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Man found hanging near area bike path


ODENTON - A man was found hanging from a road overpass above a bike trail early Thursday morning, county police and fire department officials said.

The 23-year old man was spotted by a witness who called 911 at 5:57 a.m., reporting a body hanging near Old Waugh Chapel Road.

The witness was not sure if this was a joke or a real body, but thought it should be investigated, said Division ...

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Harford County, Maryland: Bicycle Safety


Harford County, Maryland: Bicycle Safety

With more and more people of all ages starting to bike for trips to work, to school, and to shopping, and for pleasure and exercise it is becoming very important that everyone understands the safety that should be considered.

In Harford County, there will be two events for just that.

May 2nd - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Program
The program will be held at seven of the Harford County Public Library branches: Abingdon, Aberdeen, Bel Air, Darlington, Edgewood, Havre de Grace, and Joppatowne libraries.  Helmet fittings will be completed by police officers and volunteers from the Greg Krause Memorial Helmet Fund.

May 6th - 5:30 pm & 6:30 pm, Bicycle Rodeo, Harford County Public Library, Abingdon Branch
Harford County Sheriff's Office's Community Policing Unit will review bicycle safety training and test the skills of the registered participants on an obstacle course.  This event is designed to teach children ages 5-12 year-old about safety practices while riding a bicycle.  Registration is required.  Please register at the Abingdon Library.

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Officials unveil draft of campus master plan at the University of Maryland


By Spencer Israel

In Facilities Management's second on-campus forum this semester, university officials presented the first draft of the department's new master plan, highlighting eco-friendly transportation and campus-wide beautification projects.

About 20 university community members attended the nearly two-hour discussion on the Facilities Master Plan — the guide to on-campus development for the next 20 years — that largely centered around how to make the campus more friendly to bicyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles, an area DOTS bicycle coordinator John Brandt said needs drastic improvement.

"When you're providing for vehicles and pedestrians, you also have to provide for bicycles," he said. "There also needs to be a multi-access sidewalk across campus."

Lisa Delplace, the chief executive officer of a landscaping firm hired to consult on the plan, said this will be achieved by redeveloping the land behind McKeldin Library to better accommodate pedestrian traffic and converting the space occupied by Lot 1 into new academic buildings, a parking garage and a tree-lined road.
"It's not saying ‘cars are not welcome,'" Delplace said. "It's creating a better choice for traveling on campus. Why do people get into their cars a mile from campus?"
...

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Bicycling Advocates of Howard County - Annual Fundraiser


Howard County Bicycling Community,
BAHC is initiating an annual April fundraiser to cover our annual expenses. Our costs include: membership in League of Amercan Bicyclists, insurance, Web site (domain/hosting), Bike HoCo ride, donations to supporters of HC cycling, and administrative costs. We have a relatively modest goal of raising approximately 1500 dollars per year.

Since our formation in 2008 BAHC has made an effort to support the Howard County bicycling community, some of our achievements have been:

* Established relationships with HC Government and Police: BAHC has provided a single-POC/interface for HC bicyclists who wanted/needed to communicate with County Government on road issues, accidents/near accidents, and other issues relating to cycling
* Established daily road work e-mail communications from HC Public Works/Highways
* Requested installation of ‘Share the Road’ signs on major bike routes
* Organized training for hundreds of new bike riders through our annual Biking 101 class and supporting Princeton triathlon training rides
* Helped organize Howard County rally for annual Bike to Work Day
* Held an Annual Bike HoCo (formerly All Club) Ride and picnic to connect cyclists from differenct Clubs/groups
* Established BAHC web site/listserves/Facebook page to establish an electonic cycling community
* Organized a quarterly Bicycling Advisory Group with HC Government
* Testified at County Council/Zoning Board and Columbia Association on bicycle accessibility issues
* Assisted the Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) in creating a new mountain biking skills course at Rockburn Branch Park
* Conducted bicycle road condition surveys; established a road damage/hazard web site (<a href="http://www.seeclickfix.com/md_howard-county">http://www.seeclickfix.com/md_howard-county</a>;)
* In October 2010 held the first HC Bicycling Advocacy Forum &gt; 100 attendees
* Became a 501(c)4 Non-Profit Corporation in February 2010
* In December 2010, made donations to HC Police Department bike team for the annual Police Unity Tour and West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department for their support of the cycling community

Donations are not currently eligible for income tax deduction since BAHC is a 501(c)4 (Civic League type) versus (c)3 (Charitable Type) non-profit corporation. Donations can be made on Paypal – link is available on the BAHC web site: <a href="http://www.BikeHoCo.org">http://www.BikeHoCo.org</a>; or by check to: Bicycling Advocates of Howard County, c/o Jack Guarneri, 10224 Little Brick House Court, Ellicott City, MD 21042.


Jack Guarneri

President, Bicycling Advocates of Howard County
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Some cyclists, drivers deserve each other


Time to send them both to bed without supper
By Michael Dresser - Baltimore Sun


Last week, on the blog that goes by the same name as this column, I posted a sad item about doctors giving up hope for the &quot;meaningful recovery&quot; of a 20-year-old Johns Hopkins student who was injured when struck by a car while riding his bicycle on University Parkway.

