Biking in Baltimore
"Nothing upsets the city more than when we don’t have a protocol that respects the things they [the people] deal with day in and day out,"
https://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/publications/baltimore-messenger/ph-ms-neighborhood-leaders-0202-20120127,0,7750334,full.story
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[B’ Spokes: Yet it seems they are shutting out cyclists more and more frequently in Baltimore.]
This line from the patch caught my eye:
-> "John Kuo, administrator of the Motor Vehicle Administration,_ said he feels sympathy for Krasnopoler’s family, but said he feels the state is taking adequate steps to ensure its drivers are safe."
One thing I learned at my time as your representative on BRTB-BPAG is that "What gets measured gets done."
The State does not measure it’s pedestrian fatality rate against the national average (Maryland is the 4th highest in the nation.)
https://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110318114606250
The state does not measure our average motor vehicle crash rate which Baltimore has come out really bad by a report from Allstate.
https://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/baltimore-ranks-192-on-2011-allstate-america-s-best-drivers-report
What it does measure is something that would make a whole lot of sense if we were a state of traveling salesmen with expanding territories. That is to say the miles driven between crashes is going up. Of course they don’t state it that way but my way is just as valid as their way.
The jest of what this comes down to is while other states are making progress on reducing vulnerable road user fatalities but in Maryland it is getting worse or at best no significant change.
And since they don’t report this they do not see this as an important issue.
This needs to change!
Continue reading “Really John? Our drivers are safe???”
By Fern Shen, Baltimore Brew
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Krasnopoler is much more comfortable when he’s talking about the tougher driving skills requirements his family is backing in the Maryland General Assembly this session – changes he thinks could prevent tragedies like the Feb. 26, 2011 crash that claimed the life of his son, Nathan Krasnopoler.
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“The state is already offering these [functional capacity] tests but they are done by medical referral or voluntarily,” he said. “It would be easy to make them a requirement.”
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The family is suggesting the tougher license requirement be added to an MVA-sponsored bill (SB 111) that proposes to increase the amount of time between license renewals from five years to eight years. Not surprisingly, the Krasnopolers oppose that change.
“I can’t think of any reason they would propose this other than to save money,” he says witheringly.
Other Issues
There are two other legislative priorities on the family’s agenda this session, Krasnopoler said yesterday.
One is to increase the consequences of failing to remain on the scene of an accident that results in injuries or death.
Doing so is currently a misdemeanor offense that is rarely enforced because the offender gets no points on their license, he said. (Witnesses said the driver whose car struck Nathan Krasnopoler got out of the car and left it running while the injured cyclist was still pinned underneath it.)
“We want it to be an 8-point infraction so people take it seriously,” Krasnopoler said.
Another change the family seeks is a clarification in the Maryland health surrogacy law that would allow family members to make decisions regarding organ donation even if their incapacitated family member is not on a ventilator.
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TAKE ACTION: https://www.capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=60927571&PROCESS=Take+Action
Moments ago, Congressman John Mica (R-FL) announced the introduction of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. The proposed bill eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking as we feared, and it goes much further and systematically removes bicycling from the Federal transportation program. It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system—a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.
The bill (soon to be available on transportation.house.gov) reverses 20 years of progress by:
• destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional;
• repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school;
• allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles;
• eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs; and
• eliminating language that insures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”
On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will mark-up the bill and Representatives Petri (R-WI) and Johnson (R-IL) will sponsor an amendment that restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Representatives Petri and Johnson can only be successful if everyone with a stake in safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways contacts their representative today.
Because of these urgent new developments, and the vital importance of a HUGE turnout on Capitol Hill in March, the National Bike Summit early bird registration deadline has been extended to Feb 20. We need every single cyclist in Washington, D.C. that the city can hold (and that’s thousands …). Register today!
Stay in touch by visiting bikeleague.org and americabikes.org for background and breaking news.
ANDY CLARKE
LEAGUE PRESIDENT
Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director.
TAKE ACTION: https://www.capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=60927571&PROCESS=Take+Action
Continue reading “Horrible Surface Transportation Bill Unveiled Today — Bicycle Programs Eliminated”
Governor O’Malley’s Cycle Maryland initiative is an effort to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride, and to make bicycling a true transportation alternative. Cycling is a great way to connect to your community, support a cleaner environment, encourage a healthier lifestyle, reduce household transportation costs and enjoy Maryland’s magnificent landscape.
Building on the success of Cycle Maryland events held throughout the summer of 2011, www.cycle.maryland.gov provides a one-stop web portal for information about cycling infrastructure, plans, funding opportunities and events.
https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Bike/Cycle_Maryland.html/
[B’ Spokes: I still see a contradictory message here, trails for recreation vs bikes for transportation. Why can’t we have both?]
B’ Spokes: Simple message, would should do that here as well.
https://www.guampdn.com/article/20120125/COMMUNITIES/201250301
By Emily Henry, Patch
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Next month, the city plans to add a new chapter to Berkeley’s Municipal Code prohibiting the harassment of bicyclists "because of, in whole or in part, the bicyclist’s status as a bicyclist." Violators could face a civil lawsuit, be liable for damages and end up paying court fees.
The purpose of the new code is to encourage more lawyers to take on cases of harassment against cyclists, according to Councilmember Kriss Worthington. Worthington introduced the ordinance in September last year and said he was inspired to do so after hearing from bicyclists that it was near impossible to find lawyers willing to help with cyclist harassment cases, since there was little guarantee of a win.
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Continue reading “New Code Gives Cyclists a Chance to Fight Harassment”
We demand that Baltimore City follow the Council Bill 09-0433, Complete Streets, in their design of the Midtown Streetscape project. Specifically, bicycle lanes and bicycle infrastructure, which are not currently included in the design, must be included unless the “Director of Transportation issues a documented exception concluding that application of Complete Streets principles would be contrary to public safety.”
Maryland Institute College of Art and University of Baltimore leadership have had the unique opportunity to represent their interests in Baltimore’s complete streets program.
Let MICA and UB administration officals know that safety improvements for bicyclists are an integral part of a complete streets program – one that protects cyclists and encourages bicycling as a means of transportation.
When you sign, please include in the comments if you are a local business owner, or are associated with MICA or UB.
From BikePed Beacon – January 2012
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 PLAN IT 2035 APPROVED!Increased funding for bike/ped projects
Following several years of outreach starting with imagine 2060 and leading into Plan It 2035, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) voted to approve Plan It 2035 on Monday, November 14, 2011. The federal reviewing agencies also gave their approval earlier this month. The BRTB would like to thank the members of the public who participated in the public project ideas and other comment periods, as well as the public meetings. In keeping with Plan It 2035′s goals related to accessibility and sustainability, the BRTB has set aside a greater percentage of funding expanding transit and bicycle/pedestrian projects compared to the 2007 long-range transportation plan, Transportation Outlook 2035. Plan It 2035 sets aside $92.7 million in funds to expand bicycle and pedestrian access, including:
In addition, the “Highway” category of projects also lists many roadway projects that include
bicycle and/or pedestrian accommodations and improvements as part of their scopes. Chapter 5 includes the project list and details. |
When your vehicle needs maintenance, you should
a) stop for a donut break,
b) switch to riding a bicycle, or
c) get an oil change.
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[B Spokes: Of course we think the correct answer is B but if you think it’s C then the ad in read more my be of interest.]
Continue reading “Ad of the day”