June 6, 2006
CHICAGO (AP) — To you, that angry, horn-blasting tailgater is suffering from road rage. But doctors have another name for it — intermittent explosive disorder — and a new study suggests it is far more common than they realized, affecting up to 16 million Americans.
…About 5 percent to 7 percent of the nationally representative sample had had the disorder, which would equal up to 16 million Americans. That is higher than better-known mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Dr. Coccaro said.
…"It is news to a lot of people even who are specialists in mental health services that such a large proportion of the population has these clinically significant anger attacks," Mr. Kessler said.
Continue reading “Road rage diagnosed as mental disorder”
Florida – Hearing set June 1 on Highland Beach bicyclist
[Does the following sound like any DOT we know?]
Boca Raton News – May 1, 2006
Some movement may be coming in a Highland Beach man’s lawsuit against the Florida Department of Transportation over its decision to build standard-width bike lanes along State Road A1A.
A hearing will be held June 1, said Bruce Rosenzweig, who has joined forces with the Boca Raton Bicycle Club and the League of American Bicyclists in his litigation.
The suit — filed March 1 in Leon County Court in Tallahassee – claims the FDOT failed to follow state statutes and administrative rules by not putting bike lanes and sidewalks where there’s sufficient public right-of-way.
"I’ve been a biker for seven or eight years now, and I moved to A1A five years ago," said Rosenzweig. "Increasingly, it’s a dangerous proposition" to ride along that oceanside road.
"A lot can be done to make it safer," he said. "DOT has promised to refurbish A1A," but the agency is not holding "to the standards they set themselves."
Continue reading “Florida – Hearing set June 1 on Highland Beach bicyclist”
Colorado Hotline OK
The following is something they are doing in Colorado which I think is kind of cool. While you can report aggressive drivers here in Maryland via *77 on a cell phone we do not have the follow up they do in Colorado.
Bicyclists have a new tool to help make Colorado
Continue reading “Colorado Hotline OK”
Cyclists attacked by motorists while on a charity ride
The mother-of-three from Rothwell, near Leeds, was attacked as she rode through Lewis in Colorado with her two co-riders during a gruelling 84-mile stage, her husband Mike said.
Continue reading “Cyclists attacked by motorists while on a charity ride”
Hyponatremia: How To Recognize, Treat And Prevent It
Summer is here
and it
Continue reading “Hyponatremia: How To Recognize, Treat And Prevent It”
Cycle Across Maryland Summary
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