Month: July 2010

Posted on

Herring Run Native Berry Festival

Saturday, July 10, 2010; 12pm-5pm
Location: Herring Run Park, Belair Road & Shannon Drive, 21213

The Herring Run Watershed Association’s annual Berry Festival is back and sweeter than ever! Come on out for live music, BBQ, beer & wine, berries, kids games, local arts & crafts, and lots of information on living la vida local. Other features include a Dessert Contest and a raffle, with the top prize an eco-friendly, battery-powered mower! This event is FREE.

For more information or to register for the Dessert Contest, visit: https://baywatersheds.org/events/berry-festival/

Posted on

Anger mounts over new Forest Heights speed cameras

[B’ Spokes: Gee whiz people, just drive the speed limit already.]
*************************************************************************
from Stop the Maryland Unsafe Driver by Driver
The town is projected to earn about $500,000 from ticket revenues, about 10 percent of its budget. McCutcheon said the revenues can only be spent on public safety, and she hopes to hire a crossing guard for the intersection closest to the camera. The revenues will not be used to fill deficits in the town’s fiscal 2011 budget, she said.
Continue reading “Anger mounts over new Forest Heights speed cameras”

Posted on

Failure to yield to cyclists = no liability

By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel
Allen Belonger’s death is essentially a closed case for Iowa County law enforcement.
No tickets were issued and no criminal charges are being pursued in the crash that killed the 62-year-old bicyclist on July 11.
Fellow members of the Spring City Spinners Bicycle Club are not yet ready for that end.
Their frustration over Belonger’s death and the lack of legal consequences for the driver has sparked a new sense of advocacy.
…
"I’m appalled that there was no ticket," said Laura Fisher, president of the Spring City Spinners. "It sends the message that the cyclists shouldn’t have been out there anyway. It makes me sad and angry at the same time."
According to the sheriff’s reports, the motorist, then 16, turned left in front of Belonger on a rural road in the Town of Hollandale, on the course of the Insane Terrain Challenge Ride. Belonger and two of his fellow Spinners were tackling the 120-mile ride that morning.
The impact with the passenger-side door of the pickup truck killed him almost instantly.
The driver told sheriff’s investigators he had been drinking with his father the night before the crash – about six beers from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Hollandale Fireman’s Picnic – according to the sheriff’s reports. The boy lives in New Berlin but spent last summer in Hollandale. He was turning into a driveway at that home when the crash occurred.
The Journal Sentinel is not naming him because he is a juvenile.
With roughly six hours of sleep, but sober, the driver said he saw Belonger and the other cyclists but underestimated their speed coming south, down the hill toward him.
Initially, a sheriff’s deputy issued the driver a civil ticket for causing injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. When a test showed zero alcohol in his blood, that ticket was dismissed.
Iowa County District Attorney Larry Nelson made his decision not to pursue criminal charges after reviewing the sheriff’s reports and a crash reconstruction prepared by the Wisconsin State Patrol. It appeared that the driver may have been negligent and failed to yield the right of way, but the action did not rise to the threshold of criminal negligence, he said.
Belonger’s speed coming down the hill was one of the factors that weighed into the conclusion, Nelson said.
He was uncertain why the driver was not ticketed for failing to yield the right of way.
Attorney Paul Bucher, who represents the driver and his family, said the youth was not responsible for the fatality and no tickets were warranted.
Much of the blame for the crash falls on Belonger and the ride organizers, Bucher said.
"(The driver) had absolutely no liability in this case," said Bucher, a former Waukesha County district attorney. "(He) was turning into the driveway. The sun was directly in his vision. The individual was pedaling with his head down and didn’t even look up."
According to Bucher, the Insane Terrain ride was promoted as a "speed run," with riders seeking maximum speed on the hills west of Madison. An accident reconstruction estimated Belonger may have approached 60 mph, he said.
Based on the ride Web site, however, the Insane Terrain promotion focused more on the challenge of climbing up the hills rather than speeding down them.
Belonger’s case has generated interest beyond cyclists in the club he joined after moving to Waukesha from Phoenix.
"It makes me sad that a motorist in my state can drive in such a way as to kill another person and get no charges," said Greg Ferguson, a Madison-area cyclist and competitor. "Motorists are too often deadly, and need to pay attention, slow down, and give their full attention to the deadly vehicle they are driving."
…
Continue reading “Failure to yield to cyclists = no liability”

Posted on

Charm City Yoga

FEDERAL HILL – 37 E. Cross Street.
MIDTOWN – 107 E Preston Street.
TOWSON – 7 Allegheny Avenue.
FELLS POINT – 901 Fell Street.

