Category: Biking in Maryland

It was great seeing so many cyclists on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail after it opened Saturday. I put some photos online at https://picasaweb.google.com/ohbike/OpeningDayOfTheWoodrowWilsonBridgeTrail . One person in the Maryland convey had a camera mounted on the handlebars and shot a nine minute video as he crossed the bridge. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHhpDQNuRNM .
-JH

Michael Dresser exposes Annapolis "super-lobbyist" Bruce C. Bereano in the Baltimore Sun:
"Since 1996, the earliest year for which the District Court of Maryland keeps electronic records, Bereano has been ticketed 22 times in the state. Eighteen of those citations have been for speeding. In nine of those cases, court records show, the officer who issued the ticket clocked Bereano at speeds of 80 mph and above – the highest a whopping 90 mph in Caroline County in 2007."
Continue reading “Speed cameras anathema to those with lead feet”

[Baltimore Spokes: To many times I hear from those who oppose bike trails and extra width on the road for cyclists it is because of concerns for the environment and extra impervious surface, yet too often they do nothing about the outrageous storm water management used on our roads, parking lots and driveways. We need to raise awareness it is our over accommodation of cars at the expense of everything else that is wholesome that is the major problem.

Did you know that our roads are killing our rivers and streams? Every time it rains, stormwater from our roads and highways dumps tons of pollutants into our waterways. In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, runoff from roads contributes millions of pounds of nitrogen and sediment, and hundreds of thousands of pounds of phosphorus each year. CBF understands that if we are to restore our rivers, streams, and the Bay any time soon, we must address this problem. And, in fact, we are trying to. We are working with advocates across the nation on federal legislation to limit the amount of polluted runoff from federally-funded roadways. We are asking Congress to include language in the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act, commonly called the Federal Highway Bill, which would create new stormwater guidelines that require federally-funded roadways to mitigate stormwater runoff pollution. If we are successful, it will create for the first time, a nationwide requirement for the management of polluted runoff from these roadways. Your Congressperson was one of 34 members of the House of Representatives who signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of this new approach to cleaning our waterways. Now we need to thank our leaders for their support and urge them to maintain that support for strong stormwater measures in the Federal Highway Bill as it moves through committee. Please take a minute to send a message to your representative thanking your leader for supporting a change in how we address highway pollution. Our leaders appreciate the acknowledgement for the good work they do, and it encourages them to continue supporting actions their constituents care about. For more information, read the letter and CBF’s position on stormwater and the Federal Highway Bill.

Continue reading “Our Roads are Killing Our Streams”

Whether we’re traveling on four wheels or 16; two feet or two wheels, we all have something in common: we are on this road together.  Sadly, the toll of sharing the road together has cost too much, and lost lives is a price too dear for just getting from here to there.  Here’s a review of the rules of the road whether you’re walking, bicycling, motorcycling – or driving around pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles or large trucks.  The good news is that you’re in control and have a choice – to choose safety for life!

Pedestrian Safety – Tips for Pedestrians and Sharing the Road with Pedestrians Every time you get out of your vehicle, you become a pedestrian too.  Share the road with pedestrians.

Bicyclists, do in fact, belong on the road, and not the sidewalk.  Did you know that bicyclists are subject to the same vehicle laws as drivers? Rules for bicyclists and vehicles sharing the road with them.

Motorcycles – Tips for motorcyclists and Sharing the Roads with Motorcyclists

Commercial Vehicles – Sometimes roadway bullies are not the biggest on the block, drive cautiously around large vehicles.  Commercial truck drivers will return the favor.

Continue reading “Everyone Share the road”

MARYLAND RECOGNIZED AS A BICYCLE-FRIENDLY STATE
Honorable Mention
The League Of American Bicyclists Highlights Maryland As One Of Six Bicycle-Friendly States
Making Key Initiatives To Improve Conditions For Bicyclists
HANOVER , MD – The League of American Bicyclists named Maryland as an Honorable Mention in its Bicycle Friendly State program. Maryland is one of six bicycle-friendly states recognized for state initiatives to improve conditions for bicyclists. This year is the first year the organization expanded its program honoring bicycle-friendly communities to highlight states making government efforts for bicyclists. The Bike Friendly State program links the League’s work with federal level and community advocacy throughout the nation by recognizing states that actively support bicycling.
“The League is delighted to recognize Maryland as an Honorable Mention for its efforts to welcome bicyclists and make bicycling safer and more enjoyable,” said League President Andy Clarke . “We applaud Maryland and our other Bicycle-Friendly State winners for their willingness to invest over the long-term in creating a better, more livable environment for their citizens.”
As part of Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative, Maryland has taken a number of steps to improve access and to provide safe bicycling for residents and visitors. These efforts range from implementing a 20-year Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Master Plan and adding bicycle racks to buses to producing comprehensive bicycle safety materials. A key focus has been on creating materials aimed at encouraging adults to bicycle safely on Maryland roadways and trails. The Smart, Green and Growing Initiative is geared to help Maryland achieve a more sustainable future by linking: community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and environmental restoration efforts.
“Being recognized as one of six Bicycle-Friendly States nationwide shows how Governor Martin O’Malley’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative is working to put families first,” said Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari. “In addition to a number of efforts here in Maryland , our next step is to launch our Maryland Trails Strategic Implementation Plan that will link 800 miles of existing transportation trails in Maryland . The goal is to provide trails without borders, by filling in the missing links regardless of city, county or State lines.”
One of the key missing links to be completed in June is the bicycle trail on the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge that connects Virginia and Maryland . This trail will provide an alternative commuter route and a great recreation option with an incredible view of the Potomac River and our Nation’s Capital.
The League of American Bicyclists cited a number of specific efforts Maryland is making that made them stand out including:
– coordination with other states;
– reach and breadth of education efforts by Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Washington Area Bicyclist Association and One Less Car;
– bike patrol certification;
– creation of a Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access position at MDOT;
– creation of popular Competence and Confidence adult bicycle safety video specific to Maryland ; and
– establishment of a 20-Year Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Master Plan that provides a detailed perspective from the State’s vision of becoming the best State for bicycling by 2023 and the 66 action items needed to get there.
Both Maryland and Delaware were given honorable mention awards, with silver awards going to Washington and Wisconsin and bronze awards going to Arizona and Minnesota . Applicants completed a detailed, online form, and scoring was based on a 75-item questionnaire evaluating a state’s commitment to bicycling and covering six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement.
Continue reading “MARYLAND RECOGNIZED AS A BICYCLE-FRIENDLY STATE”

