Category: Bike Maryland updates

Posted on

3 take action alerts listed below including taking action to strengthen the 3 foot passing law.

Bike Maryland

The Maryland 2012 General Assembly session ends in just 3 weeks.  Now is the time to take action!

#1:  Please click here to take action now to support House Bill 1397 that will strengthen the current “3 foot passing” law!

Ask your Maryland legislators to support House Bill 1397 –  that would strengthen the “3-Foot Law” by allowing drivers to pass cyclists on the roadways at a safe distance in an otherwise non-passing zone, under certain safe conditions.
Take action now to support House Bill 1397! Delegate Jon Cardin, Chair of the Bike Caucus and a long time bicycle supporter is sponsoring this important safety legislation.
Please show Delegate Cardin that you support his pro-bicycle legislative initiatives. It only takes one minute – please don’t wait and click here to take action today! 

#2:  Please click here to require Maryland public institutions of higher education to address bicycle and pedestrian access on public campuses! This bill was already heard in the House and now will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee.

Please support Senate Bill 977 that would require public institutions of higher education to develop, by fiscal year 2014, a facility master plan to address bicycle and pedestrian circulation on and near public campuses. Additionally, this bill would require these institutions to include in the facility master plan measures to incorporate bikeways and pedestrian facilities, as well as, promote biking and walking on public campuses.
Don’t wait. Click here to take action now! Ask the Senate Finance Committee members to support Senate Bill 977.

#3:  If you haven’t already done so, please click here to ask members of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee to OPPOSE Senate Bill 942 / House Bill 1405 that makes major changes to the recent law that safeguards bikers, pedestrians, vulnerable users and all who use our roads.

SB942 / HB1405 significantly changes the wording of the current Criminally Negligent Manslaughter, by Vehicle or Vessel, law (Maryland law §2-210).  As a result of this law, people who cause fatalities because they drive in a criminally negligent manner, may face jail time and/or stiffer fines rather than merely paying a few hundred dollars in traffic court. We do NOT want this law to be changed!
SB942 / HB1405 would change the definition of a “vehicle” to exclude a “motor vehicle,” and it mentions a very narrow list of reprehensible acts. This would mean that someone who drives a car, bus, SUV, or truck and takes unjustifiable risks that cause a fatality would pay a few traffic fines through traffic court. This bill also removes a prosecutor’s ability to use good judgment to bring to trial those who have caused a fatality by driving in a criminally negligent way.
Bike Maryland worked tirelessly, for many years, to pass legislation to close the previous gap in Maryland law and give Marylanders some comfort in knowing that, over time, our roads will be safer because people are being held accountable for egregious, risky driving behaviors. If SB942 /HB1405 passes, there will, again, be a loophole in Maryland law that will let criminally negligent drivers get away with manslaughter. We know that cyclists and pedestrians are most vulnerable to risk taking drivers.

Please click here to sign the alert that OPPOSES this new bill.

You will be telling them:
  • Prosecutors need to continue to have the ability to hold drivers accountable for causing the death of another as a result of criminally negligent driving.
  • Drivers who cause fatalities because they take unjustifiable risks when they drive need to be held accountable for their actions and not simply pay a few traffic citations.
  • The public needs to know that there are serious consequences for risk taking behaviors when driving so that Maryland roads will be safer, in the long run.
You can view the above bills, Bike Maryland’s testimony and more by clicking here.

BIKE MARYLAND AND CYCLISTS THROUGHOUT MARYLAND THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION! 

Thank you on behalf of Carol Silldorff, Bike Maryland’s Executive Director, and Bike Maryland’s Board Members and Advisors.
Posted on

March 2012 Take Action – Bike Maryland

Take Action Now!

The Maryland Legislative Session is Heating Up!
Please take action now to ask members of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to OPPOSE SB942 which makes major changes to the recent law that safeguards bikers, pedestrians, vulnerable users and all who use roads and waterways.

Please click here to sign the alert that opposes this bill.

