Month: February 2007

Posted on

10th Annual Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Symposium summary

John D. Porcari, who has been nominated to be Secretary of Transposition, spoke at the symposium. He was previously the Secretary of Transportation under Governor Glendening.
Secretary Pocari stressed that there are two vital elements to change anything in the state government: (1) A strong grass roots movement and (2) Someone in government who can change policy. Those elements were present when the "Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Act of 2001" was passed.
Continue reading “10th Annual Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Symposium summary”

Posted on

Section of B&A Trail is closed

By Ken Philhower (BBC)
Cyclists who ride on the B&A Trail in Anne Arundel County should be aware that a 0.4-mile section of the trail between Severna Park and Arnold is closed due to a washout. The section in question extends from milepost 4.0 southward to the intersection of Hoyle Lane, which is just north of milepost 3.5. This section of the trail will remain closed until repairs can be made. (I’m guessing this probably won’t be until the weather gets a little warmer.)
The following detour is posted around the closed section:
Continue reading “Section of B&A Trail is closed”

Posted on

Brief Overview/Synopsis-Bike/Ped Symposium

This Summary was compiled by Bill Kelly 2-1-07

Hi Bike/Ped Folks, We just finished our 10th Annual Successful Bike/Ped
Symposium in Annapolis on Friday Feb 9, 2007. Many of you attended and many
more were unable to attend so we would like you know what you missed. This
Symposium is untaken with great efforts from/by Jim and Jane Hudnall, Oxon
Hill Bicycle &Trail Club and OLC. For the past nine years the Symposium was
always held on the first Wednesday in February, many asked why we changed
to Friday and this year at the request of the Bicycle Advisory Committee it
was changed to Friday to accommodate their Annual Annapolis Meeting, but to
our frustration they did not meet at the Symposium, but across town. Several
MBPAC members did show up in the afternoon-Richard Cushwa-Jim Titus-David
Whitaker-Sgt. Janet Harrison-Jim Swift-Dave Dionne(6 out of 21) Many of the
attendees and elected officials were asking about the MBPAC. Sec. John
Porcari(Newly Appointed Sec. of Trans-MDOT) was there early about 8:00AM
and spent over an hour talking with and answering questions about Bike/Ped
Travel in Md. All were very excited about John returning to MDOT and
carrying on the great Bike/Ped Policies from the Gov. Glendening
Administration. There were over 20 Displayers from around the State with
many great handouts and info on local projects. St. Mary’s Co. was
displaying their Three Notch Trail., Frank Stevens from Bowie(The Best
Bicycle City) had an outstanding displays of the Bowie’s very progressive
Bike/Ped Advancements. Barbara Kliefort from WABA /Met Branch Trail,,Adam
Schwartz UofM/ Cooperative Bike Extension, Fred Shaffer MNCPPC had a very
nice update on Prince George’s Co. Inventory of past Bike/Ped Completions
and Plans in works. Glen Harrison from WABA was there with the Washington DC
Regions Plans/Displays and accomplishments and Eric Gilliland from WABA was
answering questions and working with Andy Clarke from LAB on a joint Panel
on Bicycle Friendly Communities & Complete Streets. Baltimore Bicycling
Club-BBC, Oxon Hill Bicycle & Trail Club-OHBTC, College Park Area Bicycle
Coalition-CPABC and many more groups had very informative displays. You
didn’t have time to see all of them. Too much good conversation.

Continue reading “Brief Overview/Synopsis-Bike/Ped Symposium”

Posted on

HB 827 – Vehicle Laws – Right-of-Way – Penalties for Failure to Yield

This bill was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly for the 2007 session on behalf of ABATE of Maryland which is a grass-roots motorcyclist organization. Motorcycle riders experience visibility and vulnerability issues that are similar to those experienced by bicycle riders.

In an effort to increase the consequences for motor vehicle drivers who cause these accidents and hopefully minimize their occurrence in the future, we are continuing a three-year effort to get legislation through the Maryland General Assembly that will increase penalties for right-of-way violations to include higher fines and license suspension when an injury or fatality is the result of a right-of-way violation.

This bill applies to all vehicles including bicycles.

Continue reading “HB 827 – Vehicle Laws – Right-of-Way – Penalties for Failure to Yield”

Posted on

BaltoCo trail study suport

By Bob Carson (BBC)
Please write your councilman urging him to support a trail study for a bike/ped facility concept that is being proposed by Baltimore County Planning along Cromwell Bridge Road/Minebank Run that would provide a nonmotorized link between Towson neighorhoods and the major recreational destinations just north of us. This concept is part of the Eastern Baltimore County Bike/Ped plan. A trail study would be the next step now that the concept has been proposed within the plan. The most important councilmen to contact are from the 3rd and 5th district as the proposed trail goes through their district.
Continue reading “BaltoCo trail study suport”

Posted on

Bike symposium in the news

By Ron Cassie, The Examiner

Baltimore County – Baltimore County Del. Jon Cardin, probably more than any other Maryland elected official, has hands-on knowledge of the hurdles bicycle commuters face.

Cardin rode a bike daily from Mount Washington to downtown Baltimore as a University of Maryland law student. Today, he still rides regularly from his Timonium home to his law office in Baltimore. He
Continue reading “Bike symposium in the news”