Statistics tell us that at 10 MPH over the posted speed limit, the probability of being involved in a crash doubles. However, at 20 MPH over, the probability increases to 11 times greater. We are trying to change the driving behavior of those persons who are most likely to cause crashes."
– Scottsdale, AZ police department on why speeders are allowed an 11mph buffer.
Continue reading “Why 10mph over the speed limit is ok… only 2X the chance of a crash”
In search of a champion to win over the (Anti-)Environmental Matters Committee
HB 143 (3′ passing) is in serious trouble, it does not have the votes needed to pass the committee so the forecast is that it is going to die in committee. (Please note that there is a correction to our previous statement about Del Malone following.)
The most troubling aspect in this is we really don’t know who in the Environmental Matters Committee is not supporting this bill. Wait, what committee is not supporting bicycling?
That’s right the Environmental Matters Committee, while Maryland is supporting other more costly green initiatives it is bicycle use, the zero carbon emission transportation that is the scourge of the Environment Matters Committee (EMC). This is going to be the third year in a row that the Environment Matters Committee has given us trouble on a bill of this nature even though past criticisms have been fixed! Enough already!
Kids biking to school – EMC says no, sooty, asthma producing diesel buses are better and a 15-20% increase in morning rush hour traffic of kids being chauffeured is better for the environment then kids on bikes.
Biking to work – EMC says Maryland’s bike modal share of about half of the National average is good enough, Having a higher percentage of people who drive single occupancy vehicles is "better" for the environment.
Energy efficiency is often measured in terms of equivalent number of cars off the road, why not get some real cars off the road as well.
Motor vehicle driver’s at fault in a crash with a cyclist – EMC says a low 31% at fault drivers is fair, while other states investigated have a near 50:50 who’s at fault. This discouraging and anti-cycling bias in Maryland is good for the environment as it gets more people out driving their SUV’s and helps keep their insurance rates down.
The increase in mid-block crashes and fatalities for cyclists – EMC says nothing needs to be done about this. In 2006 Maryland had %100 of our cyclists fatalities that were mid-block (29% under 15 years of age,) 52% of all bike/car crashes happen mid-block. It used to be intersections where the most dangerous for cyclists, times have changed and we need laws to reflect that change and the lack of safe passing distance is a contributing factor in mid-block crashes.
Maryland needs to strongly encourage cycling both for the health of the environment and health of its population. Please take the time to respond.
(Note: Statements attributed to EMC are not quotes, only statements about the results of their inaction.)
Continue reading “In search of a champion to win over the (Anti-)Environmental Matters Committee”
AASHTO gets the bike thing
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So, when the head of AASHTO talks, people listen (whether they like it or not). And here
Continue reading “AASHTO gets the bike thing”
Bike tow truck
So following the giro de birra ride to duclaw, we happened upon a guy who was having bike problems. We stopped to help but he was riding a folder and we didn’t have what we needed to take care of him. Barry then showed one of the many amazing things you can do with an Xtracycle and gave the guy and his bike a ride to light street to get a new tube.
I made a helmet cam video of it and used music by wax & wane
Continue reading “Bike tow truck”
GREEN & TALL
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Based on a net-zero-energy model, the Pearl River Tower is designed to significantly reduce the building Continue reading “GREEN & TALL” |
MAKING DOWNTOWN PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY
From the Downtown Partnership –
This will probably come as a shock to many drivers, but pedestrians rule under Maryland law, at least when it comes to crosswalks. By statute, drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and a new initiative from Mayor Dixon is helping remind motorists exactly who has the right of way.
Bright green signs have been cropping up at pedestrian crossings across Downtown, particularly those that occur mid-block where drivers don
It’s just an accident
Right now in Maryland it is just an accident when a motorists going 50mph on a 35mph road kills a cyclists, excessive speed did not even warrant a comment in the press when Yoram Kaufman was killed, it was just an accident, no more, no less. The fact that at least Yoram’s death, if not the whole accident could have been prevented if the motorist was obeying the speed limit is not only lost it is accepted as "just an accident."
Support HB 667
Montgomery & Balto City Support HB 1185 to end onerous farebox recovery standards at MTA
Form One Less Car:
HB 1185 – MTA Efficiency and Performance Standards – SUPPORT
Currently the State of Maryland dictates that 40% of all Maryland Transit Administration operating funds must come from what is collected in fares on buses, light rail, Baltimore Metro and MARC. To meet this rather high farebox recovery measure (most metro areas have lower farebox recovery standards or none at all), fares are often raised and services are routinely cut. This is a vicious circle.
HB 1185 repeals the farebox recovery requirement in current law and replaces it with a host of more appropriate and nationally accepted transit performance measures (i.e. operating expenses per revenue vehicle mile, operating expenses per passenger trip, and passenger trips per revenue vehicle mile).
Passage of this bill will allow MTA to better implement services that have lower farebox recovery rates – such as neighborhood shuttles and bus service to growing suburban employment locations – that would otherwise have a beneficial impact for the traveling public, the environment, and the economy.
HB 1185 is also supported by the Citizens Planning & Housing Association, the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, the Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association and the Action Committee for Transit of Montgomery County.
Continue reading “Montgomery & Balto City Support HB 1185 to end onerous farebox recovery standards at MTA”
Help Needed from our P.G. and Montgomery friends to pass HB 667
HB 667 Manslaughter by Vehicle or vessel – Criminal Negligence. SUPPORT. Increases the penalty for negligent motorists who cause the death of another person.
Unfortunately, Maryland is a great state for reckless and negligent motorists. Unless you are drunk or drugged – or actually trying to murder someone – its highly unlikely that you would ever pay more than a $500 fine for killing a person with your car.
The reason for this? Maryland applies a very high (and increasingly unusual) standard of "gross negligence" to cases where a person’s reckless driving causes the death of another.
HB 667 would remedy this problem by creating the crime of "Manslaughter by Vehicle". It would give a fine and jail time to someone who causes a death as the result of the person’s reckless and negligent driving. This bill would put Maryland in line with over thirty other states that have the same law.
Right now HB 667 has the support of a diverse group including the Maryland States Attorneys Association, AAA Mid Atlantic, and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Still, it could languish in the Judiciary Committee if we don’t make our voices heard. So, if you live in the areas represented by the Delegates below, PLEASE send them an email or call their office and tell them to support HB 667.
Continue reading “Help Needed from our P.G. and Montgomery friends to pass HB 667”
Cardin
A short excerpt from Delegate Jon Cardin