On Tuesday, March 20, the State Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a hearing to discuss SB942. This bill makes major changes to the wording of the law – Criminally Negligent Manslaughter – by Vehicle or Vessel (Maryland law §2-210).  As a result of this law, people who cause fatalities because they drive in a criminally negligent manner, may face jail time and/or stiffer fines rather than merely paying a few hundred dollars in traffic court. We do NOT want this law to be changed!
SB942 would change the definition of a “vehicle” to exclude a “motor vehicle,” and it mentions a very narrow list of reprehensible acts. This would mean that someone who drives a car, bus, SUV, or truck and takes unjustifiable risks that cause a fatality would pay a few traffic fines through traffic court. This bill also removes a prosecutor’s ability to use good judgment to bring to trial those who have caused a fatality by driving in a criminally negligent way.
Bike Maryland has worked tirelessly for many years as legislators struggled to find the best wording that would close the previous gap in Maryland law. The passage of the bill that enacted Criminally Negligent Manslaughter – by Vehicle or Vessel closed that loophole and gave Marylanders some comfort in knowing that, over time, our roads will be safer because people are being held accountable for egregious, risky driving behaviors. If SB942 passes, there will, again, be a loophole in Maryland law that will let criminally negligent drivers get away with manslaughter. We know that cyclists and pedestrians are most vulnerable to risk taking drivers.

Please click here to sign the alert that opposes this bill.

You will be telling them:
  • Prosecutors need to continue to have the ability to hold drivers accountable for causing the death of another as a result of criminally negligent driving,
  • Drivers who cause fatalities because they take unjustifiable risks when they drive need to be held accountable for their actions and not simply pay a few traffic citations.
  • The public needs to know that there are serious consequences for risk taking behaviors when driving so that Maryland roads will be safer, in the long run.

2012 Bike Maryland Legislative Agenda- We have Passed the 2012 Halfway Mark!

The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State’s annual budget. The 430th Session begins January 11, 2012 and adjourns on April 9, 2012.  The 2012 session will end in less than 4 weeks!

Click Here to View:

  • Bills
  • Bike Maryland testimony
  • Hearing dates
  • List of supporting organizations
  • Learn how to contact your legislator
  • Other relevant bill information

Bike Maryland’s Legislative Agenda:          

SUPPORT: Distracted Driving Legislation – House Bill 104, Senate Bill 217
The use of a hand-held mobile phone is dangerous to everyone, especially vulnerable users such as bicyclists using the roads. This bill makes using a hand-held mobile phone a primary offense, which allows law officers to stop and cite offenders for that reason alone. Sponsors: Delegate Malone and Delegate Kach and Senator Robey et al.  

SUPPORT: Safe Passing Legislation – House Bill 1397

   
This bill strengthens the existing passing law by creating an exception to specified prohibitions against driving a vehicle on the left side of the roadway in a no-passing zone for a driver who is making the minimum adjustment necessary under specified circumstances to facilitate the provision of the 3-foot clearance for overtaking and passing a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or motor scooter going in the same direction. The bill sponsor is Delegate Cardin. The hearing will take place on March 20 at 1pm in the House Environmental Matters Committee Chamber.  Please attend and support strengthening the 3 foot bill! 

OPPOSE: Senator Stone’s SB942 which undoes/deconstructs the Manslaughter- Criminal Negligence Bill. Please take action – the take action alert is listed above. This bill was cross filed in the House by Delegate Clippinger – House Bill 1405.  Just last year, the criminal negligence bill became law – please oppose this new bill. Click HERE to take action.

                                        
 
Advocates and legislators working together to pass the criminal negligence bill last year – now it may be undone.
SUPPORT: University Facility Plans – Bicycle Access – House Bill 1278
This bill requires each public institution of higher education to develop by fiscal year 2014 a facility master plan to address bicycle and pedestrian circulation on and near the campus; and requiring the institution to include in the facility master plan measures to incorporate bikeways and pedestrian facilities and to promote biking and walking on the campus. Sponsors: Delegate Cardin (House Bill 1278) and Senator Rosapepe (Senate Bill 977). 
SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS: Gas Tax -Senate Bill 971
Bike Maryland supports a vibrant transportation fund, and we recognize that the current economic downturn has hit the transportation trust fund hard.  However, we believe that transportation revenues should be increased only if every new dollar is invested more wisely. This includes investing in bicycle and pedestrian access.
OPPOSE: SB111-  license renewal testing requirement change from every 5 to 8 years.

SUPPORT: Bicycle use allowed on sidewalks – House Bill 946.
Legislation to repeal the prohibition of bicycles on sidewalks has been introduced by Delegate Miller. 

