{"id":250644930,"date":"2012-12-10T23:35:30","date_gmt":"2012-12-10T23:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=250644930"},"modified":"2012-12-10T23:35:30","modified_gmt":"2012-12-10T23:35:30","slug":"latest-bike-ped-news-from-dnr-and-around-the-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=250644930","title":{"rendered":"Latest Bike\/Ped News From DNR and Around the State"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Via email]
\n\ufeff
\nMaryland Trail Projects
\nThe Trails Division of the Department of Natural Resources is working with our federal, state, county, municipal and private partners on a wide variety of projects. Not every project listed below is necessarily a DNR initiative; for some we are merely providing technical assistance.
\nDNR Activities
\nDNR Trail Atlas \u2013 DNR is updating the Trail Atlas on our website. The Trails Atlas shows all of the trails – federal, state, county and municipal – in the state and combine DNR’s interactive trail atlas with https:\/\/www.mdmerlin.net\/<\/a>. This will be an on-going effort that will eventually include non-state trails. The trail atlas will provide a link to the MDOT\/SHA map, showing on-road connections and levels of service for each state road. It will also provide a link to the Tourism’s website at https:\/\/visitmaryland.org\/Pages\/MarylandHome.aspx<\/a> showing tourist-related information, and the visitmaryland map at https:\/\/visitmaryland.org\/map\/Pages\/Maryland.aspx<\/a> SHA, MDOT and DNR have agreed to continue making their map data available to one another as needed. SHA is also beginning to develop a standard template for attribute fields and symbology. State agencies will be working together on these mapping efforts so that our maps are consistent.
\nBicycle Friendly Building \u2013 DNR recently installed a new bicycle rack in the basement of the Tawes Office Building near the shower facilities as part of the Green Team’s Office of Sustainability efforts to achieve Bicycle Friendly Building status. The rack was generously donated by long-time bicycle advocate Bill Kelly of Ellicott City.
\nDNR Map Tech \u2013 DNR is planning to hire a seasonal map tech with GIS experience to begin a state-wide GPS mapping of all DNR trails. This position was funded by the Recreational Trails Program.
\nState Trail App \u2013 DNR is working with a private firm OhRanger to provide a free app for smart phones so the public can access park and trail information. The trail app is constantly being updated, but is currently available with limited content on the OhRanger website: https:\/\/www.ohranger.com\/<\/a>
\nGet Social with DNR! \u2013 The advent of social media has presented DNR with the opportunity to reach stakeholders in an unmediated setting. We have developed a hub & spoke business model at DNR with an overall umbrella account based in communications devoted to sharing your information, calls to action or good works.
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/AccessDNR<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AccessDNR<\/a>
\nDNR Trails Committee \u2013 DNR is creating a trails committee comprised of volunteers from regional and state-wide trail user groups from around the state of Maryland. DNR will provide a staff person from the Trails Division to facilitate the meetings, prepare minutes, and provide technical support. Staff from state agencies will be available outside the scheduled meetings to provide technical assistance to DNR as needed. State staff will not attend meetings and will work directly with DNR. Most of the DNR Ttail Committee’s work will be conducted outside meetings via e-mail, fax, mail, and phone. The Committee’s mission will be to review the previous State Land Preservation & Recreation Plan (SLPRP), the current conditions of state DNR trails, and provide recommendations to DNR for the Trails Section of the 2013 LPRP.
\nWestern Maryland Trails \u2013 DNR has allocated $300,000 for the design of a stacked-loop mountain bike trail system at Herrington Manor\/Swallow Falls state parks, connector trails from Deep Creek State Park, and ORV trails in Western Maryland. DNR is working with Garrett Trails and our land unit managers to design and build a premiere trail system that will make Western Maryland a mountain bike destination and economic generator.
\nStony Run Path \u2013 DNR is working with local community leaders and Baltimore City to construct the Stony Run Path in Baltimore City, connecting Gilman School with Wyman Park and the Jones Falls Trail.
