[B’ Spokes: A little girl on a bike and a cat riding around her neighborhood, you can’t get cuter than that. But it makes me wonder why so many are working to make such imagery a thing of the past. Now kids to be safe stay inside and play your video games. :/ ]
Why Clearing Sidewalks Isn’t a Priority Like Plowing Streets
B’ Spokes: First some Maryland data to put this in context.
Where Maryland stands compared to other states with their pedestrian fatality rate.
https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/
How Maryland pedestrian fatalities by month rank for pedestrian fatalities.
| Month | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | AVG. | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 14 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| January | 14 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9.8 |
| September | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 9.6 |
| November | 9 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9.4 |
| October | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8.6 |
| February | 12 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8.2 |
| May | 5 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8.2 |
| June | 4 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8.2 |
| April | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7.6 |
| July | 7 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7.2 |
| August | 6 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6.7 |
| March | 10 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5.5 |
| Fatal Crashes | 106 | 110 | 97 | 103 | 95 | 102 | 100 |
https://mhso.mva.maryland.gov/TrafficSafetyData/_benchmarkreports/PedestOnFootBR-12Aug1-13.pdf
It seems to me that Maryland has a winter time pedestrian problem.
by Angie Schmitt, Streets Blog
If where you live is anything like where I live, the sidewalks are a mess right now. People are walking in the streets and getting summarily blamed by the press when a driver injures them.
Plows are out all night salting and scraping the streets, but sidewalks are a private responsibility, and compliance with shoveling laws is haphazard enough to make mixing with SUVs seem like the best option for a lot of pedestrians.
To their credit, community leaders in Akron, Ohio, have been debating how to keep children safe when they walk to school. On his blog Notes from the Underground, Jason Segedy, head of Akron’s metropolitan planning organization, AMATS, wrote about the relative lack of concern for kids who walk:
The immediate, specific, and tactical answer to the question of “Why don’t we make safe and accessible sidewalks a priority?” has to do with a panoply of thorny and interrelated fiscal, legal, and property issues.
But the holistic, general, and strategic answer to that question is simply this: our culture does not value or respect people on foot the way that it does people behind the wheels of cars. To be clear, this cultural orientation is not the result of conscious antipathy toward pedestrians, or an intentional organized conspiracy to disenfranchise or disrespect the marginalized and the poor. Instead, it’s simply the way that our society has evolved over the past 60 years, as the automobile has achieved near complete dominance as a mode of transportation – at least for the affluent majority.
I discuss this issue with people all of the time, and often hear people say “Why waste the time or money on this? No one walks anyway.” My translation: “I don’t walk anywhere, no one that I know walks anywhere, and since I occupy a place of privilege in society, I really don’t notice anyone that does walk.”
In addition to being patently false, the generalization “no one walks anyway” misses the point entirely. Social equity and fairness in transportation is not about a tunnel-vision view of the needs of the majority that drives, considered in a vacuum; but rather, about looking out for the needs of the minority that does not drive.
…
https://streetsblog.net/2014/02/19/why-clearing-sidewalks-isnt-a-priority-like-plowing-streets/
A Sidewalk Snow Removal Plan
[B’ Spokes: It would be nice if Baltimore did something like this, especially on 4 lane roads where they plow all the snow from the street onto the sidewalk.]
Via Hans Riemer
Responding to large storm events is a challenge for our county government and our residents. We have a very robust snow plow operation that clears the roads very efficiently, and our superb highway team is always working to improve its performance. However, we do not have a sufficient plan or policies in place to meet the challenge of removing snow from sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
I have seen or heard reports of pedestrians walking in the street on major roads, mothers pushing strollers over sidewalks that have not been cleared, seniors and individuals with mobility challenges unable to enter a street crossing because it is blocked by snow, and even motorized wheelchairs moving in traffic lanes on state highways (in this case, University Blvd) because sidewalks are impassable.
We know that the county considers its snow removal work complete long before these problems have been resolved.
I am requesting Council staff to draft legislation requiring Montgomery County DOT to create a Sidewalk Snow Removal Plan.
The plan would require elements including:
- A digital map of the county showing who is responsible for clearing snow on all sidewalks in the county
- A “major storm event” communications plan addressing a range of preparation efforts that residents need to understand, and including sidewalk snow removal, to be implemented in advance of major storm events
- A targeted public education campaign for property owners to make them aware where they are responsible for clearing sidewalks from snow
- Establishing pedestrian priority routes where additional education, enforcement and county services will be applied
- A public education campaign to educate residents about how to request enforcement of sidewalk clearing rules, and enhanced process for residents to request enforcement by 311
- Policies for keeping 311 in operation late during snow events
- Increased enforcement for property owners who fail to clear their sidewalks
- Plan for county-provided snow removal at bus-stops and around Metro stations
- Plan for county-provided snow removal near schools
- Plan for county-provided snow removal along state highways
- Plan for county-provided snow removal along highest priority pedestrian routes
- Plan for snow removal in urban districts, funded by urban districts
- Pedestrian access requirements provided to snow removal contractors and performance assessment based on fulfilling the plan
- Plan for clearing hiker biker trails on a prioritized basis
- Plan for trash removal if snow cancels collection
I recognize that we have limited resources and storm events are already a massive expense for the county — we spend over $1 million per day during snow events, according to the county executive.
