[I’ll note, that I have to seriously question the wisdom of using a 5 ton military vehicle over a motorcycle cop for crowd and cross street traffic control.]
By TheAthletesLawyer
On the way home from work this evening I was saddened by the news of a biker killed just blocks from the White House. Washington, D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical personnel revealed that a female bicyclist was dead after being hit by a moving motor vehicle in downtown D.C. this afternoon.
WTOP News reported that the accident occurred around 6 PM at the intersection of 12th Street and New York Avenue in NorthWest Washington, D.C. This is an intersection within the restricted area for the Nuclear Security Summit. A D.C. National Guard spokesman says the vehicle that struck the woman was a five-ton military truck. The truck was pulling into the intersection to block it off for a motorcade and failed to see the woman aboard her bike.
Military vehicles have different site lines in comparison to civilian cars and trucks. Army vehicles designed for desert warfare or rough terrain may have “blind spots” that are different than those experienced in passenger cars and pick up trucks. Perhaps when National Guard vehicles are recruited to provide security in civilian settings with high pedestrian and bicycling volumes, it would be safer to realign and/or add mirrors and site lines in accordance with US city street and foreseeable road users.
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Continue reading “Bicyclist killed blocks from White House in downtown D.C. accident with Military truck”
Bike and pedestrian planning in the suburbs
By Richard Layman
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The same thing has come up in the context of the citizen workshops that we have been holding for the Western Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Plan that I am the project manager for, in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Now I know that the next two meetings are likely to have far more bicycling advocates in attendance, because those meetings are in places where there are some significant bicycle facilities present (the North Central Railroad Trail in northern Baltimore County in District 3, and in District 1 the various trails of the Catonsville Rails to Trails group and in the Patapsco Valley State Park, not to mention nearby trails BWI and the Baltimore & Annapolis).
Still, I am constantly taking in and interpreting and synthesizing and reformulating the information, the interactions I encounter during the process.
What I think we will end up proposing is (1) responding to people’s desires for sidewalk improvements; (2) but at the same time prioritizing the development of 1-2 off-road multi-user trails in each district; (3) as well as the development of a focused set (critical mass) of bicycle facilities improvements. Together (2) and (3) can be grown outward and can connect to other districts across the county and other jurisdictions in the region, and lay the path for the development of a more complete bicycle facilities infrastructure in Baltimore County.
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Part of the reason that the polls don’t favor bicycle facilities improvements is that the typical resident–suburban or urban–isn’t familiar with bicycling anymore and doesn’t know many people who do it. So of course they aren’t going to prioritize biking improvements as a matter of course.
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Continue reading “Bike and pedestrian planning in the suburbs”
MD SHA Revised Guidelines for Rumble Strips: Comments needed!
[Baltimore Spokes: This is just sad that I get to hear about this from Delaware cyclists. Way to go MDOT on involving MD key stakeholders, not!]
Responding to Bike Delaware concerning cyclist-unfriendly rumble strips on Rt.273 – a very popular bike route for northern Delaware and Cecil County cyclists – Maryland’s State Highway Administration presented us this “Revised Interim Draft“ (pdf). If you are disappointed with the current design, such as the spacing between the rumble strip and the white line, and how they follow the breakdown lane striping to a pinch, or provide few if any openings for cyclists to exit, PLEASE take a few moments to review this new policy.Among other excerpts from the draft:
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“Along expressways where bicycles are expressly permitted to travel and along other highways where shoulder rumble strips are desirable, the accommodation of bicyclists must be considered”.
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“Where the outside shoulder is less than five feet in width: The installation of rumble strips is to be coordinated with the Bicycle Coordinator within the Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering, who will provide the needed coordination with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee”.
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“Although safety is maximized by continuous rumble strips, for highways where the posted speed limit is less than 55 mph, gaps for bicyclists shall be installed”.
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“Transverse rumble strips should not be placed on roadways used by bicyclists unless a minimum clear path of 4 feet is provided at each edge of the roadway or each paved shoulder as described in AASHTO’s “Guide to the Development of Bicycle Facilities”.
This new draft, when accepted, will be used when implementing along other MD highways in the future. So if you enjoy riding in Maryland, please review and email your comments to cschreiber@sha.state.md.us
Continue reading “MD SHA Revised Guidelines for Rumble Strips: Comments needed!”
Some Ride on Annapolis coverage [video]
By By CHRIS GORDON – NBC
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On the last day of the legislative session, a large group of cyclists rode into Annapolis in a show of support for a safety bill one week after fellow cyclist Larry Bensky was killed on the road. His wife Tamara went to tell lawmakers his story.
