Posted on by B Spokes

Maryland Bicycle Friendly State Ranking Feedback

[Note that Maryland’s ranking is 35 out of 50]
As you know, the League of American Bicyclists recently expanded our programs in our effort to build a Bicycle Friendly America. Based on our successful Bicycle Friendly Community program, the Bicycle Friendly State program began by ranking all 50 states on their bike-friendliness. You can see the overall results of the ranking here. The rankings are based on overall scores to the ranking questionnaire that was sent to your State Bike Coordinator. Below is the feedback give to the Coordinator on areas that your state can work on to improve its ranking, and most importantly improve conditions for bicycling. We encourage you to use this feedback as a checklist of relevant to-do items when working with your State Coordinator, Department of Transportation and state legislature.
Legislation
-no 3ft or greater safe passing law
-cannot legally signal with right hand
-bicycle equipment code not consistent with the language in UVC or its intent
-discriminatory mandatory bike lane law
-far to right as practicable code does exclude right turn lane
Policies & Programs
-no Complete Streets or Bicycle and Pedestrian Accomodation policy
-no Mountain Biking Plan
-no CO2 Reduction Plan that includes bicycle usage
-no policy requiring bike parking at state owned facilities
Infrastructure
-no system in place to determine percentage of state highways that have paved shoulders
-no rumble strip policy with a minimum 4ft. of clearance for bicycles
-no dedicated state funding source for bicycling projects or programs
-no safety funding spent on bicycling in past 3 years
Education & Encouragement
-no questions regarding the responsibilities of motorists towards cyclists on driver’s test
-no questions regarding the responsibilities of motorists towards cyclists on driver’s manual
-no questions on motorists responsibilities to cyclists on CDL test
Evaluation & Planning
-information on bicycle usage rates not included in SCORP
-bicycle safety is not addressed in Highway Safety Plan
Enforcement
-No education of officer on cyclist rights & responsibilities through academy or continuing education
-information on cyclists rights and responsibilities not made available to traffic judges

Your State Bike Coordinator is:
Michael Jackson
Maryland Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
888-713-1414
mjackson3@mdot.state.md.us
Jeff Peel
Program Specialist, Bicycle Friendly Community
League of American Bicyclists
1612 K St. N.W., Suite #800
Washington, DC 20006
202-621-5445oldId.20081016164955778

2 Replies to “Maryland Bicycle Friendly State Ranking Feedback”

  1. Making Maryland safer for cyclists would be easy.
    -Enforce the speed limits
    -Higher penalties for agressive drivers
    -No more cell phone yapping, or text messaging while driving
    -Remove all MTA buses from the road
    Oh, and the 33rd street bike lane is a death trap, who designed it?
    Mark my words, someone will get killed.

  2. A few enhancements:

    -Enforce the speed limits
    https://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20080208143455726

    -Higher penalties for aggressive drivers
    IMHO This and our aggressive driver law needs to be made more enforceable.

    § 21-901.2. Aggressive driving.
    A person is guilty of aggressive driving if the person commits three or more of the following offenses at the same time or during a single and continuous period of driving in violation of:
    (1) § 21-202 of this title (Traffic lights with steady indication);
    (2) § 21-303 of this title (Overtaking and passing vehicles);
    (3) § 21-304 of this title (Passing on right);
    (4) § 21-309 of this title (Driving on laned roadways);
    (5) § 21-310 of this title (Following too closely);
    (6) § 21-403 of this title (Failure to yield right-of-way); or (7) § 21-801.1 of this title (Exceeding a maximum speed limit or posted maximum speed limit

    Note nothing about putting lives of pedestrians or bicyclists at risk, or more generally reckless and negligent driving (§ 21-901.1.)

    And please if you have an indecent with MTA please post it here.

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