Too Many Cars


A car built in 2009 belches out 90 percent less tailpipe pollution as one built in the 1960s. But the net benefits to the atmosphere have not materialized, explains Global Warming blogger Emily Gertz, because the average "vehicle miles" driven per person has tripled. So making cars more environmentally friendly isn't enough: we also need to transform the way cities are built.

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A Smart Growth Future for Maryland


While I would like to see the words bicycle or bicycling in this bill (HB 1116/SB 878) it does
* Strive for less traffic congestion and more transportation choices, as measured by a reduction in vehicle miles traveled;
and additionally
* Provide a greater percentage of new homes affordable to working families;
* Create more jobs near transit stations and in communities that need them most;
* Ensure that the water in our creeks, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay is clean and healthy for fish, crabs and people

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13 Scary Facts about Global Warming


A FEW FACTS

35% -- Increase in the global carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1992.

34% -- Percentage that 2008's Arctic seasonal sea ice melt outpaced normal levels.

$427 million -- Amount spent by the oil and coal industries in the first six months of 2008 in political contributions, lobbying expenditures and advertising to oppose climate action.

See all 13 Frightening Facts.

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This space is dedicated to a bike related project that has died. Though the original dream has made the press both here and in the printed media, the process of its demise is something those behind the project have kept to themselves. It maybe true that the demise may be a simple and logical Governmental mechanics issue (too expensive) and that is that but there is more to the story in that this project does not have to be as expensive as it is especially if they follow what other cities have done.

I am an optimist, I believe someday we will have the power to do reasonably cool things with and for bicyclists but that will only happen with the involvement of Government and its citizens. The days of backroom deal making were never really ours to enjoy so I do not understand why some groups and individuals take the lone warrior tactic, especially when the outcome results in a blank page.
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The hearing for the 3-foot bicycle bill


The hearing for the 3-foot bicycle bill - Senate Bill 428 <a href="http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0428.htm">http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0428.htm</a>; is scheduled for next Thursday, Feb 19th at 1pm - 2nd floor of the Miller Building. It will be beneficial if you could attend and help to spread the word - having a large audience could be beneficial!

Thank you,
Carol

Carol Silldorff, M.P.A.
Executive Director
One Less Car
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Speeder City


[Per capita Baltimore has about twice the crash rate of New York City, what's valid in NYC should be doubly valid here.]


"New York City can't keep looking the other way while speeding takes the lives of children, grandparents and neighbors by the dozens," Wiley Norvell said. "Speeding contributes to three times as many crashes as drunk driving, and yet Albany has denied New York City the one tool needed to enforce against this crime: speed enforcement cameras."

-- NY Daily News, 2/12

Speeder City

T.A. surveyed over 15,000 vehicles at 13 locations throughout the five boroughs.

Thirty-nine percent of New York City drivers speed, according to a new T.A. study, Terminal Velocity: NYC's Speeding Epidemic (PDF).

Although any cyclist, pedestrian or person with a pair of eyes could have assumed as much, this survey of over 15,000 vehicles at 13 locations throughout the five boroughs provides the data to back up that long anecdotal estimation.

The study found: on East Houston Street, 70% of drivers sped through a school zone; on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn, 88% answered the call of a lead foot; and on Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island's most dangerous road, cars were often clocked traveling more than 60 miles per hour.

Each of these horrifying figures not only shows the below-bar quality of the NYPD's speeding enforcement programs, but also indicates that speeding drivers put hundreds of thousands of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers at risk every day.

Speeding contributes to roughly 2,400 motor vehicle crashes in New York City each year--nearly three times the number attributed to drunk driving. The likelihood of a crash resulting in a pedestrian fatality increases exponentially with speed; a pedestrian struck at 40 mph has only a 30% chance of survival.

Something must be done to address NYC's speeding epidemic. To this end, T.A. is calling on the City to design streets for lower speeds, for the NYPD to collect data that documents the frequency of speeding, and for the State Legislature to pave the way for speeding enforcement cameras in NYC.
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Symposium Thank You


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The 12th Annual Maryland Bicycle Symposium


The 12th Annual Bike Symposium in Annapolis on February 4th was a huge success!  Although the weather caused school closings in many counties approximately 400 to 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.

