Category: Biking in Maryland

Transportation For America has put a call out for pictures of streets designed for speeding traffic at the expense of safe travel by people on foot or bike. Their samples could be all from Maryland (one actually is.) I encourage you to send in your photos to them as well as us, it will help to make a difference. Thanks.
Ref: https://feedproxy.google.com/~r/transportationforamerica/~3/Sclpi3WBFqA/

from Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space by Richard Layman

Washcycle mentions an insurance case in Alaska, involving an accident between a pickup truck and a cyclist, where it was stipulated that the truck driver was at fault. The insurance policy limited liability to other parties to $100,000, even if the actual damages were much higher.

Every state’s minimum insurance requirements are dreadfully too low. In this case the motorist had $100,000 liability (not insignificant) but his own insurance company valued the damages to the cyclist to be $375,000 – $475,000.

And this from simply pulling in front of a cyclist.

What I get from this is:

1) Minimum liability insurance needs to be raised several orders of magnitude.

2) Perhaps we should have a new liability insurance component that specifically covers damages to person(s) who are NOT motorists (and by virtue of not having several tons of steel protection suffer greater injury).

I would set a liability requirement for damages to non-motorists to be several multiples of the existing liability minimum limit.

Keeping in mind that a car – car collision at 25 MPH likely will not injure any of the occupants while a car – pedestrian collision certainly will). Actuaries could work out the correct multiple.

Crickey7 makes the key point:

… It’s truly risk-shifting to the victims and an example of moral hazard in that the irresponsible pay less in insurance premiums and get away with it.
Continue reading “How car insurance underprices the risk to pedestrians and cyclists”

[B’ Spokes: You gota love Washcycle when they get into these issues:]

from TheWashCycle by washcycle

Linda Need weighs in now, trying to be the voice of reason, but she misses in oh-so-many ways.

Motorists want bikers on the bike paths, and bikers want motorists to toodle behind them while they pedal at various speeds up the road.

See, what motorists want is simple – bikes on bike paths, but what cyclists want is to inconvenience drivers.

Motorists and cyclists both break the law; unfortunately it’s the motorist who will go to jail if the two collide.

Oh, if only she knew how untrue that was. Unless the motorist was drunk or left the scene (and was caught) they will almost surely do no time – even in the rare event that they are found at fault – and might not even have to show up in court. Besides, is going to jail really worse than dying. Why wouldn’t she say “unfortunately it’s the cyclist who will go to the hospital or morgue if the two collide?”

No wonder motorists are unnerved driving around cyclists.

Yes, that’s been my experience.

When cyclists yell obscenities and spit on motorists (both have happened to my family), it just inflames the situation. Neither side has been polite about this.

Well then, why are you focused only on the cyclists? Has someone in your family been run off the road by a cyclist? Because I’ve had a driver do that to me. It inflamed both the situation and my knee.

As a motorist who doesn’t have the privilege of having time to cycle,

Cyclists are so privileged. You know how she could free up some time? Start biking more. Oh wait…

I think the cyclists should be on the bike paths, as it is much easier for bikes to dodge pedestrians than cars to dodge cyclists.

But what about when there are no bike paths? Or people want to ride fast? And is it really easier? Maybe drivers should slow down instead of trying to “dodge” cyclists.

However, I think the only permanent solution is to put in bike lanes

Hooray! We agree,,,

and make cyclists pass a “driving” test and get licensed to ensure that they all know that they must follow the same rules as cars when they are on the road.

…and the moment is over.

Until that happens, we will continue to have frustrated motorists and angry cyclists.

And see, drivers are frustrated – which is a reasoble, thoughtful reaction, while cyclists are angry, which is emotional and scary.

Continue reading “Gazette Letter-to-the-Editor fight, round 5”

From our Commercial Drivers Manual:

When Passing. Whenever you are about to pass a
vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, assume they don’t
see you. They could suddenly move in front of you.
When it is legal, tap the horn lightly or, at night,
flash your lights from low to high beam and back.
And, drive carefully enough to avoid a crash even if
they don’t see or hear you.

