TAKE ACTION: https://www.capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=60927571&PROCESS=Take+Action
Moments ago, Congressman John Mica (R-FL) announced the introduction of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. The proposed bill eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking as we feared, and it goes much further and systematically removes bicycling from the Federal transportation program. It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system—a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.
The bill (soon to be available on transportation.house.gov) reverses 20 years of progress by:
• destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional;
• repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school;
• allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles;
• eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs; and
• eliminating language that insures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”
On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will mark-up the bill and Representatives Petri (R-WI) and Johnson (R-IL) will sponsor an amendment that restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Representatives Petri and Johnson can only be successful if everyone with a stake in safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways contacts their representative today.
Because of these urgent new developments, and the vital importance of a HUGE turnout on Capitol Hill in March, the National Bike Summit early bird registration deadline has been extended to Feb 20. We need every single cyclist in Washington, D.C. that the city can hold (and that’s thousands …). Register today!
Stay in touch by visiting bikeleague.org and americabikes.org for background and breaking news.
ANDY CLARKE
LEAGUE PRESIDENT
Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director.
TAKE ACTION: https://www.capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=60927571&PROCESS=Take+Action
Continue reading “Horrible Surface Transportation Bill Unveiled Today — Bicycle Programs Eliminated”
Change gears, enjoy the outdoors [Video]
Governor O’Malley’s Cycle Maryland initiative is an effort to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride, and to make bicycling a true transportation alternative. Cycling is a great way to connect to your community, support a cleaner environment, encourage a healthier lifestyle, reduce household transportation costs and enjoy Maryland’s magnificent landscape.
Building on the success of Cycle Maryland events held throughout the summer of 2011, www.cycle.maryland.gov provides a one-stop web portal for information about cycling infrastructure, plans, funding opportunities and events.
https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Bike/Cycle_Maryland.html/
[B’ Spokes: I still see a contradictory message here, trails for recreation vs bikes for transportation. Why can’t we have both?]
Group rides for better road conditions
B’ Spokes: Simple message, would should do that here as well.
https://www.guampdn.com/article/20120125/COMMUNITIES/201250301
New Code Gives Cyclists a Chance to Fight Harassment
By Emily Henry, Patch
…
Next month, the city plans to add a new chapter to Berkeley’s Municipal Code prohibiting the harassment of bicyclists "because of, in whole or in part, the bicyclist’s status as a bicyclist." Violators could face a civil lawsuit, be liable for damages and end up paying court fees.
The purpose of the new code is to encourage more lawyers to take on cases of harassment against cyclists, according to Councilmember Kriss Worthington. Worthington introduced the ordinance in September last year and said he was inspired to do so after hearing from bicyclists that it was near impossible to find lawyers willing to help with cyclist harassment cases, since there was little guarantee of a win.
…
Continue reading “New Code Gives Cyclists a Chance to Fight Harassment”
Baltimore City Council: Include bike lanes in the Mount Royal Streetscape redesign
Why This Is Important
We demand that Baltimore City follow the Council Bill 09-0433, Complete Streets, in their design of the Midtown Streetscape project. Specifically, bicycle lanes and bicycle infrastructure, which are not currently included in the design, must be included unless the “Director of Transportation issues a documented exception concluding that application of Complete Streets principles would be contrary to public safety.”
Maryland Institute College of Art and University of Baltimore leadership have had the unique opportunity to represent their interests in Baltimore’s complete streets program.
Let MICA and UB administration officals know that safety improvements for bicyclists are an integral part of a complete streets program – one that protects cyclists and encourages bicycling as a means of transportation.
When you sign, please include in the comments if you are a local business owner, or are associated with MICA or UB.
PLAN IT 2035 APPROVED!
From BikePed Beacon – January 2012
|
|
 PLAN IT 2035 APPROVED!Increased funding for bike/ped projects
Following several years of outreach starting with imagine 2060 and leading into Plan It 2035, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) voted to approve Plan It 2035 on Monday, November 14, 2011. The federal reviewing agencies also gave their approval earlier this month. The BRTB would like to thank the members of the public who participated in the public project ideas and other comment periods, as well as the public meetings. In keeping with Plan It 2035′s goals related to accessibility and sustainability, the BRTB has set aside a greater percentage of funding expanding transit and bicycle/pedestrian projects compared to the 2007 long-range transportation plan, Transportation Outlook 2035. Plan It 2035 sets aside $92.7 million in funds to expand bicycle and pedestrian access, including:
In addition, the “Highway” category of projects also lists many roadway projects that include
bicycle and/or pedestrian accommodations and improvements as part of their scopes. Chapter 5 includes the project list and details. |
Ad of the day
When your vehicle needs maintenance, you should
a) stop for a donut break,
b) switch to riding a bicycle, or
c) get an oil change.
