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>;