\nPatapsco Trails \u2013 DNR is working with park managers, and private groups like Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE), to address erosion problems on our park trails and create a Patapsco Trail group that can help regularly maintain park trails.
\nPotomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Task Agreement \u2013 Under a recently approved Task Agreement, DNR will be working with the National Park Service to develop a color map and feasibility analysis for developing a walking\/mountain bike trail along the Potomac River, from the Wilson Bridge to Point Lookout State Park through multiple DNR land units.
\nOff Road Vehicles (ORV\u2019s) \u2013 DNR and the ORV Advisory Committee continue to explore potential sites on public & private lands that could be developed for ORV\u2019s. DNR and the Maryland Department of Environment are reaching out to private mine owners regarding the use of their properties as ORV facilities during the reclamation process. DNR has visited potential mine sites around Maryland and is exploring potential partnerships with private land owners and user groups, including the Maryland Competition Riders, Inc., a private motocross group, to re-open the Antietam Motor Sports complex, and the owner of the Wicomico Motorsports Park, utilizing Recreational Trails Program funds.
\nPG County Trails \u2013 DNR Trails Team is working with PG County Recreation & Parks staff to develop a trail through DNR land to connect the Bowie Heritage Trail and the WB&A Trail, beginning at Bowie State University.
\nConowingo Dam \u2013 DNR staff is working with local cycling advocates regarding a trail crossing below the dam connecting to DNR lands @ Conowingo Village which is owned by DNR. As part of the EXELON\u2019s federal relicensing, DNR is in the process of developing a comprehensive recreational master plan. DNR is also working closely with the Vulcan Mining Company to develop a trail through the outside perimeter of the property, connecting Havre de Grace and Susquehanna State Park. This trail was recently GPS’d following the existing, blue-blazed Mason-Dixon Trail and will be part of the Lower Susquehanna Greenway.
\nChildren in Nature \u2013 The Maryland Children in Nature Committee has finalized its 2012 Action Plan. CIN is looking for organizations willing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that commits them to partnering in the program. Please let us know if your group would like to partner with DNR on this initiative.
\nEquestrian \u2013 DNR is working with TROT and Maryland Horse Industry Council to determine where equestrian use is permitted on each state land unit, and then update the DNR website to reflect equestrian opportunities. Developing regional equestrian camping facilities will also be a high priority.
\nDeep Creek Trail Master Plan \u2013 DNR staff @ Deep Creek Lake State Park have initiated a Deep Creek Trails Master Plan.
\nMontgomery County \u2013 DNR met with reps from the Montgomery County Recreation & Parks Department about extending the Patuxent River Greenway between Damascus and Georgia Avenue, making trail connections to state lands, the county\u2019s trail sign plan, and enhancing the Rachel Carson trails.
\nRunner\u2019s World Trail of the Month \u2013 Trail Stats – Situated between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, Patapsco Valley State Park offers more than 170 miles of trails, spread across 16,043 acres and eight developed recreation areas. At the southern end of the park, the Orange Grove and Avalon areas provide multiple trail options that can be linked together for runs of just about any length or difficulty level. Whatever combination of trails you choose, you’ll traverse hardwood forests interlaced with numerous creeks and occasional ridge-top vistas overlooking the river valley. The rockier and steeper routes\u2014trails like Buzzard’s Rock and Forest Glen\u2014will test your agility as much as your endurance.
\nThe labyrinth trail network means you’ll want to study a map closely before heading out\u2014stuffing one in your pack or pocket isn’t a bad idea. A relatively easy-to-follow, six-mile route starts at the Avalon parking area. Take the Ridge Trail to the Rockburn Loop and return on the Morning Choice Trail. The Avalon recreation area offers several great options for trail runners. Reach it by taking Interstate 95 to Route 1 (Exit 3). Head toward Elkridge and turn right on South Street. The park entrance is on the left. In the summer months, you’ll want to get out early to avoid the oppressively hot and humid weather. Fall is glorious here, and the winters are usually mild enough for running. Spring brings enough rain to occasionally flood the rivers and wash out sections of trail, but things dry out quickly when the sun shines. The southern areas of Patapsco are popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians, but everyone gets along well on these well-marked trails. Keep an eye out for big groups of fast-moving runners: The cross-country squads from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, as well as other local colleges and high schools, train here regularly. Trail running clubs like the Howard County Striders and the Montgomery County Road Runners host frequent events and group runs in Patapsco. You might encounter strange trail markings made with flour\u2014the Hash House Harriers (Motto: "A drinking club with a running problem") have been known to frequent these trails. "The trails are continually interesting and challenging. You’ll face steep climbs but they don’t last too long, and you’ve got to watch your footing on the flats and the descents." \u2014Amy Lutsko, trail runner and Patapsco Valley State Park ranger.
