Part of the long-term bicycling and pedestrian improvements for western Baltimore County include a pilot project for designated bike route between UMBC and the MARC Station in Halethorpe.

The bike route would travel from Poplar Avenue to Carville Avenue one way from UMBC to the train station. From the train station back to UMBC, the route would follow Oregon Avenue to Birch Avenue and Locust Avenue.

Along the route, signs appear with a bicycle on them and the mileage to the next destination.

Kathy Schlabach, project manager for the western Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Plan, said this is the first pilot project for the county bike plan. The county has only designated signage for bike routes at a community's request, such as with Catonsville Rails to Trails, she said.

The designated route will also include bicycle storage areas at the MARC station and at UMBC at the end of the routes.

The eastern portion of the plan was completed in 2006. The western plan includes the southwestern portion of Baltimore County, through Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Hunt Valley and Timonium.

Residents praised the plan at the community meeting held last week at the Benjamin Banneker Museum in Oella.  The plan will be presented to the Baltimore County Planning Board and ultimately voted on by the Baltimore County Council.