[Baltimore Spokes: Note they used Federal Funding, we have a hard time getting Federal Funding because of State Policies.]<\/p>\n
Says Columbia (Md.) needs to develop its bicycling potential<\/p>\n
By Sarah Breitenbach – Colombia Flier<\/p>\n
Columbia could learn a thing or two from a Missouri city that shares its name.<\/p>\n
Darwin Hindman, the mayor of Columbia, Mo., visited Columbia, Md., Wednesday to tour the area and to talk about strategies for making Howard County more bike-friendly.<\/p>\n
Hindman was invited to town as a guest of Columbia Tomorrow, a nonprofit dedicated to revamping downtown Columbia.<\/p>\n
His visit included a two-wheeled tour on area bike paths and roads, and a lunch with representatives from nonprofits, businesses and local government.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things you’ve got to do if it\u2019s going to work is take the people who don\u2019t ride bikes now and get them interested in it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hindman told the group of 30 how his city used a $22.5-million federal grant to build bike paths, improve intersections and host city-sponsored bicycle safety courses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful here,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got an awful lot to build on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hindman emphasized the health benefits of biking and its ability to decrease congestion when used as a means of commuting.<\/p>\n
David Yungmann, founder of Columbia 2.0, an organization that seeks to involve younger people in the downtown redevelopment process, and a participant in the morning bike ride, said Columbia\u2019s roads are not conducive to commuters on bikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were in people’s way,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople are trying to park, trying to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n
County councilwoman Jennifer Terrasa, a Democrat who lives in Kings Contrivance, said while the county\u2019s roughly 100 miles of bike paths are great for recreation, routes are not well connected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost like a strategic plan,\u201d she said. \u201cYou have to go \u2018OK, how am I going to get across (U.S. Route) 29? I can get over here, but how am I going to get across that road?’ \u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Terrasa said funds are not readily available to develop more bike paths or create dedicated lanes for cyclists, but bike usage will be a part of the planning process to redevelop downtown Columbia.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, the Howard County Council introduced legislation outlining General Growth Properties Inc.\u2019s plan to bring 5,000 residential units, 5 million square feet of office space and 1.25 million square feet of retail space to downtown Columbia.<\/p>\n