Bicycle Symposium - a Huge Success!

Bike Maryland’s 14th Annual Bicycle Symposium took place in Annapolis on Tuesday, February 22. Although we thought it wouldn't happen for the forth year in a row - it snowed - allot. Approximately 175 advocates, leaders and planners filled the President's Conference Center to share ideas, meet with state legislators and listen to top notch presenters. Throughout the day, dozens of Senators and Delegates were introduced to the audience. Thank you Senator Rosapepe for securing the conference room for our use. Two probike partners, Delegate Cardin (Chair of the Bicycle Caucus and sponsor of the 3 Foot Law) and Delegate Carr (sponsor of the Shoulder Law), discussed the importance of pro-bicycle legislation and policy including their current work with Bike Maryland to:

•  promote access to trails after dark for bicycle commuters
•  create the opportunity to bring a bike on the MARC
•  expand complete streets infrastructure
•  increase driver awareness and education

During the Bicycle Symposium keynote address, Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, described what LAB calls "a Simple Solution". "Bicycling is economical, efficient, clean, and sustainable. The level of investment needed to get more people riding is small and offers big returns. Riding a bike frees people from car, gas, and insurance payments; it frees the nation from costly oil imports from volatile corners of the world. Bicycling is the ultimate expression of freedom and independence and the simple pleasure of riding a bike harkens back to simpler times. It’s fun, and its good for you."  Learn more about the Solution at the National Bike Summit this week - additional information below.

Bike Maryland is deeply thankful for the support and participation of the Symposium presenters, exhibitors, volunteers, legislators and attendees that made the day a huge success! The Symposium recording will be available on line soon.

Testimony Complete - Update on House Bill 363 Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle or Vessel - Criminal Negligence

The day after the Bike Symposium, 21 people testified in support of House Bill 363, which would fill a gap in Maryland’s criminal law that currently operates to allow drivers who kill cyclists to receive little or no punishment. In short, the bill creates a misdemeanor for causing the death of another while operating a vehicle in a criminally negligent manner.

During the Judiciary Committee hearing, testifiers urged Delegate Vallario to "bring the strongly supported bill to a vote!"  If you haven't already done so please click here and take action to support this critical legislation. You can listen to the HB363 testimony by visiting http://mgahouse.maryland.gov/House/Catalog/catalogs/default.aspx. Click on Judiciary in the left navigation bar and scroll down to 2/23/11 (either one of the versions). Since it was a 4 hour session --- you can move the bar forward to 1 hour and 58 minutes which is when Delegate Simmons begins the presentation.

Additional information:

• Bill to punish fatally bad driving should pass with care - Lawmakers should steer clear of criminalizing mistakes
  February 27, 2011|By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun. View article here. 
• Maryland Vehicular Homicide Bill : Drivers Who Cause Fatal Auto Accidents Should Get Tougher Penalties, Grieving Families Say. February 28, 2011 by Jeff Butschky, Maryland Injury Attorney Blog. View article here. 

Press Release -Maryland Department of Transportation Asks, “What Are the Barriers to More Children Walking and Biking to School?”

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Completes Statewide Survey Identifying Obstacles - Develops Recommendations for Future.  MDOT, working with partners in both the education community and the bicycle and pedestrian community, has completed the Maryland Statewide Student Travel Policy Survey. A primary goal of the survey is to provide State officials with an understanding of the policies and practices governing walking and biking at individual schools and within entire school systems. The survey identified a number of challenges that stand in the way of walking and biking to school and developed a series of recommendations to address those challenges. View the press release here and view the survey here.

Events

March 8 -10th, 2011- the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit; Grand Hyatt|Metro Center|D.C.

Learn more and view the action packed agenda here. There are more people riding bikes than ever. Yet half of all U.S. trips are three miles or less, and more than 90 percent are made by car. The National Bike Summit has improved bicycle-friendliness and livability in many communities, but the need and opportunity to improve physical activity, safety and livability in the U.S., while reducing congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on oil – remains greater today than a decade ago. These issues seem difficult to solve but the answer is simple. The answer is the bicycle. Now is the time to ask Congress to make strategic transportation investments that foster healthy people and healthy communities. Attend the summit to act on a simple solution – the bicycle. 

March 9th - 5:30 PM - SUPPORT RIDE FOR NATHAN. Start location Broadview Apartments 116 West University Parkway, near Hopkins campus. “Johns Hopkins University Engineering student Nathan Krasnopoler was badly injured while riding his bicycle in the bike lane on University Pkwy Saturday, February 26th. We need to come together on this, for Nathan, his family, and ourselves.” Learn more here. Free.

Update by Mitchell Krasnopoler (Nathan's father) March 6, 2011 Update 3:00 pm. Nathan continues to take very small steps of improvement. He is in a coma, but is in stable condition. Not much change in his responsiveness, but some small signs. The good news is that he was taken off the ventilator today and is breathing on his own! He does have a trachea collar to provide humidified and oxygen enriched air.  

Nathan was wearing a helmet and did not suffer any head trauma but did suffer chest injuries and had stopped breathing by time the EMTs arrived. 

