from Switchboard, from NRDC › Kaid Benfield’s Blog by Kaid Benfield
Kaid Benfield, Director, Sustainable Communities & Smart Growth, Washington, DC
By now, we all know that an otherwise “green” building in a relatively inaccessible location is just a pretender, given that it will generate far more in carbon emissions than the building’s technology purports to save. Conversely, even an ordinary building in a highly accessible, urban location is better for the environment than most anything that goes up in a greenfield. It’s best to have both, of course: great technology in a great location.
Alas, our current green building rating systems like LEED don’t work that way, even if they are inching in that direction. So my friend, the multi-talented architect and visual artist Dhiru Thadani, has a suggestion or two. Enjoy:
Move your cursor over the images for credit information.
Kaid Benfield writes (almost) daily about community, development, and the environment. For more posts, see his blog’s home page.
by Liz Skalski, Staff Writer – Gazette
…
“I think we need to do more about pedestrian and bike safety generally in the county and this is a step in that direction,” Olson [Prince George’s County Councilman Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) ] said. “We need to be encouraging walking and biking as alternatives to driving and making our communities more walkable.”
City Councilman Patrick Wojahn (Dist. 1) said that as an avid bicyclist he is looking forward to the light’s installment.
“Cars have failed to stop, even with the flashing yellow lights that exist there now. It’s a bit scary,” Wojahn said.
Olson said he is aware of at least two or three collisions at the crossing over the years that have left pedestrians with broken bones.
“A red light is really the best option and that’s a view I shared from the beginning,” Olson said. “A red light is unambiguous; a red light means ‘stop.’”
… Continue reading “Cyclists relieved stoplight coming to College Park trolley crossing”
Maryland cyclists, please take a moment to complete this short survey. As explained in an email by Maryland SHA Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator Dustin Kuzan:
This is part of the governor’s Cycle Maryland campaign and the idea of the survey is to collect more data on our cyclists throughout the state of Maryland, get their feedback on the current map and what features should be added to a bicycling map, as well as collect data on why other people do not bike. Anyone that has already taken the survey since it was sent from another source should refrain from taking the survey again.
Panel will discuss access issues in Towson, Loch Raven, Perry Hall and Parkville
June 20, 2011
County Councilman David Marks on Monday announced the formation of the 5th District Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, designed to provide input on pedestrian and bicycle issues in Towson, Loch Raven, Parkville andPerry Hall.
Earlier this year, the County Council passed legislation sponsored by Marks and Councilman Tom Quirk of the 1st District (Catonsville) that created a Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. The law allowed each council member to form a version of the committee in his or her district.
Marks said the 5th District version will meet three times a year. Members of the committee, all of whom live in the 5th District, are Robert Carson, Nate Evans, Ann Greenbaum, Tom Henry, Allysha Lorber, Allan Massie, Pat Rooney, Tom Rose, Wendy Samuels and Stu Sirota.
The first meeting of the 5th District committee will be Wednesday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the offices of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, 44 W. Chesapeake Ave. There is parking along the street.
Stu Sirota, from Rodgers Forge, will talk about that community’s Safe Routes to School initiative, and Nate Evans will discuss ways Baltimore City has made its transportation system more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. The public is welcome to attend.
There is the argument floating around here that adding extra road width for cyclists would “damage” the environment by increasing impervious surface. Which to me is like being next to a coal burning power plant and then pointing to the guy that just dropped a banana peal in the dirt as the “polluter.”
But just when you thought bicycling could not get any greener a Dutch company came up with the idea of combining storm water management and a cycle path. So not only does it make the impervious surface for cars more environmentally friendly cyclists get their extra road width. Continue reading “But accommodating cyclists would damage the enviroment”
This comment on the Baltimore Sun site cracked me up:
"Please report on the congestion caused by "conga lines" and "wobbly" cyclists on Montgomery Rd. It will prove to be a popular post among Elkridge residents."
Note the unflattering remarks but total lack of any enforceable laws. This is why I think too many people focus on scofflaw cyclists, if they can’t get them for what bothers them then they pull out the "letter of law" and try to get cyclists on that. Well every road can’t be a car only road and if motorists don’t like it then get back on the expressway. Continue reading “Conga line congestion in Elkridge”
Governor O’Malley, joined by Queen Anne’s County Commission President Steven J. Arentz, Bike Maryland Executive Director Carol Silldorff, members of Maryland’s cycling community, and others, officially kicked-off the “Cycle Maryland” initiative at the Chesapeake Exploration Center in Chester.
“I am pleased to announce a new interactive initiative to encourage Marylanders to enjoy cycling,” said Governor O’Malley. “By getting out and taking a bike ride, we can learn to enjoy more of Maryland’s natural treasures, help reduce the impact on the land, improve our fitness and well-being, and enhance our quality of life.”
Before biking along the Cross Island Trail, the Governor also announced a new interactive map that allows users to view the many bike trails and routes in Maryland and plan their cycling trips. Cyclists now have one central location to find places to bike using the various layers of the map, including the BLOC rating feature (Bike Level of Comfort) on state-owned roadways, points of interest, and information on the Maryland Trails Plan. Additionally, there will be an online survey of Maryland’s biking community to improve upon the existing map to make it more user-friendly for cyclists.
“The selected events for ‘Cycle Maryland’ showcase Maryland’s cycling diversity,” says Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism. “From family-friendly recreational rides on newly opened rail trails to highly competitive long-distance road races, these routes take visitors on an up-close and personal journey through some of the most scenic landscapes in Maryland.”
Bike Maryland Executive Director Carol Silldorff joined the Governor in supporting biking in Maryland.
“We promote bicycling because planning and public health research all indicate that the best places to bike are the best places to live,” said Silldorff. “We know that bike friendly places allow people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds to enjoy healthy recreational opportunities and to travel via bicycle to and from destinations in their communities.”
All Marylanders are encouraged to attend other “Cycle Maryland” events now through October 9, 2011. At today’s event, the Governor announced a contest sponsored by the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland State Highway Administration that invites participants to post pictures of themselves at events on Facebook to be eligible for a $250 VISA gift card. Prize winners will be randomly drawn from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified on or about October 31.
“Cycle Maryland” also involves a social media campaign. Connect with us on Facebook and follow CycleMaryland on Twitter and use hashtag #CycleMD to join the conversation.
What: Girls’ Ride! When: Monday, June 27, 2011 6:15 PM
Where: World Trade Center 401 East Pratt Street #232 Baltimore, MD 21202
We’ll head north to the Jones Falls Trail and lollipop back for a downtown 1.5 hr “country” road ride. This ride is open to all ages/levels and will be casual and fun. Meet some new friends while spinning your legs. It’ll be just the girls!
