Month: February 2013

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Recording of the House Hearing on Two Bike Bills

It seems really strange to me when Maryland bike fatalities drop from our usual 10-12 down to 5 (2011) that our legislature wants to increase our safety by putting more onus on us with a mandatory helmet law. Del McIntosh seems to have developed this concern after seeing a un-helmeted cyclist in Baltimore. Baltimore averages about one cyclist death a year and the most common thing that sticks out in my mind is right turning vehicles violating the cyclists right-a-way (Yates & Krasnopoler) and helmets did not help those two.

The opponents testimony against removing the narrow highway exception are trucking organisations and why they want this exception so… well let’s skip to the bit that they would be open to being allowed to pass a cyclist over the double yellow, that’s cool. We need to push for an amendment to say this!!! I usually have a lot of respect for trucks driving on our two lane roads but a general exception for anyone and everyone where the intent is if you can’t legally and safely pass you can legally unsafely pass has to go!

Here’s he link:
https://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/Play/bd499eefbe5a46f98bcd982c68901cc21d?catalog=03e481c7-8a42-4438-a7da-93ff74bdaa4c

The bike bills last 1:47 and there is one other bill (short) stuck in between..

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Response: HB 339 Required Use of Protective Headgear – Oppose

Thank you for your email detailing your opposition regarding House Bill 339.

I agree with your views and will vote accordingly.

In the meantime, you can track this legislation at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga In the box next to “find legislation” input HB339 and query. This will bring up a synopsis of the bill. If you wish to see the entire version, click on the “document” tab and open the attached PDF file.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be further assistance. I appreciate your interest, and welcome your involvement.

Warm regards,

Herb McMillan
Your Delegate
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Gasoline costs take biggest share of household income in three decades

By Ben Geman, The hill
Trips to the gasoline pump in 2012 and 2008 took their biggest share of U.S. household income in several decades, according to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The Energy Department’s statistical arm reported Monday that the average household spent $2,912 for gasoline in 2012, which makes up almost 4 percent of pre-tax income, tying 2008 for the highest percentage in roughly 30 years.
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https://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/280873-fed-agency-2012-household-gasoline-costs-take-biggest-bite-in-decades

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Tree and Human Health May be Linked

Via Bioscience Technology
"In an analysis of 18 years of data from 1,296 counties in 15 states, researchers found that Americans living in areas infested by the emerald ash borer, a beetle that kills ash trees, suffered from an additional 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,000 more deaths from lower respiratory disease when compared to uninfected areas. When emerald ash borer comes into a community, city streets lined with ash trees become treeless."
https://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2013/01/tree-and-human-health-may-be-linked

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NEW Kona Bikes Donation

Race Pace mechanic buys 10 new bicycles and donates them to Bikes For the World.

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Part time mechanic at Race Pace buys 10 new Kona bikes and donates them to BfW. Seen here with Keith Oberg of BfW and Kevin Dolan Race Pace Bicycles

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Norm even helped load them up for us!

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The first time Norm donated bikes they went to Uganda. Here is one with Muwonge Jalia. Most of the farmers in the Kayunga District all borrow Jalia’s bicycle to travel to the markets, health centers, and for personal business. They loved the bikes so much, they left the cardboard packing on them to help protect them.
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