\nDNR Launches New Interactive Newsroom \u2013 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Office of Communications today unveiled the brand new AccessDNR Newsroom \u2500 a more interactive, user-friendly way for DNR to share its latest news and happenings with the public and members of the media. \u201cThe internet and social media have opened the stream of information directly to our customers and stakeholders,\u201d said Josh Davidsburg, DNR senior communication manager. \u201cThrough this new format, we\u2019re going to make it easier \u2500 and more importantly, faster \u2500 for the public to get critical information directly from our scientific experts, resource managers and policy makers.\u201d The new format will allow anyone to sign up for email alerts and RSS feeds, and allows users to easily find their way through news, videos and social media. Users will be able to share news posts with their Facebook friends and Twitter followers with the simple click of a button. \u201cSocial media is quickly becoming an alternative outlet for the public to consume news,\u201d said Lori Livingston, DNR social media manager. \u201cThe newly designed newsroom will give our followers the opportunity to learn, share and discuss what\u2019s going on in the department with others.\u201d As news has broken away from the cycle system and developed into a constant flow, 24 hours a day, DNR is also moving towards a daily posting cycle. DNR will post news as it breaks, allowing readers the fastest access to what is happening in the department. These updates can be easily accessed from a computer, tablet or Smartphone.To check out the newsroom or to sign up to receive RSS feeds, citizens may visit https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr<\/a>
\nMORE \u2013 Volunteers are welcome to help work on the Valley View Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park, the 1st Sunday of the month until further notice. They will be working on the top of the lower section, demonstrating full bench work with grade reversals, proper outslope and sustainable grades. Bring some sturdy footwear, something to drink, a smiling face and your favorite tool. If it’s dry some may ride in.
\nDirections for the Avalon Pavilions ( #104 ):
\n\u2022 From the Beltway (I-695) Take Rt. 1 (Exit 12-A) toward Elkridge. Follow Rt. 1 South about 3 miles to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.
\n\u2022 From I -95 take I-195 to Rt. 1 (Exit 3) toward Elkridge to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.
\n\u2022 From Howard County follow Rt. 1 through Elkridge and into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South St. Park entrance is on the left.
\n\u2022 from the main entrance off of Route 1 and South St. ( South Rolling Road ).