SUPPORT: House Bill 1178 that requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to assess 8 points against a person who is convicted of failing to render reasonable assistance after being involved in a vehicle accident that results in death, bodily injury, or damage to an attended vehicle or attended property. Sponsor is Delegate Cardin.

Other items of importance listed here.

Join Bike Maryland by Becoming a Member – We Stand Up For You!

 

Click HERE to become a member!

Please join the movement and become a Bike Maryland member today to improve bicycling in Maryland.
We represent hundreds of thousands of bicyclists throughout Maryland and actively connect with over 20,000 of them. Bike Maryland depends on your support to continue our work making bicycling a healthy and more sustainable means of transportation and, of course, an all-out fun recreational activity.
Bike Maryland is the nonprofit organization that has been instrumental in improving bicycling conditions and protecting the rights of bicyclists and organizations across Maryland. We are the only organization actively promoting pro-bike legislation on the state level in Maryland. We improve conditions on the county and city level too. Thanks to the support of our members, what we’ve accomplished and continue to do is truly remarkable

Please view Bike Maryland’s accomplishments and BECOME A BIKE MARYLAND MEMBER HERE.

Join today to help increase influence and ensure bicyclists are treated with respect. Become a member and protect your right to bike.
Posted on

Bike Maryland 15th Annual Bicycle Symposium Presenter List

 

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Bike Maryland 15th
Annual Bicycle Symposium Presenter List
February 22, 2012 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

8:30a.m.
Meet and Greet

(This
list is not in the order of day of event presentations)

imageAlex
Obriecht, Bike Maryland Board President, emailmeao@yahoo.com.
Alex
began his bicycle business right after graduation from college, in 1978. His
business has continued to grow through the years and it now includes six Race
Pace locations as well as Bella Bikes, the first women’s bicycle store in the
U.S. Alex enjoys mountain and road biking, as well as multi-week self-supported
tours around the globe. His wife and three adult children are all cyclists. His
interests are: the economic impact of the retail bicycle trade, successful and
unique ways to integrate the bicycle into the transportation system, and how
sophisticated planning and implementation of the bicycle travel network in
Maryland yields a healthier, fitter population, a region which will attract
more active residents, a tourist draw for those outside the area, and a network
of commuter routes resulting in benefits to all involved.

imageCarol
Silldorff, Executive Director, Bike Maryland, Carol@bikemd.org.
Carol Silldorff
was appointed to the position of Executive Director in 2008. She has a
graduate degree in Public Administration with a specialization in Environmental
Management.  She passionately works to promote bicycling, increase safety,
improve conditions and provide a voice for all bicyclists in
Maryland. Carol has worked on numerous legislative campaigns resulting in many
pro-cycling laws. She partners with leaders, individuals, clubs,
non-profit organizations, corporations, and city and county agencies throughout
Maryland to increase the number of bicyclists and increase cyclist safety.
Carol has been appointed to a number of state, city and county bicycle related
committees. During Carol’s career she has worked on a variety of environmental
sustainability issues for non-profit organizations, federal, state and local
government agencies and both small and fortune 500 businesses. Carol has been
an active bicyclist for many years (a bike commuter, recreational rider,
bicycle racer including completing team RAAM, a mountain biker and scenic trail
enthusiast).

 

imageGregory
I Slater, Director, Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering, SHA, gslater@sha.state.md.us. 
Presentation:  Funding Opportunities in Maryland
Greg is a 1997 Graduate of Towson University in Geography and Environmental
Planning, a 2007 Graduate of the University Of Maryland National Leadership
Institute, a 2009 Graduate of the MDOT; State Highway Administrations Advanced
Leadership Program; and a register GISP (GIS Professional). Before being
appointed to SHA’s Planning Director, Greg served as the Chief of the Design
Technical Services Division. As Planning Director, Greg takes an approach of
data driven decision support and establishing relationships to develop
sustainable solutions for Maryland. Because of this approach, Greg has Maryland
focused on sustainability, climate change, linking of planning and safety, GIS
based asset data warehousing for a comprehensive asset management approach, and
multimodal planning solutions that focus on community and industry input, The
data driven approach is designed to build fully context sensitive solutions by
gathering input from all involved and thinking big picture with the solutions.

 

 

imageChris
Eatough, BikeArlington Program Manager, Capital Bikeshare Management and
Marketing, chris.eatough@bikearlington.com.  