HOW TO BEGIN

Yoga is universal, and anyone can do it – no matter how young or old you are, no matter how unfit you consider yourself. Whether you are a couch-potato or a professional athlete, yoga will help you in so many ways. Your size and fitness level doesn’t matter because yoga adapts to you. The idea is to explore your personal limits, not to strive for pretzel-like perfection or drown in esoteric teachings. We have classes to suit all styles and needs, and if we don’t then we will set up a personal class just for you!

For Beginners we have many drop-in classes AND 5 week Beginner Series at Fells Point, Federal Hill and Towson. These are ideal for those of you new to yoga. LEARN ABOUT BEGINNER SERIES…

"We attended a beginner class last night. It was really a fantastic class. Can’t wait to come back" – KN

REASONS TO TRY YOGA
Looking for exercise that’s easy to study, requires no gear, and soothes your soul? Come to our thriving yoga community and discover for yourself how yoga can help you:
Reduce Stress • Boost Your Energy • Improve Your Flexibility • Lose Weight • Tone Your Body
Continue reading “Charm City Yoga”

Posted on

What’s wrong with quoting AAA?

by David Alpert
…
AAA isn’t quite as honest as all that. Most of their members haven’t intentionally joined an organization that advocates against mass transit and bicycle facilities. Instead, they signed up for an emergency towing service. When Cigna started lobbying on health reform, everyone realized that they were a corporation acting in their own interest, maybe but maybe not the interest of their customers. Yet AAA isn’t treated the same way.
They also say the most outlandish things, or at least AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Lon Anderson does, like that "community connectivity and walkability and minimizing ecological harm" are "gibberish" on the Greater Washington 2025 report, or comparing the Inauguration to the Civil War: "The last time the bridges were closed like this, Lincoln was president and was worried about an invasion by General Lee."
Then there’s Isaac Kramnick, who distorts political philosophy into a drivers-only credo: "What’s happening at this [camera] site is violating the concept of freedom … The automobile is the symbolic icon of freedom." And "Kramnick points to renowned English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who said in 1651 that freedom is the absence of hindrance to motion."
But EdTheRed points out that "What Hobbes meant by freedom of movement was that peasants shouldn’t be tied to the land, not that some d-bag could drive his automobile as fast as he damn well pleases."
Articles that talk about drivers’ pain often include colorful descriptions by the reporters themselves, like Halsey’s lede: "Drivers call it the "free at last" traffic light. After doing the stop-and-go head bobble all the way from downtown, when they reach the light at Bladensburg Road they feel they’ve earned their freedom from the purgatory of New York Avenue."
…
My problem isn’t with AAA’s positions or their fairly effective press operation. My problem is that they get quoted all the time in traffic stories, but no nutjobs on the other side saying something equally insane about how all drivers are evil or something. The only case that comes to mind is Jim Graham calling Maryland drivers the "devil incarnate," but that was reported only because it came from an elected official’s mouth, and Graham came under criticism for it.
…
Continue reading “What’s wrong with quoting AAA?”

Posted on

Md. pastor pedaling 250 miles to benefit camp kids

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — A bicycle-pedaling pastor from western Maryland says there’s a spiritual aspect to his physical exertions.
The Rev. Ed Poling of the Hagerstown Church of the Brethren is setting out Wednesday on a 250-mile bike trip to Pittsburgh.
Poling says that besides marveling at God’s creation, he will raise money during the trip to send more children to summer camp so they, too, can learn to love the great outdoors.
Poling says people can better experience God outdoors by observing wild plants and animals and thinking about their maker.
He says kids who spend most of their time indoors are less inclined to take care of the Earth.
Continue reading “Md. pastor pedaling 250 miles to benefit camp kids”

