{"id":169114653,"date":"2010-05-12T08:17:33","date_gmt":"2010-05-12T08:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=169114653"},"modified":"2010-05-12T08:17:33","modified_gmt":"2010-05-12T08:17:33","slug":"new-aaa-press-release-an-improvement-but-not-a-correction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=169114653","title":{"rendered":""New" AAA press release an improvement, but not a correction"},"content":{"rendered":"

AREA MOTORISTS URGED TO SHARE THE ROAD DURING NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND AREA MOTORISTS <\/span><\/h4>\n

ARE REMINDED TO SAFELY SHARE THE ROADS WITH BICYCLISTS<\/span><\/h4>\n

Motor Club Promotes Careful Commuting Whether Your Ride Has Two Wheels or Four<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON, D. C. <\/span><\/b> <\/span>(Wednesday, May 5, 2010) \u2013 <\/span><\/b>The warmer weather in the month of May is luring more cyclists onto busy roadways and into local bike lanes and bike trails. <\/span>AAA Mid-Atlantic is encouraging all motorists to respectfully share the road with cyclists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Statistics from NHTSA show that approximately 716 cyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured in traffic crashes during 2008.  <\/span>Pedacyclist deaths accounted for two percent of all traffic fatalities, and made up two percent of all of the people injured in traffic crashes for the year. <\/span>To prevent these incidents, AAA Mid-Atlantic urges motorists to exercise exceptional caution when approaching bicyclists with whom they share the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>\u201cThe number of cyclists is growing in the national capital area, and each day more than seven thousand persons commute to work in the District, that\u2019s 2.3 percent of local workers, which is twice the national average,\u201d John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic\u2019s Manager of Public & Government Affairs. \u201cTherefore, it behooves roadway users to remember that cyclists are granted the same rights and are expected to obey the same laws as motorists.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The number of area cyclists is expected to increase in the District and the metro region. In 2006 the Transportation Planning Board approved plans to build 247 miles of new bike lanes in the Washington metro area and to add 482 miles of multi-use paths to the region by 2030.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In recognition of National Bike Month, AAA Mid-Atlantic reminds both motorists and cyclists to be vigilant about sharing the road, and to exercise caution year round. \u201cApproximately 2700 pedestrians and bicyclists are injured every year in the Washington region, and eighty-nine are killed,\u201d according to studies conducted by Street Smart,  <\/span>\u201can annual public education, awareness and behavioral change campaign in the Washington.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities accounted for 23% of the total traffic fatalities in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia from 2004-2008.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAAA Mid-Atlantic appreciates the continued efforts of stakeholders and transportation officials towards making roads safer for motorists and cyclists alike,\u201d said Townsend.  <\/span>To equip area motorists to share the road cautiously and courteously with cyclists, AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following tips: <\/span><\/p>\n