Month: July 2012

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State Approves Grant for Towson ‘Bike Beltway’

[B’ Spokes: There is no doubt that Governor O’Malley’s Cycle Maryland program is doing some good, 20:80 match rather then 50:50 match and on-road bicycling facilities are also up for this grant rather then just trails. As good as this is, there is still more that can and should be done, stay tuned while I invigilate our options.]
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By Tyler Waldman, Towson Patch

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The $100,000 grant will go towards construction and signage on the bike loop around central Towson.

"These grants will help local jurisdictions build key connections that make bicycling a true transportation option," Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement announcing Tuesday’s grants. "Bicycling is a win-win for all of us by helping us learn to enjoy more of Maryland’s natural treasures, reducing the impact on the land, improving our fitness and well-being, and enhancing our quality of life.”

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks, a transportation consultant and former MDOT staffer, said he was "thrilled" to hear of the grant approval.

"We have a lot of congestion in Towson," Marks said. "It’s difficult to add highway capacity, so we have to do whatever we can to maximize the use of the current road network and that is what this is doing."
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https://towson.patch.com/articles/state-approves-grant-for-towson-bike-beltway

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CDC Report: Young Drivers More Likely to Die In Auto Accidents

by Laura G. Zois, Maryland Accident Lawyer Blog
In today’s age of texting and driving, it sadly should come as no surprise that young drivers are overrepresented in car crash fatalities. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on the statistics for 2009, which is already out-of-date. Here are the stats:
* 34,485 motor vehicle deaths
* 22% of those who died in auto accidents were aged 15 to 24
* Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24
* People aged 15 to 24 represent only 14% of the population
* Actual rates of young people’s deaths are lower in urban areas than rural areas
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https://www.marylandaccidentlawyerblog.com/2012/07/cdc_report_young_drivers_more.html
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[B’ Spokes: I can’t help but think that the lower urban death rate has to do with slower speeds and closer destinations. Think about it, your phone goes off and; 1) You are almost at your destination. vs 2) You still have a long ways to go yet. Wouldn’t you be less likely to start fiddling with your phone under scenario 1 then 2? I will contended that mixed use and compact development save lives besides making for a more active life style.]

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Your Desk Is Making You Stupid

By Jessica Stillman, INC.
Your desk, scientists reported recently, is trying to kill you.
According to the New York Times, scientists discovered that when we sit all day, "electrical activity in the muscles drops… leading to a cascade of harmful metabolic effects," and sadly even getting regular doses of exercise doesn’t offset the damage. But now there’s new evidence of the harm of sitting. Not only is it making you fatter, it might also be making you dumber.
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https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/be-smarter-get-up-and-walk-around.html

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Governor O’Malley Announces 28 New Bikeways Grant Winners

Bike Maryland

$3.13 Million in Projects Will Provide Key Bike Network Connections

Maryland Department of Transportation, July 24, 2012

HANOVER, MD – As part of the O’Malley Administration’s Cycle Maryland Initiative, Governor Martin O’Malley today announces 28 winners of the Bikeways Program Grants.  The Maryland Bikeways Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation, was established in November 2011 as a program to support planning, design and construction of projects that create and improve bicycle connections in Maryland to key destinations, like work, school and shopping.  Governor O’Malley’s program is providing $3.13 million for this round of grants to seven counties, Baltimore City and 12 other municipalities for a variety of projects in different stages of development from feasibility assessment and design to construction.  These grant recipients are the second set of awardees announced this year bringing the total to 48 bikeways grant recipients and $5.63 million for 2012.

“I am pleased to see such a great interest in working together to build a more comprehensive bike network statewide that will benefit our citizens,” said Governor O’Malley.  “These grants will help local jurisdictions build key connections that make bicycling a true transportation option.  Bicycling is a win-win for all of us by helping us learn to enjoy more of Maryland’s natural treasures, reducing the impact on the land, improving our fitness and well-being, and enhancing our quality of life.”
The grant winning projects include:  on and off-road bicycle route connections, bike route signage, bike racks and safety improvements.  A complete list of projects is available here. 
Some of the winning projects are:
  • City of Brunswick’s bike route, connecting the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal Trail, the MARC train station and Main Street
  • Baltimore  County’s Towson Bike Beltway, installing bike lanes and bike route improvements
  • Baltimore City’s downtown bike network, supporting design and construction of a cycle-track and bike lanes
  • Laurel’s bike connection project, installing a bike lane on Lafayette Avenue and connecting it to the Laurel MARC station
  • Anne Arundel County and Prince George’s County’s Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (WB&A Trail), providing feasibility assessment and preliminary design of a trail bridge over the Patuxent River
  • Salisbury’s on-road bikeways, connecting Salisbury University and local businesses
  • Shore Transit on the Eastern Shore, providing bike racks on buses and at key stations
The Maryland Bikeways Program grant applications are reviewed with the goal of awarding grants to support plans and projects that:  maximize the use of Maryland’s existing bicycle facilities, make needed connections and support Maryland’s bike sharing efforts. The Bikeways Program will address key funding gaps for bicycle projects. Program flexibility ensures that the best possible bicycle routes can be developed, by utilizing local and state roads, off-road trails, parks and other available pathways. Through strategic investment in the bicycle network, Maryland and our partners hope both to stimulate the economy and to achieve cost savings for households and government agencies.
Governor O’Malley kicked off his Cycle Maryland Initiative to consolidate and coordinate bicycle programs in Maryland in an effort to make bicycling a true transportation alternative and to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride. The goal is to support Maryland’s economy, to provide a cleaner environment and to encourage a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life for all Marylanders.
For more information on Cycle Maryland efforts and great bicycling resources, please visit www.cycle.maryland.gov or contact MDOT, Jack Cahalan or Erin Henson at 410-865-1028.