Posted on

Take precautions when riding bikes

By Bill Smith
Summer is a time when many of us turn to outdoor activities, such as bicycling.
In addition to being a fantastic way to lose weight (and reach, guilt-free, for that extra slice of pizza), bicycling gets people outdoors. A bicycle is an interesting vehicle: Its passenger is also its engine. Best of all, it runs not on petroleum, but on carbohydrates and fat.
Let’s begin with the bicycle itself. Your bike should have reliable brakes and steering, good tires inflated to the proper pressure (as noted on the sidewall) and a gearing range suitable for the type of terrain in which you plan to ride. Gears are easier than ever now. The shifting mechanisms on new bicycles are simple, easy to use and reliable.
If you are in doubt concerning the road- or trail-worthiness of your bike, take it to your local bicycle shop for a checkup. Store employees can also advise you on proper bike fit, which is especially important for comfort.
Most serious bicyclists today wear Lycra shorts and jerseys made from materials with moisture-wicking properties. They do this not to look like a Tour de France racer, but because these fabrics are more comfortable and cooler on hot days.
Some cyclists still prefer regular shorts, and you should wear what makes you comfortable. But the two most important pieces of your attire are those that protect you.
First, a properly-fitted helmet is an absolute must. There are dangers for the most experienced cyclist, such as road debris, potholes, branches, animals and vehicles. Your helmet should be tilted down far enough to protect your forehead and fit tightly enough that it will remain on your head after an impact. This is because, in a crash, your head will usually get hit twice because your head bounces.
Second, wear cycling gloves. If you fall, you are likely to scrape your hands; without gloves, you can lose quite a bit of skin.
Now that you are prepared to ride, where should you ride? That depends on your bike. You can ride on the roads, but you might feel more comfortable on bike paths and trails. Bikes with skinny tires are better suited for roads, while bikes with wider tires fare well on trails.
If you ride on the streets, keep in mind that in Maryland you are legally a vehicle and possess the same rights and responsibilities granted to other road users. This means you obey all traffic laws. Ride with traffic, as far to the right as is safe. Note that this does not mean that you must ride all the way over in the gutter. There are numerous hazards to be watchful for in that area, such as debris, trash, sewer grates and pot holes. Take the position in the lane where you are visible to motorists and away from hazards. You are also permitted to ride in the left-hand portion of your lane when turning left (don’t forget to check behind you and signal your intentions). The use of a helmet-mounted mirror is highly encouraged for road riding. Sidewalk riding can be unsafe and is usually illegal for those older than 16.
There are a good number of off-road paths and trails in our area, including the Frederick Watershed, the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, the C&O Canal Towpath, the Western Maryland Rail-Trail, and many others. Whether on road or trail, it is a good idea to carry a water bottle, some food, a spare tube, a pump and a cell phone for emergencies.
Bill Smith is a member of the Frederick County Pedalers Bicycle Club.
Online
Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club: www.frederickpedalers.org
Baltimore Bicycling Club: www.baltobikeclub.org
Bicycle Tours in Carroll County: ww.carrollcountytourism.org/thingstodo/biketours.aspx
How Not To Get Hit by Cars: www.bicyclesafe.com
Continue reading “Take precautions when riding bikes”

Posted on

What is needed for a police response?

by washcycle

Michael W wrote in to me with a story about a crash he was recently in. He’s a new resident of DC, and he was exploring a route for his wife to get to a job of hers in Takoma Park. His route took him onto the Silver Spring Green Trail, which turns into a sidewalk as it goes east. He was going east on the “trail” at around 10:30am as he approached the intersection of Wayne and Cedar where the trail currently ends. Michael is a very experienced cyclist and bike mechanic, I should note. As he describes it

I approached the intersection on the sidewalk along Wayne—at this point I noticed a sign describing the trail options (left or right). I Wanted to get back onto the street, so I looked at the crosswalk signal. It displayed a “green” walk signal, so I dropped into the curb-ramp and into the street.

At this point a car was approaching the intersection on Cedar Street from my left. The next moment I was directly in front of the car and noticed the driver wasn’t looking forward, rather he was craning his neck to look to his left, in order to make a right-hand turn onto Wayne Ave. Without coming to a complete stop, the motorist accelerated and, obviously seeing me at last, blew his horn while continuing to accelerate through me. He struck my left ankle and rear wheel. Luckily he was only traveling between 5 -10 mph at this point, but sadly he didn’t stop. I was somehow able to hop in the direction the car pushed me and unclip my pedals, quickly landing on my feet, still straddling the bicycle. With this vantage I was able to turn to see him driving off and read clearly his license plate number.

