Month: November 2014

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4 Maryland Counties in the top 30 with Highest Transit Share increases

Per the Federal Highway Administration Office of Planning, Environment and Realty the Top 30 Counties with Highest Transit Share increases between the Year of 2000 and 2007-2009 (Journey to Work Trips) include 4 Maryland counties and here they are with their ranking:

2 Prince George’s County, Maryland
7 Charles County, Maryland
12 Montgomery County, Maryland
23 Howard County, Maryland

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/census_issues/ctpp/data_products/2000_2007-2009_2010-2012_commute_shares/transitshare.cfm

B’ Spokes: And I’ll note that there are similar analyses for biking and walking but no Maryland county made that list (no surprise there)
Continue reading “4 Maryland Counties in the top 30 with Highest Transit Share increases”

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Why motorists get so angry at cyclists — a psychologist’s theory

By Susan Perry, MINN POST
A study issued earlier this year found that motor vehicle drivers and cyclists are equally responsible for car-bike collisions in Minneapolis. But, as comments to media reports of that study demonstrate, the finger pointing continues, with bicyclists blaming aggressive drivers for most collisions and drivers blaming “inconsiderate and stupid” cyclists.
The anger from motorists toward cyclists seems especially raw. So I read with interest British psychologist Tom Stafford’s latest Neurohacks column for BBC Future in which he offers his theory for “why cyclists enrage car drivers.”
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https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2013/02/why-motorists-get-so-angry-cyclists-psychologists-theory

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BIKE PARKING OVERTAKES AUTO PARKING IN SOME PLACES

-> According to a July 9th Mobility Lab article, "… Interestingly, Arlington gives as much attention to bike parking as it does auto parking. As bike ridership numbers rise in D.C. (and nationally), so does the demand for bike parking. The county currently requires developers of site-plan buildings to construct one bike parking space per 2.5 residential units. John Durham, transportation demand management planner for Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS), believes that number may be too low because 50 percent of all households in the county own at least one bicycle.
"Not only are quality bicycle-parking facilities an effective way to encourage and influence bicycle-ridership numbers, but they also are a more efficient use of land and maximize resources. One automobile parking space can accommodate 10 bikes, according to Durham.
"Mounting research suggests that bike facilities pay off economically to business owners. In D.C., businesses located near Capital Bikeshare stations appear to benefit economically. Similarly, protected bike lanes in New York City have been shown to increase retail sales by 49 percent. Just as Arlington County is focused on moving people instead of cars, some businesses are recognizing that cars don’t buy things, people do. Particularly in areas of density with scarce parking generally, it can make sense to provide bike parking as a complement to (or replacement for) car parking. The goal is to maximize foot traffic…"
Source: https://bit.ly/W9kXuR
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.

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Survey Request: Biking to Campus; Jumping the Hurdles

Via Bike Maryland

From the research team at Morgan State University:

You are invited to participate in a survey of students, faculty, and staff in colleges and universities in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. This survey is conducted by a research team from Morgan State University. The objective of the survey is to identify barriers of bike-to-campus. Your responses will help us to understand your concerns on biking, and find desirable policies to overcome hurdles and improve rate of biking. Completing the survey would take about 10-15 minutes. This survey is completely voluntary. There is no risk associated with your participation. Your responses will be anonymous and confidential.

https://goo.gl/forms/1IbkAPQEEa
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More info: https://www.bikemaryland.org/survey-request-biking-to-campus-jumping-the-hurdles/

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Europe’s cycling economy has created 650,000 jobs

By Arthur Neslen, the Guardian
Europe’s cycling industry now employs more people than mining and quarrying and almost twice as many as the steel industry, according to the first comprehensive study of the jobs created by the sector.
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If cycling’s 3% share of journeys across Europe were doubled, the numbers employed could grow to over one million by 2020, says the ‘Jobs and job creation in the European cycling sector’ study which will be published next month.
Kevin Mayne, the development director at the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) which commissioned the paper, said that it had a very simple message for governments and local authorities: “You know that investing in cycling is justified from your transport, climate change and health budgets. Now we can show clearly that every cycle lane you build and every new cyclist you create is contributing to job growth. Investing in cycling provides a better economic return than almost any other transport option. This should be your first choice every time.”
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https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/12/europes-cycling-economy-has-created-650000-jobs

