Biking in Baltimore
by washcycle
From NBC4
A young man was hospitalized in critical condition
after he was shot in the head while riding a bike though Marvin Gaye Park in Northeast.The shooting happened just
after 1 p.m. Tuesday, close to the park entrance at Fitch Place and
Division Avenue.So far, police have neither a motive nor a suspect.
From the location it’s hard to tell if this was on the road or on the trail through Marvin Gaye Park.
from Commute by Bike by Bike Shop Girl
Commute By Bike isn’t only about commuting to and from your work place. It is anytime you chose your bicycle over a car, or other form of transportation, to get from point A to point B. You could be commuting for many different reasons. The library, groceries and school are three top reasons that are often mentioned behind commuting to work.
Children come in play with these reasons, and others. Maybe you are one of the forward thinking parents that take their children to work everyday by bike, or to the library. I nod my head to you as you are not only improving today’s congestion but teaching your children healthy living habits. There are many different ways to have your child tag along for the ride and today I’ll be covering my favorite ways to carry your child on or behind your bike.
One of the most affordable ways to take your child on a bike trip with you is a bike mounted seat. There are different varieties of these including the rear mounted ones that mount directly to a special rear rack or there are the ones that mount in front of you.
One of the most popular that I have seen over the years, and normally your local bike shop carries a variety of child seats in stock. Another popular brand is the Co-Pilot Taxi & Limo series. These seats range from $100-150 depending on brand and features.
I haven’t personally installed an iBert, but world renowned mountain biker Tinker Juarez has his son in one all the time. Your child is now within eye sight and you have them safely tucked between your arms. This is also one of the most affordable styles at there at $95.
Pros: Child close to you for ease, you feel safer and the child may feel more comfortable being within arms reach. Prices for seats start around $95.
Cons: If the bike tips over, as does the child. Getting on and off the bike with the child on board requires a great deal of skill. The child is exposed to the elements. Weight limit of 40-55 lbs.
The bike trailer is by far my favorite way to carry a child with a bike. I am biased towards the bike trailer, even over my beloved Xtracycle that is next up. You’re able to carry up to two children in most popular trailers. They often come with a mesh sun cover, and rain fly. Put snacks, a book and a pillow in the trailer for the child and keep them entertained. For safety there is a 5 point harness, roll cage and a pivot point near the bike so if your bike was to tip over the trailer doesn’t quickly follow. (It is possible to tip a trailer, but not as easy as the child seats.)
The tried and trued Burley trailer has been around for years. If you remember I am reviewing the Travoy which carries belongings, not children. Starting at $249.99 for the basic Burley Bee that holds two children. There are many models between, but the Burley line ends at the Burley Cub at $589.99. This is the do all trailer, converting into a jogger or stroller. If you purchase this at the right time in your child’s life, you won’t need any other type of stroller unit. I’ve heard stories of people taking these to Disney Land as two children can be tucked away under the mesh sunscreen. Pack your snacks, groceries or pocket book behind the children in the storage space available.
*One of our sponsors, BikeKidShop.com and BikeTrailerShop, are having a sale starting May 15th on Burley trailers (including cargo and the new Travoy!)
Pro’s : High weight limit, able to use in other parts of daily life, child is safe from user error
Con’s : The child is 3+ feet behind you, trailers are low to the ground so a blinky light and large flag are highly encouraged
Popout
The Xtracycle is the vehicle of choice of skilled bike commuters carrying large cargo or children. Many people have made their own versions of carrying children, but Xtracycle does have the Peapod. You are able to haul tons of groceries, and a couple children easily.
Pros : Capacity, expandable, ease of use.
Cons: Cost, addiction
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I wish it weren’t so, but the numbers are compelling; this is a very real and very dangerous problem. In the Syracuse, NY, area, our pilot enforcement project cited 2,300 drivers texting or using a hand-held cell phone during the first 10 days alone. Our Hartford, CT, pilot reported similar numbers. Those are just two communities. Multiply that out across the country, and the math is simply staggering.
