One of the big draws to Columbia for my family was the CA pathways for walking and bike riding. So, shortly after we moved in, we all got ourselves bicycles. I loved that my kids could walk or bike safely to school, the library and the pools without having to walk or ride on the streets. Streets and bike riding terrify me -— completely. Mixing fast-moving motorized vehicles and pedal-powered slow bikes don’t mix in my mind at all. In Columbia, I could get away without needing to navigate many of the streets, and that made me so happy.
To learn the CA pathways, I got myself one of these nifty maps from the CA main office. I have a basket on my bike, and I keep it folded up in there so that I can navigate easier. Alternatively, Google Maps also offers a bike-riding and walking option, which has directions for CA pathways. Get a phone holder for your bike handlebars and you have GPS within view.
While I’ve gone on several short bike rides to the library, the local pool, one of the CA gyms and to the grocery store, the paths can be a bit confusing because of lack of way-finding signs, so I was curious to learn more about the recommended improvements to the pathway system at the Connect Columbia meeting held on May 23. You can read all about the meeting and see the presentation right here.
I learned so much about the pathways as they are and got really excited about the recommendations for improvements. Things that really interested me were the recommendations about putting markers on the paths so that it’s easier to navigate (a much better solution than a folded up map and a phone, because who wants to stop every five minutes to figure out where they are.) Even more exciting were the proposals for connecting the villages throughout Columbia. If these proposals come to fruition, I’ll be able to bike or walk between villages so much easier!
While at the Connecting Columbia event, I met Sarah. I later read her blog, Sarah Says, for which she wrote a synopsis of the meeting. From what I heard from the consultant CA hired, and of suggestions from people at the event, it seems I’m not the only one looking for more pathways and better road markers. It looks like the pathway system, which is already great, will get even greater!
Melissa Sinclair works in the Communications & Engagement Division at Columbia Association (CA). Melissa recently moved to Columbia with her three-generation family. She has lived in more than a dozen cities and is looking forward to making Columbia, Md., her permanent home! Over the past year she has worked on losing weight, getting fit and doing volunteer work; she is now looking forward to working for CA after staying home with her family for the last several years. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in educational administration. Click here to read more of Melissa’s series.