"With temperatures expected to dip below freezing soon, now is the time to prepare for safe winter bicycling and icy conditions ahead. Black ice refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface. It’s virtually transparent on asphalt, making it practically invisible to bicyclists, but just as slippery as regular ice. Keep reading for tips to avoid being caught by surprise on slick roads…"
Source: https://bit.ly/sb8adI
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
Better laws and better enforcement attributed to drop in pedestrian injuries.
-> According to a Dec. 13th Northjersey.com article, "Male pedestrians in New Jersey are more likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle than females and while young pedestrians are involved in more of those accidents, they are less likely to die, according to a study of incidents over eight years. The 2011 Pedestrian Safety Tracking Report was conducted by the Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University and submitted this month to the state Transportation Department. The study analyzed police data for the years 2003 through 2010. It looked at accidents in which a pedestrian died or was injured — not reports that resulted only in property damage."
"The report found there were 1,003 pedestrian fatalities due to being struck by vehicles, about 125 per year, across the state, 40,150 pedestrians were injured during the eight years. Most pedestrian deaths from crashes occurred on state highways, followed by county roads, then municipal roads. Among the state’s largest cities, Paterson ranked third in average pedestrian-vehicle accidents per 100,000 people. The report also found that accidents resulting in injury declined between 2008 and 2010, the period during which vehicle miles traveled also dropped."
"Charles Brown, senior research specialist at Voorhees, attributes the drop to the state’s crosswalk law that requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, as well as infrastructure improvements, and a more educated public. Brown said police departments around the state have carried out stings in which they pull over motorists who drive through a crosswalk while a pedestrian is still in the street, and talk to them about the law. ‘We target locations where there are high incidents,’ he said…"
Source: https://bit.ly/rvaOAz
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
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[B" Spokes: Note filed under News you will not see in Maryland.]
Morning Ride with a Side of Road Rage
from Pedal ‘n Purl by NICOLE
Saturday I had the scare of my life. A driver decided she did not like me cycling on the road and decided to act out at me from behind the wheel of her car. Yes, a grown woman decided it was appropriate to use a 2000 pound car to threaten another person on a bicycle. And no, I really have no idea why.
…
https://www.pedalnpurl.com/2011/12/21/morning-ride-with-a-side-of-road-rage
Seattle Police Mock “Dumb F***” Jogger Hit by Semi Truck
from Streetsblog Capitol Hill by Angie Schmitt
Tim Nelson was fighting for his life after being hit by a semi truck driver while jogging in West Seattle in late October. As he was rushed to the hospital with a broken back, six snapped ribs, and a fractured skill, a dash cam in a Seattle police cruiser captured this video, which has been making the rounds.
Network blog Systematic Failure said the scene is reminiscent of “a bad episode of Reno-911.” It includes this exchange:
Officer 1 ‘That’s why you drive a car!’
Officer 2 ‘Yeah, don’t try to jog to work, you dumb f***!’
It’s obviously disappointing to see police behaving so unprofessionally and with apparent bias toward someone who doesn’t get around in a car. And it’s sure to strike a nerve with anyone who’s read about sloppy police investigations into traffic crashes that kill pedestrians or cyclists.
…
Continue reading “Seattle Police Mock “Dumb F***” Jogger Hit by Semi Truck”
Winter solstice
Dec. 22, 2011
A bicycle rests against a shrub during this time lapse photo of the first hours of winter in Myersville, Md. The composite photo is a compilation of 174 images exposed at 30 seconds each starting at 12:45 a.m. and ending at 4:13 a.m. The exposure was set at ISO 640, 30 second shutter speed at f3.2 with a 14mm lens and 1 minute 10 seconds between exposures. The winter solstice is the shortest period of daylight experienced in the Mid-Atlantic during the year. The streaks of light are stars appearing to move as the Earth rotates.