The response was tremendous in volume, but not so encouraging in tone. Instead of focusing on the tragedy of a family's loss, it became a sounding board for bicyclists and motorists to air grievances against each other. The level of discourse made me want to send both groups to bed without their supper.

Now, we're talking about a distinct subset of each group — the motorists who can't bear the thought of sharing the road with smaller vehicles and the bicyclists who have begun to froth at the mouth about drivers — but it's still distressing to realize how unhinged some people can become over something that ought to be no big deal, like sharing the road.

A reader named Jessica seemed to be very moved by the bad news, which she called &quot;tragic.&quot; But she used it as an opportunity to draw an absurd conclusion: &quot;I do believe that roads are for cars and it is extremely hard for bicycles and cars to coexist peacefully on roads as they are at the moment. Roads need to be widened, bike paths need to be added.&quot;

Someone who professed to be spouting common sense instead offered this: &quot;When cyclists have to title and tag their bikes, then they have the right to share the roads. Autos and trucks pay taxes, and fees to use the roads, which give them the right to full lanes. Share the cost and you can share the road.&quot;

A more strident variation of the theme — reproduced here without editing — was posted by another reader, who seems to be a prisoner of the CAPS LOCK key:

&quot;BICYCLIST DO NOT BELONG ON THE ROAD PERIOD..WHY ARENT GO CARTS NOT ALLOWED THEN?BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN TRACK LIKE BICYCLIST SHOULD HAVE TO:)&quot;

The three readers have this in common: They're flat-out, 100 percent wrong — legally, historically, logically and morally.

Yes, the roads are for cars. They are also for bicycles, pedestrians and sometimes horses. Drivers of cars and trucks enjoy the advantages and responsibilities of being the biggest and most powerful users of the roads. Thus, motorists must know how to drive around bicyclists, pedestrians, horses, etc.

This is not an optional skill. Motorists who find it difficult to share the roads with other travelers who have a legal right to use them need to seek remedial education or stop driving. It's a given that some bicyclists and pedestrians will perform badly. Drivers have to be alert and ready for those occasions, too.

The notion that cyclists have no right to the roads because the state does not require taxes and registration ignores the fact that the state has chosen through its elected representatives not to do so.

Why not? There are some obvious reasons. Bikes, unlike motor vehicles, add almost nothing to the wear and tear on the roadways. Those who use a bike do all motorists a favor by not being other motorists. Bike lanes, where they exist, do drivers as much good as they do bicyclists by moving them out of the way.

And talk about Big Government: Who but some leftist radical would want to expand the bureaucracy by imposing a licensing scheme on every child who gets on a kiddie bike with training wheels? Widen all the roads and build bike lanes? Show me the money! You can't get Marylanders to agree to a gas tax increase to keep bridges from falling down. You think we're ready to pay to widen all the roads for the sake of those who can't deal with bikes?

Some might think from my comments I'm a fanatical biker. Hardly. You'll find me on one maybe twice a year, while I'm in my car almost every day. But in 40 years of driving, never have I had the slightest difficulty sharing the road with bicyclists. It's so easy even a reporter can do it. Just be patient, keep some distance and pass when it's safe. And don't honk.

Getting around on a bicycle isn't rocket science, either, if you just give reasonable deference to traffic laws. (Treating stop signs as yield signs: Cool. Whizzing through stoplights? Not cool.) Don't give the finger to motorists who annoy you. Don't ride two abreast and delay drivers needlessly. And don't whizz down a lane of traffic next to a line of parked cars oblivious to the dangers and then whine about being &quot;doored.&quot;

Earth to bikers: Drivers aren't thinking about bikes when they open car doors. They aren't about to start in this lifetime, so either move into the travel lane or slow down and watch carefully for parked cars with people in them.

The debate over a bill to expand the definition of vehicular manslaughter to allow criminal prosecutions in more cases didn't elevate the tone much. Some of the comments posted to my blog by bicyclists put me in a pox-on-both-your-houses mood.

For instance, where does a bicyclist get off saying: &quot;Most, not all, motorists have no regard for those around them?&quot; Gee, thanks for allowing that only 99 percent of us are goons.

Then there's the bicyclist who responds to a driver's taunt that &quot;Your [sic] nothing but a bunch of BULLEYS [sic] on BIKES&quot; by calling him a &quot;moron.&quot;

Make them share a cell.

But occasionally in this tawdry debate there shines through a comment of such clarity and perceptiveness it makes one think it isn't yet time to consign the human race to the protoplasm recycling vat. Wrote one reader:

&quot;Bicycles? Yes. Most assuredly. Spandex? Please no. It seems a reasonable compromise to me.&quot;

Thank you for restoring my faith in homo sapiens.
*******************************************************************************************************************
[B'Spokes: A previous response still seems appropriate &quot;lets look for opportunities to do a random act of kindness&quot; <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110323114538733">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20110323114538733</a>; As a cyclist look for ways that are not that much of a bother to get behind the main platoon cars to maximize your time of low traffic between platoons of traffic (and drivers sorry but opportunities to do this are rare so don't expect a bicyclist to instantaneously get out of your way ), move left to accommodate right turning cars. Yes we need to be assertive when riding in traffic but please don't turn that into being aggressive. I know how bad driver can get even when there is a perfectly good empty lane they can use to get around us they still have to act out, just don't let these guys get to you.]