\n\u2022 Buy your yearly pass at the gate, turn left at the T intersection, follow the road as it turns right the pavilions are on the right. Contact: ecraw4d@gmail.com
\nState-Wide Activities
\nBikeways Grants \u2013 The $3.5 million program for 2013 received 31 applications from all parts of the state. Several projects have been amended for approval since the review committee made their award recommendations – Indian Head, Williamsport, and Annapolis. Baltimore City will get $320,000 for design and construction of a cycle track running north\/south through the city and east\/west bike lanes. Garrett Trails will scratch the bridge design project and go with a trail connection through Friendsville from the Kendall Trail to the Community Park. There will be $500,000 in un-appropriated Bikeways funds which will be rolled over for special projects this year, or into next year’s grants. Federal (TEP & RTP) funds were leveraged for some of the projects. Several projects have been amended for approval since the review committee made their award recommendations – Indian Head, Williamsport, and Annapolis. Baltimore City will get $320,000 for design and construction of a cycle track running north\/south through the city and east\/west bike lanes. Garrett Trails will scratch the bridge design project and go with a trail connection through Friendsville from the Kendall Trail to the Community Park. There will be $500,000 in un-appropriated Bikeways funds which will be rolled over for special projects this year, or into next year’s grants. The Bikeways Program supports assessment, design and construction of bicycle transportation projects, including on-road bike routes and off-road trails. The Bikeways program focuses on making bicycling a transportation option, by closing missing links to connect trails and bike routes with town centers, main streets, transit stops, schools, and other destinations. For more information, go to https:\/\/www.mdot.maryland.gov\/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20Capital%20Programming\/Bike\/Bikeways.html<\/a>
\nRecreational Trails Program \u2013 Congress reauthorized the Federal Highway Transportation bill (MAP21) for the next two years. The RTP program gives each state the option of opting out of the program. This years round of applications includes 37 DNR projects totaling $759,000 and 35 non-DNR projects totaling $1 million annually. There are motorized and non-motorized projects as required by federal law. Secretary Griffin sent a letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration in support of the program. The Recreational Trail Program funds the development of motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. RTP focuses on improving multimodal transportation, economic prosperity, improved health and environmental stewardship by enhancing access to recreational, natural, cultural and historic resources. RTP funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, water trails, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. For more information, go to https:\/\/www.roads.maryland.gov\/Index.aspx?PageId=98<\/a>
\nTransportation Alternatives Program (formerly Transportation Enhancements Program) is a reimbursable, federal-aid funding program for transportation-related, community projects designed to improve the quality of life for citizens. TA funds projects that enhance the cultural, aesthetic, historic and environmental aspects of the intermodal transportation system. The program can assist in funding projects that create bicycle and pedestrian facilities, conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for trails, construction of turnouts and viewing areas, inventory and control of outdoor advertising, historic preservation of transportation facilities, vegetation management in transportation rights-of-way, archeological activities relating to impacts from transportation projects and environmental mitigation. For more information, go to https:\/\/www.roads.maryland.gov\/index.aspx?pageid=144<\/a>
\nMDOT Website \u2013 MDOT has a new website for all bicycle and pedestrian programs, beyond just Cycle MD. Check it out at: https:\/\/www.mdot.maryland.gov\/IncludedContent\/New%20MDOT%20Site\/tabPages\/Bike_Walk.html<\/a>
\nNew State Bicycle Guidelines \u2013 The State Highway Administration has recently completed its draft Bicycle Design Guidelines. DNR submitted comments on the guidelines as it relates to DNR lands. Here is the link to the zip file: https:\/\/www.mdot.maryland.gov\/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20Capital%20Programming\/Bicycle\/Documents\/Bicycle_Guidelines.zip<\/a>
\nMoving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) \u2013 The new law took effect on October 1, 2012. The most important change with MAP-21 is that it gives far more power to the Maryland Department of Transportation and regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations, like the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, to determine how money goes to bicycling and walking. For instance, states are still required to have a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator but there is no specific funding source to pay for them. And the requirement to have Safe Routes to School Coordinator is gone, but it’s still an eligible position to fund. Those choices are up to the state DOT. States and MPOs for urbanized areas with more than 200,000 people will conduct a competitive application process for use of the sub-allocated funds; eligible applicants include local governments, transit agencies, and school districts. Options are included to allow states considerable flexibility in the use of these funds.
\nCritical Trail Links \u2013 DNR\/MDOT\/SHA will continue to explore making critical On-Road & Off Road Connections between BWI Trail & Patapsco State Park, and from the Torrey C. Brown Trail to the Baltimore City trail system.
\nThe 3-Foot Passing Law \u2013 Motorists are now required to give cyclists 3 feet of clear\u00adance when pass\u00ading. …
\nState Bike\/Ped Master Plan Update \u2013 MDOT will soon begin updating their master plan which will be completed by the end of 2013 as part of the Maryland Transportation Plan, which is done every 5 years. This update will contain two new elements: (1) Designate Bike\/Ped Priority Areas; (2) Integrate trails with on-road connections through a two-tiered network based on user groups – casual rider & experienced rider. This two-tiered approach has evolved out of the Manetta Report which examined low stress connectivity. The latest AASHTO guidelines will also have to be incorporated into this update.