Ricky Carioti
/
The Washington Post
Merry Bikesmas: A 1970s Schwinn livens up a family holiday 5
BY GREG HANSCOM – Grist
This year, as we have in years past, my wife and I packed up the kids and flew across the country to spend the holidays with her family in suburban Baltimore. Christmas at the Thomas house is always a festive affair: crab soup, wine by the bottleful, quality time with grandma and grandpa and sundry cousins. And for my benefit, they keep the Barry Manilow Christmas tunes to a minimum. (Sincere thanks for that, guys.)
There’s just one problem: Put me in the ‘burbs for more than about 48 hours and I go completely batshit. I’m not sure what it is that sets me off. I completely understand the appeal of the place, having lived in Baltimore proper. It’s peaceful here. And safe. No need to lock your doors. But in suburbia, I feel trapped.
I need wheels. But here’s the other problem: Put me in a car in traffic for more than about 48 seconds and, you guessed it, I go completely batshit. Instant road rage. I swear. I’m just not a well-adjusted 20th/21st century human. My parents did their best, really (here’s looking at you, mom and dad), but they brought me into the world about a hundred years late.
This year, though, I was determined to spare my family the experience of dealing with yours truly in the midst of a stoplight- or split-level-induced freak-out. I went looking for a bike. I needed something that could get me around the neighborhood and to the town-bound train. Bonus points if I could take it on the train and use it to get around the city.
…
Continue reading “Merry Bikesmas: A 1970s Schwinn livens up a family holiday 5”
Tribute Ride In Honor of SERGEANT MICHAEL BOEHM FROM US PARK POLICE
All IPMBA and public safety cyclists are invited to participate in a tribute ride for Sergeant Boehm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011.
We gather at East Potomac Park, Washington DC, Haines Point Golf Course Club House Parking Lot 0630.
The ride will start at 0700 hours with our bike procession making a silent passing of Sergeant Boehm’s draped car at Park Police Headquarters.
We will ride south through Virginia, meeting and picking up riders along the way to the church.
There will be stops and meeting location made available as the route is finalized. It is approximately 17 miles to the church.
We will form at a location designated by Park Police at the church for the arrival of Sergeant Boehm and family.
Riders are welcome to meet at 0930 at the church with their bikes and join the tribute formation.
Upon conclusion of the church services, the tribute riders will form and pedal to the cemetery for a tribute formation reception of the procession. It is approximately four miles from the church to the cemetery.
Upon conclusion of the interment, the tribute riders will ride back to Haines Point. It is approximately 14 miles return trip.
Those riders who joined at the church will split from the formation at the church.
This will be an unsupported ride – please bring what you will need for the day. There will be no escorts other than those who join the ride.
As locations for pick-ups and meeting are verified information will be forwarded.
The final route is forthcoming.
Those wishing to participate please contact:
Sergeant Michael A. Wear
Metropolitan Police Department
First District PSA 101 Bike Patrol
101 M St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Cell: (202) 277-7897
E-Mail: michael.wear"at"dc.gov
[Note the spam guard on the e-mail address]
Bike Maryland Legislative Task Force meeting (if you can help get involved)
Please let me know if there is a specific issue you would like to work on below:
Legislative Priorities:
• Distracted driving
legislation to make a driver’s use of a hand-held mobile phone a primary offense.
• Strengthen passing legislation by requiring motorists to pass cyclists safely, including a combination of:
a. Slowing Down: perhaps to within 15 mph of the speed of the cyclist
b. Moving Left: to allow three feet to pass
c. Crossing a Solid Line: when it is safe to do so (applies to any slow-moving vehicle)
d. Waiting: until it is safe to pass and allow three feet of clearance
• Dedicated funding for bicycling/complete streets/drivers education – requiring a dedicated percentage of transportation funds to be used to enhance and increase the number of bicycling lanes and paths, improve signage relating to bicyclists’ use of the roads and three feet to pass, and to implement plans for cycling infrastructure already included in
the State’s Master Plan.
• Distracted driving
legislation to make a driver’s use of a hand-held mobile phone a primary offense.
