Cycle Across Maryland Summary
There was daily coverage of CAM in the Examiner by Ron Cassie (pictured at a rest stop.) Quotes and links follow:
Maryland statute requires that if a shoulder (wide enough to park a car or drive an ambulance) or a bike lane is present, then cyclists must use that shoulder or bike lane instead of the roadway, except for when passing, making a left turn, crossing a right turn lane or merge lane, or when it is reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane to avoid debris or another hazardous condition.
There are two legal consequences of the statute. First, the police can give you a ticket if you ride in the roadway and none of the exceptions apply. Second, if a negligent driver collides with you while you are in the roadway, then the courts will deny you (or your estate) damages unless you can prove that one of the exceptions apply, under the doctrine of contributory negligence.
There are a number of symbolic consequences. More than 40 states allow cyclists in the roadway, leaving it to the discretion of the cyclist whether to ride in the shoulder or bike lane. Some people believe that this statute makes Maryland look less friendly to bikes than other states, or that cyclists have fewer rights than drivers.
MDOT and others argue that this law helps them to justify construction of bike lanes and shoulders to the automobile-driving public. Some also argue that the law simply codifies what good cyclists do anyway.
Please take the time to vote in all five poll questions on the right side of the page (after casting one vote click on the "Next question" link in the comment,) your input does help shape Maryland
The popular Capital Crescent Trail, which was recently recognized by the Project for Public Spaces as one of "21 great places that show how transportation can enliven a community", is under threat from the construction of a boathouse for Georgetown University.
The National Park Service recently released an Environmental Assessment on a proposal to construct a large boathouse for Georgetown University along the popular Capital Crescent Trail. The proposed location for the boathouse would be on land upstream (west) of the Washington Canoe Club near the CCT trailhead in Georgetown. Access to the site would require construction equipment, boat trailers and delivery vehicles to share the use the Capital Crescent Trail for a distance of 800 feet hundred feet.
Read more to take action!