U.S. DEPT. OF ENERGY GRANTS CAN FUND BIKE/PED PROJECTS

[Note $52M Available to Maryland that could be used for bike lanes and trails.]
-> In a Mar. 30th note, Gabe Rousseau, the FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, wrote, "I wanted to let you know of a new funding opportunity that includes walking and bicycling facilities as an eligible activity. It's the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The DOE Block Grant funds are available 'to assist State, local, territorial and Tribal governments in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, total energy use, and improve energy efficiency in all sectors.'

"'Eligible activities' include 'Development of infrastructure such as bike lanes and pathways and pedestrian walkways.'"

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Coffee Lessens the Pain of Exercise

That cup of coffee that many gym rats, bikers and runners swill before a workout does more than energize them. It kills some of the pain of athletic exertion, a new study suggests. And it works regardless of whether a person already had a coffee habit or not.
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"What we saw is something we didn't expect," Motl said. "Caffeine-naïve individuals and habitual users have the same amount of reduction in pain during exercise after caffeine (consumption)."

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A Reason to Ride and donate to Movable Feast

[A letter from Movable Feast to one of Baltimore Spokes friends:]

When we meet our clients, they are caught in a vicious cycle where disease thrives. They are sick. They are poor. Many are alone. We work to reverse this downward spiral by feeding them, caring for them and creating hope.

This year, we are pairing each of our Riders with one of our clients. Our hope is that you will feel a personal connection to this ride and to Moveable Feast by knowing that you are making a real difference in the life of a specific person.

The client you’ve been paired with (initials only): A.T. is a 55 year-old African American female who is anemic and living with AIDS in Baltimore City . A.T. is blind.

Please know that by reaching your fundraising goal of $1,200 that you have provided this person with three nutritionally balanced meals a day for a whole year. You should take great pride and comfort in knowing that thanks to you, this individual will receive the nutrition that they need to fight their illness. You’ve made their lives a little easier, a little better – and you’ve given them hope.

From all of us at Moveable Feast – thank you!

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Webinar: "Shared Lane Markings/Sharrows"

When: April 15, 2009
3:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern
Online registration is available until: 4/15/2009

Details
The Shared Roadway Marking ("sharrow") has been accepted in the California MUTCD and proposed for inclusion in the next federal MUTCD. It is becoming a popular addition to the bicycle engineer/planner's toolbox. Learn more about sharrows at a one-hour webinar scheduled for April15, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

This webinar will feature Mike Sallaberry, a registered traffic engineer who has worked in San Francisco for nine years, first with the city's Bicycle Program and then with the Traffic Calming Program. Mike will provide information about placing and installing the marking on a variety of street types, and will present findings of the San Francisco-sponsored experiment, showing what the marking was and was not able to accomplish. Mike will give examples of less-obvious situations where sharrows can be used to address design challenges where other markings, signage, or facilities are inappropriate or insufficient. He will also discuss installation and maintenance of the marking, inlcuding the variety of materials available and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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Follow the Money -- A New Direction for Transportation in Maryland

Panelists:
Secretary John Porcari, Maryland Department of Transportation
Michael Burke, Projects Director for U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin
Ilana Preuss, Outreach and Field Director, Transportation For America
Klaus Philipsen, ArchPlan Inc.

When Thursday, April 02, 2009
4 PM - 6 PM

Where Pier 5 Hotel
711 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202

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Thousands of students may lose their bus ride to school

[Baltimore Spokes: This article brought up memories of the time a school bus passed me just to stop and pick up kids, drove 200 feet to stop and pick up more kids then 200 feet later made a left turn into a school. I really have to question \"all the money saved\" by not building sidewalks and make roads inhospitable to bicycling traffic so we need to bus or drive kids anywhere they need to go.]
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Lake County School Board members were briefed by transportation officials Monday on the potential savings the district could see if it stopped offering busing for students who live within two miles of school.
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School officials said the district could save approximately $2.7 million a year by eliminating 34 bus routes.
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Chairman Kyleen Fischer said she was concerned about the risk students faced while walking to school.

