Posts

Posted on

Input sought on safer bicycle, walking paths in western county

Planner says he would like to see residents make walking, bicycling a ‘way of life’

Baltimore County officials are asking for the public’s input on how to make the county more friendly for cyclists and pedestrians.

The county wants to make biking and walking easier and safer while using those activities as another way to moderate automobile use, according to Richard Layman, a county planner.

People walk a mile in 15 to 20 minutes and can bike a mile in just five or six minutes, Layman said.

“Since 28 percent of household trips are 1 mile or less and 50 percent are 3 miles or less, you can see how a goodly chunk of car trips (can be eliminated),” he said.

The county’s Office of Planning will hold a public input meeting April 27 at the Catonsville Library to hear about residents’ biking and walking experiences and how to improve them.

Continue reading “Input sought on safer bicycle, walking paths in western county”

Posted on

3 Feet Wide and Rising

By Michael Byrne – City Paper
…
What One Less Car does is amazing–and can’t be overstated–but it is largely focused on state issues, and as One Less Car Executive Director Carol Silldorff notes, "I’m a one-person staff." While there is an expectation among many riders in Baltimore that Evans is the be-all end-all of making Baltimore a better place, he is quick to say, "I can do so much, but I can’t do everything." Evans mentions the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, a close-knit group of City Hall insiders that makes recommendations to city government. However, "the group is still within the city government," Evans says. "They can only do so much." He then hesitates slightly and adds, "They don’t want to step on any toes."

What Baltimore cyclists need is someone stepping on toes, fighting constantly at City Hall.

It can’t be emphasized enough: Advocacy is inextricably linked to everything that goes into making a city a safe and comfortable place to ride a bike. "Advocacy capacity" is one of six indicators that the Benchmarking Report uses to determine the bike- and walkability of a city. The advocacy force in Baltimore City for cyclists and pedestrians is minimal, ranking in the bottom third of U.S. cities, according to the Alliance for Biking and Walking’s report–despite an actual cycling and pedestrian share in the top third.

The lack of independent local bike advocacy isn’t about money, Evans says. "Look at our two biggest, closest cities, Philadelphia and Washington," he says. "In size and population, we’re pretty similar. [Washington,] D.C. has a phenomenal bike infrastructure and part of the reason is that they have Washington Area Bike Association. In Philadelphia, they have Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. These groups have thousands of members."

In short, the advocacy gap in Baltimore gapes. There are many interested parties in Baltimore’s bicycling landscape: the bike repair collective Velocipede, the loose-knit boosters of the North Baltimore Bike Brigade, the Baltimore Bicycling Club, the growing number of bike shops in the city. But none appear to be in the position to take on the load of full-time advocacy. "My feeling is that [the businesses and organizations] are also understaffed," Silldorff adds.

Continue reading “3 Feet Wide and Rising”

Posted on

Plastered

>>>[B’ Spokes: As I have noted elsewhere that Maryland has a very high pedestrian fatality rate and I will note here that the latest FARS data shows 34% of our pedestrian fatalities involve some level of alcohol. That’s way too high. This story along with the Snow hill fatality outcome is very depressing.]

JOSEPH F. VALLARIO JR., chairman of the House Judiciary Comittee in Maryland and a defense attorney by profession, has made a career of making problems go away for drunk drivers — both in the courthouse and in the legislature. He proved it once again in the recently ended legislative session in Annapolis by killing a measure that has proven effective elsewhere in preventing drunk drivers from operating vehicles. As a result, Maryland missed an opportunity to diminish the carnage on its roads, and the General Assembly blew a chance to rehabilitate its reputation as a haven of good-old-boy lawmakers in bed with special interests such as the alcohol industry.

Mr. Vallario killed a bill that would have allowed convicted drunk drivers to start their cars only after after blowing into the mouthpiece of devices installed on their dashboards that determine whether they are sober. The devices, called ignition interlocks, are simple and effective. In New Mexico and Arizona, where they are required for those guilty of driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above — a 180-pound man who’s downed more than four beers in a hour, for instance — they’ve helped cut the number of liquor-related accidents and deaths. The bill was passed without dissent by the state Senate and backed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the state police, Gov. Martin O’Malley, and, quite probably, a majority of the members of Mr. Vallario’s committee.
…
Continue reading “Plastered”

Posted on

A Department Bulletin to Help Officers Understand Cyclist Safety and Lane Use

The following text was created for the Orlando Police Department Bulletin. This was an initiative by Officer Bill Edgar, a member of our officer advisory panel. If you would like to duplicate it for distribution in your department, please contact us and we will send you the text and illustrations.

(Page 1)

It may not look right because you don’t see it very often, but this is legal and it’s the safest position for a bicycle driver

But don’t cyclists have to ride as far right as practicable?

316.2065(5)(a)(3) states that a cyclist does NOT have to stay right: “When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard-width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.”

FDOT has determined that 14ft is the minimum width which allows most motor vehicles to pass cyclists within the travel lane. (See second page for diagram.)