Presentation:  Keys to Success and Experiences of Capital Bikeshare
Chris was a
professional cyclist for 12 years and is a six time world champion in endurance
mountain bike racing.  In 2009 a career shift brought him to
BikeArlington, where Chris is managing the initiatives that promote bike
culture and contribute to making Arlington one of the most bicycle friendly
communities in the nation.  These programs include cycling education and
encouragement classes, bicycle friendly business outreach and marketing
bicycles as a valid form of transportation.  Recently, Chris’ scope of
work at BikeArlington has broadened to include the management and marketing of
Capital Bikeshare.

image
Heather Strassberger, AICP, Bicycle, Pedestrian & Human Services
Transportation Planner, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, hstrassberger@baltometro.org.  
Presentation: Regional
transportation planning: opportunities for funding
Heather
Strassberger is the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Human Services Transportation
Planner at Baltimore Metropolitan Council. She is a member of the American
Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle
Professionals and holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers
University and a Bachelor of Arts from UMBC. Her professional interests include
transportation and land use integration; environmental justice; providing safe,
accessible, healthy, and sustainable transportation options for people of all
abilities; and enhancing research and data collection about pedestrian and
bicycle travel. Prior to joining BMC, Heather was a transportation planner for
Land-of-Sky Regional Council in Asheville, NC and served as treasurer of the
North Carolina Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. She returned
to her native Baltimore in 2011 and now enjoys a short but scenic daily bike
commute around the Inner Harbor.

imageMichael
Sonnenfeld, Bike Maryland Board Member, mjsonnenfeld@att.net.
Presentation: Bike Maryland’s Legislative Agenda
Michael
is an avid cyclist in the rural environs of Northern Baltimore, Carroll and
Harford Counties, and believes preservation of agricultural and rural land and
open space creates significant benefits for all of Maryland’s citizens (and
cyclists). He is an attorney and has spent over 25 years working in the
residential mortgage and mortgage-backed securities industries, including
founding Fieldstone Mortgage Company in 1995 and serving as the first President
of Saxon Mortgage Funding Corporation prior to that. He is a cancer survivor
and has participated since 2003 in the Pan Mass Challenge, an annual
bike-a-thon that is the largest athletic fund raising event in the world and
that has raised over $300 million since 1980 to fund advances in cancer
research and treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.    
Michael is working to strengthen the three foot passing law and is
especially passionate about bicycle safety.

 

image

Dave
Love, PhD, Project Director at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
and on the faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,  davelove1@gmail.com.

Presentation:
How Close is 3 Feet? One Bicycle Commuter’s Video Diary

Dr. Love is a microbiologist by training and studies the connections between
food, farming, health, and the environment.  He just completed a study of
motor vehicle passing distance of bike commuters. Dave is bike advocate and
bike commuter in Baltimore, Maryland.  

 

 

 

 

 

imageKatie Gore, Bike Maryland Bike-MINDED Program Coordinator, ktgoremtb@comcast.net.  Presentation: Being
Bike-MINDED
Through her work as a Bike Maryland Bike-MINDED Coordinator, Katie
performs fun, social and educational bike safety workshops for youth in
Baltimore.  Additionally, she leads bicycle commuter workshops for adults
throughout Maryland.  Katie was a Parks and Recreation Leader in the
Minneapolis Park system and studied Early Childhood Education at The
University of Minnesota and Towson University. She is the Director for the
Trails End Mountain Bike Camp for kids ages 12-16. She is co-owner of two
Baltimore bicycle shops and is an active mountain and road cyclist.  "I
have seen a positive change in the acceptance of cycling in Maryland over the
past three years and realize it is only the beginning. I know bicycle safety is
one of the key components in helping Maryland become a top Bike Friendly State.
The earlier we teach our children good riding habits – the earlier we
expose them to responsible ways to ride – the greater chance for those
lessons to become a life foundation for bicycling as a means of commuting and
for recreation."  Please contact Katie to schedule a Youth
Rodeo, Adult Commuter workshop, volunteer, become a Bike Ambassador or
partner with Bike Maryland. 

