Category: Biking in Maryland

By The Kaiser Law Firm PLLC

As we recently reported on our Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Blog, drivers in Washington D.C. have been ranked the worst in the nation for the second year in a row. Drivers aren’t only putting other motorists at risk, but increasing the likelihood of a bicycle or a pedestrian accident in Washington D.C. as well. While many drivers are quick to judge the skills of other drivers, motorists are neglecting to focus inward to correct their own driving poor driving habits.

Our Maryland car accident attorneys recently told you about our area’s ranking in the Allstate’s America’s Best Drivers Report; Washington D.C came in last place for the second year in a row. We’re not only seeing more frequent car accidents per resident than the rest of the nation, but we’re witnessing more accidents that involve a pedestrian or a bicyclist as well.

“Everybody is rude and in a hurry,” said John B. Townsend II, a spokesman for auto advocacy group AAA-Mid-Atlantic.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are oftentimes overlooked in traffic on our roadways. As a matter of fact, a 75-year-old Washington resident was recently hit and killed by a county bus in an intersection accident. After the collision, the elderly man was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead just one day later, according to Addison Independent.

The problems that many bicyclists and on-foot travelers face are that the roadways weren’t designed with the idea of their safety in mind. Many of our local roadways were constructed to accommodate fast-moving and congested traffic. Without proper recognition from these drivers, pedestrians will continue to be the victims of serious motor-vehicle accident.

The five most dangerous places to driver in the United States:

189. Providence, Rhode Island

190. Newark, New Jersey

191. Glendale, California

192. Baltimore, Maryland

193. Washington D.C.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 30 deaths on District roadways, including nine pedestrian deaths in the last year for which statistics are available. Bicyclist and pedestrian deaths accounted for approximately 25 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred from 2006 to 2010 in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia.

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Continue reading “Bad Drivers a Common Cause of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in Washington D.C.”

By Victor Zapana – Washington Post
A week after a county report revealed improvements to pedestrian safety — and Montgomery officials touted its safety program — county police have pledged to issue more tickets to jaywalkers.
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[B’ Spokes: That’s right, the county that was known for it’s pedestrian stings (ticketing motorist for not stopping for undercover officers in crosswalks) is adopting practices that Baltimore County uses to maintain a really high pedestrian fatality rate. Seriously, Montgomery County are you trying to reverse your successful trend?]
Continue reading “Montgomery police pledge to step up ticketing of jaywalkers”

Prince George’s County Community College, Prince Place south of Campus Way, Largo, MD, Saturday September 17 at 10am.
We invite you to join us near the site and anniversary of the collision, in rallying and riding for our neighbor, daughter, Natasha Pettigrew. Let trauma be returned to, and inspire change.
you are encouraged to join one of our feeder rides from points west and north:
Bicycle Space, 459 (Eye)ST, NW DC, gather 7:45am /depart 8:15am
College Park REI, 9801 Rhode Island Avenue (very near Greenbelt Metro Station on the green line), gather 8am /depart 8:30am
Mount Rainier Bike Coop, 3601 Bunkerhill RD, Mt Rainier, MD, gather 8:10am depart 8:40
See routes,
https://tinyurl.com/natashapettigrew2011

Montgomery planners work to find biking hot spots from Greater Greater Washington by Matt Johnson

Planners in Montgomery County are working to determine how to best accommodate bicyclists as the county continues to grow. They’ve created a tool known as a “heat map” to figure out the best places to invest in bike infrastructure.

Red indicates higher demand. Click for full version (PDF).

With limited funds,

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[B’ Spokes: I’ll note that Maryland has $31 MILLION of unspent federal Transportation Enchantment funds so it’s not that money is tight it’s archaic 1990 state policy that makes it hard to spend this fund where and how we need it. ]
Continue reading “State of the art (but not in Balto Metro area)”

