Month: July 2008

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Rally for the River – Celebrate the Jones Falls

Sunday, September 21st from 8am-2pm – a benefit for the JFWA

Rally for the River takes place on the closed northbound lanes of I-83 (JFX), from President Street to Northern Parkway. Our 9th Rally for the River" (formerly known as the Jones Falls Valley Celebration) is a day-long family event celebrating the rich history and natural beauty of the Jones Falls river and stream valley – and the connections between Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay. Experience the Jones Falls Expressway – minus 40,000 cars! Walk or run…pedal a bike…push a stroller. Join thousands of fun-lovers for the metro region’s largest gathering of conservation-minded individuals.

Free parking and main entrance ramp will be at the Poly/Western parking lot at Cold Spring Lane and Falls Road. Reduce your carbon footprint – carpool, take public transit, or ride your bike to the event. Exit ramps south of Cold Spring Lane will also be open for paid entry, foot and bicycle traffic. No parking will be available at these locations.

NEW ACTIVITIES
• Skateboarding competition
• Organized bike activity
• Native plant nurseries, earth-friendly vendors
• Children’s activities

RETURNING FAVORITES
• World famous frog race with cash prizes!
• Boating – bring your own kayak or canoe, or partner with us on a boat and a buddy
Continue reading “Rally for the River – Celebrate the Jones Falls”

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No New Nukes

On July 17, Maryland PIRG released a new report showing that clean energy is a faster, cheaper, safer, and more reliable choice to power Maryland’s energy future than nuclear power.
The report comes in advance of Public Service Commission hearings in August at which the Commission will gather public input about the proposed nuclear reactor.
Maryland PIRG and the Chesapeake Safe Energy Coalition are hosting an open meeting on August 12 in Baltimore to collect public comments that will be entered into the PSC record.
How You Can Help
Attend a Public Meeting to Voice Your Opinion on the Proposed Nuclear Reactor
Join us for an open meeting in Baltimore to make your voice heard. Comments collected at the meeting will be delivered to MD PSC for inclusion in the public record.
WHEN:Tuesday, August 12 from 6:30-7:45pm
WHERE: Enoch Pratt Free Library – Poe Room, 400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore MD 21201
Continue reading “No New Nukes”

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Bike theft attempt

[From the Bike Hon list]
Just a heads up for area cyclists re. a bike theft attempt on Thurs., July 24,in north central Balto..

This past Thurs. about 10:30 pm I was biking eastward on 33rd. in front of Eastern HS/now a Hopkins office bldg. across from Stadium Place and a little east of the YMCA. I was on the sidewalk because my taillight wasn’t working (generally there’s very little foot traffic there), and it was out of the way of any fast moving vehicles. When I looked ahead, I suddenly saw a young man running towards me in the middle of the sidewalk. I kept biking towards him with the hope he’d get out of the way. The next thing that happened was he threw his elbow to my head striking my right cheekbone. The hedge on to the right of the sidewalk broke my fall. I got up, my cheek had swollen already, to find a smaller boy, about 15, between me and my bike which was guarded by my assailant, who was about 6 ft. and 17 yrs. He said "I want your bike," which seemed like an odd statement. In retrospect, I think he was having difficulty moving the bike–I believe the wheel got twisted around and the brakes jammed in the collision. Meanwhile I saw 2 other kids running from the Stadium Place side near Ednor, so the odds were going south. Fortunately,within seconds along came a police car which stopped with the officer immediately getting out and approaching me. The policeman said he first saw the kids and the bike, but when he saw me emerge from behind the hedge he knew something was up. When he stopped the kids fled…without my bike. Two other cars showed up pretty quickly along with an EMT vehicle. They offered to take me to the hospital, but indicated is was a small cut which they cleaned, so I didn’t think it seemed necessary. We searched along 33rd and in the area between the Alameda and Harford Road–Homestead/Coldspring neighborhood. I couldn’t recognize any suspects.

I’ve since gotten a new taillight and will probably change my route (maybe 39th and 36th St. behind Stadium Place enroute to Northwood) and start using an older bike. I heard a few people tell me they’ve heard of 3-4 other bike robbery attempts. So stay alert, carry your cell phone–if you have one, a whistle and not too much else and travel with a friend if possible.

Safe biking,
– DS

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Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Seeks Input on Amendments to Long-Range Transportation Plan

[Note: The metro area has some nice plans for bikes but little to no funding to implement them, this has to change! We need to get this stuff off paper and on the ground!]

July 30, 2008 (Baltimore, MD) – When the Maryland General Assembly passed a revenue enhancement package during the recent special session, it left the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) with a problem we’d all like to have – what to do with extra money. Now the BRTB is looking to the region’s citizens for advice.

The revenue enhancement package is expected to produce nearly $340 million more over the next 20 years than the BRTB budgeted in Transportation Outlook 2035, the region’s long-range transportation plan. In response to public input and amid concerns about escalating costs, the BRTB has determined that additional funds for capital expansion should be directed toward a combination of short- and long-term transit projects.