\nTrailStat \u2013 Currently, trail connection information is hard to track through the SHA data base. All SHA projects, including trails, are tracked and then included in the Annual Attainment Report, but the projects do not specifically track projects that made trail connections, primarily because connections has yet to be defined. MDOT anticipates that the Bike\/Ped Master Plan update should make a recommendation that connections be defined and tracked annually.
\nCycle Maryland Activities – Social Media is being utilized by our state agencies to promote on-going events. MDOT welcomes your contributions through their website.
\nStar-Spangled Banner Trail \u2013 The comprehensive management plan and environmental assessment for the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is now complete. The plan will guide development and management of the trail. https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/stsp\/index.htm<\/a>
\n9\/11 National Memorial Trail \u2013 The 1,140-mile 9\/11 National Memorial Trail will connect New York City\u2019s National September 11 Memorial, the Pentagon Memorial in Virginia near Washington, DC, and the Flight 93 National Memorial to commemorate the worst terrorist attack in America, and to honor those heroes who gave their all that fateful day. The Pentagon Memorial-to-Flight 93 link will use the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage to Rockwood, but an on-road link is needed at least temporarily from Rockwood to Flight 93.
\nWB&A Trail \u2013 The recently approved Bikways Maryland Grant to Anne Arundel County will authorize SHA to design the bridge over the Patuxent River. PG County is working with DNR to extend the trail on the P.G. County side of the river to Bowie State and the MARC station. SHA is hoping to perform an alternatives analysis to determine the appropriate location for the bridge and recommend that the county conduct public outreach for the project.
\nAnacostia Trail \u2013 The D.C. Department of Transportation just received a $10 million TIGER Grant, combined with $3.5 million from the District and $1.5 million from Maryland, to complete four missing miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths on the Kenilworth Gardens Trail, connecting hundreds of miles of existing trail networks in Maryland and DC. This path will create new options for bicycle commuters and bring economic and health benefits to communities along the trail. The overall project includes the construction of five bridges, raised pathways, and multi-use paths. It will connect 16 waterfront neighborhoods to the Anacostia River, as well as the Southwest Waterfront, the Nationals baseball stadium, the Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, the National Arboretum, and other popular destinations. Mayor Vincent Gray invites the public to attend the design unveiling for the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail \u2013 Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Segment 0n Monday October 15, from 11AM \u2013 Noon @ River Trace Park.
\nThe Lower Potomac River Trail \u2013 \u201cOne Hundred Thousand Paddle Strokes to Improving Recreational Access on the Tidal Potomac\u201d is a new initiative from the Potomac Riverkeeper. The goal of the program will be to improve access for kayakers and other recreational paddlers on the Lower Potomac from Washington D.C. to the Chesapeake Bay by proposing the creation of a Lower Potomac River Trail. The proposal would utilize existing Federal, state and local parks, along with private recreational facilities, to create a series of riverside landings, campsites and public access points to create a river trail for the approximately one hundred miles of the tidal Potomac.
\nCitizen Soldiers Trail (CST) \u2013 Mr. Robert Reyes, the CST trail champion, has been meeting with various federal, state and county officials about the trail that runs from North Point State Park through Baltimore County land, making it a local government project supported by DNR.
\nAnacostia Trail \u2013 USDOT recently announced the latest TIGER grants recipients and the Anacostia Trail was awarded a $10 Million grant. Most of the project is in DC, but it will be a welcome trail connection for the region.
\nHoward County Trails \u2013 The Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks offer an extensive system (183 miles) of natural surface trails and paved pathways with the park and open space lands located in the County. Opportunities exist for hiking, biking, horseback riding, trail running and bird watching. Here is the link: https:\/\/www.howardcountymd.gov\/HowardCountyParks.htm<\/a>
\nCounty Annual Program LPRRP’s \u2013 The 5-year recreational master plans for all Maryland counties and Baltimore City were due by July 1st. DNR has received most of the plans and is reviewing and providing comments. The public is welcome to contact the counties to review the plans and provide comments.
