• Home
  • Biking in the Metro Area

Google

Transverse markings for crosswalks - not the best engineering practice

[B' Spokes have you ever noticed that SHA uses a lot of skimpy crosswalk markings on high speed roads and wounder if they are effective?]
excepts from: Evaluation of Pedestrian and Bicycle Engineering Countermeasures: Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons, HAWKs, Sharrows, Crosswalk Markings, and the Development of an Evaluation Methods Report - FHWA

image

image

image

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions from this study were as follows:

• The detection distances to continental and bar pairs are statistically similar and are statistically longer than those for transverse markings.

• For the existing midblock locations, continental markings were detected at about twice the distance upstream as transverse markings during daytime conditions. This increase in distance reflects 8 s of increased awareness of the crossing for a 30-mi/h operating speed.

• The results of the appearance ratings of the markings on a scale of A to F mirrored the findings from the detection distance evaluation. Participants preferred the continental and bar pair markings over the transverse markings.

• Participants gave the continental and bar pair markings similar ratings during both the daytime and nighttime. However, the transverse marking ratings differed based on the light level. The participants gave slightly better ratings (although still worse than continental or bar pair markings) for transverse markings during the nighttime as compared to the daytime. The lower ratings during daylight conditions might be due to sun glare or shadow issues mentioned by the participants.

Continue Reading

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

Man, 91, dies after Brooklyn mobility scooter crash

Man crossing lawfully in crosswalk and gets hit and killed by a Toyota Tundra truck "The investigation is continuing but police say they do not believe speed is a factor. No charges have been filed against the driver, according to police."

Seriously, police need to work on their safety PR, you don't need to be speeding or drunk to be charged for "failing to stop for pedestrian in a crosswalk."

"Baltimore and the surrounding area seems to have no regard for crosswalks. Maybe the color needs to be changed from white to bright red." - Maryland Car Accident Blog

Continue Reading

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

Harford County Bike to Work Day Scheduled for May 20; Bike Parade through Downtown Bel Air Planned / May 11

From Harford County government: (via Dagger Press)


With spring in the air, Harford County and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council celebrate May as Clean Commute Month and May 20th as Bike to Work Day. County Executive David R. Craig urges everyone to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness, or transportation.

Rain or shine, the annual Bike to Work Day Rally will be held on Friday, May 20th from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Harford County Government Administration Building located at 220 South Main Street in Bel Air. The Rally, hosted by Harford County Government, promotes riding a bicycle as a fun, viable commuting option. This event is free but registration is required. Participating cyclists should register at <a href="http://www.Bike2WorkCentralMD.com">www.Bike2WorkCentralMD.com</a>;.

The Rally will be emceed by WXCY 103.7 and includes a bike parade through downtown Bel Air. Those who register and attend the Rally will receive a free Bike to Work Day t-shirt, refreshments, and a chance to win giveaways from various sponsors of the Rally.

Those who want to participate on May 20th, but do not want to ride alone, can join one of four bicycle convoys that will depart from various locations throughout the county that morning.

If you are looking to tap into your competitive side, you can participate in the Cycle Smackdown, a competition amongst Harford County businesses and organizations whereby employees from various-sized companies try to get the most number of registrants to bike to work. Last year Harford County Public Schools took the trophy in the large company category, while SAIC retained their title in the mid-size category, and the Highlands School won in the small company category.

To learn more about Bike to Work Day, including information about the Bicycle Convoys and Cycle Smackdown, please visit <a href="http://www.harfordcountymd.gov">www.harfordcountymd.gov</a>; and click on the Bike to Work Day icon.

Continue Reading

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

Bike taken - Owings Mills

via Carroll County Times

On May 3, a teenage boy stole a bicycle in the unit block of Woodthorn Court in Owings Mills, police said.

The teen asked the bike’s rider for the bike. When the rider said no, the teen pushed the rider off and rode away. Police recovered the orange-and-black stunt bike and arrested and charged a teen with robbery.

Continue Reading

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

Sgt. Vickie Warehime of the Baltimore County Police Department - 160 miles so far

Pikesville's Sgt. Vickie Warehime, along with hundreds of other police officers, are cycling from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of fallen law enforcement officers

<a href="http://pikesville.patch.com/articles/police-sergeantcyclist-begins-second-day-of-unity-tour">http://pikesville.patch.com/articles/police-sergeantcyclist-begins-second-day-of-unity-tour</a>;
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Guaranteed Ride Home Program

Baltimore City Rideshare CityCommute Program

Guaranteed Ride Home Program Registration


Guaranteed Ride Home is a free commuter insurance program for those commuting using alternative modes of transportation within the Baltimore and Washington D.C. Metropolitan Areas.

