Action - Support HB 143

HB 143 is the Safe passing of cyclists and right of way in a bike lane bill. (Ref: <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20080123152825335">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20080123152825335</a>; )

The following Delegates need to know of your support of this bill. The hearing is 2/5 1:00 if you want to come and testify in person.

A personal story of unsafe passing would be helpful. And if you have the time use the comment button to post your story or your thoughts about this bill.

Facts: Collision type: The motorist made a right turn and struck the cyclist (4.7% of which 11% were serious or fatal). ... at least 60% of the time, the motorist turned in front of the cyclist ... Bike lanes were involved 8% of the time.
<a href="http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic/accident.htm">http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic/accident.htm</a>;

The Most Common Cause of Cycling Fatalities
#3. The motorist was overtaking the bicyclist, cause of the accident unclear.
<a href="http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm">http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm</a>; To find your congressional district: <a href="http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/">http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/</a>;

If your district is listed below please email your support of HB 143

District 4A - Paul S. Stull - paul.stull@house.state.md.us
District 5A - Tanya Thorton Shewell - tanya.shewell@house.state.md.us
District 6 - Michael H. Weir, Jr. - michael.weir@house.state.md.us
District 8 - Joseph C. Boteler III - joseph.boteler@house.state.md.us
District 11 - Dana M. Stein - dana.stein@house.state.md.us
District 12A - James E. Malone, Jr., Vice-Chair - james.malone@house.state.md.us
District 12B - Elizabeth Bobo - elizabeth.bobo@house.state.md.us
District 18 - Alfred C. Carr, Jr. - alfred.carr@house.state.md.us
District 20 - Tom Hucker - tom.hucker@house.state.md.us
District 21 - Barbara A. Frush - barbara.frush@house.state.md.us
District 22 - Anne Healey - anne.healey@house.state.md.us
District 23B - Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. - marvin.holmes@house.state.md.us
District 29C - Anthony J. O'Donnell - anthony.odonnell@house.state.md.us
District 30 - Virginia P. Clagett - virginia.clagett@house.state.md.us
District 32 - Pamela G. Beidle - pamela.beidle@house.state.md.us
District 35A - H. Wayne Norman, Jr. - wayne.norman@house.state.md.us
District 36 - Richard A. Sossi - richard.sossi@house.state.md.us
District 37A - Rudolph C. Cane - rudolph.cane@house.state.md.us
District 39 - Saqib Ali - saqib.ali@house.state.md.us
District 42 - Stephen W. Lafferty - stephen.lafferty@house.state.md.us
District 43 - Maggie McIntosh, Chair, - maggie.mcintosh@house.state.md.us
District 45 - Cheryl D. Glenn - cheryl.glenn@house.state.md.us
District 47 - Doyle L. Niemann - doyle.niemann@house.state.md.us

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Share It!

Story Options

  • Action - Support HB 143
  • 4 comments
Login required to comment
Late last October I was headed north on Brock Bridge Rd approaching MD 198. The road goes over a ridge and narrows down very tightly as it crosses the ridge. Because of this I had worked my way toward the center of the lane to discourage passing near the ridge. An impatient driver in an Accord or Camry decided I wasn't going fast enough and tried to shoot around me but apparently realized the danger to herself as we approached the ridge and crowded into me. I had to push off her passenger wing mirror to avoid a more solid contact with her vehicle. I can discuss this further at michael dot plakus at gmail dot com.
One evening while crossing Queen's Chapel Road in Hyattsville, I was hit by a Mercedes that was turning left off of Belcrest Rd. onto Queen's Chapel. I not only had a green light, but was in the cross walk, with all my lights and reflectors on! The driver braked only after hearing my yell of "HEY!" just before impact. Although this is not a case of the driver coming up behind too closely or crowding me off the street, I felt the need to mention it as an example of motorist neglect. Please make Maryland more safe for me to get to work! Pass HB 143!
My testimony:

Re: Vehicle Laws
back in 2000 i was employed as a bicycle courier in DC. After working the whole summer on my old steel mountain bike, i was able to afford a used racing frame from a reputable shop. the following day at work was sooo much fun. the bicycle was fabulously fast and nimble. as i was riding through midday downtown k street traffic, a bus had stopped in the right lane to discharge passengers. being directly behind the bus and checking the lane to my left, i proceeded to pass the bus. the car behind me followed but decided to pass me before i had returned to the right lane. in a matter of fact hitting me and running me off the road. being a relatively adept rider i banged on her roof as she did this before stopping and dismounting. she pulled over and was upset with me. i lost it.