imageMarla Streb, Bike Maryland Bike-MINDED Program Coordinator, marla@bikemd.org.  Presentation: Being
Bike-MINDED
Marla Streb is a retired professional cyclist of 16 years, with
accolades such as World, U.S. National and X Games Champion. During her racing
career, Streb published two books and was also on the board of USA Cycling for
three years. Perhaps her favorite aspect of life as a pro was the many visits to
schools and communities around the country, opening kids’ eyes to the world of
cycling. Currently, Marla continues to utilize her skills with youth as a Bike
Maryland Bike-MINDED Coordinator.  Additionally, Marla is a part time coach for
the LUNA Chix Ambassador Program and a PR/Marketing contractor for the LUNA Pro
Team. A Baltimore native, Streb earned a Master of Science degree from
University of Maryland in 1990. The Fells Point resident is a proud mom of two
young girls, Kiki (2) and Nicoya (5), who happily (and safely) travel together
by bicycle or foot on over 90% of their downtown trips. Marla’s goal is to
encourage other Baltimoreans to safely ride, and enjoy the journey as much as
the destination. Please contact Marla to
schedule a Youth Rodeo, Adult Commuter workshop, volunteer, become a Bike
Ambassador or partner with Bike Maryland.

 

imageMichael
E. Jackson, State Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access, Maryland
Department of Transportation, mjackson3@mdot.state.md.us.

 

Presentation:
The Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee / Maryland’s New Bike
Share Program
Michael Jackson currently holds the position of Director of Bicycle and
Pedestrian Access with the Maryland Department of Transportation and is
responsible for advising the Department on bicycle and pedestrian
transportation policies. Mr. Jackson has worked on bicycle and pedestrian
matters his entire professional career of over 30 years. Prior to joining MDOT
in 2000 he served as the State Bicycle Coordinator for the Minnesota Department
of Transportation, and held bicycle coordinator positions with Contra Costa
County, California, the City of San Diego and Washington, DC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[photo, Jon S. Cardin, State Delegate]

 

Delegate
Jon S. Cardin, District 11, Baltimore County

Sponsor
of numerous pro-bicycle bills. Successfully worked to pass the 3 foot law in
2010. Member of House of Delegates since January 8, 2003.
Member
of the House Ways & Means Committee (and chair of the Election Law
Subcommittee).
Chair,
Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2005.

Please
visit: https://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa13984.html
to view Delegate Cardin’s impressive biography.

 

[photo, James E. Malone, Jr., State Delegate]

Delegate
James E Malone Jr., District 12A Baltimore County and Howard County

Leader
in Distracted Driving Legislation
Member of House of Delegate since January 11, 1995.
Vice-Chair, Environmental Matters Committee since 2003. 
Member Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus since 2003.
Member of numerous Committees.
Please visit: https://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa12263.html
to view Delegate Malone’s impressive biography.

 

 

 

[photo, Luiz R. S. Simmons, State Delegate]


Delegate Luiz R. S. Simmons, District 17, Montgomery County

Successfully
worked to pass the criminal negligence – manslaughter by motor vehicle law.  Member
of House of Delegates, January 10, 1979 to January 12, 1983 and since January
8, 2003.
Member, Judiciary Committee and many other Committees.

Please
visit: https://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa13381.htmlto view Delegate
Simmon’s impressive biography.

 

 

 

 

Description: Bill NesperBill Nesper, Director, Bicycle Friendly America Program,
League of American Bicyclists, bill@ bikeleague.org.  Presentation: Bicycle
Friendly Maryland
Bill
Nesper oversees the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which includes
the Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State and Bicycle Friendly
Business recognition programs. Nesper first joined the League as a Membership
Assistant in 2002 and moved in 2005 to manage the League education programs and
Bicycle Friendly Community Program. Prior to joining the League, he was a
touring musician and Artist Manager for seven years. He holds a BA in History
from the University of Florida and is completing an MA at George Mason
University. Nesper rides his bike nine miles to work and is a member of the
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, and the Washington Area
Bicyclist Association.

 

 

imageRebecca
Dougherty Goldman, Research & Performance Metrics Manager, Office of
Tourism Development, Maryland Department of Business & Economic
Development, rgoldman@visitmaryland.org.
Presentation: Cycle Maryland Survey – Who, What, Why, Where, and How

Rebecca
has managed the research program for the Maryland Office of Tourism since 2007.
A favorite part of her job at OTD includes participating on multidisciplinary
projects with a range of collaborators, including but not limited to the
Maryland Departments of Transportation, Natural Resources, and Planning; county
and local partners; universities; and marketing and advertising firms. Rebecca
has a master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of
Delaware, a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Towson University,
and a passion for developing good research that guides better decision making
and improved programming within the public sector.