I immediately called the police and while doing so I was approached by another motorist who offered herself as a witness to the incident—which I accepted. (She also mentioned she almost considered driving after the guy, but re-thought those circumstances). The police came, took my information, and created a report. I declined any medical assistance as I was mostly fine. (My ankle does have a mild throbbing soreness to it now). The officer told me they would keep an eye out for the car and that was about it. They left, and I got back on my bike and went directly to work.

First of all, Michael did everything right. He got the plate #. He called the police. He didn’t waive the witness away. Good job Michael.

But the police response that they would “keep an eye out” for the car? That’s it? They have a plate number and a witness. This is a hit and run (maybe the driver didn’t know they hit him because he stayed up, but they did see him because they honked). This reminds me of the cyclist who was intentionally hit on 1st Street this year, but then they only had a partial plate. I never heard it an arrest was made then or in another intentional hit where they got the plate. 

Michael asks why we let people get away with stuff like this. How can you hit someone, drive away and not lose your license? How, I wonder, can you have three DUI/DWIs and still have a license? I don’t know.

Continue reading “What is needed for a police response?”

Posted on

Baltimore’s Green Masterminds

By Gordon Steen

Look around Baltimore and you might notice that some city residents have a slightly different aura. They stand out for their demonstrated ability to shine above the rest for their grassroots, community work promoting sustainability with everyone they meet. They want us to walk and bike more and drive less, eat local and even plant our own gardens. They think companies should lead the way to a more environmentally-friendly future. Though you may not know their names, they are business owners, activists, government officials and urban farmers all working to make Baltimore green.

Nate Evans, Baltimore City, Department of Transportation, Bike and Pedestrian Planner

Most people think city streets belong to cars. Not Nate Evans. His dream is a landscape in which pedestrians and bikers sharing the city’s byways and highways with motorists. His quest is to plan and rejuvenate sustainable bike transportation in the City of Baltimore.
As he works to map out a way for cyclist and motorists to share the road, Evans also hosts the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee along with Greg Hinchliffe, Chairman. The group holds monthly meetings during which bike advocats gather to discuss city plans and initiatives that will affect the quality of life for everyone in Baltimore.

Evans and the committee are also behind two fun annual events focused on getting Baltimoreans on their bikes. The committee plans and organizes "Bike to Work Day" and the Tour Dem Parks, Hon! bike ride that was held on June 13th that gives city residents the opportunity to show their support for safe, healthy and sustainable biking in Baltimore. And the Baltimore’s new bike map has just rolled off the presses.

Encouraging citizen advocacy for a sustainable Baltimore by ingendering community support is what Evans strives for. "Biking has a near zero carbon footprint. The more we make Baltimore bikeable, the more people will choose to ride. The more people ride, the less they drive which improves our air quality, reduces traffic congestion and our dependence on fossil fuels," he states.

And with, the US Department of Transportation’s, Secretary Ray La Hood on the record now supporting the nation’s cyclists and pedestrians, Evans has gained an ally in a high place. The timing of Sec. Hood’s announcement is just right because Baltimore’s funding for the projects like bike lanes, bike parking, bike mapping and bike events runs out at the end of 2010. Another key ally is City Councilperson Mary Pat Clark who supports important new bicycle legislation for Baltimore.

As funding for alternative transportation and other green initiatives dwindles, public support becomes even more imperative for those battling on the front lines. Without it their hard work, community organizing and continued promotion of quality of life initiatives could die from a lack of funding. Evans is hopeful that that will not happen. Community support for his work will make a difference. Baltimore’s new Bike Map and city bike events are available on Facebook at Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee
…
Continue reading “Baltimore’s Green Masterminds”

Posted on

One man’s quest: better living through pizza

By KEN HOFFMAN
Matt McClellan was simply tired of people bad-mouthing pizza.
"I didn’t like them saying pizza was junk food, and that it’s no good for you, and it will make you fat," he said.
So McClellan, who owns a pizzeria in St. Petersburg, Fla., decided "I’ll show you," and went on a crash 30-day, pizza-only diet.
He lost 24 pounds. His cholesterol dropped from 243 to 157. And his body fat fell from 19.8 percent to 9 percent.
Now to spread the gospel of pizza as health food, McClellan is riding his bicycle from St. Pete to New York City. He was in Maryland when I spoke with him Tuesday night. He is scheduled to pedal into Times Square on July 4.
…
Continue reading “One man’s quest: better living through pizza”