College Park is fortunate to have a tremendous system of off-road pathways for bicyclists.  Unfortunately, design flaws and maintenance issues deter greater levels of ridership and prevent the system from reaching its full potential.  One of the more obvious blemishes is the Paint Branch Trail's awkward intersection with Route 1.  

Notorious for its high volume of traffic and dangerous intersections, Route 1 is a major barrier and nightmare for bicyclists.  Long waits at traffic lights and up to seven lanes of heavy traffic discourage bicyclists from riding on or crossing this street.  

Since this portion of the Paint Branch Trail is the only off-street crossing of Route 1 in College Park, it is vital for both recreational and commuting bicyclists, especially those traveling between nearby neighborhoods and the University of Maryland.  When approaching Route 1 from the east, the trail suddenly deposits riders onto the sidewalk at the intersection of Lakeland Road and Route 1.  Here, riders face never-ending traffic and a trail that seems to have disappeared.

At this point, bicyclists must make a sharp left turn and follow the sidewalk along Route 1 and over Paint Branch stream.  Two feet away, cars whiz by in the opposite direction at over 40 MPH.   Although the trek along Route 1 is relatively short, the stretch is uncomfortable, unnerving, and unsafe.  Beside the curb, there are no barriers between the sidewalk and Route 1, meaning that a slight miscalculation could land a bicyclist in the way of a speeding automobile. 

After crossing the stream along the road, the trail reappears on the left, and bicyclists are forced to make a sharp corkscrew turn leading them into the dark abyss under Route 1.  If you are unlucky enough to enter this virtual cave after a heavy rainstorm (as I was last week), you will suddenly find yourself pedaling through three inches of mud, sand, and water.  To either side, the supports of the bridge are tagged with graffiti and trash is strewn along the underpass.  To say this portion of the trail is unattractive is an understatement.   More importantly, it is a prime location for mischievous and potentially dangerous activity. 

A few solutions could make this portion of the trail safer and more user-friendly.  First, the installation of several lights under Route 1 would prevent riders from being hurled into sudden darkness.  Additionally, lights would deter the undesirable behaviors of littering, graffitiing, or worse.  The one light that is currently secured to the underside of Route 1 is not working.  Second, a bridge crossing over the Paint Branch stream just east of Route 1 would offer a more direct route, improve trail visibility, and prevent users from having to maneuver along Route 1.  This bridge would enhance the efficiency, safety, and appeal of the ride along this stretch of the Paint Branch Trail.  These simple steps, along with a concerted effort to quickly clean debris, litter, and graffiti would improve the quality of the trail and encourage greater levels of use.