Category: Biking in Maryland

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St. Mary’s County Cyclist hit and killed

From The Washcycle:
A cyclist, Curtis A. Leymeister, 47, of Hollywood, MD, was riding on Clark’s Landing Road near Scotch Neck Road when he was hit from behind and killed this morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
vvvvv
The driver of the Accord, 20-year-old Kathy May Lee of Hollywood, was unharmed, police said. She was on her way to classes at the College of Southern Maryland and apparently did not see Leymeister, police said.
Police said the fact that Leymeister was traveling in the main roadway, rather than on the shoulder, was considered a major contributor in the crash. They said they were exploring other factors.
Lee told investigators she was traveling at the posted speed limit of 40 mph at the time of the crash, authorities said.
^^^^^
Riding in the traffic lane when a shoulder is available IS illegal in Maryland, but come on. You know what was a major contributor to the crash – that the driver didn’t see a cyclist right in front of her (and perhaps he was off the shoulder because was preparing for a left turn or the shoulder was in bad shape, etc…there are a lot of loopholes to the rule).
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Taking Proper Care of Pedestrians in Work Zones

The MUTCD is clear!
The needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians…) through a TTC zone shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations…
Pedestrians should…
…not be led into conflicts with work vehicles, equipment or operations
…not be led into conflicts with vehicles moving through or around work site
…be provided with a reasonably safe, convenient, and accessible path
…not have their route severed due to parked vehicles or equipment
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Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Businesses Announced

Congrats to Arrow Bicycle in Hyattsville, MD for making Bronze in this years round of awards for Bicycle Friendly Businesses.
The League announced 45 new Bicycle Friendly Business award winners today, including two platinum winners Bicycle Sport Shop of Austin, Texas and Quality Bicycle Products of Bloomington, Minn. This was the third time BFB winners have been announced since the program’s inception in 2008.
The Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program recognizes employers’ efforts to encourage a more bicycle friendly atmosphere for employees and customers. The program honors innovative bike-friendly efforts and provides technical assistance and information to help companies and organizations become even better for bicyclists. This new initiative complements the League’s Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program, which has been recognizing cities and towns for their bicycle friendliness since 2003.
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Webinar: Taking Proper Care of Pedestrians in Work Zones

September 30, 2009, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EST
The MUTCD requires that work zone traffic control meet the needs of all road users on a facility, including pedestrians. Register now to listen in on this important webinar on how to meet the work zone traffic control needs of pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
Presenters:
Gerald Ullman, Texas Transportation Institute: Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone
Brooke Ullman, Texas Transportation Institute: Assisting Handicapped Pedestrians through Work Zones: Meeting the ADA Requirements
Cost: Free
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Schools going green big-time

St. Mary’s claims lead in environmental design race
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In a nod to the state’s Smart Growth policies, the school was built in one of the county’s designated growth areas, a planned community called Wildewood carved out of the woods north of Lexington Park and the booming Patuxent Naval Air Station. But in a planning breakdown that’s all too typical in sitting new schools in the suburbs, there’s no sidewalk along the parkway that connects the school to the neighboring houses – though there are marked bicycle lanes.
That’s about the only glitch in the green-ness of Evergreen, but it doesn’t seem to faze the students, faculty or staff.
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PPTC Back Roads Century, September 20, 2009

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Planning has already begun on the PPTC Century Ride in historic Berryville, VA. Nearly 100 volunteers are organizing to: mark routes, serve snacks, hand out t-shirts, copy cue sheets, and perform myriad other tasks to carry out a club signature event. The ride start will be at the Clark County High School, which graciously provides us space and facilities, and there will be four rest stops, including the Burwell-Morgan Mill. Stroll into history at this charming well shaded site. We also stop at the White Post Antique Restoration site where you might spot an antique treasure. The White House rest stop will be moved to the elementary school in 2009, for better accessibility.

Last year over 800 riders participated, and we hope to increase the numbers in 2009. There will be 25, 50, 66(metric century), and 100 mile(English century), routes through rolling countryside on lightly traveled roads. PPTC has done this ride for nine years and has received accolades for a great SAG support system. Bike repair vans will be available at rest stops, and we will have local emergency support on call at all times.

The Boy Scouts will again offer breakfast at the start and will be making sandwiches this year. There will be some surprises in snacks and lunches, with some local groups working with us. We will try to keep all the goodies of last year: the tomato sandwiches, potatoes, and energy bars, and add some new twists.
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