Your bicycling as a regular mode of transportation dollars at work
[B' Spokes: So Maryland limits its use of Transportation Enhancement money to just trails and the federal regulation says that it MUST be used for transportation purposes and not recreational. While the form below is certainly better then the ticketing going on the Anacostia trails that close at dusk but I do have to ask why are so many roads in Maryland not really bike friendly? Oh, there is no money and/or no plan to accomplish that that. That's because the State's Strategic Trail Plan is the cat's meow, that is till you realize that it is keeping money from on-road bicycling facilities. I guess we should modify State Law to read as follows [additions in square brackets] § 2-602 "State to include enhanced transportation facilities [that require liability wavers or to be closed at dark] for pedestrians and bicycle riders ... (1) Access to and use of transportation facilities by pedestrians and bicycle riders shall be considered and best [minimal] engineering practices regarding the needs of bicycle riders and pedestrians [and liability wavers for the use of the aforementioned facilities shall be in the best legal practices."
There has to be something better then the current practices, I'm OK with accepting some responsibility if I bike a trail at night but it would not kill these guys to use more reflective tape either (in other words think about night time use and make some accommodations.) Removing the barriers for biking and walking and providing more options for biking and walking should be the goal here and liability wavers should be a warning sign that we are not were we should be.]
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APPLICATION AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY FOR AFTER HOURS BICYCLE USE
“BICYCLE COMMUTING”
This form is an application and waiver of liability/assumption of risk for after-hours
bicycle use (“Bicycle Commuting”) for commuting within the Avalon/Glen Artney area of
Patapsco Valley State Park.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) and the Maryland Park Service
(“MPS”) support green alternatives in commuting. As such, DNR/MPS recognizes people
interested in commuting by bicycle as an alternative to heavily traveled roadways. However, most
areas of Patapsco Valley State Park were not designed for night time use. There is no lighting -
either walk-way lights or street lights - in most of the day-use areas. Staffing levels do not allow
staff on duty 24 hours a day; therefore, there is no commitment or guarantee by DNR/MPS for
response to injuries or incidents after hours. In addition, the Avalon/Orange Grove/Glen Artney
areas of Patapsco have very poor cell phone coverage and only one pay phone is located along the
route that most bicycle commuters would travel. DNR/MPS cannot guarantee or ensure road and
trail conditions nor ensure road and trail conditions during inclement weather that occurs outside
of normal operating hours for the park. The Grist Mill Trail does not have ice or snow removal as
part of routine maintenance.
Anyone wishing to commute after-hours through this area is required to obtain a permit and sign a
waiver of liability. The following safety equipment must be used by all after-hours commuters:
Headlights, reflectors, and helmets. In addition all Bicycle commuters will be required to use the
paved portion of the Avalon, Orange Grove, Glen Artney areas of Patapsco to commute via bicycle
between South Street (Baltimore County) or River Rd. (Howard County) and Illchester
Rd.(Howard County). Map of acceptable routes are attached. Further, due to poor cell phone
coverage you are responsible to alert a family member or co-worker of your intended route and
travel time frame and provide them with the Park Watch number 800-825-7275 or 410-260-8888,
for emergency assistance.