"Million Car Challenge Campaign"
December 15, 2009 we begin the "Million Car Challenge Campaign".Campaign Stickers will be available to order at that time.
December 15, 2009 we begin the "Million Car Challenge Campaign".Campaign Stickers will be available to order at that time.
BIKE CAUCUS MEMBERS IN THE 111TH CONGRESS
[Trimmed just for MD members]
| MEMBER | PHONE | STAFF | |
| 11. | Bartlett, Roscoe R-MD | 52721 | Faye Powers |
| 35. | Cummings, Elijah E. D-MD | 54741 | Nikki Jones |
| 135. | Ruppersberger, Dutch D-MD | 53061 | Deborah Casteel |
| 166. | Van Hollen, Chris D-MD | 55341 | Bill Parsons |
| 195. | Edwards, Donna D-MD | 58699 | Terra Sabag |
Drive Me Crazy
Non-cyclists are forever saying that bike riders should be held to the same standards as motorists. Agreed, but turnabout is fair play. Motorists should have to abide by the same behavior expected of cyclists. For instance:* When drivers arrive at a stop sign or red light, they must open the door and put one foot on the ground to prove they have made a full stop.
* Cyclists who momentarily leave the bike lane to avoid an obstacle always suffer the wrath of motorists. Similarly, cars should not be permitted to change lanes in order to avoid mattresses, ladders, pedestrians and the like.
* Group rides get hassled. So should large groups of motor vehicles. Find yourself driving in a long line of cars on the highway? You're disrupting traffic for everyone behind. The cops should be able to pull you over and even confiscate your vehicle. (Might be hard to get your car in the back seat of the cruiser, but that's a detail to be worked out later.)
* Who always gets blamed in a car-bike crash? You got it. Similarly, if a larger vehicle like a dump truck collides with a car, it must be the car's fault. Because they're operating a smaller class of vehicle, car drivers de facto don't know what they're doing and must be punished.
* Cyclists are constantly being told they don't belong on the road because they don't "pay taxes" by buying gas, paying tolls, etc., even though many riders also drive -- just not at this moment. Likewise, motorists shouldn't have access to public services like police protection on the road unless they are actually paying their taxes while driving.
Which, unfortunately, many drivers probably do.
If New York can make an appeal for better biking then why can't we?
At the Biking Rules PSA Film Festival, Daniel Leeb premiered a video of T.A.'s Executive Director Paul Steely White talking about what it takes to make New York City better for biking, walking and public transit. We thought you might enjoy watching it
Off-road bikers have rangers on watch
By Candus Thomson - Baltimore Sun
Ribbons of hard-packed dirt with nicknames like Sam's Grave, Seminary Loop and Ewok stitch the woods around Loch Raven Reservoir, a training ground for world-champion mountain bikers and urban warriors for more than a decade.
But city officials want to halt off-road use by bikers and others trying to reach the water's edge, saying the activity increases erosion and runoff into the reservoir and makes water treatment more expensive.
Six watershed rangers have been hired this year with seven more on the way whose duties include enforcing a 10-year-old policy that requires bikers to stay on maintained fire roads. Rangers have issued several $100 tickets for late-night riding as well as countless warnings, which, in turn, have generated hundreds of protest e-mails to City Hall.
"It's an outdated management plan that they're trying to enforce," said Eric Crawford, a spokesman for the 600-member Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE). "It's a little obsessive and a little bit off the mark. They've never revisited it, and they should."
Today, 10 City Council members will request a public hearing for early next year to start talks between officials, members of MORE and the International Mountain Biking Association that could lead to a compromise on access. Meanwhile, preliminary discussions between the riders and city officials have been scheduled for Monday.
...
Proposed Bike Program in Annapolis needs a moment of your time
[From our mail bag:]Pardon the interruption.
Can everyone please take a few minutes and sign up to vote (three times per email address) for a Revolution Kids project in Annapolis that supports Bicycling opportunities?
Vote on this page: <a href="http://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects/72">http://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects/72</a>;
All projects: <a href="http://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects">http://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects</a>;
It’ll be a fight to the finish for a small pot of money so Annapolis can use your support.
Pass it on!
City Council is introducing 8 (good) bike-related laws
In making Baltimore a more livable community, the City Council is introducing 8 bike-related laws tomorrow at City Hall<a href="http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/AGENDA/la_agenda_draft_20091210.html">http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/AGENDA/la_agenda_draft_20091210.html</a>;
Attendance is encouraged!
the baltimore bicycling manual
the baltimore bicycling manual is full of easy-to-read practical advice intended for new bicyclists in charm city, or those who are considering the bicycle as a hobby, occasional ride, commute, or regular mode of transportation.
included is advice on best practices during inclement weather and night-time riding, suggested equipment, types of bikes you might consider, and even suggestions on taking long-distance bike rides.
all that, and it’s a brief and accessible read…not to mention free.
you can download the baltimore bicycling manual here.