https://www.councilmemberriemer.org/2014/02/a-sidewalk-snow-removal-plan.html
AlterNet Comics: Jen Sorensen’s Safety Tips for Law-Breaking Pedestrians
AlterNet Comics
This is how pedestrian enforcement works
Austin police drag jogger to car screaming after jaywalking without ID
[B’ Spokes: This is the next phase in victim blaming, just look at this criminal! She is being treated exactly like someone who has trespassed on private property. Let that sink in for a bit.]
PETITION: FOR NEW MULTI-USE RUNNING AND CYCLING TRAILS IN CALVERT COUNTY, MD.
Sign your name today to show your support for the development of new multi-use running and cycling trails in Calvert County, MD.
Look out for a Honda SUV, Light colored, possibly silver or white – Hit and run
Update to two separate accidents involving bicyclists. #InfoSought on Hit & Run Driver. Please Share.
SUSPECT:
Vehicle/Suspect #1:
Unknown Honda SUV, Light colored, possibly silver or white…
Driver: White male 50 to 60 years of age, with grey mustache.
Fled scene west bound on Central Avenue
Southern District
Bicyclist Motor Vehicle Crash Davidsonville
On February 22, 2014, at approximately 5:09 p.m., officers from the Traffic Safety Section responded to westbound Central Avenue at the Patuxent River Road in Davidsonville for a report of a crash involving two (2) bicyclists.
The investigation revealed that the bicyclists were traveling west on Central Avenue approaching the Patuxent River Bridge. The bicyclists were on or near the roadway edge line when Bicyclist #1 was struck by a light colored SUV that failed to remain at the scene. The striking vehicle fled west on Central Avenue into Prince Georges County.
Bicyclist #2 was riding immediately behind Bicyclist #1 and as a result of the collision between the car and Bicyclist #1, Bicyclist #2 also crashed. After the collision, the bike ridden by Bicyclist #1 came to rest in the roadway and was struck by a 2005 Chevy Impala.
Evidence recovered from the scene indicates that the fleeing vehicle is a Honda SUV. Witnesses describe the vehicle as light in color (possible silver or white) driven by a W/M 50 to 60 years of age with a grey mustache and dark glasses.
Bicyclist #1, Ms. Kristianson was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma where she is listed in critical, but stable condition. Bicyclist #2, Ms. Neel was transported to Washington Hospital Center where she was later released. The driver of the Chevy Impala sustained no injuries.
The primary cause of this crash is driver error. The driver failed to yield to the bicyclists lawfully using the roadway. Speed does not appear to be a factor in the collision. Witness report that sun glare may have been a factor at the time of the collision.
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call the Traffic Safety Section at 410-222-8573.
Bicyclist #1: Lynn Carol Kristianson, 62, of Arlington, Virginia.
Injuries: Life threatening, currently listed in critical condition
UPDATE: Now listed in critical, but stable condition.
Bicyclist #2: Maile Catherine Neel, 52, of University Park, Maryland
Injuries: Non-life threatening, currently listed in stable condition
UPDATE: Released from hospital.
Vehicle/Suspect #1: Unknown Honda SUV
Light colored, possibly silver or white
Driver: White male 50 to 60 years of age, with grey mustache.
Fled scene west bound on Central Avenue
Vehicle #2 2005 Chevy Impala, MD 3AJ8698
Owner/Driver: Tierra Lesley Harris, 21, of Oxon Hill, Maryland
Eastern District
Bicyclist Struck Severna Park
On February 22, 2014 at approximately 6:30 p.m. officers responded to the area of Ritchie Highway and Leelyn Drive for a report of an accident involving a bicyclist.
Upon their arrival, they observed a 14 year old male suffering from injuries sustained when he was struck by a car. The investigation revealed that several juveniles riding bicycles attempted to cross the northbound lanes of Ritchie Highway at Leelyn Drive against a red traffic signal.
The other juveniles in the group reported that they were attempting to cross when they observed a vehicle approaching. They advised they stopped. They further advised that the victim, a 14 year-old male, did not stop and was attempting to beat the car across when he was struck. He suffered injuries to his lower body and was transported by Medavac to Johns Hopkins Pediatrics for further evaluation. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
The primary cause of this accident is bicyclist error. No further information available.
Massachusetts Official: Boston’s Winter Cyclists “Living in the Wrong City”
by Angie Schmitt, Streets Blog
Bostonians making polite requests for a clear path on one of the city’s key bike routes were met with disdain from the state agency responsible for maintaining the paths.
