Bike Lane Enforcement

Problem: The designated bike lanes along Light & Pratt Streets are constantly being violated by motorists. Specifically, taxis, delivery trucks and tourists. These vehicles drive and park in the bike lane which not only violate the posted traffic signs but also greatly endangers the cyclists and pedestrians using these lanes.

Response from Baltimore City Police: I will increase enforcement immediately in the bike lanes. Thank you for letting me know of this situation. My shift supervisors will immediately ensure strict compliance from all vehicles in the bike lanes. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
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!!BBC 25TH ANNUAL INSTRUCTIONAL RIDE SERIES!!

OUR POPULAR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IS CELEBRATING A QUARTER CENTURY!!

The BALTIMORE BICYCLING CLUB'S Instructional Ride Series will begin with an orientation to be held on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ridgely Middle School in Baltimore County.

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 and to permit experienced riders who are new to club riding to meet and to learn about group riding. The ride series will cover both road and recreational trail riding.

At the orientation, we will demonstrate cycling skills and techniques and 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. The indoor orientation will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Weather permitting, anyone who wants to do so can join us for a short ride following the orientation. You must have and wear a helmet in order to ride.

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Obama moves to let states cap car emissions

WASHINGTON - Plunging into energy and climate change policies, President Barack Obama on Monday moved to give states a freer hand in curbing greenhouse gas emissions from cars, and to enact tighter fuel-efficiency standards that could remake the auto industry.

Obama stressed that his goal is to work with carmakers on key administration goals: energy independence and combating global warming.

"Let me be clear: Our goal is not to further burden an already struggling industry," Obama said at the White House. "It is to help America's automakers prepare for the future."
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NEW PA TO MD TRANSIT SERVICE LAUNCHED THIS WEEK

[Note the free emergency ride home, love to see this for bike commuters as well.]
Commuter bus service will run between York, PA and Timonium, MD

Rabbit Transit logoOn February 2nd, rabbittransit launched a new commuter bus route from York, PA to Timonium/Hunt Valley.

Rabbit Transit Express Commuter BusThe service offers 3 trips each way daily, Monday through Friday and stops at any MTA bus stop along the route. All buses are equipped with satellite TV, reclining seats, and bicycle storage.

Riders who are registered and ride to work at least twice a week are eligible to receive free emergency rides home.

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Dueling Helmet Bills

The House has two bills in regards to bicycle helmets; one requires helmets for all ages of cyclists (HB 187) and the other increases the (under) age from 16 to 18 for those who are required to wear helmets (HB 437.) May the better law win.

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North Baltimore Bike Brigade (Another Baltimore Bike Blog)

We are a loosely-knit band of bike commuters based in North Baltimore. While we don’t get to ride together as much as we would like, we share the experience of daily commuting in Charm City.

There are plenty of places for Baltimore roadies and downhillers to chat and share. This is for Freds, commuters, utility beaters and generally for those of us who use our bikes for transportation, not just fitness and recreation.

If that’s your thing, that’s cool. All this commuters vs. roadies vs. downhillers vs. freds stuff is bull$#!+. We have in common that we ride. We have to get along and fight our common foe. You know, everyone else.

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Hello Grand History Trail Partners!

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program are completing the initial planning phase of the Grand History Trail (GHT). We hope you’ll join us for our final stakeholders meeting in Baltimore this spring. Attendees will get a preview of the final web site and project report which include:

* GHT suggested route maps & GIS data
* Resource inventory of historic sites
* Media and Marketing Toolkit for trail promotion
* Trail gap analysis

The afternoon meeting will be an opportunity to make final comments and suggestions on the proposed routes and will also be a working session to gather ideas about marketing and promoting the trail.

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 from 1pm – 3pm
LOCATION: Baltimore Rowing and Water Resource Center Baltimore Rowing and Water Resource Center (Located in Middle Branch Park , 3301 Waterview Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230, along the Gwynns Falls Trail, <a href="http://www.gwynnsfallstrail.org">www.gwynnsfallstrail.org</a>; Trailhead #8, T8)

Formal meeting agenda to follow.

Also, if anyone is interested in a post-meeting bike ride (bikes provided) along the Gwynns Falls Trail please let me know!

RTC will be presenting the Grand History Trail concept at the upcoming Maryland Bicycle Symposium on Wednesday, February 4th in Annapolis , MD. The symposium will bring together advocates, planners, and elected officials who want to improve the conditions for cyclists in Maryland – best of all, registration is free!

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Taking Aim at CO2 in Infrastructure Projects

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A Portland-based start-up, Ecologistics, has developed a software program to help government agencies calculate the carbon dioxide costs right alongside the capital costs of their purchasing decisions when constructing or remodeling commercial buildings, bridges, roads and other infrastructure.

The software integrates a traditional life-cycle energy assessment of all the project materials — from resource extraction to installation — and compares suppliers not only according to the lowest bid, but also by the carbon dioxide emissions generated, fuel use and vehicle miles traveled, among other metrics.

“We do a pre-bid analysis of the materials supply chain and put together a footprint, so agencies can make a decision based on more than just price,” said Bryce Benge, a development coordination manager for Ecologistics, from his booth at the trade show.
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