Downtown Circulator


The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced the launch of the first leg of a coordinated land and water downtown circulator cost free service featuring a cross-harbor water taxi for commuters, residents, and tourists.

The “Water Taxi Harbor Connector” will begin service on Monday, May 4th between the water taxi dock at Frederick Douglass-Isaac-Myers Maritime Museum (Maritime Park) in Fells Point and the Tide Point Pier in South Baltimore. This fare free service will operate approximately every fifteen minutes from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Water Taxi Harbor Connector will operate on a “ping-pong” basis with no intermediate stops. A second “Water Taxi Harbor Connector” route is planned to begin operations in late summer providing service, between Canton Water Front Park and Tide Point.
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BikePed Beacon -- April 2009


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May 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
Bike to Work Day is May 15th! Are you registered?
May is Clean Commute Month
Welcome Stephanie! Farewell Amber
One Less Car bike Symposium a success!
Choose Safety for Life
Bike Jam Festival - Fun for the whole family
A Regional Bike and Pedestrian Newsflash
 

The following newsflash from the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board details current news and events in regards to biking and walking both in and around the Baltimore region.

The information found in the newsflash is informative; it could inspire some to become more involved in the process of improving conditions for biking and walking.

Or it could inspire a bike ride or a walk...

Stephanie Yanovitz
BikePed Beacon Editor
BIKE TO WORK DAY 2009 IS FRIDAY MAY 15th! Are you registered?
  Bike 2 Work Day.  May 15, 2009.  Find out more. 
Bike to Work Day 2009, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday May 15, 2009.

Between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on May 15, bicycle commuters will gather at locations throughout the Baltimore region, including:
  • Anne Arundel Co/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis
  • Baltimore City - War Memorial Plaza at City Hall (100 N. Holliday St.)
  • Baltimore County - Courthouse Square (400 Washington Ave, Towson)
  • Carroll County - Westminster
  • Harford County - Government Center (220 S. Main St, Bel Air)
  • Howard County - The Mall in Columbia (by Sears Service Center, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)

Facebook B2WNew!  Rallies are also being planned for Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University - Homewood campus, and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Register today to guarantee that you will get a free B2W09 T-shirt and goodie bag. The first 1100 registrants will receive a T-shirt, reflective leg strap, and a flashing safety light. The first 500 will receive all of the above plus a bicycle tire gauge.   All participants will also receive an on-the-go snack with java, and the chance to win prizes. You must be registered and attend a rally to win.

MAY IS CLEAN COMMUTE MONTH 
Gear Up and Get Ready! 
 
http://www.CleanCommuteMonth.comEvery May the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and our Clean Commute Partners host Clean Commute Month to promote Clean Commuting. 

 

What is Clean Commuting?

It's riding transit, bicycling, carpooling, walking, or teleworking. It's anything other than driving alone in a motor vehicle. Because motor vehicles contribute up to 30% of the emissions that dirty our air, people who choose to clean commute are making an individual choice that helps reduce air pollution.
 

For a few days in May, keep your car parked. Try another way to get around. It's not hard!  You can take transit, bicycle, or even walk. If you do drive, share your ride with a friend or co-worker, and make sure to keep your car in tip-top condition. You could cut your commute costs in half.

 

Find out more at one of these great events!

This year's activities will include Clean Car Clinics, a commuter appreciation day, Bike to Work Day, and tons of fun outreach events!  Here are a few events:

  • May 1 & 2 - Baltimore Flowermart
  • May 2 & 3 - Towsontown Festival
  • May 9 - Carroll County Herb Festival (Piney Run Park)
  • May 15 - Bike to Work Day
  • May 17 - Baltimore Bike Jam (Patterson Park) 
  • May 19 - Commuter Thank-you (Aberdeen MARC)
  • May 28 - Harford County Clean Car Clinic

Visit us at our booth's at these great events... or use the link below to get more information about how to become a Clean Commuter. 

Welcome Stephanie Yanovitz!
Farewell Amber Blake - Good Luck in Durango, Colorado!
 
The City of Durango has announced the selection of a new multi-modal coordinator as part of their on-going commitment to alternative modes of travel. Amber Blake has been chosen to fill this position beginning on April 8th and will be responsible for multi-modal transportation planning, marketing and implementation, with a special focus on public transit, pedestrian and bicycle modes of travel.   
 
 
New to BMC is Ms. Stephanie Yanovitz.  Stephanie joined BMC in March seeking to engage her diverse background in transportation, planning and engineering, safety, operations, and bicycle/pedestrian programs.  Recently Stephanie was the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at Maryland State Highway Administration.  During her time at SHA she participated in the development of statewide state road bicycle level of comfort maps for every county as well as a bicycle signage and pavement marking inventory for every state road maintenance shop in Maryland.  For a list of these maps please visit the link below.
 
 
ONE LESS CAR BIKE SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS! 
Details about the symposium on new web site
 
The 12th Annual Bike Symposium in Annapolis on February 4th was a huge success!
Although the weather caused school closings in many jurisdictions approximately 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.    
 
 
CHOOSE SAFETY FOR LIFE!
Regional campaign offers great info on bicycle and pedestrian safety

Bike and Ped SafetyNearly 3,000 pedestrians are injured annually, more than one-third of which occur in Baltimore City and more than another one-third of which occur in Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties.  Whether we're traveling on four wheels or 16; two feet or two wheels, we all have something in common: we are on this road together. Sadly, the toll of sharing the road together has cost too much, and lost lives is a price too dear for just getting from here to there. Visit the link below to get some helpful rules of the road whether you're walking, bicycling - or driving around pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles or large trucks. The good news is that you're in control and have a choice - to choose safety for life!