…
[B Spokes: Of course we think the correct answer is B but if you think it’s C then the ad in read more my be of interest.]
Continue reading “Ad of the day”
Better reporting from MDOT??
[B’ Spokes: I’m not sure what year this is from or for but it came up in my news reader and is in a different format then what I am used to, so I am assuming it’s new. Keep in mind essentially only transportation enhancements can be spent locally (with a very high local match and what’s shown is the total project cost so only 40-50% of that is federal money) so we have 82% of bike/ped funding spent on state roads (9% of the roads in Maryland) while bike/ped crashes happen on roughly 50% local roads and 50% on state roads.
To simplify this issue, lets say when the state gave Baltimore funds for Phase 1 of our bike master plan that money could only be spent on state roads. Since there is no room for a bike lane on Falls Rd (a state road) the state said we could not have a bike lane here. But what Baltimore did was just move it over to the parallel road Rolland Ave. This is the concept I would like to see implemented in Maryland, if there is no easy way to accommodate cyclists on a state road, get money to the localities to accommodate them on a parallel route.
Please note the big fat ZERO in the retrofit bicycle program for projects. Supposedly they have been doing stuff with this money but I have yet to see a single project from this fund.
Note this is the first time I am seeing detail for recreational trails program (in the following link) This is not at all what I expected and I would be interested in your comments. Keep in mind other states are building trails with this fund and it only requires a 20% local match (See Were I question just how many trails a year do we want from this program and is the $30K cap imposed by MDOT)
]
The Maryland Department of Transportation has various funding programs for bicycles and pedestrian programs.
Two new funding programs for bicycle projects are being developed this year. The Maryland Bikeshare
Program is funded at $2 million, and the Maryland Bikeways Program is funded at $10 million.
| Projects listed to be advertised for construction (as of 11/11) |
Ongoing Grant Awards and Earmarks |
FY12-17 Funding Levels |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| retrofit sidewalk program | 470,000 | 11,100,000 | |
| retrofit bicycle program | 0 | 6,300,000 | |
| community enhancement and safety | 380,244 | 6,722,000* | |
| streetscapes and minor reconstruction | 486,000 | 276,000* | |
| ADA program | 24,021,000 | 61,000,000 | |
| Pedestrian Access to Transit | 7,800,000 | 10,400,000 | |
| primary/secondary program | 3,573,000 | 3,573,000** | |
| Bikeways Program | 1,000,000 | 9,000,000 | |
| Bikeshare Program | 2,000,000 | ||
| transportation enhancements program | 27,725,000 | 25,600,000*** | |
| recreational trails program | 3,405,000 | 4,620,000*** | |
| earmark projects | 16,215,000 | 0**** | |
| Total | 36,730,244 | 48,345,000 | 140,590,712 |
*Funding levels estimated as a portion of total program funding level based on recent expenditures
**Additional funding is expected as primary/secondary projects move into construction and bicycle and pedestrian costs are itemized
***Funding levels estimated based on projected federal appropriations and historic spending levels on bicycle and pedestrian projects
****No additional earmark projects are expected at this time
Continue reading “Better reporting from MDOT??”
Howard County Explores Bikeshare in the ‘Burbs
By By Jonathan Wilson , Transportation Nation
Leaders in Howard County, Maryland, and the unincorporated town of Columbia are trying to figure out whether something that seems to be working quite well in more urban areas can be part of the plan going forward in their neck of the woods — they’re exploring the potential of bike sharing.
The two municipalities have teamed up to apply for for grant money to fund a feasibility study on such a program.
…
https://transportationnation.org/2012/01/24/maryland-county-explores-bikeshare-in-the-burbs/
Maryland road fatalities
| Person Type | Persons Killed | % of Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Occupants | |||
| Driver | 269 | 49.18% | |
| Passenger | 83 | 15.17% | |
| Unknown Occupant | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Subtotal | 352 | 64.35% | |
| Motorcyclists | |||
| Motorcyclists | 69 | 12.61% | |
| Subtotal | 69 | 12.61% | |
| Nonmotorists | |||
| Pedestrian | 113 | 20.66% | |
| Pedalcyclist | 11 | 2.01% | |
| Other/Unknown | 2 | 0.37% | |
| Subtotal | 126 | 23.03% | |
| Total | 547 | ||
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS (Select Maryland from the drop down menu.)
I’ve posted this so you have an idea how off this is for Maryland:
Maryland bike/ped make up 23% of the road fatalities so we are way above the national average. I assume we also get less then the national average in funding, when I have that figure, I’ll let you know.