Offers up to 4 free rides home per year to those who ride transit, commuter rail, bike, walk, carpool, or vanpool to work at least twice a week. Typically, the ride home will by cab or rental car.
Free to all working in the Baltimore, Central Maryland, and Washington D.C. regions.
It's there when you need it. For when you stay late and miss your ride home or have to leave work early due to illness, kids, or an emergency.
Makes it easier to depend on alternative modes of transportation.
Easy-to-use phone number: 1-800-745-RIDE.
Operators on call between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Your privacy is guaranteed too. We don't like spam either.
guaranteed ride home baltimore

Fill out the secure form below to register for Guaranteed Ride Home.

Once your application has been processed (normally within 24 hours), you will recieve an e-mail from your rideshare coordinator. You should also recieve a card in the mail from Commuter Connections.

Guaranteed Ride Home is a program of Commuter Connections, The Baltimore City Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Transit Administation.

Continue Reading

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

Rules of road for bicyclists proposed

Once again Michael Dresser shows that he is a motorist that &quot;get's it.&quot; Job well done Michael!

Read the full article here: <a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2011/05/rules_of_road_for_bicyclists_p.html">http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2011/05/rules_of_road_for_bicyclists_p.html</a>;

I have a few comments (of course ;) )

I find the comments interesting that a bike horn is near useless because of drivers having music blaring vs the comment on cyclists using music players and &quot;need&quot; to hear things. Which leads me to the thought I wish bills going through Annapolis had options to pick, like: 1) Playing music in a motor vehicle is prohibited because drivers need to hear pedestrians and bicyclists they are about to run over OR 2) Allow bicyclists to wear headphones and listen to music at a reasonable volume. (Under the principle fair is fair and what's good for one is good for the other.)

My point here is not to encourage headphone use but to encourage driving a bicycle just like a motor vehicle so hearing is not necessity. That is to say if you are always running red lights and such,* hearing is very necessary so doing that with headphones, well that's just crazy.

On the subject of horns and bells; Never use a horn on a trail, I know iZombies are a pain but they are out there the same as you to have a pleasant experience away from cars. Don't bring that car honking attitude to the trails but ...

Joggers and walkers please stay right and leave enough space for a cyclist to pass before having to have a horn on the trail becomes a necessity. And Park Services please get this information out rather then put sole responsibility on cyclists. We are willing to do our part but others have to do their part as well.

Avoid busy streets: While Michael's comments are very good on this point I feel it's necessary to point out that bicyclists on average don't like riding busy roads any more the motorists like seeing us there but too often there is no choice if there really was a convenient route with less traffic we would be on it. Or ... Dear motorists look at it this way: why are you not using the freeway where bikes and pedestrians are prohibited? If you have limits on how far out of the way you drive, well surprise, bicyclists have limits too. But the main point is very valid the route you take by car and the route you would take by bike are very often very different and it takes a while to think differently.

So if you are thinking of bike commuting and are unsure of a route, use our forum and we'll try and get a decent bike route together for you.


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

State project will trigger night work at Towson circle

[B' Spokes: Last I heard the Towson circle wasn't too ped friendly so now they are making it permanent for ped friendlyness? Are they actually talking to people or are they just making this stuff up?]
**********************************
By Loni Ingraham
...
SHA District 4 Engineer David Peake said that the administration is working with the county “to enhance safety and pedestrian access to the roundabout.”

In short, much of the work will involve making permanent the temporary changes that were instituted in 2008 to make the roundabout predestrian friendly, as well as minor additional improvements.

For instance, designated turn lanes and signs that were installed in 2008 were designed to reduce traffic speed and conflicts, give drivers clearer direction and make life easier for pedestrians in the roundabout crosswalks.

The work this year will produce upgraded pedestrian crosswalks, relocated gutters and sidewalks, and new concrete curbs, and include resurfacing and the painting of lane demarcations.
...

Continue Reading

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

Bicycle Thefts On Rise with Warmer Temperatures

By Ron Cassie

Got a bike? Engrave* it and lock it. Or lose it, Baltimore County police say.

The Baltimore County Police Department suggests all bike owners engrave their bikes. It's simple to do, and if necessary, owners can go to the local precinct and borrow an engraving tool, Baltimore County police said in a press release.

Police say using the ID numbers from a driver's license or Maryland ID card is the best way to mark your bike. Never use a social security number as an ID number, they caution.

Police also suggest when storing a bike in a shed or garage, lock and attach it to a lawn mower or other heavy, bulky equipment. Thieves break into sheds and garages, but attaching a bike to a piece of heavy equipment makes it more difficult to just walk or ride away from the area.

For more information on how to safeguard your bike and other valuables in your home, garage or shed, contact Precinct 12’s Community Outreach Officer. The precinct’s main number is 410-887-7320.

The following is a sampling of recently reported bicycle thefts in Precinct 12:
...
***
*[Engraving on carbon fiber NOT recommended.]

Continue Reading

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