 

image

Nate
Evans, Bicycle
& Pedestrian Planner, Baltimore Department of Transportation,
NateEvans@baltimorecity.gov.

Presentation: 
Bike Advocacy – An Inside Job

 

Nate Evans has been the bicycle & pedestrian planner with the
Baltimore Department of Transportation for four years.  In that time, Nate
has overseen the planning, engineering and construction of nearly 50 miles of
bike facilities including the city’s first contraflow bike lanes, on-street
bike parking, shared bike & buses lanes and first bike box.  Nate has
also helped shift city policy in a pro-bike direction with a Complete Streets
resolution, bike friendly storm grates on all construction projects and
establishing a $75 fine for parking in bike lanes.  He graduated from
Frostburg State University with a degree in Urban Planning and spent 10 years
as a civil engineer before working with the city.   Nate lives
in Perry Hall with his wife Heather and three awesome kids where he is
active in his community and rides trails whenever possible.

 

 

 

Peter C. Moe,
Section Chief, Program Advisory Section, Maryland State Highway
Administration, pmoe@sha.state.md.us.

Presentation:
Maryland’s Bicycle Awareness Campaign

Bio
to be posted soon.

 

Donald
A. Halligan, Director, Office of Planning & Capital Programming, Maryland
Department of Transportation, dhalligan@mdot.stat.md.us
or Kate R. Sylvester, Office of Planning and Capital Programming, Maryland
Department of Transportation, ksylvester@mdot.state.md.us.
Presentation: Maryland’s Bikeways Program

Bio
to be posted soon.

 

William
Atkinson, Maryland Department of Planning, Western Maryland Regional Office,
Regional Planner,  batkinson@mdp.state.md.us.
Presentation: Trails and Economic Development

Bill has worked as a Regional
Planner for the Maryland Department of Planning since 1989. The main
responsibility of the job is the supervision of the regional office. He
provides technical assistance, coordination and liaison activities with elected
officials and local jurisdictions within Western Maryland on State Smart Growth
issues and Policies. In June 2009, he was assigned the duties of the Coordinator
of the Trail Town Program for Allegany County Maryland. The Trail Town Program
is an economic development program along the Great Allegheny Passage working to
revitalize trailside communities and reap the economic benefits of trail-based
tourism and recreation as part of a larger, coordinated approach to regional
economic development. Bill is a Graduate of Frostburg State University, July
1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management
Concentration.

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Free Bicycle Ambassador Training Workshop – January 25, 2012 – Port Discovery

50

Bicycle Ambassadors Join Bike Maryland

Free

Bicycle Ambassador Training Workshop – January 25, 2012 – Port Discovery

 

Contact:

Carol Silldoff, Bike Maryland Executive Director

410-960-6493

Carol@bikemd.org

 

Katie Gore, Bike Maryland Bike-MINDED Coordinator

410-262-2818

ktgoremtb@comcast.net

 

Marla

Streb, Bike Maryland Bike-MINDED Coordinator

415-260-3991

Marla@bikemd.org

 

Maryland,

January 18, 2012

 

FOR

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, non-profit Bike Maryland is

training 50+ new Bike-MINDED Program Ambassadors to promote bicycle safety in

Baltimore City and throughout Maryland. As part of a two year old partnership

between Bike Maryland and the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Bike-MINDED

Program Ambassador Training will be the first effort of this magnitude in

Maryland to train bike safety educators in an effort to increase rider, driver,

and walker safety while reducing crash and fatality rates.

 

Over

the last two years, bicycle commuters within Baltimore City alone have

increased by 41%.

Bike Maryland and the Maryland State Highway Administration are working hard

to recruit and educate Ambassadors on safety policies for youth and adult

cyclists, as they take to the trails and roads. Ambassadors will be prepared

to go into community and recreation centers, schools, and the workplace in an

effort to educate Maryland cyclists on bike safety helping to reduce bicycle

crash and fatality rates. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, in 2009 there were 630 US bicyclist fatalities (down from 718

in 2008.) Like

drivers on the roads, cyclists of all ages will now have the opportunity to

participate in this safety course which will greatly impact bike safety in

Maryland.

