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County launches StreetSmart campaign to promote bicyclist, pedestrian safety

By Amanda Yeager

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County executive Ken Ulman said the county also needed to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety in its future projects. "We have a community that was built for the automobile," he said. "It was not designed for bicyclists. We've got to make sure that as we redevelop, we are putting the priority on pedestrian and bicycle safety."
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Bicycle advocates urge care on the roads

There are a lot of good points in this article and I love all the points they touch on but if you are a reader of this blog there's not much new info except the following bit. Why I think this is important to emphasize this, is because our state over focuses on trails holding up Columbia as a prime example of accommodating bicyclists. Well, how does that work out anyway....
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County Executive Ken Ulman, who describes himself as a recreational cyclist, said that while Columbia was among the first communities in Maryland to have designated bike paths, "they didn't think destinational, getting from your house to the mall safely on a bike. … Particularly in downtown Columbia, there are big, sweeping roads that allow vehicles to go very fast."

Ulman said the proposed redevelopment of downtown Columbia is "getting us to focus on streetscapes and complete streets with sidewalks and bike lanes and parking areas."

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It Only Comes Around Once a Year: Decorated Bike Contest for Fourth of July Parade

Enter your bike into the contest and ride in the Severna Park parade.

By Leslie Hunt

It's time to start thinking about decorating- not the house- but the bikes! At least help grab the decorations now since the annual Fourth of July Parade is right around the corner, or actually starting up the road at St. Martin's In-the-Field Church and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. on July 4.

The annual event, sponsored by the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce features floats, cars, marching bands and one of the highlight for kids -the decorated bike contest.

Registration for the contest is from 9:15 to 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 1 Holly Ave. There is no fee to enter.

Each year, the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce, as part of its Independence Day festivities, sponsors the Decorated Bike Contest. Children are encouraged to decorated their bikes, tricycles and wagons, and enter the contest. There will be Hugs the Clown, bicycle obstacle course, and information on bike safety to round out the day, said Linda Zahn, CEO of the Chamber.
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County Council member forms pedestrian, bike committee for 5th District

From the Baltimore Sun

Panel will discuss access issues in Towson, Loch Raven, Perry Hall and Parkville
June 20, 2011

County Councilman David Marks on Monday announced the formation of the 5th District Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, designed to provide input on pedestrian and bicycle issues in Towson, Loch Raven, Parkville andPerry Hall.

Earlier this year, the County Council passed legislation sponsored by Marks and Councilman Tom Quirk of the 1st District (Catonsville) that created a Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. The law allowed each council member to form a version of the committee in his or her district.

Marks said the 5th District version will meet three times a year. Members of the committee, all of whom live in the 5th District, are Robert Carson, Nate Evans, Ann Greenbaum, Tom Henry, Allysha Lorber, Allan Massie, Pat Rooney, Tom Rose, Wendy Samuels and Stu Sirota.

The first meeting of the 5th District committee will be Wednesday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the offices of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, 44 W. Chesapeake Ave. There is parking along the street.

Stu Sirota, from Rodgers Forge, will talk about that community's Safe Routes to School initiative, and Nate Evans will discuss ways Baltimore City has made its transportation system more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. The public is welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Marks at 410-887-3384.

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Conga line congestion in Elkridge

This comment on the Baltimore Sun site cracked me up:

"Please report on the congestion caused by "conga lines" and "wobbly" cyclists on Montgomery Rd. It will prove to be a popular post among Elkridge residents."

Note the unflattering remarks but total lack of any enforceable laws. This is why I think too many people focus on scofflaw cyclists, if they can't get them for what bothers them then they pull out the "letter of law" and try to get cyclists on that. Well every road can't be a car only road and if motorists don't like it then get back on the expressway.

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MEDIA ADVISORY - Pedestrian, bicycle safety campaign to launch Tuesday

That time of year for more of this junk:
The Baltimore region averages 1,700 pedestrian and 500 bicycle crashes each year, resulting in an average of 52 fatalities. The goal of Street Smart is to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities by educating drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike about safe practices on our roadways and make them aware of increased law enforcement efforts.
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I thought we were going to get a new graphic this year, guess not. So for your "safety" we offer a bit more accurate safety advice:
image Clipped from: http://www.welovedc.com/2011/03/30/pedestrians-and-dc-infographic-of-the-day/

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Monkton, MD

Bike riding and tubing: The Torrey C. Brown Trail (formerly the NCR Trail) is a little over 20 miles of flat, stone and dirt-covered pathway, easily navigable by bicycle or by foot. This primarily shaded trail runs from Ashland, Md. to the Maryland–Pennsylvania line. Monkton is a mid-point on the trail and offers a respite for travelers.

You can also tube or kayak down the Gunpowder River, which runs parallel to the trail. Monkton Bikes rents bikes, kayaks, and tubes. A “tube shuttle” is available for transportation to the starting point for your excursion, and then you lazily float back to Monkton.

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Allow Bicyclists and Pedestrians to Use Hatem Bridge

from Jeffrey H. Marks

Sen Nancy Jacobs, Annapolis, correctly indicates that the local Hatem bridge that links Havre de Grace and Perryville, and allows fisherman and canoeists access to recreation, should remain affordable to motorists (see "Columnist Gets it Half Right on Proposed Toll Increases)". But Sen Jacobs also only gets it half right. What about people who can't afford a car, one car families, and other recreational users? Why aren't people allowed to walk or bicycle across this one mile bridge?

Transportation officials will chime in that the bridge was designed only for motorists, and that walking or bicycling is unsafe. But Interstate 95, less than a mile away, parallels the four lane Hatem Bridge. Trucks and through traffic should use the Interstate, and the Hatem should be reconfigured into a full service bridge for local traffic. Sidewalks and bikelanes should replace the outer lane on this local bridge that connects these two communities. The reconfigured Hatem Bridge would look similar to the two lane, full service bridge that bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists use to enter Annapolis near the Naval Academy.

An added benefit would be to remove a major barrier to the East Coast Bicycle Trail that needs to cross the Susquehanna River. Local residents would gain mobility by having other travel options besides driving. . Opportunities to exercise and see one's neighbors would be enhanced. And local residents could still drive across the Hatem. Slowing down from 45mph on the current bridge to say 30mph on the reconfigured bridge would add less than a minute to travel time. And having a two lane bridge instead of a four lane would encourage trucks and through traffic to use the Interstate instead of cutting through local communities.
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