The lane pictured above is 13ft wide. Most of the lanes in Orlando are 10-12ft wide. Bicycle drivers are not required to keep right, and are encouraged, for their safety, to occupy enough lane that motorists recognize they must change lanes to pass. By riding this way, cyclists can avoid road hazards, operate more predictably, encourage overtaking motorists to pass safely and discourage common motorist mistakes that result in crashes.

Continue reading “A Department Bulletin to Help Officers Understand Cyclist Safety and Lane Use”

Posted on

Man pleads guilty in fatal hit-and-run

SNOW HILL — A Berlin man pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a June 2009 hit-and-run that left one bicyclist dead and another injured along the Route 50 bridge.
Daniel Matthew Bren, 35, struck a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter by automobile and leaving the scene of an accident. Several other charges, including driving under the influence, were dropped by prosecutors, who also sought restitution for funeral expenses.
>>[B’ Spokes: The legality of striking a plea bargain has always bothered me, maybe Mr. Bren is getting enough punishment for his past actions but removal of the DUI convection serves no purpose other then to lessen future charges if he drinks and drives again in the future.]
…
Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. Leaving the scene is a one-year maximum sentence.
"You’re going to be incarcerated for a long time," the judge said. "I’m sure you’re aware of how serious this is."
Maryland State Police said Maxim Matuzov, 20, and Edward Joseph Zisk, 41, were riding bikes west on the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge when they were struck from behind by Bren’s 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.
…
Prosecutors said a taxi driver saw what happened, called police and followed Bren’s truck. According to the taxi driver’s account, one of the bicycles was trapped under the truck, making sparks. It soon became dislodged.
…
Police said they pulled him over, they found him glassy eyed and disoriented behind the wheel. He had an open container of beer in the truck. Later, Bren was found to have a blood alcohol content of .25.
"Why were they in front of my truck?" Bren told troopers, according to prosecutors’ court testimony. "Why do people always have to be walking and riding bikes over there?"
…
>>[B’ Spokes: With a statement like that, they should throw the book at him. It’s bad enough that he was drinking and driving but such a disregard to human life is unconscionable.]
Continue reading “Man pleads guilty in fatal hit-and-run”

Posted on

The General Assembly Session is a Success for Alternative Transportation Advocates!

One Less > Car

Five Smart Transportation Bills Passed. It is Time to Celebrate!

It is time to celebrate – FIVE significant smart transportation/commuting bills were passed during the 2010 Maryland General Assembly!
These bills are now on the way to the Governor’s office for his signature:

• SB 624 – Shoulder Rule bill – Sponsors Delegate Carr and Senator Frosh
• SB 51 – Three Foot Rule bill – Sponsors Delegate Cardin and Senators Raskin and Forehand
• HB 1155 – Transportation Transparency bill – Sponsors Delegate Lafferty and Senators Pugh and Harrington
• HB 282 – Funding for Bike/Pedestrian Access bill- Sponsor Delegate Peña-Melnyk
• SB 229/HB 710 – The General Assembly passed legislation (SB 229/HB 710) to appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding to study the state’s short- and long-term transportation funding needs.

Learn more here.

Three years ago, Delegate Jon Cardin took the initiative to promote the important Three Foot Rule bill. His dedication to the bicycling community, as the sponsor of the Three Foot Rule, has been outstanding! This year, OLC will continue to develop and strengthen bicycle safety bills with assistance from fellow bicyclists and with support and the sponsorship of leaders like Delegate Bronrott, Delegate Cardin, Delegate Carr, Senator DeGrange, Senator Frosh, Delegate Gaines, Senator Haines, Senator Harrington, Delegate Lafferty, Delegate Malone, Delegate McIntosh, Delegate Peña-Melnyk, Senator Pugh, Senator Raskin, Delegate Simmons and Delegate Stein who are passionate and committed to bicycle safety. Please contact these legislators and thank them for their support! To email a thank you go HERE.

A call or email from a constituent is a big deal to to our representatives. A few minutes of your time can make a big difference in how these folks view bicyclists.
 
One Less Car is greatly appreciative of everyone who contributed testimony, contacted a representative, advocated for this cause and helped to make this happen.

Over the next few months, a One Less Car Legislative Agenda for the 2011 General Assembly session will be developed.

Some topics of interest are:



• Strengthening the new three foot rule

• Strong focus on the manslaughter by vehicle bill

• Bills that promote teleworking


• Introducing a bill to increase tax credits for bicyclists

• Support bills that promote safe and effective alternate means of transportation
• Reintroduce the accident vs. crash bill
• Support bills that promote funding for public transit

There will be more to add to this list and your legislative assistance is appreciatively accepted.  Please read below to learn how you can take action!

 

The One Less Car (OLC) Baltimore Bicycle Alliance!

Please join the One Less Car Baltimore Bicycle Alliance to help OLC strengthen the Three Foot Rule, promote bicycle safety legislation are help make bicycle lanes, safety and facilities a priority in Baltimore.

OLC is asking individuals, bike clubs, bike shops and other stakeholders to join the OLC Baltimore Bicycle Alliance. The goal is for local bicyclists to play an active role in shaping state, city and county legislative decisions which affect cycling in our area. During the 2010 legislative session, a small group of bicyclists from the community met with Delegates, worked on bill language, testified at the hearings and helped to gain support from representatives. This effort helped immensely. If a few concerned citizens can help pass legislation, with more involvement from the community, we can help create a new transportation culture and infrastructure!  More involvement is needed.