District officials said they identified 23 hazardous walking areas within the two-mile radius of 10 elementary schools. Students living in those areas could be eligible for busing. However, those areas could be eliminated if the municipalities add sidewalks or lower speed limits.
...

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Baltimore EcoTour Saturday, April 18, 2009

Sponsors and Outreach Partners:


                                                               
                          
 
Summary
 

(Please print and bring on tour)

In partnership with numerous Baltimore and Chesapeake Watershed; government, NGO and citizen groups:
 
WEATHER - Rain or Shine - there will be seats in Clean Transportation media vehicles for those that have made special arrangements.


Bring your Bike, Helmet and Lock – you may make arrangements to rent any and all from assigned Bike Shops (call for list) by mentioning WFH EcoTour! Please get your bike inspected before the ride free at this store as well.

Approx 15 miles (20 miles with options)

Primarily ride in Baltimore is hilly (much of the route is on signed bike routes and /or trails- but riders should be comfortable with city traffic) - helmets mandatory

In partnership with the Roland Park County School, Baltimore EcoFestival and Baltimore Green Works

  1. (9:30 check-in) Start at Roland Park County School Green School (LEED certified building)

  2. Sherwood Gardens

  3. Farmers Market

(Optional sprint for energetic to Lake Montebello ~5 Mi R/T)

  1. School Garden at Barclay Elementary

    1. Walk across street to Book Thing- free book exchange

Bike Exchange-Velocipede

Jones Falls Trail

Druid Hill Park (merge with EcoFestival)

  1. Loop around the lake for a view over the city


At Druid Hill Park:

1) Have lunch at own choice vendor (option to re-gather and debrief on EcoTour) Note (2nd group of 25 cyclists): 1:30 – 2:30 PM meetup - 2nd Afternoon riders JOIN US (ride is 2 hours and ~8 miles)

2) Ride by Conservatory

3) Ride by Baltimore Zoo

4) Jones Falls Trail to Clipper Mill

5) Johns Hopkins Campus or Hampden to Roland Park Country School

6) Roland Park Country School, return to EcoFestival via Hampden and Jones Falls Trail or Hopkins/ Wyman Park to Jones Falls Trail

7) Again those morning EcoTour cyclists still enjoying EcoFestival - Bus back if available for novice that had too much

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Baltimore, MD Mapping Party

Baltimore, MD Mapping Party

Saturday April 04, 2009 at 11:00 AM until Sunday April 05, 2009 at 4:00 PM

Mapping parties are a great way to explore my areas and learn about maps, GPS and computers. I’ve had so much fun meeting people and learning from them!
image

You’re always looking for new ways to expand your horizons and now OpenStreetMap is here! Mapping parties will introduce you to new skills and help you create new, better shared maps. Come along to this fun event and catch up with the global movement that is mapping the world. At the OpenStreetMap Mapping Party you will:

  • Discover how you can use OpenStreetMap's map data and maps
  • Learn how to use your GPS to help create new, better maps (Don’t have a GPS? We’ll provide one!)
  • Meet other people who share your passions

Meet at Red Emmas

View on map

About Mapping Parties

Mapping Parties are outdoor experiences for the whole family that let you explore the great outdoors like never before. You'll have the opportunity to learn from experienced mappers who will be on hand all day to answer all of your questions. Call in for quick introduction or stay for the whole day - the choice is yours! Sign-up now to guarantee your place.

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Please join fellow Democrats for an evening of fun, food, and drinks in Annapolis!

Unity Night Reception

Chat with your Democratic state legislators [about bicycling and why our bills failed in the House Subcommittee and why is the Baltimore County Bike Master Plan Dead? (Because the State is not following Federal Policy in allowing matching funds.)] and watch an evening of the Maryland General Assembly.

When: Monday, March 30, 2009 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Miller Senate Office Building
President’s Conference Center West I & II
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Who: County Executive Jim Smith – Master of Ceremonies
Governor Martin O’Malley – Keynote Speaker
Baltimore County State Legislators
County Councilmen & Other County Officials
Members of the Baltimore County Democratic Clubs

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