Active elderly woman spotted jogging on Norbeck Rd.

Elderly woman spotted jogging on Norbeck Road

My mother, who is an astute observer, reported that she saw an elderly woman in her 70s jogging on Norbeck Road during rush-hour traffic on Friday afternoon 09/23/2011. 

The jogger was actually trying to cross from the south-side of Norbeck Road to the north-side where Mount Everest Lane is located.  I presume that she came from Wintergate Crossing, which is a popular area to walk and jog as it has wonderful sidewalks and the fantastic ICC Bike Trail. 

Unfortunately, traffic was so heavy on Norbeck Road during the afternoon/evening rush-hour that there were no gaps to safely dash across the southbound and northbound lanes at the same time. 

Instead, the jogger was forced to cross the southbound lane and wait on the double yellow line in the middle of Norbeck Road for a gap to open up in the northbound lane.  Finally, she sprinted across the northbound lane and continued on her way home. 

My mother was on pins and needles while watching this jogger attempting to cross heavy traffic and being forced to wait in the middle of the road while cars and trucks zoomed by on each side. 

This jogger was inches away from crippling injury or death if a vehicle had drifted into her or hit her head-on.  This is another reason to lobby our elected officials, namely Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Marc Elrich along with State Senators Roger Manno and Karen S. Montgomery to do something about the dangerous conditions on Norbeck Road. 

Our elected officials have the political clout to pressure the State and County to build pedestrian-bike paths and marked crosswalks on Norbeck Road to ensure safety for everyone regardless of their transportation modes.

I urge you to call or e-mail your County Councilmembers and County Executive:
Nancy Navarro at 240-777-7968 or Councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov
Marc Elrich at 240-777-7966 or Councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov
Ike Leggett at 240-777-2500 or ocemail@montgomerycountymd.gov

Also, please call or e-mail your State Senators:
Roger Manno (301-858-3151) or roger.manno@senate.state.md.us
Karen S. Montgomery (301-858-36251) or karen.montgomery@senate.state.md.us

Together, we can bring change to Norbeck Road and create a safer environment for everyone, including your active grandmothers!  :-) 

Thanks for your support,
Jesse