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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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