Month: February 2009

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I Dream of Denver

By David Brooks
Those dreams have been aroused over the past few months. The economic crisis has devastated the fast-growing developments on the far suburban fringe. Americans now taste the bitter fruit of their overconsumption.
The time has finally come, some writers are predicting, when Americans will finally repent. They’ll move back to the urban core. They will ride more bicycles, have smaller homes and tinier fridges and rediscover the joys of dense community — and maybe even superior beer.
America will, in short, finally begin to look a little more like Amsterdam.
Well, Amsterdam is a wonderful city, but Americans never seem to want to live there. And even now, in this moment of chastening pain, they don’t seem to want the Dutch option.
The Pew Research Center just finished a study about where Americans would like to live and what sort of lifestyle they would like to have. The first thing they found is that even in dark times, Americans are still looking over the next horizon. Nearly half of those surveyed said they would rather live in a different type of community from the one they are living in at present.
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Continue reading “I Dream of Denver”

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Bill protects ‘vulnerable’ road users

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Under Ellis’ bill, co-authored by state Sen. John Carona, D-Dallas, drivers would have to get out of a traffic lane used by a vulnerable road user if another is available. Motorists should pass them at a "safe distance" of more than 3 feet if the motorist is in a car or light truck. Six feet would be considered safe for heavy trucks or commercial vehicles. Seven states, including Arizona, Florida and Oklahoma have similar laws on their books, according to Ellis’ office.
The bill also would require drivers making left turns at intersections to yield to bicyclists or other road users approaching in the opposite direction. Motorists also would be barred from intimidating or harassing bicyclists and pedestrians and would be prohibited from opening a vehicle door that interferes with their ride or walk.
"Everyone is affected by this bill," Wang said, "because everyone has been broken down by the side of the road before. … No one has the right to harass you or throw things at you."
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Continue reading “Bill protects ‘vulnerable’ road users”

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House Bill 1197 – needs your support and testimony

[From Jon Morrison]
All

Del Carr introduced House Bill 1197 last week. https://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb1197.htm
I will be in Annapolis Thursday before and after the 3 foot passing hearing, seeking additional sponsors for HB 1197 – it would help immensely if you would reach out to your delegates and get the to support the bill, let them know I’ll be stopping by (and let me know if they have a preferred time) and then let me know who I should see!

In the bill draft – [bracketed is proposed removal] BOLD is proposed addition to current law
11-104 – removes configuration restriction for 3 wheeled cycle
21-101 – permits bikes on shoulders
21-304 – allows bikes to pass on shoulders
21-501.1 – permits cyclists to use crosswalks
21-1205.1 – removes the mandatory use requirement for shoulders.
Continue reading “House Bill 1197 – needs your support and testimony”

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Too Many Cars

A car built in 2009 belches out 90 percent less tailpipe pollution as one built in the 1960s. But the net benefits to the atmosphere have not materialized, explains Global Warming blogger Emily Gertz, because the average "vehicle miles" driven per person has tripled. So making cars more environmentally friendly isn’t enough: we also need to transform the way cities are built.
Continue reading “Too Many Cars”

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A Smart Growth Future for Maryland

While I would like to see the words bicycle or bicycling in this bill (HB 1116/SB 878) it does
* Strive for less traffic congestion and more transportation choices, as measured by a reduction in vehicle miles traveled;
and additionally
* Provide a greater percentage of new homes affordable to working families;
* Create more jobs near transit stations and in communities that need them most;
* Ensure that the water in our creeks, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay is clean and healthy for fish, crabs and people
Continue reading “A Smart Growth Future for Maryland”

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13 Scary Facts about Global Warming

A FEW FACTS

35% — Increase in the global carbon
dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels since the
Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1992.

34% — Percentage that 2008’s Arctic
seasonal sea ice melt outpaced normal levels.

$427 million — Amount spent by
the oil and coal industries in the first six months of 2008 in
political contributions, lobbying expenditures and advertising
to oppose climate action.

See all 13 Frightening
Facts.

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This page intentionally left blank

This space is dedicated to a bike related project that has died. Though the original dream has made the press both here and in the printed media, the process of its demise is something those behind the project have kept to themselves. It maybe true that the demise may be a simple and logical Governmental mechanics issue (too expensive) and that is that but there is more to the story in that this project does not have to be as expensive as it is especially if they follow what other cities have done.
I am an optimist, I believe someday we will have the power to do reasonably cool things with and for bicyclists but that will only happen with the involvement of Government and its citizens. The days of backroom deal making were never really ours to enjoy so I do not understand why some groups and individuals take the lone warrior tactic, especially when the outcome results in a blank page.