Contradicting the Drivers’ Manual:

As you approach a bicyclist, slow down. Avoid
honking your horn. Bicyclists can usually hear an
approaching vehicle and loud noises can startle
bicyclists, causing a crash .

And contradicting state law § 22-223.(c) that prohibits use of high beams within 300 feet of ANY vehicle including a bicycle.

I really wish they put in something about being extra careful for bike/peds when turning as a turning truck killed Jack Yates, Alice Swanson … FARS shows trucks kill more bicyclists then passenger cars and trucks use the right side of their vehicle to kill more frequently then cars as well.

To show how bad a blind spot is for trucks this UK video shows just how many bicyclists can be hidden in a trucks blind spot.

from TheWashCycle By Jack Cochrane
[Just to give you a heads up on a issue.]
…
In addition to the yellow Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign, SHA staff also brought a yellow sign to the meeting with the message "Bicycles May Be in Roadway." That sign is not a suitable substitute for the yellow Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign. First, it does not express the fact that bicyclists may use the full lane, which is what we need. Second, telling road users that cyclists may ("are allowed to") be in the roadway could leave the impression that they are not allowed to be on roads where the sign is not posted. If SHA approves that sign in addition to the yellow and white versions of Bicycles May Use Full Lane, that is okay; but I would much rather have the sign say "Bicycles in Roadway" than "Bicycles May Be in Roadway."
Advocates need to stand up for having a yellow Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign as well as the white R4-11 version. As WABA has pointed out, 700 people sent letters asking SHA to approve such a sign. Their concern was clearly to get these signs posted throughout the state along the roads where they ride, not the shape or color of the sign.
(Jack Cochrane is Chair of Montgomery Bicycle Advocates, also known as “MoBike”)
Continue reading “Maryland Should Approve Both Versions of the Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign”

For motorists, section on bicycles is worth reading
By Michael Dresser – The Baltimore Sun
[Coverage of the new text in the Driver’s Manual and I would like to send out my thanks to the various cycling advocates who made this possible.]
https://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bs-md-dresser-getting-there-0822-20110821,0,5499091.story

I call BS on Henry M. Kay’s response. Why? Here is my bike on NJ Transit during off peak hours just utilizing the handicap space. (Two different trains, there and back.)

MARC’s response: https://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2009/12/why_marc_doesnt_allow_most_bik.html

Remember Natasha Pettigrew of Prince Georges County where the driver drove for ~3 miles with Natasha’s bike lodged underneath? The State’s Attorney’s office says, more than eleven months later, the case is [still] "under review."
Art. 19. of the Constitution Of Maryland Declaration Of Rights
"That every man, for any injury done to him in his person or property, ought to have remedy by the course of the Law of the Land, and ought to have justice and right, freely without sale, fully without any denial, and speedily without delay, according to the Law of the Land."
It is bad enough that hit-and-runs make up 20% of bike/ped fatalities (vs 1% overall traffic fatalities) but add to it this kind of delay?
§ 27-113.(c) Penalty for death. — A person who violates § 20-102 of this article ("Driver to remain at scene — Accident resulting in bodily injury or death") and who knew or reasonably should have known that the accident might result in the death of another person and death actually occurred to another person, is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $ 10,000 or both.
Continue reading “Family Wondering Why No Charges One Year Later in Bike Accident”