Biller’s Bikes Havre de Grace now offers free bike/cyclist crossing of the "no bikes allowed" RT40 Hatem Bridge (across the Susquehanna River) to East Coast Greenway Alliance members (see https://www.greenway.org for details).
Continue reading “RT40 Hatem Bridge Bike Crossing Now Free to Greenway Members”

Prior to adjourning for the Memorial Day recess, the Senate voted unanimously May 21 to approve the nominations of Peter Rogoff as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration and John Porcari as deputy secretary of transportation.
Continue reading “Senate Approves Rogoff & Porcari”

Be among the first to pedal across this new Potomac River crossing after 1 pm on Saturday, June 6, National Trails Day
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail will open for public use after 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. This 1.1 mile, 12-foot wide multi-use trail will allow bikers and pedestrians to travel between Alexandria, Va. and Prince George’s County, Md. The trail will not be open prior to this date and time!
The trail includes three “bump-out” areas with informational displays and telescopes for taking in unique views of Old Towne Alexandria, National Harbor and Washington D.C. and is barrier separated from vehicular traffic traveling the bridge on the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 95/495 South).
In Maryland, the trail ties into the Potomac Waterfront Community Park and Potomac Heritage Trail. Included in the Community Park is a landscaped deck over the Capital Beltway with more information displays and viewing locations. From there, the trail leads to adjacent National Harbor and to Oxon Hill Road.
Join a “community convoy”
The Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Arlington County are making plans for convoys of cyclists to converge on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail on National Trails Day!
The Oxon Hill Convoy
A convoy of Maryland cyclists will leave the Oxon Hill Park and Ride Lot at 12:45 pm. At 1:00 pm we will be among the first to bike across the bridge from Maryland to Virginia. Other convoys will be cycling from Virginia into Maryland. More details will be posted next week at www.ohbike.org and www.waba.org.

With it being Bike Month and all and people looking into biking more here are some of my thoughts on bike safety on roads:
For some reason we think exposure (the amount of miles or time spent) in traffic has an influential affect on safety. The longer you are out there the higher your chance of getting into an accident, sort of like playing Russian Roulette every time you want go somewhere each mile is another spin of the chamber and click of the hammer. But what if that is not a good analogy at all?
First it helps to understand where the concept comes from. As we look at automobile use we see the number of miles driven increasing three times the rate of the population, so it is hardly fair to compare raw total crash counts of today with that of ten years ago. So how do we compare? At first glance miles driven seems like a good idea but think about it, just because you have to drive further to do the same daily chores families did 10 years ago does that make your life safer? Hardly.
Continue reading “Thoughts on bike safety not like playing Russian Roulette at all”

What’s on your community’s transportation wish list? Join us on May 14th and share your priorities for the federal transportation money.

How should Maryland spend billions on
transportation? What will it mean for you, your family, and your
commute?

Maryland
Forum: Transportation for Our Communities, Equity, and the
Environment

Thursday, May 14, 2009
6:30pm
refreshments, 7:00pm program
College Park City Hall, 4500
Knox Rd, College Park

(Walking/biking distance of the College Park Metro
Station)

Congress is about to draft the 6-Year
Transportation Reauthorization bill that could bring billions to
Maryland in national transportation funding and set priorities
that will affect our region.

 

If we choose to fund the right
priorities, this money could be used to invest in Metrorail, the
Purple Line, buses, and bicycle/pedestrian needs. We could link
affordable housing to jobs to address the regional economic
divide, all while ensuring that we reduce energy consumption,
stormwater pollution, and greenhouse gases by adopting smarter
growth and transportation alternatives.

 

Maryland’s Congressional delegation
will play an important role and they will want to hear from you.
Come learn how we can all influence this important piece of
legislation!

 

Sponsors: Coalition for Smarter
Growth, T4 America Campaign, 1000 Friends of Maryland,
Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Sierra Club –
Maryland Chapter, One Less Car, Action Committee for Transit,
PRISCM, Prince George’s Advocates for Community Based
Transit, Audubon Naturalist Society

 

About the Program

We hope you can join us!

 

6:30 PM Light Refreshments
7:00 PM
Program begins, including presentations by:

• Cheryl Cort, Policy Director, Coalition for Smarter
  Growth
• James Corless, Campaign Director, Transportation for America
• Eric Olson, Prince George’s County Council
• Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Council

7:45 PM Audience Question and Answer Session — Identify your
transportation priorities
8:30 PM Wrap-up and Conclusion

Continue reading “5/14: Federal $, MD Streets, Your Commute”