strategically stitching these segments together, the City is working to deliver on that vision.
A Network That Moves You
These improvements are not just about lanes, they're about shifting how we move. By enhancing connectivity, the City encourages residents to choose bikes for commuting, errands, and pleasure, freeing up busy roadways, mitigating parking pressures, and improving air quality and public health.