Here’s how one unnamed official from the Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation responded in an internal email thread to a message from a Boston resident asking for better snow removal on the Southwest Corridor, an important off-street bike path. The leaked email was published on the Boston site Universal Hub (emphasis ours):
Frankly, I am tired of our dedicated team wasting valuable time addressing the less than .05% of all cyclists who choose to bike after a snow/ice event… We should not spend time debating cyclists with poor judgement [sic] and unrealistic expectations, and stick with [the staffer]‘s recommendation that they find other transportation. If someone is completely depending on a bike for year-round transportation, they are living in the wrong city.
Bikes advocates in the Boston region didn’t take those remarks lying down. The Boston Cyclists Union, working with Allston-Brighton Bikes and Southie Bikes, asked local cyclists to share photos of themselves on social media with the slogan “I am the .05%” to demonstrate their numbers and their normalcy. Local cyclists also took to tweeting under the hastag #winterbiker to explain why biking in cold weather months is their best option.
Those efforts appear to have found their target. The Boston Cyclists Union and MassBike are reporting today that DCR has agreed to meet with local cyclists to discuss their concerns regarding snow and ice clearance on bike paths.
And, for the record, cold weather cities that put real effort into making it safe to bike see little drop-off in cycling during the winter. Copenhagen, for instance, retains 80 percent of its peak-season bike traffic in the cold months
Naples police to enforce three-foot law
By Jim Spiewak, ABC-7
NAPLES, FL –
Bicyclists are still getting hit and a law protecting them is still not being enforced. In light of our investigation into why the three-foot law is not widely enforced, the Naples Police Department is now cracking down in a unique way.
During the last three years only three tickets have been issued by all law enforcement agencies in Southwest Florida for violation of the three-foot law. That’s where drivers must give cyclists a three-foot buffer when passing. The Naples Police Department hasn’t issued even one such ticket.
But Officer Buddy Bonollo thinks that’s about to change.
"If we’re going to see firsthand we have to be part of this," Bonollo said.
Wednesday, Buddy turned in his uniform for riding gear and joined a group for their 30-mile ride. Cops can only write a ticket for the three-foot law if they see it. With Buddy along for the ride, now the Naples police can.
…
https://www.abc-7.com/story/24768808/naples-police-to-enforce-three-foot-law#.UwYl_PldWYC
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[B’ Spokes: When was the last time you saw a police officer on a bike or on foot prepared to address issues you care about as a cyclists or pedestrians?]
Be careful, deer
By CHARLES MAROHN, Strong Towns
Three deer have been killed recently in collisions with automobiles in a five-block stretch on Belliare Boulevard in Houston, Texas, within the past month. This has prompted Houston Police to urge the deer to be extra cautious when walking along the city streets.
[Picture of] Deer crossing the stroad without the aid of a crosswalk. Houston police are encouraging an end to this reckless behavior. (Click for license.)
Police officials say so far this year, there have been 15 crashes where deer were killed, a roughly 11 percent increase from the same time frame in 2013.
Department officials outlined a number of precautions the deer should take. Among them are:
* Do not walk across the street unless you are at a crosswalk.
* Take the extra minute or two to walk to a crosswalk.
* Obey traffic signals of Walk / Don’t Walk.
* Look before you step.
* Do not assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with a driver; don’t just look at a vehicle.
* Dress to be seen. Wear light colored clothing if walking at night and carry a flashlight, if possible.
* Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking across the street.
* Be especially careful in construction zones.
Houston is spending considerable wealth in an effort to relieve automobile congestion, increase the flow of traffic and improve travel speeds. There is no word from City Hall on whether or not Houston is reevauating priorities and shifting resources to address the safety issues of deer within the community.
[Picture] The designated sidewalk is two blocks over yet this deer is found walking along the edge of the stroad. Houston police have issued caution to deer. (Click for license.)
All I can say is, thank goodness I’m not a deer. Imagine if I had to try to walk through these auto-dominated areas with only this sage advice to protect me. Wear light colored clothing indeed! Have you ever seen a deer talking on a cell phone while walking? Totally reckless behavior — they are almost asking for it. Save that stuff for when you are driving.
Let’s never forget, the forgiving design concepts standardized by the engineering profession apply to cars, not deer. We need to design to forgive the common and casual mistakes of drivers, ensuring that those routine and easily anticipated mistakes do not result in collisions or, worse, fatalities. There is no way we can apply this thinking to the ungulates among us. We engineers should not be expected to design places that take into account the normal and predictable behavior of deer and plan for their safety. That’s not only beyond our professional charge, it may simply be impossible (without slowing down the cars).
Come on, deer. Take that extra minute or two to walk to the crosswalk. And look before you step. Nobody wants to see that messy venison on the side of the road during their morning commute.
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2014/2/19/be-careful-deer.html#.UwVRxPldWYA
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[B’ Spokes: I hope you get the point, people need to be accommodated along desire lines, this is true for obvious safety reasons. Saving fast cars two seconds while making people on foot travel 5 minutes or more makes no sense, people are people and everyone has a right to public space.]