"Last Tuesday when he was riding his bike on an open road on a beautiful afternoon, with no oncoming traffic, someone hit him from behind at a rate of speed at which killed him instantly," she said.
For five years, cyclists have been trying to get a law passed requiring motorists to give them 3 feet of passing distance.
"You know if that law was in place and that driver knew that that law was in place and followed it, my husband would be here," Bensky said.
Continue reading “Some Ride on Annapolis coverage “
New Legislation May Make More Room For Cyclists
Reporting Alex DeMetrick
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
It was a coincidence no one wanted, but the death last week of a bicyclist in Baltimore County is giving new emphasis to legislation that would make more room for cyclists.
Alex DeMetrick reports a police escort was brought in to make room for dozens [X 4] of cyclists traveling from Baltimore to Annapolis. It was a journey with two purposes. First, it was a memorial ride for one of their own, but it was also last minute lobbying for a bill that might help keep other riders safe.
"Larry Bensky was killed on Butler Road last Tuesday at 4:30 in the afternoon," said bicyclist John Kelly. "It’s a sad occasion and we want to remember that but we also want to take the opportunity to promote safer riding."
The legislation would make it illegal for cars to come any closer than three feet when passing a cyclist.
For roads not wide enough to allow three feet between passing cars and bikes, the existing rule still applies: a car may pass only when it is safe to do so.
Continue reading “New Legislation May Make More Room For Cyclists”
Short One Less Car Legislative Update
Today was the final day of the 2010 Maryland legislative session. Over 85 bicyclists rode to Annapolis today in memory and honor of Lawrence Bensky, 43, of Owings Mills, who died on April 6 while riding his bicycle on Butler Road in Baltimore County. This is a rural road that I and many of the attendees bike on frequently. Many supportive Delegates joined me in addressing the crowd of cyclists.
On a different note – it is time to celebrate! I returned from Annapolis a few hours ago where FOUR significant Bike/Ped/Transportation bills passed! The following bills are on the way to the Governor’s Office for his signature:
· SB624 – Shoulder Rule bill
· SB51 – 3 Foot bill
· HB 1155 – Transportation Transparency bill
· HB 282 – Funding for Bike/Ped Access bill
I will produce a list of those Delegates and Senators (Cardin, Carr, Lafferty, Raskin, McIntosh, Malone, Pena-Melnyk and more) we will want to thank for their support of these important bike safety and bike/ped funding bills. A call or email from a constituent is a BIG deal to them – a few minutes of your time can make a big difference. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed testimony, contacted a Delegate, advocated for this cause and helped to make this happen.
We must remember Larry and work together during the 2011 General Assembly session to make Maryland a safer place to live, work and play.
In the next few months I will develop the One Less Car legislative agenda for the 2011 General Assembly session. A few items of interest are:
• Strengthening the new 3 foot rule
• Strong focus on the manslaughter by vehicle bill
• Introducing a bill to increase tax credits for bicyclists
• Reintroduce the accident vs. crash bill
• There will be more to add to this list and your legislative assistance is appreciatively accepted.
To learn more about One Less Car events, volunteer opportunities and our legislative agenda please visit www.onelesscar.org and go to the contact header.
Thank you all and please spread the word!
Carol Silldorff
Executive Director
One Less Car
I don’t get it.
[Maybe they should crack down on pedestrians lawfully crossing the road as impeding traffic???]
By Harryc
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Thanks to everybody who got out yesterday and even to those who could not due to work constraints, and there were many. I often become complacent and morose about the state of affairs in America, a runaway car culture, increasing disregard for our fellow citizens, a culture that I sometimes see only as an ever growing obese mass of self centered, unenlightened, angry drivers. Tomorrow I felt much better, thanks.
As I was returning to the State House after enjoying a fine and pleasant, well deserved lunch, I was cut off by a guy in a giant SUV who after cutting me off braked hard for some people crossing the street by foot, thankfully. So I rode up next to him as we headed up the street together and politely said "you stopped for them but not for me, why?" His response was this, really. "Can you go 180 mph on that thing?" I said no, of course not. "Well then there is no need for me to watch out for you" Really, that’s what he said, still can’t figure out his logic, something about my presence would in no way impede his progress because he could accelerate faster. I asked him if he knew how much his truck weighed, he said "I know exactly how much it weighs". I asked if he thought his very heavy truck was any match for my 190 lb body and twenty pound bike? Not sure what he said next, perhaps it was too confusing a question, but very politely I wished him a good day, really I did, and I headed back to the State House.
