Biking in Baltimore
I want to pull this slide out because I see evidence here and elsewhere that “stirring the pot” is essential to cycling advocacy and no one else will do it, so it’s up to us to be instruments for change for the better. Cyclists are the indicator species of all that is good and wholesome, where cycling thrives life is good for everyone where cycling is stifled wellness and happiness is also stifled.
[B’ Spokes: Attn AA County, trails are ONLY for recreation and NOT for transportation! So transportational use by cyclists must be discouraged. š Additionally it seems that once again only the locals have a say and not the people who may actually use the bicycling facility. Reading the comments on the linked article is also recommended.
I feel compelled to note that ALL well used trails in Maryland serve both recreational and transportation uses and ALL underutilized trails only serve recreational use. So some of the comments to the contrary by government are very disturbing.
Addendum: I’ll note that Transportation Enchantment funds (typically used to fund Maryland’s trails) can only be spent on transportation and not recreational trails. Hmmmm…
]
From Greater Greater Washington by Jim Titus
Anne Arundel County wants to fill a gap in the Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis Trail with a circuitous $6 million path, instead of the better and cheaper direct option.
This week, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will announce a new state program to help local governments fund trail construction. The first project on tap is path and bridge over the Patuxent River to connect the WB&A segments in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.
The two counties are a mile apart on where that bridge should be. Prince George prefers a $3 million bridge with a straight trail along an old railbed. But Anne Arundel prefers a $6 million bridge with a detour that goes up and down a hill, runs through a wetland flood plain, and adds a mile to the length of any trip. Recently, state officials have been moving forward with the more costly alignment.
The state would be picking up a large portion of the inflated tab. Will the Governor merely provide funds to enable local decision-making at its worst, or will he lead these counties to build the better, lower-cost trail that, for a variety of institutional reasons, they are unable to pursue on their own?
Read more
Continue reading “What’s better: A $3 million direct trail or a $6 million detour?”
by Michael McKisson
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The stands are made by Dero Bike Racks and cost $1,000 each.
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For more pics: https://tucsonvelo.com/news/ua-adds-free-fix-it-stations-on-campus/10541
[B’ Spokes: Maryland has more of these “great” trails planed.]
Anacostia River Trail ribbon cutting attracts the bigwigs
from TheWashCycle by washcycle
DC Mayor Grey, Secretary of Transportation LaHood, Senator Cardin, MD Gov O’Malley, Sec of the Interior Salazar and others cut the ribbon on the Anacostia Trail
I’ve been to other ribbon cuttings, but I’ve never seen this level of dignitaries at one – and this is for a 1.5 mile trail with no exits and a deadend near a highway. I don’t think the Wilson Bridge trail had this kind of participation. I wouldn’t even really call it finished until it connects to DC’s streets. But whatever, I brought Trike and he may have met a future president.
from Baltimore Bicycle Works by Baltimore Bicycle Works
We have been working our little fingers to the bone refurbishing used bikes and our fleet has grown. So if you are looking for a great value and donāt mind a few scratches in the paint, take a look at our used bike selection.
As usual we keep a current listing of all our used bikes on the website and they are typically parked in front of the shop, so please feel free to stop by and check them out.
Continue reading “You Asked For Them and Now We Got Themā¦Used Bikes!!”
Looks like MDOT is trying to pull an ICC bike path thing again in that adding detours and at grade crossings "is just as good" as a fully separated trail that avoids road crossings.
Read more at Washcycle: https://www.thewashcycle.com/2011/11/future-cct-issues-discussed-at-walkthrough.html
Business Week highlights:
West Virginia will get $4.8 million in federal highway funds for projects that enhance pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ safety, preserve scenic views and boost historic preservation and tourism.
Isn’t that nice FARS ranks West Virginia #24 for a high pedestrian fatality rate meanwhile Maryland with a ranking of #4 and $31.5 million in federal highway funds for projects that enhance pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ safety that is unspent is not news worthy. š For kicks look at West Virginia’s Transportation Enhancement spending and you’ll note that they are spending more then Maryland and that Maryland’s Transportation Enhancement spending took a nose dive during O’Malley’s administration. I can understand not spending money you don’t have but not spending money you do have? That is just crazy.
If you care to write: governor@gov.state.md.us
But don’t expect a response that will hint at correcting this. (And yes I am jaded on this subject.)
Note: I usually only ask you to write when you can make a difference, THIS IS NOT THE CASE HERE. Only write if you are inspired.
New research from U. Wisconsin projects the benefits of active transport in terms of improvements in air quality and physical fitness
PROBLEM: Biking is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to commute. But what are the health-related advantages of riding a bicycle to work instead of driving?
METHODOLOGY: Researchers led by Maggie Grabow , a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute, identified the air-pollution reductions that would result from eliminating short car trips in the 11 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the upper Midwest. They then computed for the savings associated with avoided mortality and reduced health care costs during the six months with optimum weather, when cycling is quite feasible in the region. The investigators, however, did not account for foregone auto trips due to walking or using mass transit.
RESULTS: Overall, the authors projected that encouraging the use of bikes in the Midwest for short-distance trips could save an estimated $7 billion, including 1,100 lives each year from improved air quality and increased physical fitness. The biggest savings of about $3.8 billion per year was due to prevented complications with conditions like obesity and heart disease.
CONCLUSION: Replacing short car trips with active transport could yield major cost savings and health benefits.
IMPLICATION: Cities should make biking infrastructure safer with better parking, separate bike paths, and more bike racks on buses and trains. Co-author Jonathan Patz says in a statement: “If there are so many health benefits out there, we ought to try to redesign our cities to achieve them without putting new riders at risk.”
SOURCE: The full study, “Air Quality and Exercise-Related Health Benefits From Reduced Car Travel in the Midwestern United States,” is published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives .
Image: Supri Suharjoto/Shutterstock
Continue reading “Study of the Day: Biking to Work Could Save 1,100 Midwesterners”
[B’ Spokes: If you thought I was going to talk about Baltimore City, sorry we are still backwards. This is from New York City: (just a highlight)]
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by Ben Fried
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Canāt argue there. Having a public process for bike lane installation is not anti-bike. Whatās anti-bike is to imply that the recent expansion of bike lanes has somehow lacked sufficient public input, which is the message that comes across from the coverage of this bill .
Itās also strange that the City Council thinks itās necessary to mandate notification for all bike lanes, but not for all changes to motor vehicle lanes. If the city wants to carve out some left-turn bays from a pedestrian median, for instance, thereās no law requiring a public hearing.
So yeah, itās anti-bike to grandstand about the imaginary problem of community input on bike lanes when the council could be focusing on real transportation problems …
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Continue reading “City Council Votes to Increase Oversight of Bike Lane Removal”