With an increase in youth and adult cyclists on the roads, Bike Maryland has

made the Bike-MINDED Program Ambassador training a major focus within its

mission.

 

Participating

Ambassadors will take part in a free training workshop to help prepare them to

work with and teach the broader community including cyclists of all ages, as

well as, walkers and drivers, about bike safety. Ambassadors will work

side-by-side with Bike Maryland’s Program Coordinators for a series of

community workshops, as part of their training, before heading out on their

own. Each Ambassador is awarded throughout the program for their volunteer

efforts as they help to increase bike safety and education throughout

Maryland. Alongside Bike Maryland, Ambassadors will work to promote safe

bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation with a specific focus on youth

bicycle safety classes in Baltimore and adult commuter workshops throughout

Maryland!

 

Bike-Ambassadors

are volunteers, educators, and enthusiast who are working to bring better

bicycling to Maryland. Carefully selected for a love of bikes and an

enthusiastic personality, Bike Ambassadors work to teach youth and adult

bicycle safety.

 

The

first Bike-MINDED Ambassador Training Workshop will take place:

 

January 25, 2012

FREE Bike Maryland Ambassador Training Workshop

Two Sessions:  12:30-4 p.m. or 5:30-9 p.m.

Location: Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD

21202 – Directions and parking here

<https://www.portdiscovery.org/generalinfo/directions> .

During this free Bike Maryland Ambassador Training Workshop – you will learn

how to teach youth bike safety and adult commuter workshops that are part of

the Bike Maryland Bike-MINDED Program <https://bikemd.org/page.php?id=359>

(https://bikemd.org/page.php?id=359).

A meal will be served. Space is

limited. Click here to register (https://www.doodle.com/q9kb3m6wk76hcfnq)

and

then fill in your name, check the time you are available to attend

the workshop and click on save.

For more information on the Ambassador program and a list of Bike-MINDED

partners, click here <https://bikemd.org/page.php?id=359>.

INTERESTED IN BIKE MARYLAND HOSTING A FREE WORKSHOP FOR YOUR COMPANY, SCHOOL,

or COMMUNITY GROUP? Have a Bike Maryland instructor come to you! Support

alternative modes of transportation with an adult commuter or youth bike class

at your place of work, school, community center, place of worship etc….

Please contact us at www.bikemd.org to

schedule a workshop.

 

 

 

Mission

and who we are:

Bike

Maryland is a non-profit whose mission is to promote cycling, increase safety,

improve conditions, and provide a voice for bicyclists in Maryland. We do this

by advocating at state and local levels for stronger bike-friendly legislation;

by providing workshop trainings free to the community; by hosting fun and safe

bike tour events for cyclists of all ages; and by increasing the infrastructure

needed to make cycling a feasible form of everyday transportation.

 

For

more information please visit www.bikemd.org

 

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Save the DATE – Special Events!

February 6, 2012 Pro-Bike Lobby Night 2012!

Join Bike Maryland at Pro-Bike Lobby Night
February 6, 2012
5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
House Office Building, Exact room to be determined
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
Registration is required. Space is limited. Registration is available on a first come; first served basis.

Reserve your spot today! RSVP by (In the body of the email include):

  • home address
  • email address
  • your Legislative District number
  • the name of your State Senator and the names of your State Delegate(s)
  • writing “RSVP Lobby Night” in the subject line and email to Christina Nutile
To find out your Legislative District number; the name of your State Senator and the names of your State Delegates, click here  then follow the steps below:
  • Type in your home address and city
  • Click on Find
  • The names of your elected officials will be on the left side of the web page with the Legislative District number
  • To find out information about your elected officials, click on their name and you will be taken to their biography/contact information.

Lobby night schedule:

5:45 to 6:00 pm  Check-in
6:00 to 6:30 pm  Training
6:30 to 7:45 pm   Appointments with Legislators

February 22, 2012 – Save the Date! 15th Annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium

Hosted by Bike Maryland
Tentatively, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Miller Senate Building in the President’s Conference Center
11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Agenda to be posted at www.bikemd.org. Check back for more information.
The Annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium hosted by Bike Maryland is a free day-long event with 10+ expert presenters. Topics include: Program Funding, Bike Maryland’s Legislative Agenda, Bikeshare, the Bike Friendly Maryland Program, the Bike-Minded Program, Bicycle Tourism, the New Maryland Bikeways Program, and much more. Please join 400+ decision makers, government, community and industry leaders, legislators, transportation planners, advocates, on and off-road recreational bicyclists and commuters from the MD, PA, DE, VA and D.C. areas and beyond to learn about key bicycle issues and how you can make your community or workplace more bike-able.