• Strengthen passing legislation by requiring motorists to pass cyclists safely, including a combination of:
a. Slowing Down: perhaps to within 15 mph of the speed of the cyclist
b. Moving Left: to allow three feet to pass
c. Crossing a Solid Line: when it is safe to do so (applies to any slow-moving vehicle)
d. Waiting: until it is safe to pass and allow three feet of clearance
• Dedicated funding for bicycling/complete streets/drivers education – requiring a dedicated percentage of transportation funds to be used to enhance and increase the number of bicycling lanes and paths, improve signage relating to bicyclists’ use of the roads and three feet to pass, and to implement plans for cycling infrastructure already included in
the State’s Master Plan.
Other items to support:
• Driver competency through the life cycle – renewal testing.
• Requiring drivers to render aid to injured persons in an accident.
• Development of ICC bicycle infrastructure
• 24 hour trail access for bicyclists for commuting purposes and more
• University Facility Plans – Bicycle Inclusion
• Transportation enhancement match 80/20 vs. 50/50 funding by state- (research assistance is needed here)
• Allowance of bicycles on MARC trains
Tasks:
•
Call legislators and aids and offer assistance
• Develop relationships with legislators
• Establish partnerships
• Respond to constituent concerns
• Perform research (draft bill language)
• Seek co-sponsors
• Develop fact sheets (where does law already exist? gather data)
• Obtain community and business support (i.e. AAA-Mid Atlantic)
• Educate government leaders (i.e. MDOT)
• Hearing support – verbal and written testimony
• Track legislation – post via social media outlets – enhance outreach
• Driver competency through the life cycle – renewal testing.
• Requiring drivers to render aid to injured persons in an accident.
• Development of ICC bicycle infrastructure
• 24 hour trail access for bicyclists for commuting purposes and more
• University Facility Plans – Bicycle Inclusion
• Transportation enhancement match 80/20 vs. 50/50 funding by state- (research assistance is needed here)
• Allowance of bicycles on MARC trains
Tasks:
•
Call legislators and aids and offer assistance
• Develop relationships with legislators
• Establish partnerships
• Respond to constituent concerns
• Perform research (draft bill language)
• Seek co-sponsors
• Develop fact sheets (where does law already exist? gather data)
• Obtain community and business support (i.e. AAA-Mid Atlantic)
• Educate government leaders (i.e. MDOT)
• Hearing support – verbal and written testimony
• Track legislation – post via social media outlets – enhance outreach
Thank you!
Carol
Carol
Carol Silldorff
Executive Director
Bike Maryland
1209 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-960-6493
direct
www.bikemd.org
Executive Director
Bike Maryland
1209 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-960-6493
direct
www.bikemd.org
ICC Trail along Needwood Road – five years if we’re lucky
[B’ Spokes: If you are interested in following all the fall out of the ICC (or want to help get all the patches in place.) This from CycleMoco is an interesting read.]
(highlight)
End of the ICC path at Needwood Road
https://cyclemoco.com/2011/12/icc-trail-along-needwood-road-five-years-if-were-lucky/
An Absurd Ending To The ICC Bike Path
By spokesman
The purpose of this post is to bring attention to an absurd situation concerning the construction of a proposed bike path in Maryland. The path would run parallel to a new road called the Inter-County Connector (ICC) but under the current plan, a continuous bike path will not be built. Montgomery County planners say a continuous 10-foot-wide asphalt bike path would cause too much damage to the ecologically sensitive parkland that will be traversed by the ICC when it is built. It seems that a highway is not an environmental problem, but a bike path is an environmental problem.
To make a long story short, here is how the situation evolved.
…
The bottom line is that the environmental concerns could not stop the construction of a 6 lane 18.5 mile highway, but they did manage to kill the 10 foot wide bike path. This is not the outcome that the road opponents wanted. They wanted to kill the ICC. The ICC will go ahead but the bike path is a casualty of the battle over the road construction.
The Montgomery County Council is meeting on January 13 to discuss the construction of the bike path. Their plan is to have sidewalks and on-road bike lanes on secondary roads fill in the gaps in the ICC path. This approach will not result in a usable path. If you are local and want to e-mail the council here is information. For more background on the ICC and the bike path, here is a detailed history.
Continue reading “An Absurd Ending To The ICC Bike Path”