\nBaltimore Metropolitan Council’s Bicycle Advisory Group \u2013 BPAG is working on its Action Plan in advance of its next meeting in January 2013. https:\/\/www.baltometro.org\/commuter-options\/bikeped-beacon-electronic-newsletter<\/a>
\nAllegany County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan \u2013 The focus of Allegany County\u2019s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is connecting communities. The connections between the trails and towns will offer more than recreational activities, but also provide for transportation and bring economic benefits. Among the projects described in the plan is connecting the town of Mount Savage to Frostburg and the Great Allegheny Passage, while creating a small loop trail that supports the Great Allegheny Passage. The new connection would primarily make use of an abandoned rail bed to connect the two towns. Another project would rehabilitate the tunnel under Frostburg\u2019s Main Street to restore a connection between the GAP and Frostburg, according to the plan. The proposed trail heads south from the tunnel to become the Georges Creek Rail Trail ending in Westernport. The trail will provide a \u201cbackbone\u201d to link all the parks in\u2008Frostburg, according to the plan. Another project would connect Dan\u2019s Mountain State Park to the Dan\u2019s Rock Overlook Park by a hiking and biking trail. Members of the public can offer comments on the plan through Dec. 21. https:\/\/www.gov.allconet.org\/ACT\/121128_MasterPlan_Booket.pdf<\/a>
\nMontgomery County Trails Master Plan \u2013 M-NCPPC, Montgomery County Department of Parks is updating the Countywide Park Trails Plan. This plan serves as the guide for park trails of countywide significance, both hard and natural surface. Since last fall, they have been meeting monthly with a \u201cTrails Working Group\u201d (TWG), which consists of representatives from the major trail user groups, to discuss various plan objectives and policy issues. The TWG is helping to advise and guide our planning process for the amendment.
\nCity of Rockville Bike Master Plan \u2013 Rockville has recently completed a draft a draft map of the planned recommendations. For more information please contact Rebecca Torma RTorma@rockvillemd.gov
\nwww.rockvillemd.gov<\/a>
\nwww.drivelessrockville.com<\/a>
\nAnnapolis Bicycle Master Plan \u2013 The Annapolis Bicycle Master Plan Recommendations include: Bicycle network maps, Early action priorities, and Programs & Policies. The recommended bicycle network is available on the City website www.annapolis.gov<\/a>
\nShould you have any question or comments please do not hesitate to contact any of Iain Banks, City of Annapolis ibanks@annapolis.gov 410-263-7964 Lucas Cruse, Toole Design Group lcruse@tooledesign.com 301-927-1900 William Small, Public Liaison, Transportation Board will@willgetitdone.com
\nCecil County Bicycle Master Plan \u2013 WILMAPCO has completed the draft master plan. For more information please contact David Gula at dgula@wilmapco.org
\nPotomac Appalachian Trail Club \u2013 All meetings are at 7 pm at the Greenbrier State Park Visitors Center and are open to the public. Meeting dates can be obtained through ATC’s website at https:\/\/www.patc.net\/PublicView\/<\/a>
\nC&O Canal Trust \u2013 The C&O Canal Trust hosts a wide range of trail activities. For more information https:\/\/www.canaltrust.org\/trust\/<\/a>
\nOff-Road versus On-Road – MDOT, SHA and DNR have begun what will be an on-going informal cost-benefit review rail trails versus on-road trails. Assuming there is local support, signage and maps could quickly and inexpensively provide on-road connections as an interim measure while nearby rail trail projects which often take many years and are quite costly are being pursued. This issue may be addressed state-wide when MDOT updates its Bike\/Ped Master Plan.
\nNew SHA Share The Road Signs – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) recently posted nine rectangular signs stating "Bicycles May Use Full Lane" along MD-953 in Glenn Dale, a narrow 2-lane road that crosses the Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis Trail.