On April 12th the bicycling community took action! About 80 bicyclists, many who took a day off of work, biked to Annapolis on the last day of the 2010 legislative session to honor Lawrence Bensky, 43, of Owings Mills, who died on April 6 while riding his bicycle on Butler Road in Baltimore County. 

       
This is a rural road that many of the attendees and I bike on frequently. The bicyclists also rode to Annapolis in respect to the hospitalized bicyclist that was hit along with Lawrence. Supportive Delegates and bicyclists joined me in addressing the crowd. A huge thank you goes to the bicyclists who attended, the brave wife and family members of Lawrence Bensky and the organizers of this successful event! It was truly an inspirational day. This kind of support is needed prior to and during the legislative session. A significant difference will be made if everyone interested in bike safety would contact their state or county representative and ask them to support bike/pedestrian legislation prior to, during, and after the General Assembly session. Baltimore Magazine ranks Baltimore 48 out of 50 for bike-friendliness – here.  A strong active bicycle alliance will help create the change we need to be safe on the road.

One more bike is one less car! We all seek solace from the daily automobile commute that includes congestion. This congestion results in employees arriving late to work, less time with family and friends, health related diseases such as obesity and asthma, environmental damage including air pollution and degradation of our Chesapeake Bay which is both an economic and natural resource, and an increased reliance on foreign sources of fuel.

Over time, bike safety legislation and other initiatives will increase the viability of smart commuting! OLC is the only non-profit in Maryland with an active presence in Annapolis working on state bike safety legislation. The Three Foot Rule bill is only one of six bike/pedestrian/alternative transportation bills OLC promoted this session. There is much more to do to promote smart commuting and a safe environment for bicyclists in Maryland. I hope folks will join in support of this effort during the 2011 session. To join the One Less Car Baltimore Bicycle Alliance click HERE and check bicycling/walking and under message write “alliance”. In the next few weeks we will schedule a meeting date.

Of current interest is the following Baltimore City Bicycle Legislation – which will be heard at Baltimore City Hall on Thursday, May 6th at 4 pm.
• 09-0429 – Required Parking for Bicycles
• 09-0430 – Transit and Traffic – Bike Lanes
• 09-0431 – City Streets – Bike-Safe Grates
• 09-0433 – Street and Transportation Projects – Complete Streets

Please attend to show support – learn more here.

Continue reading “The General Assembly Session is a Success for Alternative Transportation Advocates!”

Posted on

Drive Safe Contest Extended–We need your help!

CONTEST EXTENDED for both Video and Caption Submissions! SUBMIT CAPTIONS OR VIDEOS UNTIL APRIL 30, 2010. VOTING/VIEWING BEGINS MAY 1, 2010

In an effort to get representation from the entire Baltimore region we are extending the contest and looking for entries from Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard Counties and Baltimore City.

If you are a young driver or have family or friends who are, please participate or encourage them to. This is a great opportunity to spread our message that Distracted Driving is Dangerous!

Baltimore Metropolitan Council/Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
Continue reading “Drive Safe Contest Extended–We need your help!”

Posted on

Motorists Should Slow Down and Watch for Bicyclists

[in response to Daniel O’Neal Vona’s Letter, "Md’s New Three-Foot Rule won’t make bicyclists safer".]
Md’s new three-foot rule is intended to make motorists aware that they are sharing the road with bicyclists. Tragically, it took the death of bicyclist Larry Bensky to persuade the legislature, after 5 years, to finally pass this safety legislation.
Since the folks in Northern Baltimore County have opposed safety improvements like road widening and eliminating blind spots; to retain the rural, scenic charater of their roads; everyone who uses these roads needs to be extra careful. It’s not just bicyclists. There are school buses picking up and dropping off children. Carriers are delivering mail to residences. Tractors and horse trailers are extra wide, sometimes causing opposing traffic to have to pull over. As a motorist, I find it easier and safer to have to slow down and wait until it’s safe to pass a bicyclist then to have to stop and pull off the road for a horse trailer or tractor. But they are all part of N. Baltimore County’s rural heritage and should be respected.
People need to put aside their "me first" culture and begin looking out and caring for our fellow citizens. That bicyclist could be your doctor, accountant, or pharmacist – and a child’s mom or dad. Treat him/her like you would like someone else to treat your loved ones. Bicycling is a wonderful way to exercise , lose weight, and enjoy those treasured rural areas that are protected from development by zoning laws and tax dollars used to purchase development rights.
Requiring motorists to have to wait until it’s safe to pass a bicyclist is not giving bicyclists special treatment. The overtaking vehicle always has the duty to use due care and wait until it’s safe to pass. Also, most bicyclists wear bright clothing, making them easily seen. Blinking lights are only needed at night or during poor visibility in rain or fog. However, the combination of "Share the Road" signs and paved pulloffs on uphills, where bicyclists go slower, would facilitate easier passing and enhance safety.
Jeffrey H. Marks