The initial article in The Baltimore Sun quoted a Police Detective who said no charges would be filed against the 83 year old driver. During a meeting with the Police Department last week, Bike Maryland, government officials and other advocates were informed that the decision to charge/prosecute the driver will be made after the investigation has been completed; they indicated that the original police statement was in error. View the letter from Greg Hinchliffe, Chairman of the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Additional information links:

• After a bicyclist is put in a coma, Baltimore debates traffic enforcement - March 5; Author: Philip Langdon;
  New Urban Network
• www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/baltimore-police-responds-to-public-concerns-in-hopkins-student-hit-while-biking
• http://www.bikebaltimore.org/
• www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=2011030413431398

March 11, 2011 Special Event - Bike Travel and Touring! Free.

Join Bike Maryland and the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) for a special presentation by ACA’s executive director, Jim Sayer, on the joys of bicycle travel and cool projects happening at the national and state level. He’ll touch on new bicycle routes and maps coming from the ACA (including the new Sierra Cascades route and the planned Bicycle Route 66), a new website with resources on “bike overnights”, plus a status report on development of the official US Bicycle Route System.

Join us on Friday, March 11th, from 7-9 PM at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation at 4 East University Parkway, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218. The entrance is on Charles Street. Click here for direction details.

Please RSVP by March 5th via email to Sarah Raz or via phone at 800-755-2453 x 210. Please spread the word about this free exciting presentation. We are looking for a few volunteers to help with the event. Please contact Carol Silldorff if you are willing and able to assist! 

March 29, 2011 Bicycle Friendly Business Workshop
Presented by the Frederick Bicycle Coalition, the League of American Bicyclists, Bike Maryland and the Department of Economic Development. Free.

1 to 4 PM at the C. Burr Artz Public Library - Community Room, 110 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program recognizes employers who make bicycle commuting a more viable option for their employees by providing resources such as secured bike parking and showers. In doing so, businesses are demonstrating their dedication to social responsibility by helping their employees maintain an active lifestyle, while also reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. Bill Nesper and Carly Sieff from the League of American Bicyclists will host a workshop on how to become a BFB, providing step-by-step technical guidance on making your workplace a more bicycle friendly environment to work in. Over 21 communities, businesses and university leaders attended the last LAB/Bike Maryland training session and many applied for LAB bike friendly status - this program is an incredible opportunity for businesses interested in improving bike-ability! 

REGISTER AND LEARN MORE HERE.   Add your business to the growing list of BFBs across the country! 

April 7, 2011 Creating 880 Cities:  Walking, Cycling, & Public Places for All. Free.

Keynote presentation by Gil Peñalosa, Executive Director 8-80 Cities; Thursday, April 7th 2011, 7-9 PM at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia, MD 21044.

This is an event you don't want to miss! Mr. Peñalosa is an internationally renowned livable city advisor and is passionate about vibrant and healthy communities. As Executive Director of the non-profit organization 8-80 Cities and former Commissioner of Parks, Sports and Recreation in Bogota, Colombia, Gil’s tireless commitment to fostering healthy communities remains front and center. He also works as Senior Consultant for the renowned Danish firm Gehl Architects. And he serves on the Boards of Directors of American Trails, Ciclovias of the Americas, and City Parks Alliance. As the Commissioner of Parks, Sport and Recreation for the City of Bogotá, Colombia, Gil’s team initiated the “new Ciclovia”—car-free Sundays— today an internationally recognized program that sees over 1.3 million people walk, run skate and bike along 75 miles of Bogotá’s city roads. Co‐sponsored by the Columbia Association and Bike Maryland. RSVPs Preferred: Event.Rsvp@ColumbiaAssociation.com
 

May 1, 2011 Baltimore Bike Club's 27th Annual Instructional Ride Series. Free.

The club's most popular Instructional Ride Series will begin with an orientation to be held on Sunday, May 1, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. This series is offered to anyone over 16 years of age interested in learning the basic skills of cycling, including doing minor road repairs and improving as a rider. We want to help people new to our sport find a comfortable riding level and develop so they can at least ride on the BBC casual rides by the end of the series. Experienced riders who are new to club riding can meet other BBC members and learn about group riding. The ride series will cover both road and recreational trail riding. And we do have something for faster riders. At the orientation, we will demonstrate cycling skills and techniques; discuss bicycles, equipment and clothing; and answer any questions about the program. We will watch a short, informative video on cycling safety and bike handling. If you bring your bicycle to the orientation, we can check it out for you and show you how to do a pre-ride bike check. Learn More HERE.

Save the Date for this Super Special Opportunity
May 13-15, 2011 Wining Campaigns Training

Space is limited to 30 participants. Hosted by: The Alliance for Biking and Walking, Bike Maryland and the City of Baltimore. Location: Baltimore, MD - specific building TBD. Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE!

The Alliance’s Winning Campaigns Training is a boot camp for bicycle & pedestrian advocacy organizations. This action-oriented workshop gives novice and veteran advocates the tools to create and manage powerful campaigns to increase biking and walking in their communities. Our proven curriculum is led by longtime advocates and national experts with first-hand experience conducting — and winning — bicycle and pedestrian campaigns. During each three-day training, participants learn how to:
• Focus on a specific, winnable campaign for their community
• Identify and map the key decision makers
• Craft a persuasive message to rally members and policy makers
• Use media outlets to communicate to a broad audience
• Become an effective fundraiser
• Create a detailed Campaign Blueprint that ensures success and builds toward even greater victories!

The Winning Campaigns Training is more than a class. It’s a fun, interactive experience that fosters collaboration among advocates and results in a road map with next steps and strategies specific to your Winning Campaign. Take advantage of this vital, affordable training this spring in Baltimore! 

Get Involved or Subscribe .