Bike Freindly State Feedback
The Bicycle Friendly State program has again ranked all 50 states on their bike-friendliness. Maryland ranked 16th for 2009. You can see the overall results of the ranking, including by category here. The rankings are based on overall scores to the ranking questionnaire that was sent to your State Bike Coordinator.
The overall scoring was very close, with the separation of many states being the difference of just a few items. Passage of key legislation, updated traffic code, increased education programs or accurate funding reporting can lead to a significant impact on your state’s ranking. Our hope is that this brief bit of feedback can serve as a checklist on to help you improve your ranking as you continue to work with your Department of Transportation and state legislature. In partnership with Bikes Belong we have assisted the National Conference of State Legislators in creating Encouraging Bicycling and Walking: The State Legislative Role. Please forward this link along to your state representatives and their staff. If you would like hard-copies to put in the hands of your representatives, please let me know, though quantities are limited.
Legislation
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cyclists are required to use shoulders when present rather than choose travel lane |
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no 3 feet or greater safe passing law |
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cyclists are required to use bike lanes when present rather than choose travel lane |
Policies & Programs
No mountain bike plan with state DNR or other agency
Infrastructure
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Education
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No questions on bicyclists rights and responsibilities on driver’s test |
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No questions on motorists responsibilities towards cyclists on driver’s test |
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Evaluation & Planning
No info on bicycle ownership or usage rates in State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan(SCORP)
Enforcement
No education of officer on cyclist rights & responsibilities through academy or continuing education
New for this year were our first Bicycle Friendly State awards. Modeled after our Bicycle Friendly Community awards programs, the additional application offers an addendum to the ranking questionnaire, and allows states to further explain their policies and programs that make their state great places for bicycling. Four states have been awarded the coveted designation and two states received an honorable mention – Washington (Silver), Wisconsin (Silver), Arizona (Bronze), Minnesota (Bronze), Delaware (Honorable Mention) and Maryland (Honorable Mention). Applications for the award will be accepted annually each Spring. The 2010 deadline is March 12.
Please encourage your State Bike Coordinator to apply for this designation in addition to offering your assistance with the application. We find the best, most complete applications and the most Bicycle friendly States are those where all parties work together to fill it out. If you have any questions regarding the program, or need assistance utilizing the feedback to work towards improving bicycling in your state please feel free to contact me.