>>>  Choose Safety for Life
BIKE JAM FESTIVAL OFFERS FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Free kid's helmet giveaway and bike safety rodeo 
Bike Jam 09
The Bike Jam Family Fun Festival in Patterson Park on May 17th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is going to be great!  Do not miss the CareFirst BlueCross Kid's Helmet Give-Away.  Two-hundred and fifty helmets have been donated! 
 
The event also features recreational rides,  pro road races, cycling stunt show, bike and health expo, food and live music, and a kids activity pavilion.  There will also be a Kid's Bike Safety Rodeo at 12 and 1:45 p.m.   >>> Check out the Bike Jam Family Fun Festival
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The Grand History Trail Concept Plan: Executive Summary


This study explores the potential of creating a unique interstate trail system that would connect existing trails in a area rich in historical, cultural, and natural resources. Called the “Grand History Trail”, this conceptual network could link 100 miles of existing disconnected trails to create a circular pathway for non-motorized travelers that would extend over 300 miles.


Where will the trail go?

Currently, the Grand History Trail conceptual loop is a combination of on- and off-road facilities that connect major metropolitan cities and small historic towns in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia [overview map image or page reference here]. The route encompasses Baltimore, MD; Annapolis, MD; Washington, DC; Frederick, MD; Gettysburg, PA; and York, PA. The Background and Visioning/Planning sections (pp. x-xx) outline the steps taken to identify an alignment that would intersect cities of historical importance and the Segment Analysis section (pp. x-xx) outlines the route by segment and addresses the relationship of the trail to existing and future plans in each city, county, and state.

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Governor Glendening recognized for a lifetime of work


Governor Glendening addresses the conference attendees in Albuquerque after receiving his lifetime achievement award.

Governor Parris Glendening, who serves SGA as the President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, received a few notable recognitions earlier in 2009.

In January Gov. Glendening received a lifetime achievement award at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in recognition of his years of tireless service to advance the ideas of smart growth — first in Maryland as an elected leader, and across the country in the years hence. The New Partners Conference honored his work as governor of Maryland and with the Smart Growth Leadership Institute.

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Public Transit Users Three Times More Likely To Meet Fitness Guidelines


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The study, published in the Journal of Public Health Policy, finds that people who take public transit are three times more likely than those who don't to meet the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's suggested daily minimum of physical activity.
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According to the study, people who drove the most were the least likely to meet the recommended level of physical activity.

"The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," says Frank, the J. Armand Bombardier Chairholder in Sustainable Transportation and a researcher at the UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. "These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity. Unfortunately, we've engineered this activity out of our daily lives."
...

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Baltimore: Biking, Bakeries and Breakfast by J the travel authority


Baltimore's mayor is seriously into health & fitness: both her personal fitness and that of the citizens of her city. So twice a week -- Wednesdays & Fridays -- she invites anyone to pedal behind her. I biked with the mayor recently on a Friday afternoon along with almost two dozen people -- many of them regular city cyclists plus city employees -- and was amazed at her pace: around 18 mph. I rode alongside her deputy press secretary on our 22 mile trek through the city's many greenspaces.

We tackled the lovely Gwynss Falls bike trail and, where our journey crossed into traffic, there was no need to worry: the regular riders, including the mayor's photographer and a very serious and exceedingly helpful and empathetic cyclist, Mark, stopped traffic in both directions so we could continue on our way. And the mayor's black Suburban with her security details followed us when we rode in the streets. The whole experience was a delight, especially riding through some dense woodlands and spacious grassy plots.

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WHAT TO DO AT A CRASH SCENE


Just a friendly reminder about what to do if you are in a crash:

Don’t move unless you’re sure you won’t hurt yourself more.
Don’t get mad. Keep a level head.
Don’t ride away or shake off what seems like a minor injury—you might find later that it’s worse than you thought.

GET HELP Call 911. Get medical help if needed.

GET WITNESSES Write down names and phone numbers of anyone that witnessed the crash

GET EVIDENCE Get information from every vehicle:
* License plate number, make of car
* Driver’s license number
* Insurance company name and policy number ((should match driver name)
* Driver name, address, phone number

GET THE POLICE REPORT # from the police on the scene and get a copy of from the district station in which the crash occurred.

AFTER THE CRASH
Write down how the crash happened while it’s fresh in your memory.
Keep (or photograph) any damaged clothes or equipment. Photograph any injuries you sustained. Document any lost wages or time off.

Eric Gilliland
Executive Director
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
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THE NEWBIE CORNER: THE INESTIMABLE VALUE OF GOING CLIPLESS


clip in newbie

You have been riding for a few months now, and you are looking to make a simple upgrade to your bike that could augment your on the bike performance. Ultimately, a newbie's upgrade decision ought to focus on this inquiry: what equipment upgrade is going to prove the most worthwhile over time, and foster the greatest improvement in my performance? Lighter wheels are always a nice upgrade. And, high end competition or race wheels will definitely cut weight from your bike, and thereby deliver you a bit more speed. Yet, perhaps the best initial equipment upgrade a newbie can make is the purchase of a clipless pedal system.

Clipless pedals offer riders a number of advantages. Most importantly, clipless pedals cultivate a more efficient and powerful pedal stroke. Notably, these systems permit you to better access your hamstrings and gluteus muscles during your upstroke. Accessing the hamstring and gluteus muscles on the upstroke in turn enables you to deliver a greater power transfer to the crank, and that increased power transfer produces a greater speed. Indeed, a rider generates far more power using a clipless pedal system than he or she would produce employing a (now almost) obsolete toe clip systems.

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