For those of you following the Federal Transportation Bill. The upshot is that congressional members are getting sneak peek at sections of the president’s draft but still we are not close to a final draft to be passed by congress.
https://dc.streetsblog.org/2011/05/12/don%e2%80%99t-hold-your-breath-for-a-white-house-transportation-bill/
Another pro-bike bill passes
The most important thing I found while working on HB363 (the manslaughter by vehicle or vessel – criminal negligence bill) was to continually form partnerships, keep an open mind, keep discussions factual rather than personal and never give up. It took 7 years for the bill to be voted on by the House Judiciary Committee. Seven years – although the list of supporters and Committee members in support of the bill was long. The House Committee Chair held it hostage and never allowed it to come to a vote (they have authority to do this). Finally, after more deaths and an incredible hearing that included testimony from 21 individuals/organizations, the House Judiciary Committee Chair brought the bill to a vote. A unanimous vote occurred and the bill moved to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee where the Chair, a long time supporter and bicyclists, shockingly held the bill hostage and in a face to face discussion informed me that he would not bring the bill to a committee vote. All advocates/partners in support of the bill then worked passionately to get hundreds of people to call and email the Chair and other Senators. To add to the story, the State’s Attorneys, which were long time supporters of the bill, no longer agreed with the amended language. They were working to kill the bill. Finally the bill received a positive Senate vote! We then thought, we had won, but learned that the State’s Attorneys had contacted the Governor asking him to veto the bill. More work with partners, letter writing and call campaigns took place.
A day before the bill signing ceremony, we learned that the Governor would sign the bill into law! Bike Maryland and many partners attended the signing ceremony and believe me, we were all smiling! Most of all, I’m so grateful that many of the testifiers who had lost a loved one experienced this victory. It will never bring back their beloved or sooth their pain but they do know that a movement toward an increasingly just system for bicyclists, pedestrians and many vulnerable users will exist as of October 1st (the day the bill becomes law)!
Thanks,
Carol
Carol Silldorff
Executive Director
Bike Maryland
Pedestrian helmets
BY RANDOLPH HALUZA-DELAY, BLAKE POLAND AND BYRON MILLER, EDMONTON JOURNAL
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In fact, the data show that pedestrians are more at risk than cyclists -based on injuries per distance travelled -but no one is proposing pedestrians wear helmets. Risks of cycling can be overstated. Injury statistics are already low for cycling. It is widely believed by European policymakers that mandatory helmet laws and even high-profile promotion of helmet use send the unintended signal that cycling is unsafe, which can deter people from riding. The St. Albert study and an Alberta-wide study published by the same researchers in another journal appear to show a reduction in adult ridership after helmet legislation took effect.
Other research shows that mandatory helmet legislation does reduce bicycle ridership, which is counterproductive.
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Cardin asks oil companies to give up tax breaks
from Maryland Politics by Matthew Hay Brown
On the day before the heads of the country’s five largest oil companies are due for a Senate Finance Committee grilling on tax subsidies, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin is asking them to admit that they no longer need the breaks.
The Maryland Democrat is a co-sponsor of the Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act, which supporters say will save the federal government $4 billion annually. The so-called Big Five – Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips, Chevron, Shell and BP America – have reported a total $36 billion in profits for the first quarter of 2011.
“At a time of soaring gas prices and record deficits, the five most profitable oil companies do not need, or deserve, a handout from the American taxpayer,” Cardin said in a statement.
He has joined fellow Finance Committee Democrats Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Bill Nelson of Florida, Chuck Schumer of New York and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan in a letter to the oil executives.
“We are sure you will agree that our nation’s mounting debt is a serious threat to our recovering economy,” they wrote. “But if we are truly serious about cutting our deficit, it is imperative that we start by getting rid of wasteful and ineffective corporate subsidies that have outlived their usefulness. … The former President of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, had the courage to say, in no uncertain terms, that your companies no longer need these giveaways. We urge you, in your testimony tomorrow before the Senate Finance Committee, to acknowledge the same.”
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It Ain’t Just Sticker Shock, Folks
By Laura Barrett
The pain of watching the Total screen on the gas pump speed past the price of subway fare, then bus fare, then Amtrak fare, and finally settle somewhere around budget airline fare, is enough to get anybody thinking about “alternative transportation.”
But there’s one thing wrong in the portrayal the average American as mindlessly car-obsessed, and interested in “alternatives” only at times when gas prices pinch. It’s not true. It was April 2010—more than a year ago—when 82% of Americans polled said they wanted expanded transportation options, “such as trains and buses,” and 79% of rural voters said the same. They didn’t say so because of sticker shock at the gas pump. Average gas prices were below $3 a gallon in April 2010. They’re around $4 now.