Kari Galassi and Jodi Brubaker of Hinsdale, Illinois, are two moms who saw the problem and began selling a tan-colored car window sign with “Get off the phone” over a marked out cell
phone image. “It always irritated me,” Brubaker said, “that you could see so many drivers paying more attention to their phones than the road.”
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Continue reading “Ordinary Americans doing extraordinary work in the call to end distracted driving”
Our dysfunctional love affair with cars is actually an abusive relationship:
o They keep us from being healthy by locking us up inside, unable to move around, and preventing us from directly communicating with other humans outside – we suffer in silence..
o Every day, they threaten to hurt, maim or kill us unless we behave the way they want us to….
o They take our money using all kinds of excuses and never give it back
o They are loud and obnoxious, making lots of aggressive noises and movements while also annoying the neighbors.
o They act out their bullying behaviors such as sneaking up and dangerously following their intended victims or use threatening motions such as closely passing by or cutting you off suddenly.
o They block you in, preventing you from moving about freely, sometimes even being forced to just sit there – staring you down….
o They’re alcoholics, incessantly drinking ethanol laced gas while forcing others to breath their resulting car farts …..yuck…
– GC
The e-mail below is from a senior (17 year old) from Glenelg Country School who has taken the initiative to try to improve road safety for cycling in the County. BAHC has been working with the County at our Bicycling Advisory Group (BAG) Meetings on improving planning as a key component in developing a safer environment for cycling. But often a dedicated student may be able to have more impact on County decision makers than we ‘mature’ cyclists.
The Facebook page she established and her survey are intended to support development of a Howard County Bicycling Master Plan. I encourage all of you to take the survey and to “like” the group on Facebook
The Facebook group is: ‘HoCo for a Bicycle Master Plan’ https://www.facebook.com/pages/HoCo-for-a-Bicycle-Master-Plan/118337214856355
Ten question survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M36K9MQ
Please ensure that this gets out to Club and other listserves:
Continue reading “Howard County Cyclists support the Bicycling Master Plan”
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Here at DOT we support the First Lady’s efforts wholeheartedly, and we’re particularly interested in the report’s Chapter V: Increasing Physical Activity, which includes a section on “The Built Environment.”
We know that our “all-digital-all-the-time world” doesn’t always encourage us to live the healthiest lives we can. That’s why we’re working hard to make it easier for Americans to walk or bike safely in their communities. And when kids see that more adults are choosing to walk or bike, they are more likely to exercise healthier transportation options.
And walking and biking aren’t just good for our health; they’re good
for our environment, and they’re ways of getting around that Americans have said they want.
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Continue reading “Look what US DOT considers transportation users”
Bike to fight Climate Change
40% of urban travel is 2 miles or less
90% of those trips are by car.
You can help by logging in your bike miles for your favorite team, You can help the Gold team, the Alliance for Biking and Walking (my personal pick) or the Red team, Trips for Kids that helps youth at risk or the Blue team, Alliance for Climate Education that educates millions of high school students and helps kick start climate projects.
Some great causes and a great way to help out.
Continue reading “Clif Bar 2 mile chalange”
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — Baltimore County said it plans to increase the safety of pedestrians by ticketing the very people it’s trying to protect.
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They’ve currently put a road initiative into place targeting both drivers and pedestrians.
"Watch out for pedestrians, and be careful at crosswalks and crossways," said Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson during the announcement.
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So far this year, the county has investigated eight fatal pedestrian accidents. Johnson said the county had 18 pedestrian fatalities last year.
"The pedestrian was at fault in 82 percent of these cases," he said.
Some who agree with the police initiative said they believe there need to be more crossing areas.
"In some cases, it’s a mile from one traffic signal to another. People with baby carriages and groceries aren’t going to walk a half-mile in one direction to one," said Sen. Delores Kelley, D-Baltimore County.
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Continue reading “Thank you WBAL for the first news coverage of both drivers and pedestrians.”
TheNewYorkTimes — July 20, 2009 — Most people are aware of the dangers of trying to multitask while driving, but most continue to do it anyway. …