Letter to the Editor in the Gazette:
Designated cycling lanes in Poolesville? Really? It’s obvious by your statement you’ve never ridden a bike into or out of Poolesville. Other than on White’s Ferry Road for a short distance, or most of Montgomery County, there are very few designated bike lanes. Mr. Klein, why don’t you come for a ride with me? Then you’ll understand what it’s like to be beeped at by a 4000 pound weapon, grossly exceeding the speed limit, as you’re trying to hug the white line and keep a good pace, and make it home to hug your wife and kids. Much of the “designated” bike lanes throughout Montgomery County we ride are filled with debris and trash that our tax dollars are supposed to keep clean. Before you judge why we’re riding in the road or just to the left of the white line, walk a little in our shoes.
Pay road tax? For what? Why don’t we meet over a beer or coffee and you can explain why I should pay a road tax. I own two vehicles and pay tax on them in Montgomery County and can’t get a budget balanced. Your premise is without forethought and lacks credibility as there is no way a legitimate worthwhile tax could be generated from your “all cyclists” from D.C. reasoning. Instead of thinking of new ways to generate revenue, why don’t you get after those people responsible for making the bike lanes and roads safer for all (DOT, sheriff, governor).
By the way, I’m an Army veteran who rides in Poolesville every weekend. Along with my cycling friends, we drop a significant amount of money at the Chevron gas station, Bob’s Bikes, and the local gym kitty corner from the Chevron. My group is riding as we ramp up to ride from Pittsburgh back to Gaithersburg in October to raise money for wounded Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen, and Marines. I’ve been hit by a car in Poolesville with no investigation done by the police (even given suspect description, partial plate, make and model of car). Tell your diesel truck friends in Poolesville to pass us without blasting diesel smoke in our faces. Maryland law allows for riders to ride two abreast providing they’re not impeding traffic. Likewise, drivers are to pass bicyclists with 3 feet of separation. So you’ve never flipped someone off who passed you too close or blew through a stop sign or beeped at you?
And blasting through stop signs? You’re worried about cyclists on bikes not stopping? Do they impede your driving ability that much or are you watching us from your porch? On Sunday, while sitting at the Poolesville Chevron, cooling off and resting, I counted 30 vehicles who didn’t stop fully for the stop sign at that intersection going in every direction. One was a huge Ford with a horse trailer. He just rolled through. So a cyclist on a bike is more dangerous than a 5000-pound truck with a 2000-pound trailer? Hello pot, my name’s kettle. Nice to meet you.
Kevin Bookman, Chantilly, Va.
Continue reading “Drivers are dangerous, disrespectful of bikers”

Letter to the Editor in the Gazette:
From my position as a cyclist and triathlete, the sentiments expressed in Mark Scott’s letter of July 6 [“Cyclists need to give respect to get respect”] are typical. As much as the adolescent in me would love to join his name-calling contest, that will not improve the relationship between cyclists and motorists on local roads.
His letter, which could be aptly summarized as "Hey cyclists, get off my lawn!" exemplifies the hyperbole and half-truths which mark the debate. For starters, both cyclists and motorists need to recognize that this particular "lawn" is not theirs exclusively; they need to realize that both sides are entitled to access, and are not going anywhere anytime soon.
Scott should chronicle the last time he was spat upon, yelled at, had objects thrown at him, had an air horn blast 10 feet from his head, or intentionally been run off the road. All of those things have happened to me, personally [me too where I ride], while riding my bike in Montgomery County. Every cyclist in the county knows someone who has had worse happen to them. For all of his considerable indignation, the worst outcome Scott can imagine is the possibility he may arrive at his destination a moment later. My worst outcome as a cyclist is that I may not make it home, ever. There is no such thing as a fender-bender on a bicycle.
His proprietary claim to the roads (which he asserts he has paid for through gas taxes) flaunts his misunderstanding of our tax system as well as of cyclists, of whom I am inferring he believes somehow pay no taxes. If that were true, please tell me whom to contact at the state of Maryland and Montgomery County to get back the thousands of dollars they owe me.
Second, the last thing you want on the MacArthur Boulevard pathway is me or my cycling friends training at between 17 mph and 30 mph. Those paths are all mixed-use facilities, open to people walking their dogs, kids, rollerbladers, and other slower-moving traffic. Throw cyclists moving at high speed into the mix and watch the wreckage. That is why cyclists belong on the roadway, even in the presence of mixed-use paths. I have never met a cyclist who wanted to impede traffic. Give me a bike lane or a wide, smooth shoulder and I will ride on that any day.
I recognize that cyclists could do much to improve their image in the community. Personally, I cringe whenever a cyclist runs a traffic light and would have no problem with that cyclist being cited for that violation. The adjacent letter from Chris Core lists several reminders that cyclists would do well to heed.
I think a good early step would be for everyone to decompress a little bit. By the way, I am a few days shy of 44, so if Scott thinks we’re men in our 20s and 30s, I thank him for the compliment.
Paul Meloan, Gaithersburg
The writer is president of the Montgomery County Multisport Club.
Continue reading “Cyclists, motorists need to decompress”