In fact, in 2010 as a whole, American voters approved 43 out of 56 public transportation ballot initiatives, at a rate of 77 percent, for a total of more than $1 billion of funding. To be clear, that’s 77% approval of higher taxes for public transportation. In an ongoing economic crisis. During a nationwide frenzy of budget-slashing. Before gas prices spiked.
Need more historical perspective? From 1995 through 2009, while gas prices went up and down, public transportation ridership increased by 31%—more than the 15% increase in U.S. population and the 21% increase in highway use over the same period. There’s something deeper going on here, and any policymaker who even pretends to follow the will of the people should be paying attention.
Eighty-two percent of Americans say they want expanded transportation options because, to start with, the average working American spends 396 hours a year behind the wheel—roughly 10 work weeks. And most of that time isn’t fun. Especially when more of that time than ever is spent in traffic. The average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, 94% of which goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars. Households that are likely to use public transportation on a given day save over $9,000 every year. That matters especially now, with millions of ordinary people still struggling to make do.
But it matters all the time, whatever gas prices are. And its just one of many, many public transportation benefits that have changed the minds of millions of Americans. We’re listening. We’re working with them. And we’re not the only ones.
Roland Park expands route for this weekend’s ciclovia
By Larry Perl
Southbound Roland Avenue will be closed to traffic between Northern Parkway and West University Parkway on Sunday, May 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the neighborhood’s third "ciclovia."
The public is invited to walk, ride bicycles and skateboard on Roland Avenue, as was done last year and in 2009.
This year’s ciclovia is expanded, co-organizer Mike McQuestion said.
The goal of a ciclovia — a Spanish term for "bike path," and an event that has been tried in several American cities — is to turn Roland Avenue into "a giant temporary playground so people can exercise and socialize," according to the league’s website, www.rolandpark.org.
The ciclovia is being sponsored by the Roland Park Civic League, and is part of a series of events this weekend and next week, all designed to promote sustainability and alternative modes of transportation.
A sustainability expo is planned outside the Roland Park Library on Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition, families are asked to walk, bike or ride buses to work and school the week of May 16-20.
Continue reading “Roland Park expands route for this weekend’s ciclovia”
Harford County Bike to Work Day Scheduled for May 20; Bike Parade through Downtown Bel Air Planned / May 11
From Harford County government: (via Dagger Press)
With spring in the air, Harford County and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council celebrate May as Clean Commute Month and May 20th as Bike to Work Day. County Executive David R. Craig urges everyone to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness, or transportation.
Rain or shine, the annual Bike to Work Day Rally will be held on Friday, May 20th from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Harford County Government Administration Building located at 220 South Main Street in Bel Air. The Rally, hosted by Harford County Government, promotes riding a bicycle as a fun, viable commuting option. This event is free but registration is required. Participating cyclists should register at www.Bike2WorkCentralMD.com.
The Rally will be emceed by WXCY 103.7 and includes a bike parade through downtown Bel Air. Those who register and attend the Rally will receive a free Bike to Work Day t-shirt, refreshments, and a chance to win giveaways from various sponsors of the Rally.
Those who want to participate on May 20th, but do not want to ride alone, can join one of four bicycle convoys that will depart from various locations throughout the county that morning.
If you are looking to tap into your competitive side, you can participate in the Cycle Smackdown, a competition amongst Harford County businesses and organizations whereby employees from various-sized companies try to get the most number of registrants to bike to work. Last year Harford County Public Schools took the trophy in the large company category, while SAIC retained their title in the mid-size category, and the Highlands School won in the small company category.
To learn more about Bike to Work Day, including information about the Bicycle Convoys and Cycle Smackdown, please visit www.harfordcountymd.gov and click on the Bike to Work Day icon.
New Reports: Higher Gas Prices Mean Safer Roads
from INFRASTRUCTURIST by Eric Jaffe
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Social scientists, meanwhile, continue to explore the potential benefits of higher gas prices. A new report from Canadian researchers connects higher fuel costs with reduced sprawl. A pair of recent studies from Mississippi State (via The Transportationist) link higher gas prices with safer roads.
The first, which appeared in the Journal of Safety Research (pdf) last December, studied the relationship between gas prices and car accidents in Mississippi between 2004 and 2008. The researchers report both both short- and intermediate-term links between high prices and reduced crashes, with intermediate effects generally stronger. From a policy standpoint, the researchers conclude:
that if decision makers wish to reduce traffic crash rates, increased gasoline taxes are a considerable option because raised gasoline prices reduce traffic crashes directly.
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Sitting Is Killing You [Infographic]
Baltimore’s Kinetic Sculpture Race takes art for a ride
If you missed it, you can find pictures here: https://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=10410