Continue reading “I don’t get it.”
Important – OLC Update
Hello all,
Thanks so much to the organizers and participants of tomorrow’s bike ride from Annapolis to Baltimore in support of the bicycle safety bills!
HB461/SB51, the 3 foot rule, has already passed both the House and Senate floors! One Less Car is pleased that Maryland has finally moved in the direction of promoting bicycle safety. We hope it will be easier to strengthen the 3 foot law next session than it was to get this important bill passed.
Additionally, HB282 – Delegate Pena-Melnyk and Bobo’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Access, Funding and Reporting bill passed both floors!
Tomorrow, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the shoulder rule, HB1193, will be voted upon favorably by the House. This important law already exists in 46 states. I will be in the gallery tomorrow watching the vote. I hope you will join me!
Please take special care as you bicycle tomorrow to follow all laws (stop at stop signs etc.). One of the biggest arguments I heard from Delegates was that bicyclists don’t follow the law. I know the tragic death of Larry Bensky is on our minds and our emotions are strong. Please be as courteous and professional to all Delegates – we won’t be able to pass additional bicycle safety legislation without courtesy and professionalism on our side.
To learn more about bicycle safety initiatives please visit www.onelesscar.org. One Less Car is the only non-profit in Maryland with an active presence in Annapolis promoting bicycle safety legislation. We would greatly appreciate your support now and next session to make Maryland a better place to live, work and bike.
Thank you,
Carol
Carol Silldorff
Executive Director
One Less Car
Kill a cyclist and get zip jail time, put a video up of an out of control cop and you could get 5 years
A Harford County man now faces up to five years in prison after he recorded a bizarre traffic stop last month in Harford County.
Anthony Graber was riding his motorcycle with a camera attached to his helmet recording his ride.
It happened near the Riverside exit of I-95. A Maryland State trooper in an unmarked car pulled over Graber for speeding. The trooper is seen in a YouTube video that Graber posted, jumping out of the car and tells Graber "Get off the motorcycle, get off the motorcycle! Get off the motor cycle, State Police."
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Continue reading “Kill a cyclist and get zip jail time, put a video up of an out of control cop and you could get 5 years”
Release – Bicyclists Will Ride MONDAY to Annapolis in Support of Safer Roads
The Baltimore Bicycle Club
– AND –
The University of Maryland
School of Law
Cycling Club
– For Immediate Release –
Bicyclists to Ride to Annapolis in Memory of Last Week’s Fatal Accident Victim, and To Support Passage of Road Safety Measure
ANNAPOLIS, April 11, 2010 — In memory and honor of a Baltimore County bicyclist who died last week after being struck by a motorist, a group of bicyclists will ride on Monday, April 12, from Baltimore to Annapolis to advocate on behalf of a bill that would make cycling on state roads safer. It is the last day of the 2010 legislative session.
Upon arriving in Annapolis, the riders and other advocates will hold a media availability at noon at Lawyers Mall, between College Ave., State Circle, Government House and the Department of Legislative Services. Afterward, some of the advocates will continue on to the State House to speak on behalf of H.B. 461/S.B. 51.
H.B. 461/S.B. 51 would require motorists to pass bicyclists and other certain road users at a distance of 3 feet in some circumstances. The bill, introduced in the House by Del. Jon Cardin and in the Senate by Sen. Jamie Raskin, had been stalled this year in the House Environmental Matters Committee until its vote Friday to report the bill favorably with an amendment. The bill must still pass the Senate. Attempts to pass laws similar to this have failed in recent years.
Lawrence Bensky, 43, of Owings Mills, died April 6 while riding his bicycle on Butler Road in Baltimore County. The accident remains under investigation. Bensky was married and the father of two children. His wife, Tamara, is among those expected to arrive Monday in support of changes in the law.
Tentative list of riders/supporters who will be available to speak to reporters:
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Tamara Benksy, Lawrence Bensky’s wife
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Harry Campbell, chief organizer of Monday’s ride, The Baltimore Bicycle Club
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Alexander Obriecht – President – Race Pace Bicycles – 5 bicycle retail stores in the Baltimore area
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Marc Lefkowitz, Vice President, Race Pace Bicycles
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John Kelly, of Kelly Benefit Strategies and Kelly Benefit Strategies racing
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Greg Simmons, law student and president, University of Maryland School of Law Cycling Club
Other riders from around the region are expected to join as a public display of support for the Bensky family and safer cycling laws.
Continue reading “Release – Bicyclists Will Ride MONDAY to Annapolis in Support of Safer Roads”