BAHC plans, activities and initiatives.
Happy Holidays to All Howard County Cyclists! Although it is the off season (for many but not all of us) BAHC is planning for Spring and for future activities and initiatives.Road Survey: Below is a link for a road survey for the bike-ability of Howard County roads. The primary purpose is to identify which roads are unsafe or in poor condition so we can target those with HC Public Works and Highways. We discovered last year that adding shoulders on some roads or modifying existing designs is difficult, but we want the County Government to be aware of our concerns as cyclists.
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=A56raaJ3t6bWIho2WbjsiA_3d_3d">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=A56raaJ3t6bWIho2WbjsiA_3d_3d</a>;
Club representatives please post on your message boards and send link to your listserves. If has difficulty with the survey or just wants to provide a an evaluation of the the 3 worst roads (for recreational cycling or commuting) you can also send information in an e-mail to: ichuck"at"gmail.com
Road Rage: Bill Kelly of the BAHC Board has arranged for Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon (who is a cyclist) to attend our next Board meeting on Jan 12th. If you have any questions on how to report incidents with drivers or concern for how law enforcement in the County supports cycling please e-mail me (jackguarneri"at"gmail.com). I'll ensure issues are brought up and will provide a post-meeting summary of our discussion. Rider Training: BAHC will be sponsoring a Biking 101 (similar to BBC's) basic riding/safety/repair for new riders. Current plans are to hold this in mid-April at Gateway. More details will follow once date is firmed up.
Spring 2009 Rides (for your calendar):
* Ulman Cancer Fund (coordinated by Rob 'Vigo' Vigorito) will be holding a Howard Life Festival with running and cycling events on Sunday April 26th from Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. Cycling events will include a Metric Century (63 mile) shorter (45 and 30 mile) ride. More info at:
<a href="http://www.tricolumbia.org/HowardLifeFestival/">http://www.tricolumbia.org/HowardLifeFestival/</a>;
* Bike About Columbia will be held on Saturday May 2nd from the Lakefront (across from Columbia Mall). This is a great family cycling event and and a way to explore and learn about the Columbia pathways.
* Weekend Rides: Working with Mid-Maryland Tri Club, Columbia Triathlon and Princeton Sports weekend training rides (Columbia Tri, Iron Girl and longer options) will be held starting in April and running through the summer. A schedule of these rides and other local Howard County rides will be put out to our listserve and all Clubs by early March.
Other Upcoming Events:
* State: The 12th Annual Bicycle Symposium in Annapolis on Wednesday February 4, 2009 - interface with State legislators and Staffs on issues of concern to cyclists
* Local: Bike Symposium with Howard County Government in March 2009 (date TBD) to discuss road issues and suggestions for a Bicycling Master Plan. At the October 2008 Symposium with State Highway Administration we learned that over 80% of the roads we ride in are County maintained and that is where we need to focus our efforts.
Again have a great holiday season and a safe 2009!
Jack Guarneri
Chairman Bicycling Advocates of Howard County
What's Related