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9 Things Drivers Need to Stop Saying in the Bikes vs. Cars Debate

By Adam Mann, Wired
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1. Cyclists always break the law
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Sitting on a bike seat doesn’t somehow turn you into a monster anymore than getting behind the wheel does.
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2. Roads are designed for cars
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3. Cyclists are dangerous
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4. There’s not enough room for bike lanes without causing gridlock
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5. Cyclists just want everyone to stop driving
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6. Drivers pay for roads so they should get priority
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7. Cycling is a fad
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8. There’s a war on cars
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9. People absolutely need cars to get around
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https://www.wired.com/2014/11/9-things-drivers-need-stop-saying-bikes-vs-cars-debate/

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THIS: Driving instructors get on their bikes [UK]

by Mark Sutton, Bike Biz

Video and training course about cyclists’ road positioning to help driving instructors educate next generation of drivers.

A video about cyclists’ road positioning, and a training course on the same subject, are reaching out to driving instructors in an attempt to educate the next generation of drivers. Cycle Training UK  of London has started to offer a Cyclist Awareness Course for Driving Instructors. Lambeth Council commissioned the course to help driving instructors understand what new drivers need to know about sharing the road with cyclists, and it is to be rolled out to other areas. Driving instructors and cycle trainers compare teaching techniques and methodology, and driving instructors get a practical experience of riding bicycles on road and discuss key points that drivers need to know to ensure low risk interactions on the road.

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https://www.bikebiz.com/index.php/news/read/driving-instructors-get-on-their-bikes/017075

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American Insurance Association Opposes Contributory Negligence in DC

Via The WashCycle

Contributory Negligence Bill unlikely to get out of committee. Expanded to include peds and wheelchair users.

From the Post 

Council members Tommy Wells, chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, and David Grosso (D-At-Large), the bill’s main sponsor, said at a press conference Thursday that the bill is long overdue. They acknowledge the bill is unlikely to advance out of the committee — this is the third time it has been introduced –and already were talking about trying again next year.

Ward 6 CM-elect Charles Allen has already promised to support it.

When introduced, the bill only covered cyclists, but since its September hearing, it has been expanded to also cover pedestrians and people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.

Another amendment is likely to be added that protects joint and several liability . Why won’t it pass?

But the American Insurance Association says the change is unnecessary and would result in significant cost increases to D.C. drivers.

Where is the all-powerful bike lobby when you need it?

https://www.thewashcycle.com/2014/11/contributory-negligence-bill-unlikely-to-get-out-of-committee-expanded-to-include-peds-and-wheelchai.html

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Cause of anti-cycling bigotry

[B’ Spokes: Lets look at society as a whole and what it thinks what safe cycling looks like, ride against traffic, ride with traffic and ride on the sidewalk. We have all seen cyclists do all the above but somehow when motorists speak they avoid the most basic “controversy” and go right to the “indisputable” facts… hold it right there, every mode of transportation flouts the law, people are people. The problem is the lack of traffic enforcement. And don’t tell me motorists are lawful, I drive the freeways at the speed limit, I stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, l stop before making a right on red and so on but I rarely see my fellow motorists being as lawful.

I just want to scream at all this blaming the victim stuff when motorists and they way they drive kill, I mean kill a lot. Cyclists are not a major problem, motorists are. If and only if the police start doing crosswalk stings and on our side, start doing some 3 foot violation stings then maybe start enforcing our laws but in the mean time we are all just trying to survive in a sea of lawlessness.]

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Bicyclists Belong In The Traffic Lane