Highlight from TheWashCycle by Jim Titus (for those following this)
SHA plans to adopt both the R4-11 sign and a similar white sign with an orange stripe accross the top with the word "Notice". The guidance is minimal and basically tracks the federal MUTCD’s guidance for R4-11. I provided some line-by-line edits to shorten it and make it track the federal guidance even more closely, but I do not recommend that most activists do anything at this stage.
https://www.thewashcycle.com/2011/08/maryland-proposes-r4-11-signs-minimal-guidance.html

from TheWashCycle by Jim Titus
Sources close to the investigation of the death of Natasha Pettigrew say that the State’s Attorney will seek an indictment for fleeing the scene of an accident in which a death occurred. Given the lack of witnesses willing to testify, there is insufficient evidence for manslaughter. No other details are available at this time.
Ms. Pettigrew was the Green Party candidate for US Senate last year, until she was struck by an SUV while riding south on Largo Road (MD-202) near Prince Georges County Community College, early in the morning of September 19, 2011. The driver stopped briefly and then proceeded home to Upper Marlboro, dragging Ms. Pettegrew’s bike all the way, later telling police she thought she hit a deer. Initial statements by the state police implied that the police believed the driver and blamed Ms. Pettigrew for the crash, for not wearing reflective clothing. Reporters and Ms. Pettigrew’s mother soon found reflective clothing that she had been wearing at the scene of the crash.
A memorial bike ride for is planned for September 17.
Continue reading “Charges Expected in Natasha Pettigrew Case”

PARK(ing) Day is an annual, worldwide event that invites citizens everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good.
Continue reading “Park(ing) Day 2011 | PARK(ing) Day 2011 is Friday, September 16th”

Greater Greater Washington goes into detail why buses are cheaper then Amtrak (they don’t have to pay for their "tracks" for one) and I will assert those reasons are the same as why Amtrak really will not allow bikes… "there is very little room on the existing railroad to add new trains." and most seats are sold.
This is why it makes sense to drop billions of dollars in subsidies for roads and next to nothing for everything else. ???
https://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=11732

from Alliance for Biking and Walking by Camie Rodan

This fall, Maryland cyclists can feel more confident when sharing the road with vehicles, thanks to a revision to the Maryland State Driver’s Manual that specifically addresses sharing the road with bicycles.

In recent months, a diverse coalition of regional groups, including Alliance members Bike Maryland and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association worked closely with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and State Highway Administration to improve driver’s education and new driver’s licensing examination questions.

Questions about the effectiveness of the previous manual arose at an early Bike Maryland legislative task force meeting, after misstatements by the MVA printed in the paper insisted that the new 3-foot passing law did not negate the duty of cyclists to move out of the way of cars. This set advocates into action, prompting them to provide MVA with comments and suggestions on how to revise the current manual to mention how bicyclists and cars can safely share the roads.

As noted in the new Sharing the Road section, the manual now outlines that cyclists can lawfully ride in a travel lane. The new language gives cars suggestions on how to approach cyclists, rather than simply pass safely. Fines are now mentioned for motorists that violate the newly imposed rules, too.

While advocates are still waiting for promised improvements to the Maryland Driver’s test — which will help to further progress bicycle safety — this work has clearly strengthened the relationships between bicycle advocates and the Highway Safety Office and the MVA.

Read the full text of the Sharing the Road section here and follow Bike Maryland’s 2011 Legislative Agenda for more updates.

Continue reading “Maryland Advocates Win Bike-Friendly Revision to State Driver’s Manual”

[B’ Spokes: Now if we could only get more Mayors doing this.]
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UPDATE: Canceled due to weather
The Frederick Bicycle Coalition is proud to host Frederick’s Second Annual Ride with the Mayor event. Mayor McClement will join us as we ride from the gazebo behind the William Talley Recreation Center to the Harry Grove Stadium to watch the Frederick Keys take on the Potomac Nationals. All participants will receive a free general admission ticket to the game! All ages are welcome; however, we ask that children under the age of six either ride in a trailer or in a tow behind bicycle. Registration will begin at 12:45pm and we will leave for the stadium at 1pm. Come out and join us!!!!
Here are the details:
Where – William Talley Recreation Center (121 North Bentz Street, Frederick, MD)
When – Sunday, August 28, 2011
Registration – 12:45pm
Leave for Stadium – 1pm
Please ride responsibly and wear a helmet
Continue reading “2nd Annual Ride with the Mayor [of Frederick]”