ACTION ALERT - Cyclists and transit riders in the Baltimore area need your help

[Senator Gladden's response: <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20071121162452981">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20071121162452981</a>;]
From One Less Car's newsletter:
If you live in or around Baltimore City you have probably noticed something missing from the MTA buses. No bike racks! The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the very few remaining major transit systems in the U.S. that does not equip its bus fleet with bicycle racks. In Philadelphia and Washington DC bike racks are on the front of every transit bus.

Its not that bike racks cost all that much. The estimated price tag for outfitting the entire MTA bus fleet with racks is under $1 million dollars. It's a small price to pay to make the area's transit network far more accessible.

If you use the MTA system or live in an area serviced by MTA and would use the system if it were more bike accessible, please contact Governor Martin O'Malley via email by accessing his constituent feedback webpage - <a href="http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/">www.gov.state.md.us/mail/</a>; Under &quot;email topic&quot; select &quot;transportation issues&quot;. Tell the governor that the Baltimore metro area deserves a first class bus system and that having bike racks on buses is a key to making that happen. You can also call his office at 410-974-3591.
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Alert! Respond to U.S. Transportation Secretary's comments on PBS

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters talks about infrastructure problems and travel initiatives. More Info

Peters cited "bicycle paths" as a prime example of the waste

Last night on the PBS NewsHour with Jim Leher, DOT Secretary Mary Peters was interviewed by Gwen Ifill.

Peters, when asked about a possible gas tax increase, repeated President Bush's response - No, there can be no tax increase because Congress is wasting the money they already get. Peters cited "bicycle paths" as a prime example of the waste because bicycles are not a transportation use of the gas tax money.

It is disappointing that the administration is attacking Jim Oberstar for his efforts to get the Minneapolis bridge repaired along with raising all the funding for transportation maintenance, by using Oberstar's support for bicycles as a weapon.

The League of American Bicyclists feels strongly that this should not go without a response and we have sent a letter to Secretary Peters voicing our view. Click here to view our response.

For those of you who feel strongly about bicycling issues, we would also urge you to contact the Secretary to share your personal viewpoints.

To view a copy of the program click here

  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Bicycle lawyers finding new clients in injured cyclists

By KEITH RIDLER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

BOISE, Idaho -- Chris Cook liked his plan to save money on gas and be environmentally conscious by riding his bike six miles to work - until the second time the electrical engineer bounced off the grille of a vehicle.

&quot;The first time I got hit I made the mistake of not calling the police,&quot; said Cook. &quot;The second time I made sure that was the first thing I did after I got off the ground.&quot;

Cook, of Boise, became one of a growing number of commuter cyclists turned into hood ornaments, a trend noticed by attorneys - especially attorneys who are also cyclists - who in state after state are touting their own cycling credentials as much as their legal skills on web sites to bruised bike riders.

&quot;I have talked to more commuters who have been in car-bicycle incidents in the last year and a half than I have in the previous 10 years,&quot; said Kurt Holzer, a Boise-based attorney and cyclist who said he's won several cases that have exceeded the vehicle driver's $100,000 insurance coverage.

Bob Anderton, a Seattle-based lawyer who bikes to work, said his business has climbed to 80 percent injured cyclists.

&quot;It's through the roof, it's terrible,&quot; he said. &quot;People are just getting hit all the time.&quot;

The two are among what appears to be a growing number of attorneys actively seeking cyclists injured in collisions with vehicles.

&quot;I think a lot of states have guys who specialize in that,&quot; said Mike Colbach, an attorney based in Portland, Ore., who last year won a $550,000 settlement for an injured cyclist.

&quot;It's almost never the cyclist's fault, and they tend to get pretty significantly injured,&quot; he said. &quot;Wrist, arm, and unfortunately sometimes brain injuries from hitting their head.&quot;
...

Continue Reading

  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Road hazard created by tar and chip

Below are two letters I sent to Montgomery County on the use of tar and chip road patching. This is makes the road unrideable and dangerous for cyclists. If people agree it would be good to let DPW&amp;T and the Council know that you object.

Thanks

Alan Migdall

Continue Reading

  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

The Roddy Road accident: May: John Isaacs

From the BBC list serve:

John Isaacs was struck by a van coming from rear back in May our near Thurmont. He is back at work and doing OK. He hopes to be riding again next season. (There is healing that still has to take place.)

Yesterday the case went to trial in Frederick District court. The three witness, myself, John and Jessie the woman who lived next to where the accident happened, testified that John was riding on the right, that the road was straight and level, that there was no other traffic, that the driver did not brake until after he hit John.

The driver, defending himself (I had expected him to have a lawyer) testified that John had

  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)