"Our transportation network is a crucial element in our region’s quality of life," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, the BRTB Chair. "Our citizens feel the pinch at the gas pump, and suffer the consequences of increasing traffic congestion. There is growing concern about dependence on fossil fuels and the emissions that contribute to air pollution. It only makes sense to give citizens an opportunity to share not only their concerns, but their suggestions for improving our transportation network, at the beginning of the process."
Continue reading “Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Seeks Input on Amendments to Long-Range Transportation Plan”

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Harford Keeping Pace Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

Wow, what a great turnout for the ’08 Bike to Work Day on
May 16! Despite the torrential rains, nearly 85 of the
record number of 171 registrants participated. I am happy
to announce that Harford County has kept its “title” as the
second largest rally in the Baltimore region. For the past
two years we have more than doubled the number of
registrants and are confident, with your support, that this
trend will continue. In this edition, you will find highlights of
the rally and some really great photographs from the
soggy morning event.

There are other growing trends in the cycling world as
well. Since the price of gas has topped the $4 a gallon
mark, many folks are rethinking the use of their bicycles to
commute to work. This is a good news/bad news kind of
situation. It’s great that more people are taking their bikes
out, riding them, getting their exercise, reducing pollution
and traffic congestion, and saving the environment. But
more bikes mean more accidents. For many it has been a
long time since they have ridden a bike and they really
could benefit from a “bike mentor” to help them brush up
on their safety skills.

If you want to learn more about bike safety, or want to
sharpen your cycling skills, check out the Harford County
Commuter Assistance Website at
www.harfordcountymd.gov/commuter/ to contact a
mentor. You might even want to sign up to become a
mentor. Contact us. We welcome all the help we can get.

Pat Fielder
Harford County Commuter Assistance Program
Continue reading “Harford Keeping Pace Newsletter”

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Cyclist at fault for not taking the lane

Addendum: PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WERE IN A BIKE CRASH WITH AN UNJUST OUTCOME. WE CAN"T CHANGE THE LAWS IF WE DON’T HAVE EXAMPLES HOW THE CURRENT LAWS ARE NOT WORKING. THANKS.

The following is from "Sharing the Streets: Bike Safety" a Washington Post Discussion:
_______________________

Baltimore, Md: My boyfriend was recently side swiped by a car on Charles Street in Baltimore. (He is okay.) He was riding with traffic on a one way road with parked cars on both sides. He exchanged info with the driver only to discover that her insurance would not accept fault because he was riding closer to the parked cars and not "in the lane." Can you offer any advice?

Eric Gilliland: I’d consult the MD traffic code and consult with a lawyer. In all cases involving a crash between a driver and a cyclist we recommend reporting it to the police. Without a ticket, blame cannot be assigned and it makes recovering any damages nearly impossible. Whether the police will make a proper call on the crash is another story.
Continue reading “Cyclist at fault for not taking the lane”

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Driver Kills Radford Cyclist, Merely Loses License Temporarily

– July 27th, 2008 by Matt O’Toole
Fess Green was a friend of mine, so this is difficult to write about. He died April 29 from injuries received in an accident April 23, when 20 year old Ryan Sherman failed to yield to oncoming traffic and made a left turn across Fess’s path.
Ryan Sherman had a history of recklessness behind the wheel — driving too fast for road conditions, and driving “outside restrictions on his license.” (In other words, he probably drove anyway while his license was suspended.) But despite this history, after killing a man, Ryan Sherman received only another temporary suspension of his license, and had to pay only $1500 of a $2500 fine. I am speechless.
Continue reading “Driver Kills Radford Cyclist, Merely Loses License Temporarily”

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Free Mediative walk around the Reservoir in Druid Hill Park Thursday, Aug 7th 6-8 p.m.

Hi All,
If you are looking to do something a little different,come and spend a few peaceful moments in Druid Hill. All are welcome.
Come to a Free Meditative Walk in the park. Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. in Druid Hill Park around the Reservoir and along the Jones Falls hiking/bike path
The Qigong Walk is part of Conscious Movement Across America, a grass-roots approach to self-healing and healing our communities through arts like Tai Chi and Qigong. The Tao Brothers are Accem Scott and Michael Clark, a bi-racial teaching team that aims to bring health, wellness and fellowship to all Americans across racial, economic and religious boundaries. ( www.tao-brothers.com or 828-280-7287)

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BLUMENAUER TO ANNOUNCE "BIKE-PARTISAN" CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT BIKE-SHARING AT CONVENTIONS

***MEDIA ALERT***
BLUMENAUER TO ANNOUNCE "BIKE-PARTISAN" CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT BIKE-SHARING AT CONVENTIONS
Representatives Pedal Bike-Sharing Challenge to Delegates and Convention-Goers: 10,000 Rides and 25,000 Miles!
WHO: – Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
– Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN)
– Rep. Thomas Petri (R-WI)
– Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN)
WHAT: Reps. Blumenauer, Oberstar, Petri and Wamp will host a news conference to announce a "bike-partisan" challenge at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions as part of a new bike sharing program.
Humana Inc. and the not-for-profit Bikes Belong are bringing 1,000 free bikes to the political conventions as part of Freewheelin, a bike sharing initiative whereby bikes and bike stations are set up throughout the city for people to use for short trips. Bike sharing is a good for the body, the environment and the wallet.
As part of Freewheelin, the Congressmen are challenging delegates and all convention-goers to get on a bike and, collectively, participate in 10,000 bicycle rides and tally up 25,000 miles.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
10:00 a.m.
WHERE: U.S. Capitol (West Lawn)
WHY: Amassing 25,000 miles of cycling would burn more than one million calories and significantly reduce the carbon footprint in Denver and Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The challenge will also play a vital role in helping alleviate traffic congestion and transportation costs for the duration of the conventions.