Catonsville cyclist hopes to set wheels in motion for pedestrian and bicycle safety

by By Brian Conlin, Baltimore Sun

An avid cyclist for six years, Laura Cook has had her share of close calls while riding in and around the area.

It's not uncommon, she said, for cars and trucks to whiz by closer than the three feet the law requires as she and her husband of 1.5 years, David Hinman, go on a 20- or 30-mile ride.

Cook said she hopes she can make some changes in her new position as a member of the Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee.

The committee was born out of a County Council bill introduced in January 2010 by first-term councilmen Tom Quirk and David Marks.

Quirk represents the First District, which includes Catonsville and Arbutus, and Marks represents the Fifth District, which includes Towson.

"We'll have the things that future homebuyers and existing homebuyers want," Quirk said, noting that pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly communities promote healthy lifestyles and increase property values.
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