Don’t Miss the Early-Bird Registration Rate – Register Now!

Larry’s Ride and Run – September 22, 2012
Location: Spring Meadow Farm in North West Baltimore County

Enjoy the scenic and challenging terrain of Baltimore’s farm crested hills when you participate in the 3rd Annual Larry’s Ride and Run event at Spring Meadow Farm. Choose from three different bicycle routes or join in the run! Afterward, come back to the farm for barbeque, kid’s events, music, a farmer’s market and so much more.

Click here to register and to learn more about Larry’s Ride and Run!

TOUR DU PORT – September 30, 2012
Location: Baltimore City’s Canton Waterfront Park

5 completely NEW Tour du Port routes have been developed. All routes include the Aquarium rest stop and enter Fort McHenry for an option of a walking tour! Experience Baltimore’s premier bicycle tour, Tour du Port! Routes range from 12 to 65 miles and travel through historic neighborhoods, charming port areas and beautiful city and state parks throughout Baltimore City, Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties. After the ride, enjoy a celebration including live music, exhibitors, lunch, and more!

Click here to register and to learn more about Tour du Port!

Receive $10 off when you register for BOTH Larry’s Ride and the Tour du Port. Click here to register and receive your discount.

Calling All Volunteers! 

Bike Maryland needs your help spreading the word about Tour du Port and Larry’s Bike Ride events. All funds raised from both Larry’s Ride and the Tour du Port directly support bicycle advocacy, safety awareness, infrastructure, and your right to bike!
Would you help us:
  • Canvas postcards & posters (ASAP- need to get them around town now – until September 15th) to: Baltimore Neighborhoods (Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Greektown, Midtown, etc….) bars & restaurants, sports stores, health clubs (spinning classes), coffee shops, local markets, etc….
  • To neighborhood bars, restaurants etc. within a 2 hour radius from Baltimore
  • Along Maryland state trails and walkways (NCR, C&O, B&A, etc….)
  • Posting the events on online calendars, websites, and social media
  • Sending out alerts to local media
Please contact Christina Nutile (click on name for email) or call 410-952-0334 for postcard/poster pick-up location or to have them delivered to you. Thank you.

Check out our new custom merchandise available for purchase on the event registration forms.

Can’t attend the Tour Du Port or Larry’s Ride? You can still order merchandise here.
Sleek custom bicycle jersey!

Custom wicking t-shirt!
View larger images on the event registration forms.
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Cameras Are Cyclists’ ‘Black Boxes’ in Accidents

By NICK WINGFIELD, New York Times
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Video from these cameras has begun to play an invaluable role in police investigations of a small number of hit-and-runs and other incidents around the country, local authorities say. Lawyers who specialize in representing bicyclists say they expect the use of cameras for this purpose to increase as awareness of the devices goes up and their prices, now starting at around $200, come down.
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“It’s a fact of life that on American roads that you get punked, cut off purposely, harassed, not once but on a regular basis,” said Bob Mionske, a former Olympic cyclist who is now a lawyer representing bicyclists in Portland, Ore. “If motorists start to hear about bikes having cameras, they’re going to think twice about running you off the road.”
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Mr. Wilder said, “Most cyclists don’t use cameras so Mr. Diehl may have assumed he could assault and drive away anonymously.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/technology/bicyclists-using-cameras-to-capture-accidents.html

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Unleash our kids

BY WILL DOIG, Salon
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One study diagrammed the shrinking distances that four generations of one family’s kids were allowed to stray from home: six miles in 1919, one mile in 1950, half a mile in 1979, and 300 yards today.
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She says the “Popsicle test” is a convenient way to use free-roaming kids to gauge a city’s health. “If an 8-year-old child can go get a Popsicle from the store by themselves and finish it before they get home, that city is probably thriving,” says Skenazy. Such an act is possible only in a walkable, reasonably safe environment that has a good pedestrian infrastructure and where retail and residences are relatively intermixed.
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Compare that to the U.S., … the Pittsburgh dad who was charged with child endangerment for letting his 9- and 6-year-olds play in a park; the Florida community that banned anyone under 18 from being outdoors without a chaperone.
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It says something that we perceive walking down the street to be a greater risk to kids than speeding along in two tons of steel and glass, when in actuality, four-fifths of kids killed by cars are in those cars. No parent, however, is going to be accused of endangering their child by driving them to school, but the parent who lets them walk might be
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https://www.salon.com/2012/07/21/paranoid_parents_kill_cities/