For those of you who missed Cycle Across Maryland you missed a great time. To me the best thing about this event is you have riders of all types participating. Some just wanted to ride and socialize others challenged themselves to do a bit more then what they normally do knowing there is going to be a well stocked rest areas well placed along the route as well as SAG (Support And Gear) vehicles. I think everyone came away with at least one more friend as well as great memories. But a point not to miss is this event helps support One Less Car which does a lot to help promote biking and walking in Maryland if you missed CAM be sure not miss Tour Du Port October 22 https://www.onelesscar.org/tdp05/ have fun and help make a difference in Maryland.
There was daily coverage of CAM in the Examiner by Ron Cassie (pictured at a rest stop.) Quotes and links follow:
PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD THURSDAY, JULY 20
The Baltimore County Planning Board is holding a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. on
Thursday, July 20, 2006, in Room 407, County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Avenue,
Towson. The Eastern County Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Plan will be one of the
topics on which the public is invited to speak. The plan is posted on the
County’s website at
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/bikeped
Continue reading “PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD THURSDAY, JULY 20”
Mandatory Use Poll
Maryland statute requires that if a shoulder (wide enough to park a car or drive an ambulance) or a bike lane is present, then cyclists must use that shoulder or bike lane instead of the roadway, except for when passing, making a left turn, crossing a right turn lane or merge lane, or when it is reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane to avoid debris or another hazardous condition.
There are two legal consequences of the statute. First, the police can give you a ticket if you ride in the roadway and none of the exceptions apply. Second, if a negligent driver collides with you while you are in the roadway, then the courts will deny you (or your estate) damages unless you can prove that one of the exceptions apply, under the doctrine of contributory negligence.
There are a number of symbolic consequences. More than 40 states allow cyclists in the roadway, leaving it to the discretion of the cyclist whether to ride in the shoulder or bike lane. Some people believe that this statute makes Maryland look less friendly to bikes than other states, or that cyclists have fewer rights than drivers.
MDOT and others argue that this law helps them to justify construction of bike lanes and shoulders to the automobile-driving public. Some also argue that the law simply codifies what good cyclists do anyway.
Please take the time to vote in all five poll questions on the right side of the page (after casting one vote click on the “Next question” link in the comment,) your input does help shape Maryland
Cycling collective
By Sam Sessa
Sun Reporter
Originally published July 6, 2006
The new Velocipede Bike Project near the Jones Falls bike trail is a shoestring shop where bicycle enthusiasts can can talk shop and repair and restore their two-wheelers
Relocation Work Postponed.
Server Relocation Work Postponed. It will probably happen some time next week.
Website downtime
I am relocating the server that this web site runs on. The site will be down starting Wednesday 21st of June and hopefully be back up on Friday 23rd of June.
A more bike-friendly county?
Ron Cassie, The Examiner
Jun 2, 2006 7:00 AM
Baltimore County – Nobody was talking about how Baltimore County got to the point where biking or walking to work or school seems more like a quaint concept than a genuine alternative at the Planning Department
Continue reading “A more bike-friendly county?”
Cars on the Capital Crescent Trail!?!
Act by June 15th to protect the CCT!
After concept pic ——– Before pic
The popular Capital Crescent Trail, which was recently recognized by the Project for Public Spaces as one of “21 great places that show how transportation can enliven a community”, is under threat from the construction of a boathouse for Georgetown University.
The National Park Service recently released an Environmental Assessment on a proposal to construct a large boathouse for Georgetown University along the popular Capital Crescent Trail. The proposed location for the boathouse would be on land upstream (west) of the Washington Canoe Club near the CCT trailhead in Georgetown. Access to the site would require construction equipment, boat trailers and delivery vehicles to share the use the Capital Crescent Trail for a distance of 800 feet hundred feet.
Read more to take action!
Bicyclists are safer when they ride facing auto traffic???
Whenever something like this makes it to print I just cringe and makes me wonder just how effective our educational campaigns are. (And if you are asking what educational campaigns, my point exactly.)
Just to be clear, wrong way riding is one of the major causes of bike accidents and it does not prevent them. The following letter to the editor is wrong.
Bicyclists are safer when they ride facing auto traffic
I’ve read that Delaware has an extremely high rate of bicycle fatalities compared to other states. This is not surprising, considering the unreasonable biking laws in Delaware.
In states like Virginia, bicyclists are required to ride facing traffic. This way, if a car gets too close, the biker can avoid being hit. But Delaware law requires bicyclists to ride with the flow of traffic, with automobiles in back of them. That way, a biker has no idea what drivers are doing without looking backward at them.
If you ride a bike according to Delaware law, all you can do is pray that drivers see you and are considerate. Regardless of the law, I don’t intend to put myself in danger by riding with my back turned away from drivers. I bike facing the traffic.
Cynthia McPherson, Newark
Continue reading “Bicyclists are safer when they ride facing auto traffic???”
Courtesy
Last year I was yelled at more times than I can count, for "riding in the middle of the road". I was told I should ride on the sidewalk where I belong. Horns blared as a car or truck speed by. And, on and on and on.
This year, as always I was prepared for the usual onslaught. But – it hasn’t come.
On Tuesday I had something happen that I’ve never had in all my years of commuting. Heading north on Charles Street, I’m south of Kenilworth Drive settling in my place in line waiting for the light to turn green. I’m behind a van. The driver rolls down her window. Since I suspect she wants to talk to me I coast up to her. She wants to know if I’m turning right or going straight. Since her right blinker is on she’s obviously concerned about a possible collision. I told her I was going straight but that I was not going to pass her and thanked her.
As far as I know I’m riding the same as I always have. The only difference that I’m aware of is that I have added an aardvark rear triangle to my saddle bag.
So my conclusion is that drivers have become more respectful. But why?
Do they see me differently? Do they think I’m some poor soul that can’t pony up for the $3 gas? Do they see the gray hair peeking out from under the helmet and think I’m a granddad? Or do they think they should be out on their bike going from point A to point B? I don’t know!
But I like it!