\nSHA plans to post similar signs on 18 state highways in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The signs will "warn motorists that bicycles may be operating anywhere within a traffic lane," according to SHA Administrator Melinda Peters, marking a step forward for driver education and cyclist safety in Maryland.
\nWithin the Capital Beltway, SHA operates most of the direct bike routes into the District of Columbia from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, as well as key cross-county routes such as University Boulevard and East-West Highway. Decades ago, SHA converted most shoulders on these roads into general travel lanes, forcing cyclists and drivers to share the road.
\nThe meaning of "share the road" has evolved. For decades, the law required cyclists to keep as far to the right as practicable. This made sense when most cyclists were children proceeding slowly. But at higher speeds, riding too far to the right is hazardous. Drivers and pedestrians are not looking for fast vehicles close to the curb, and cyclists can’t see them emerging from driveways, cross streets, or parked cars.
\nWhen lanes are too narrow for a car to pass a bike safely, too many drivers try to pass bikes within the lane anyway. So on those roads, it is safer for a cyclist to ride near the center of the lane, according to Maryland’s Driver Manual.
\nSection 21-1205(a)(6) of the Maryland Transportation Code says that a cyclist may ride in the center of a narrow lane. But many drivers learned to drive (and bike) back when cyclists were supposed to simply keep to the right. And on any given road, drivers and cyclists may have different perceptions about whether the lane is too narrow to share. So "drivers and cyclists often must guess what the other is going to do," says Shane Farthing, Executive Director of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association.
\nThe Federal Highway Administration’s official handbook of highway signs, The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), included a new sign in its most recent update to ensure that drivers and cyclists have the same expectations. This sign, called the R4-11, says "Bicycles May Use Full Lane." Because it has the shape of a white rectangle, R4-11 is technically a "regulatory sign," giving it the force of law. Wherever it’s posted, cyclists may ride in the center of the lane, even in states that have not legalized this practice, such as New Jersey. In Maryland, which allows cyclists to take the lane, the shape and color of the sign does not change the driving rules. But there are certain requirements for the placement of all regulatory signs, according to Tom Hicks, who recently retired as SHA’s Director of Traffic and Safety. Those requirements can be administratively burdensome, so SHA will also use a yellow diamond "warning" sign with the same words. "The signs will increase safety by providing drivers with a warning about where bikes may be," says Dustin Kuzan, SHA’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. A study in Austin, Texas found that placement of similar signs has little impact on where cyclists ride. But drivers moved to the left as they passed bikes enough to increase the median passing clearance by 3 feet. John Townsend of AAA Mid-Atlantic agrees: "These signs are a really good idea. Bicyclists have the right to use the full lane on narrow roads. As drivers, we are operating the heavier vehicle which can seriously injure a cyclist. So it is up to drivers to avoid a collision. But drivers need information about where the bicyclist might be riding, and these signs will help." "The signs may also decrease hostility between drivers and cyclists by informing all road users that cyclists have the right to be in the center of the lane," Kuzan adds.
\nEconomic Impact Great Allegheny Passage – 2010-2011
\nAn estimated 750,000 trips on the GAP
\nOver $50 million in Direct spending – Up from $40 million in 2008-09
\nAverage overnight spending $114 – up from $98 in 2008-09
\nAverage daily spending $17.69 – up from $15 in 2008-09
\n28% Plan overnight Stay
\n82% Plan two or more overnights
\n23% users\u2019 multiday trips
\n40% travel in pairs
\n50.6% of users are between the ages of 45-65
\n14 % Mean Gross Revenue Income that business attributed to the Trail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Via email] \ufeff Maryland Trail Projects The Trails Division of the Department of Natural Resources is working with our federal, state, county, municipal and private partners on a wide variety of projects. Not every project listed below is necessarily a DNR initiative; for some we are merely providing technical assistance. DNR Activities DNR Trail Atlas … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Latest Bike\/Ped News From DNR and Around the State”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"1","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-250644930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-biking-in-maryland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250644930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=250644930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250644930\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=250644930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=250644930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=250644930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}