Dutch family looking to commute from Takoma Park

[isaNLtoDC]

Hi there!
We will be moving to DC from the Netherlands very soon.
We are used to biking with kids rain or shine and we would love to keep doing this in DC.
I am looking at where to live and I have a few questions that I can’t find answers to on the maps, as great as they are.
Our kids will be going to school in Bethesda close to Sangamore Park and one of us will be working close to the Mall. Although I am getting a lot of recommendations in favor of living in Bethesda, I think Takoma Park might be lovely too.
However I am not sure how it would work bike-wise.
On the days where kids would need to be dropped off at school, the bike commute would be TP-Bethesda thru the Capital Crescent Trail then Bethesda-the Mall, and in the evenings, this would be much shorter – the Mall to TP following the Metropolitan Branch trail.
Questions:
-I did find the bike trail that links Silver Spring to Bethesda, however I can’t find any bike routes going from Takoma Park straight into Bethesda thru DC. Is it that the area is unsafe/too much traffic? It does seem to me that it would be a shorter distance bike across DC than up to SS then down to Bethesda. What am I missing here?
-how safe is the Metropolitan Branch Trail from the Mall to TP (especially at night). It looks like it’s mostly a share the road trail,not a separate trail. Am I correct?

Thank you in advance for any advice! We are very excited about the move and thrilled to see how biking has gained in popularity in the US since we last visited a few years ago:)

Topic

[secstate]

@LhasaCM 156411 wrote:

That is another good suggestion of a place to look. The distance from Metro somewhat helps the affordability issues over there.

Yes, I have this vision of moving out somewhere along the Canal and buying a fat bike in case we ever get a real winter again.

[huskerdont]

@Crickey7 156408 wrote:

There are a few somewhat funky neighborhoods right along MacArthur and the Canal. Very outdoors-oriented, popular with those people who like to kayak, canoe, run and bike along the Canal. Lots of older houses in very eclectic styles, and a few tear-downs.

Brookmont.

[isaNLtoDC]

Thank you everyone! That was a lot of very useful information.
And so the search for a neighborhood begins…Thanks!

[Crickey7]

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2017/Countys-Proposed-Interim-Georgetown-Branch-Trail-Would-Route-Cyclists-Onto-Jones-Bridge-Road/

Proposed route for the interim SS-Bethesda trail. Note that this is the official route. Unofficially, riders can go any route they want, though none will be as easy and pleasant as the trail.

[cvcalhoun]

@Crickey7 157210 wrote:

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2017/Countys-Proposed-Interim-Georgetown-Branch-Trail-Would-Route-Cyclists-Onto-Jones-Bridge-Road/

Proposed route for the interim SS-Bethesda trail. Note that this is the official route. Unofficially, riders can go any route they want, though none will be as easy and pleasant as the trail.

I’ve got to figure out those routes through the Town of Chevy Chase. An 83-year-old friend and I regularly use the GBT to get out to Parkway Deli. Having Parkinson’s, and slower reflexes due to age, he does not feel at all confident about riding on city streets. Sending him way out of his way, then making him traverse Jones Bridge Road, is a total nonstarter.

[Author]

Replies