John Porcari, Maryland Secretary of Transportation, gave an upbeat report on MDOT’s work on Bike Projects in Maryland and Delegate Jon Cardin Chair of the Legislative Bike Caucus gave an overview of the many Bike Bills being considered this session in Annapolis. Jim Swift, Chairman of the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC), gave a presentation on MBPAC. Presenters Charlie Denney of Alta Planning + Design, Stephanie Yanovitz of VHB, and Bill Schultheiss of Toole Design kept all the audience in their seats before lunch by educating the attendees on bicycle safety and answering questions.

Senator Jim Rosapepe presented Senator Brian Frosh with an outstanding Bike Accomplishment award from OLC and Jim and Jane Hudnall received a special OLC Award for all their many years of making these Symposia successful. Bill Kelly was presented a Senate Proclamation by Senator Rosapepe for his many years of Bike Service to the Maryland. The symposium takes place because of the many hours of volunteer service Bill and Jim dedicate to the coordination of the event.  The awards were followed by interesting and informative talks from Eric Gilliland of WABA, Sergeant Chris Davala of the Maryland State Police and the International Police Mountain Bike Association, and Caron Whitaker of America Bikes.

The symposium was taped by John Wetmore and the recording will be linked to the OLC website.  OLC’s new website will be up by month’s end with exciting opportunities for interacting with you through a blog, action alerts and more!

OLC is a non-profit organization that really needs your help during this tough period to continue to advocate and produce events like the Symposium that are free to the public.  To make a donation by check please make the check payable to OLC and mail to:  One Less Car, 1209 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.  To donate via credit card visit  https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/onelesscar/donation.jsp.

Save the date of October 4th 2009 for this year’s Tour du Port - Baltimore’s Premier Bicycling Event!  There will be rides from 14 to 40 miles and we are working to develop a 63-mile metric century as well.  All proceeds go to OLC to promote bicycle use and safety.  On the day after Tour Du Port, (Monday Oct, 5, 2009) the Fall Bike Forum will take place at John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, MD from 6 to 9 p.m.

Thank you all!

Carol Silldorff, M.P.A.
Executive Director
One Less Car

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Baltimore County Projects “Shovel Ready” but no bike projects :(


Smith Outlines $140 Million Infrastructure Request NONE of which are bike ped related. While its 2005 bicycle access plan gathers dust and while 22% of the County's traffic fatalities involve a pedestrian or bicyclists (national avg 13%) alleyways get attention while we don't. (48% of Baltimore County's bike crashes and 23% of pedestrian crashes involve kids 5-15 (kids represent 12.3% of the County population.)

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Bike trail for ICC may go unfinished


Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio
...
&quot;Here's what people like myself struggle with -- how can this be the environmental tipping point given what we are doing and the protections that are necessary?&quot; A frustrated Councilmember Roger Berliner says. &quot;And how can the costs be that much greater to add 15 feet on a six lane highway, in which we pledged to the community that we are going to make this piece connected?&quot;
...

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Right on Red Enforcement Support Letter


To: Alfred H. Foxx, Director Department of Transportation

I am writing on behalf of the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (MBAC) to express our support for the city’s efforts to enforce current laws that govern vehicles when turning right on a red signal light at key intersections, particularly where there is significant bicycle traffic. We believe that aggressively enforcing “No Right on Red” prohibitions and the requirement for a full stop before making an authorized right turn on red is essential to protecting the safety of cyclists and pedestrians and to enhancing the livability of the City of Baltimore . The use of photo enforcement strikes us as important as it is not practical for police officers and Special Traffic Enforcement Officers to be present at all times and all locations.

The majority of intersections in the city permit drivers to turn right at a red light, after coming to a complete stop. “No Right on Red” signs are only put in place when a clear danger to pedestrians, cyclists, and/or drivers has been identified. Some “No Right on Red” signs have even been put in place as a result of accidents or fatalities at the intersection. Unfortunately, some irresponsible drivers have been ignoring the prohibition. At intersections where a right turn on a red signal is authorized, some drivers have been ignoring the requirement to come to a complete stop before turning and are “rolling” through the intersection as if at a “Yield” sign.

Cyclists waiting to proceed through the intersection can easily be overlooked by drivers because they are smaller than a motor vehicle. Thus, “No Right on Red” rules at select locations and the requirement for a full stop before making an authorized right turn on red are vital in the prevention of bicycle accidents and fatalities.

Because of the clear danger posed by their violation, we hope that the city will do its utmost to enforce “Right on Red” restrictions.

Sincerely,
Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee
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