Going down to the bike summit this guy honks at me for blocking traffic. So I turned on my video as I caught up to him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KepdIBHGQ
Continue reading “The problem with bikes is they block traffic”
Bike Summit in pictures
Mapping Municipal Improvements suggestions
For a new project I’m working on (using google maps, earth, and mapping features) I [this bloger] need input from Baltimore area residents who know of areas, places, and things around them that could use improvement by the public works/DOT/ other city agencies.
I [this bloger] want to focus on more trivial, but not necessarily less important features of city life. Poorly-lit areas, poorly maintained public transit stops, knocked over signs, fading bike lanes, overflowing parking lots, etc.
Basically, anything that makes Baltimore harder for you to live and work in as a pedestrian, cyclist, student, or safe driver is fair game. Fill in some basic information on the issue : Location (or general location), reason for report, and how you think it could be improved.
I will be personally visiting and documenting highlighted areas, and profile them in a way that makes it easier for people to contact city government about it.
Continue reading “Mapping Municipal Improvements suggestions”
Bike Lane Violations in Baltimore
Downtown Circulator
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced the launch of the first leg of a coordinated land and water downtown circulator cost free service featuring a cross-harbor water taxi for commuters, residents, and tourists.
The “Water Taxi Harbor Connector” will begin service on Monday, May 4th between the water taxi dock at Frederick Douglass-Isaac-Myers Maritime Museum (Maritime Park) in Fells Point and the Tide Point Pier in South Baltimore. This fare free service will operate approximately every fifteen minutes from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Water Taxi Harbor Connector will operate on a “ping-pong” basis with no intermediate stops. A second “Water Taxi Harbor Connector” route is planned to begin operations in late summer providing service, between Canton Water Front Park and Tide Point.
BikePed Beacon — April 2009
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A Regional Bike and Pedestrian Newsflash
The following newsflash from the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board details current news and events in regards to biking and walking both in and around the Baltimore region. The information found in the newsflash is informative; it could inspire some to become more involved in the process of improving conditions for biking and walking. Or it could inspire a bike ride or a walk… Stephanie Yanovitz BikePed Beacon Editor
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MAY IS CLEAN COMMUTE MONTH Gear Up and Get Ready!
 Every May the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and our Clean Commute Partners host Clean Commute Month to promote Clean Commuting.
What is Clean Commuting? It’s riding transit, bicycling, carpooling, walking, or teleworking. It’s anything other than driving alone in a motor vehicle. Because motor vehicles contribute up to 30% of the emissions that dirty our air, people who choose to clean commute are making an individual choice that helps reduce air pollution. For a few days in May, keep your car parked. Try another way to get around. It’s not hard! You can take transit, bicycle, or even walk. If you do drive, share your ride with a friend or co-worker, and make sure to keep your car in tip-top condition. You could cut your commute costs in half.
Find out more at one of these great events! This year’s activities will include Clean Car Clinics, a commuter appreciation day, Bike to Work Day, and tons of fun outreach events! Here are a few events:
Visit us at our booth’s at these great events… or use the link below to get more information about how to become a Clean Commuter. |
Welcome Stephanie Yanovitz!
Farewell Amber Blake – Good Luck in Durango, Colorado!
The City of Durango has announced the selection of a new multi-modal coordinator as part of their on-going commitment to alternative modes of travel. Amber Blake has been chosen to fill this position beginning on April 8th and will be responsible for multi-modal transportation planning, marketing and implementation, with a special focus on public transit, pedestrian and bicycle modes of travel.
New to BMC is Ms. Stephanie Yanovitz. Stephanie joined BMC in March seeking to engage her diverse background in transportation, planning and engineering, safety, operations, and bicycle/pedestrian programs. Recently Stephanie was the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at Maryland State Highway Administration. During her time at SHA she participated in the development of statewide state road bicycle level of comfort maps for every county as well as a bicycle signage and pavement marking inventory for every state road maintenance shop in Maryland. For a list of these maps please visit the link below.
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ONE LESS CAR BIKE SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS!
Details about the symposium on new web site
The 12th Annual Bike Symposium in Annapolis on February 4th was a huge success!
Although the weather caused school closings in many jurisdictions approximately 500 people attended. Additionally, there were twenty exhibitors displaying projects and engaging the audience. The high attendance indicates that people care deeply about promoting bicycling as a means of alternative transportation. As our population grows it is critical that a safe infrastructure, along with laws protecting bicyclists, are intact.
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CHOOSE SAFETY FOR LIFE!
Regional campaign offers great info on bicycle and pedestrian safety
Visit the link below to get some helpful rules of the road whether you’re walking, bicycling – or driving around pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles or large trucks. |
Nearly 3,000 pedestrians are injured annually, more than one-third of which occur in Baltimore City and more than another one-third of which occur in Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. BIKE JAM FESTIVAL OFFERS FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Free kid’s helmet giveaway and bike safety rodeo |
The Grand History Trail Concept Plan: Executive Summary
This study explores the potential of creating a unique interstate trail system that would connect existing trails in a area rich in historical, cultural, and natural resources. Called the “Grand History Trail”, this conceptual network could link 100 miles of existing disconnected trails to create a circular pathway for non-motorized travelers that would extend over 300 miles.
Where will the trail go?
Currently, the Grand History Trail conceptual loop is a combination of on- and off-road facilities that connect major metropolitan cities and small historic towns in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia [overview map image or page reference here]. The route encompasses Baltimore, MD; Annapolis, MD; Washington, DC; Frederick, MD; Gettysburg, PA; and York, PA. The Background and Visioning/Planning sections (pp. x-xx) outline the steps taken to identify an alignment that would intersect cities of historical importance and the Segment Analysis section (pp. x-xx) outlines the route by segment and addresses the relationship of the trail to existing and future plans in each city, county, and state.
Continue reading “The Grand History Trail Concept Plan: Executive Summary”
Space Alien
Governor Glendening recognized for a lifetime of work
Governor Glendening addresses the conference attendees in Albuquerque after receiving his lifetime achievement award.
Governor Parris Glendening, who serves SGA as the President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, received a few notable recognitions earlier in 2009.
In January Gov. Glendening received a lifetime achievement award at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in recognition of his years of tireless service to advance the ideas of smart growth — first in Maryland as an elected leader, and across the country in the years hence. The New Partners Conference honored his work as governor of Maryland and with the Smart Growth Leadership Institute.
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Public Transit Users Three Times More Likely To Meet Fitness Guidelines
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The study, published in the Journal of Public Health Policy, finds that people who take public transit are three times more likely than those who don’t to meet the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s suggested daily minimum of physical activity.
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According to the study, people who drove the most were the least likely to meet the recommended level of physical activity.
"The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," says Frank, the J. Armand Bombardier Chairholder in Sustainable Transportation and a researcher at the UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. "These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity. Unfortunately, we’ve engineered this activity out of our daily lives."
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