Reserve your seat at the Symposium today! RSVP by:

  • Writing “RSVP Symposium” in the subject line.
  • Include your name, organization, title and email address in the body.
  • Click here to send an RSVP Symposium email.  

Is this your first, second or even third time attending the Symposium?

Unlike many other summits, we do not charge for attendance but ask that you please consider a donation to help cover the cost of planning for this event.  Suggested donation is $30 and is 100% tax deductible. Click here to make a donation via credit card; to donate by check, please make checks payable to Bike Maryland and mail to: Bike Maryland, 1209 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

     CLICK HERE

Bike Maryland is the non-profit organization hosting Maryland’s only Annual State Bicycle Symposium.  Additionally, we work to promote pro-bike legislation, enhance infrastructure, provide free educational workshops and much more. We need your support.  For ideas on how you can join our 20,000+ members, become an exhibitor at one of our events, volunteer or for sponsorship information, contact Christina Nutile.
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SPECIAL BIKE MARYLAND EVENT – January 25, 2012 – FREE Bike Maryland Ambassador Training Workshop

During the Ambassador Training Workshop you will learn how to teach youth bike safety and adult commuter workshops that are part of the Bike Maryland Bikes Belong Program. A meal will be
served. This training is typically held only once a year so please register today.
The free Bike Ambassador training workshop(s) will be held on January 25th from EITHER 12:30pm to 4pm and/or from 5:30pm to 9pm. CLICK HERE to register, fill in your name, check the time(s) when you are available to attend the workshop and click on save. The location will be
in Baltimore – exact location to-be-determined.
Learn more about the Bike Ambassador program and view the list of growing partners here. If you have additional questions regarding the Bike Ambassador Program please contact Katie Gore or Marla Streb. Your work as a Bike Ambassador is a huge contribution toward making Maryland increasingly bike-able! Please spread the word about the upcoming workshop.
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Bike Maryland Legislative Task Force meeting (if you can help get involved)

Please let me know if there is a specific issue you would like to work on below:
 
Legislative Priorities:
• Distracted driving
legislation to make a driver’s use of a hand-held mobile phone a primary offense.
• Strengthen passing legislation by requiring motorists to pass cyclists safely, including a combination of:
   a. Slowing Down: perhaps to within 15 mph of the speed of the cyclist
   b. Moving Left: to allow three feet to pass
   c. Crossing a Solid Line: when it is safe to do so (applies to any slow-moving vehicle)
   d. Waiting: until it is safe to pass and allow three feet of clearance
• Dedicated funding for bicycling/complete streets/drivers education – requiring a dedicated percentage of transportation funds to be used to enhance and increase the number of bicycling lanes and paths, improve signage relating to bicyclists’ use of the roads and three feet to pass, and to implement plans for cycling infrastructure already included in
the State’s Master Plan. 
Other  items to support:
• Driver competency through the life cycle – renewal testing.
• Requiring drivers to render aid to injured persons in an accident.
• Development of ICC bicycle infrastructure
• 24 hour trail access for bicyclists for commuting purposes and more
• University Facility Plans – Bicycle Inclusion
• Transportation enhancement match 80/20 vs. 50/50 funding by state-  (research assistance is needed here)
• Allowance of bicycles on MARC trains

Tasks:
•
Call legislators and aids and offer assistance
• Develop relationships with legislators
• Establish partnerships
• Respond to constituent concerns
• Perform research (draft bill language)
• Seek co-sponsors
• Develop fact sheets (where does law already exist? gather data)
• Obtain community and business support (i.e. AAA-Mid Atlantic)
• Educate government leaders (i.e. MDOT)
• Hearing support – verbal and written testimony
• Track legislation – post via social media outlets – enhance outreach
Thank you!
Carol
 
Carol Silldorff
Executive Director
Bike Maryland
1209 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-960-6493
direct
www.bikemd.org