Continue reading “City press release: Mountain Biking at City Reservoirs”
DC Bike Commuting Documentary
Pedal Power Final Cut from Mike Kurec on Vimeo.
Off-road bikers have rangers on watch
By Candus Thomson – Baltimore Sun
Ribbons of hard-packed dirt with nicknames like Sam’s Grave, Seminary Loop and Ewok stitch the woods around Loch Raven Reservoir, a training ground for world-champion mountain bikers and urban warriors for more than a decade.
But city officials want to halt off-road use by bikers and others trying to reach the water’s edge, saying the activity increases erosion and runoff into the reservoir and makes water treatment more expensive.
Six watershed rangers have been hired this year with seven more on the way whose duties include enforcing a 10-year-old policy that requires bikers to stay on maintained fire roads. Rangers have issued several $100 tickets for late-night riding as well as countless warnings, which, in turn, have generated hundreds of protest e-mails to City Hall.
"It’s an outdated management plan that they’re trying to enforce," said Eric Crawford, a spokesman for the 600-member Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE). "It’s a little obsessive and a little bit off the mark. They’ve never revisited it, and they should."
Today, 10 City Council members will request a public hearing for early next year to start talks between officials, members of MORE and the International Mountain Biking Association that could lead to a compromise on access. Meanwhile, preliminary discussions between the riders and city officials have been scheduled for Monday.
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Continue reading “Off-road bikers have rangers on watch”
Proposed Bike Program in Annapolis needs a moment of your time
[From our mail bag:]
Pardon the interruption.
Can everyone please take a few minutes and sign up to vote (three times per email address) for a Revolution Kids project in Annapolis that supports Bicycling opportunities?
Vote on this page: https://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects/72
All projects: https://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects
It’ll be a fight to the finish for a small pot of money so Annapolis can use your support.
Pass it on!
City Council is introducing 8 (good) bike-related laws
In making Baltimore a more livable community, the City Council is introducing 8 bike-related laws tomorrow at City Hall
https://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/AGENDA/la_agenda_draft_20091210.html
Attendance is encouraged!
the baltimore bicycling manual
the baltimore bicycling manual is full of easy-to-read practical advice intended for new bicyclists in charm city, or those who are considering the bicycle as a hobby, occasional ride, commute, or regular mode of transportation.
included is advice on best practices during inclement weather and night-time riding, suggested equipment, types of bikes you might consider, and even suggestions on taking long-distance bike rides.
all that, and it’s a brief and accessible read…not to mention free.
you can download the baltimore bicycling manual here.
The Myth of the Urban Driving Shoppers
Waterkeepers move on MDE
The Maryland Waterkeepers have petitioned the EPA to pull Maryland’s authority to administer the Clean Water Act. This move is primarily about the NPDES discharge permits for industrial operations and other point sources. The second major action against Maryland in a year, this points out that the environmental and development (what’s left of it in this economy) communities have something in common: Frustration with the Maryland Department of the Environment. Hate to say it, as we certainly have friends at MDE – but maybe it is time for some real culture change…
Continue reading “Waterkeepers move on MDE”
‘Cities for Cycling’ could have huge impact on bikeway innovation
An exciting new coalition of America’s largest cities has joined together to push for more innovative bikeway design guidelines. Cities for Cycling, which will formally launch in Washington D.C. on December 8th, will look to break the shackles of rigid federal roadway design guidelines that have long had a stifling impact on bikeway innovation in the United States.
The new coalition was the brainchild of two Portlanders — former city bike coordinator and now planning consultant Mia Birk and current City of Portland Traffic Engineer Rob Burchfield. The impetus comes from a realization that current federal design guidelines for bikeway development are outdated and incomplete.
The goal of Cities for Cycling is to provide support for urban transportation planners looking for guidance in building the next generation of bikeway networks — guidance that the highway-oriented federal government is not willing to provide. The coalition will also create a new manual of bikeway designs that includes technical information and best practices gleaned from what has proven to work in the world’s most bike friendly cities.
Continue reading “‘Cities for Cycling’ could have huge impact on bikeway innovation”
Walking, Biking Good for You and the Planet: Study
Pedestrians and cyclists should be made king of the urban jungle, according to an international study showing the big benefits of "mass active travel."
[(flickr photo by Smart Trips used under Creative Commons license)](flickr photo by Smart Trips used under Creative Commons license)
It suggests money should be diverted way from roads to make walking and cycling "the most direct, convenient, and pleasant options for most urban trips." Pedestrians and bikers should also get "priority" over cars and trucks at intersections.
The study is one of six reports on the "health dividend" of combating climate change published in the medical journal Lancet Wednesday.
The reports say that enormous changes are needed to slow global warming, but show that reducing carbon dioxide emissions will be good for people’s health. Millions of deaths could be averted by getting people out of cars, breathing cleaner air and eating healthier food.
Public health researchers and leaders issued the reports in a bid to get the message across to world leaders and negotiators heading to next month’s climate talks in Copenhagen.
"Sadly, policy-makers have been slow to recognize that the real bottom line of climate change is its risk to human health and quality of life," Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, says in a commentary with the studies.
Continue reading “Walking, Biking Good for You and the Planet: Study”