Maryland House Bill 1197 Removal of mandatory shoulder use and right-of-way in crosswalks


[From the League of American Bicyclists]
Needs Support & Testimony
The League wishes to express our support for Maryland House Bill 1197 . It is our opinion that the bill would help clarify Maryland law in addition to being a step forward to fully recognizing cyclists as authorized, legal road users. Maryland is only one of four states whose laws require cyclist to use a shoulder when one is present. This fact only serves to reinforce the second class status of cyclists on Maryland's roads. Such discriminatory laws are part of the reason the League ranked Maryland 35 out of 50 through our Bicycle Friendly State program. Passage of HB 1197 will help improve its standing, and help Maryland fulfill the promise of its Department of Transportation to "encourage walking and bicycling, and will provide a seamless, balanced and barrier-free network for all." HB 1197 would remove any ambiguity to the law, and make for more clear concise language that is easier for cyclists to follow, officers and judges to enforce, and for all to understand.

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The hearing is going on today, for more information on the bill: <a href="http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb1197.htm">http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb1197.htm</a>;

If you would like to share your support of this bill with your delegate you can get email information from: <a href="http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/">http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/</a>;

Previous coverage: <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20090216224144300">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20090216224144300</a>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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