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Bike to Work Day Registration Is Now Open!


Bike to Work Day 2011

Registration Is Now Open! 

Bike to Work Day 2011, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday, May 20, 2011 starting at 7 a.m. (Please be sure to check individual event locations for times and agendas.  Details will be posted at Bike2WorkCentralMD.com as available). 


Register today for a free B2W 2011 T-shirt.  All participants will also receive an on-the-go snack and drink, and the chance to win prizes at the individual events. You must be registered and attend an event to win.  For certain prizes, winners may be selected from registration lists that site coordinators receive a few days before the event. 

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Road Biking 101 Class Sunday May 1, 2011:


ANNOUNCEMENT
----------------------------
Road Biking 101 Class Sunday May 1, 2011:

Bicycling Advocates of Howard County (BAHC) will teach its annual Road Biking 101 class this Spring at HC Health Department (7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046) on Sunday May 1, 2011 (8:30am – Noon).

Check-in/bike checks will begin at 8:30am and class will run until about noon – about 90 min of classroom and about 90 minutes of practice riding around Gateway.

Registration will be online at the BAHC web site: <a href="http://www.bikehoco.org/bike101form.html">http://www.bikehoco.org/bike101form.html</a>;
Class size will be limited to no more than 60 participants so please register early. There will be no cost associated with the class but donations through the paypal link on our web site are welcome.

Reminder: Classes are for intended for novice road riders (and bike commuters) - those who already can ride a bicycle but want to learn basic skills and techniques for doing so safely on the road. All Participant need to bring a helmet and a bicycle in good condition. Participants under 18 need to be accompanied by or to bring a waiver signed by a parent.
*************************************************************************
[B' Spokes: I strongly recommend this course. Afraid of riding in the road with traffic... take the course! Thinking of picking up biking to work as gas prices are predicted to get above $5 a gallon... take the course!]
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Roads were built for cars? Not so


Another gym from Michael Dresser. We really need an award for bike friendly mainstream news media. At least click the link to show articles like this generate interest.

<a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2011/04/roads_were_built_for_cars_not.html">http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2011/04/roads_were_built_for_cars_not.html</a>;

Thanks!
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LETTERS: Bicycle access should be part of every county road improvement


With the proposed formation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the County Council and Councilman David Marks have prioritized alternative modes of transportation within Towson and throughout Baltimore County.

The County Council is on the right path to making our communities more livable, family-friendly and sustainable through increasing opportunities for outdoor exercise, improving air quality and decreasing traffic congestion and enabling commuters and recreational cyclists better access on roadways.

Current construction projects could allow for improvements in bicycle and pedestrian access, by implementing bicycle and pedestrian pathways as a part of these projects.

For example, Towsontown Boulevard and Osler Drive are undergoing a widening project that will benefit the increased travel to growing Towson University.
Many students drive to the campus and park, then navigate their way either by walking, biking or bus.

More students would like to have the opportunity to bike to and within the Towson community, but are faced with limited accessibility to bike paths, and dangerous roadways.

Towson could demonstrate its commitment and be proactive by designing and implementing &quot;greener&quot; pathways during this growth phase.
When I was a seventh-grader at Dumbarton Middle School in 1971, my social studies teacher, Mr. Frye, cycled to work daily via Towsontown Boulevard and Osler Drive, and related the hazards of commuting by bicycle.

Today, I find myself cycling these same routes, hopping on and off the road to avoid dangerous traffic conditions on my way to work at the Towson Center.

Ann G. Greenbaum, visiting instructor, Department of Kinesiology, Towson University
Towson

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Bike Month Challenge Prizes


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We’re pleased to announce the official prizes for the 2011 Bike Month Challenge. A special thanks to all of our in-kind sponsors, listed to the right. Please make sure you visit their websites. The Bike Month Challenge Registration opens on Friday. We’re all really excited!

CategoryMeasurePrizes
Grand PrizeTotal # of pointsBike-themed cake "trophy" from Charm City Cakes, Waterfront Partnership Entertainment Package including tickets and gift cards ($374 value), $100 gift certificate to Baltimore Bicycle Works
Second PlaceTotal # of pointsComplete bike overhaul including cables ($175 value), courtesy of Twenty Twenty Cycles, $75 driving credit toward new or existing Zipcar membership and bag full of Zipcar goodies
Most Bicycle Commuting MilesTotal miles bikedEndura Rain Jacket and Pant (Courtesy of Joe's Bike Shop, $240 value), $100 gift card to Race Pace Bicycles
Best Bike to Work Day Coordinator# Coworkers ParticipatingChrome Messenger Bag (Courtesy of Joe's Bike Shop, $120 value), $100 gift card to Race Pace Bicycles

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