BikePed Beacon -- April 2009


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May 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
Bike to Work Day is May 15th! Are you registered?
May is Clean Commute Month
Welcome Stephanie! Farewell Amber
One Less Car bike Symposium a success!
Choose Safety for Life
Bike Jam Festival - Fun for the whole family
A Regional Bike and Pedestrian Newsflash
 

The following newsflash from the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board details current news and events in regards to biking and walking both in and around the Baltimore region.

The information found in the newsflash is informative; it could inspire some to become more involved in the process of improving conditions for biking and walking.

Or it could inspire a bike ride or a walk...

Stephanie Yanovitz
BikePed Beacon Editor
BIKE TO WORK DAY 2009 IS FRIDAY MAY 15th! Are you registered?
  Bike 2 Work Day.  May 15, 2009.  Find out more. 
Bike to Work Day 2009, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday May 15, 2009.

Between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on May 15, bicycle commuters will gather at locations throughout the Baltimore region, including:
  • Anne Arundel Co/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis
  • Baltimore City - War Memorial Plaza at City Hall (100 N. Holliday St.)
  • Baltimore County - Courthouse Square (400 Washington Ave, Towson)
  • Carroll County - Westminster
  • Harford County - Government Center (220 S. Main St, Bel Air)
  • Howard County - The Mall in Columbia (by Sears Service Center, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)

Facebook B2WNew!  Rallies are also being planned for Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University - Homewood campus, and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Register today to guarantee that you will get a free B2W09 T-shirt and goodie bag. The first 1100 registrants will receive a T-shirt, reflective leg strap, and a flashing safety light. The first 500 will receive all of the above plus a bicycle tire gauge.   All participants will also receive an on-the-go snack with java, and the chance to win prizes. You must be registered and attend a rally to win.

MAY IS CLEAN COMMUTE MONTH 
Gear Up and Get Ready! 
 
http://www.CleanCommuteMonth.comEvery May the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and our Clean Commute Partners host Clean Commute Month to promote Clean Commuting. 

 

What is Clean Commuting?

It's riding transit, bicycling, carpooling, walking, or teleworking. It's anything other than driving alone in a motor vehicle. Because motor vehicles contribute up to 30% of the emissions that dirty our air, people who choose to clean commute are making an individual choice that helps reduce air pollution.
 

For a few days in May, keep your car parked. Try another way to get around. It's not hard!  You can take transit, bicycle, or even walk. If you do drive, share your ride with a friend or co-worker, and make sure to keep your car in tip-top condition. You could cut your commute costs in half.

 

Find out more at one of these great events!

This year's activities will include Clean Car Clinics, a commuter appreciation day, Bike to Work Day, and tons of fun outreach events!  Here are a few events:

  • May 1 & 2 - Baltimore Flowermart
  • May 2 & 3 - Towsontown Festival
  • May 9 - Carroll County Herb Festival (Piney Run Park)
  • May 15 - Bike to Work Day
  • May 17 - Baltimore Bike Jam (Patterson Park) 
  • May 19 - Commuter Thank-you (Aberdeen MARC)
  • May 28 - Harford County Clean Car Clinic

Visit us at our booth's at these great events... or use the link below to get more information about how to become a Clean Commuter. 

Welcome Stephanie Yanovitz!
Farewell Amber Blake - Good Luck in Durango, Colorado!
 
The City of Durango has announced the selection of a new multi-modal coordinator as part of their on-going commitment to alternative modes of travel. Amber Blake has been chosen to fill this position beginning on April 8th and will be responsible for multi-modal transportation planning, marketing and implementation, with a special focus on public transit, pedestrian and bicycle modes of travel.   
 
 
New to BMC is Ms. Stephanie Yanovitz.  Stephanie joined BMC in March seeking to engage her diverse background in transportation, planning and engineering, safety, operations, and bicycle/pedestrian programs.  Recently Stephanie was the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at Maryland State Highway Administration.  During her time at SHA she participated in the development of statewide state road bicycle level of comfort maps for every county as well as a bicycle signage and pavement marking inventory for every state road maintenance shop in Maryland.  For a list of these maps please visit the link below.
 
 
ONE LESS CAR BIKE SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS! 
Details about the symposium on new web site
 
The 12th Annual Bike Symposium in Annapolis on February 4th was a huge success!
Although the weather caused school closings in many jurisdictions approximately 500 people attended.  Additionally, there were twenty exhibitors displaying projects and engaging the audience.   The high attendance indicates that people care deeply about promoting bicycling as a means of alternative transportation.  As our population grows it is critical that a safe infrastructure, along with laws protecting bicyclists, are intact.    
 
 
CHOOSE SAFETY FOR LIFE!
Regional campaign offers great info on bicycle and pedestrian safety

Bike and Ped SafetyNearly 3,000 pedestrians are injured annually, more than one-third of which occur in Baltimore City and more than another one-third of which occur in Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties.  Whether we're traveling on four wheels or 16; two feet or two wheels, we all have something in common: we are on this road together. Sadly, the toll of sharing the road together has cost too much, and lost lives is a price too dear for just getting from here to there. Visit the link below to get some helpful rules of the road whether you're walking, bicycling - or driving around pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles or large trucks. The good news is that you're in control and have a choice - to choose safety for life!

>>>  Choose Safety for Life
BIKE JAM FESTIVAL OFFERS FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Free kid's helmet giveaway and bike safety rodeo 
Bike Jam 09
The Bike Jam Family Fun Festival in Patterson Park on May 17th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is going to be great!  Do not miss the CareFirst BlueCross Kid's Helmet Give-Away.  Two-hundred and fifty helmets have been donated! 
 
The event also features recreational rides,  pro road races, cycling stunt show, bike and health expo, food and live music, and a kids activity pavilion.  There will also be a Kid's Bike Safety Rodeo at 12 and 1:45 p.m.   >>> Check out the Bike Jam Family Fun Festival

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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