The 2011 Maryland General Assembly 428th Legislative Session - Kicks-Off Today

The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State's annual budget. The 2011 Session begins January 12, 2011 and adjourns April 11, 2011. The General Assembly has 47 Senators and 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts.

Who Are Your Elected Officials? Would you like to know who represents you in the Maryland General Assembly and U.S. Congress? To find out, just enter your home address HERE. Information provided shows current elected officials and current Congressional & Legislative election district. Click Here To Contact Your Legislator.

Many of you have known someone or have heard about someone that lost their life or was seriously injured while bicycling. Bike Maryland's mission is to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions, and provide a voice for bicyclists in Maryland. We will need your support this year to get legislation passed that makes Maryland a safer place to ride. The most important thing you can do is to make a call to your legislator. An written letter or an email is also beneficial.  Five minutes of your time is needed to perform this task that can decrease your (or your friends or loved ones) chances of injury or death. You do not need to discuss the bill in depth. You will make a difference by saying, “Hello, my name is ___ and I live in your district. It is very important to me, as one of your constituents, that you support ___ bill.”  

Bill numbers and detailed description will be posted on the Bike Maryland website over the next few weeks.

Potential 2011 Legislative Priorities (policy changes pursued when possible): 

1. Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel – Criminal Negligence
   This is the #1 bill to support. There is a big loophole in Maryland’s Law.
   
   Drivers who cause fatalities, when sober, by flagrantly violating the rules of the road, and deviating from the standard of care used by any reasonable person, pay no more than $1000 in fines through traffic court. These cases are dealt with as though they are all situations of simple negligence. The standards for prosecution under the current statute -vehicle (negligent) manslaughter --are very high. Proof of gross negligence is required for this felony offense. Upon conviction, the person would face up to 10 years in a house of correction and/or $5000 fine.
   
   Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel – Criminal Negligence provides a misdemeanor option for those who cause fatalities by driving in a criminally negligent manner- when sober. It follows the Modern Penal Code used in the majority of other states. It is a misdemeanor ---upon conviction, the person would be subject to imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and/or a fine not to exceed $5000.
   View the bill talking points here and the myths and facts here. 
   
   Contact your State Legislators and ask that they support this bill.
    
2. View the Full List of Bike Maryland's Potential 2011 Legislative Priorities HERE. 

A Story of an "Accident" – A Time of Many "Crashes"

During this wondrous holiday season I feel the deep gratitude I have for life – for being able to use my body and mind and for being free. I’m also a holiday baby. I won’t tell you the exact date but it is within days of a big holiday – thus, the thought of life in December is personal.

I was in a dreadful accident approximately 18 months ago that involved me and a deer accidentally colliding on a beautiful rural road. As the New Year approaches and I reflect on the past year and a half I'm filled with gratitude for my health, family, friends, job, recovery and so much more. I will tell you just a bit of the story. I don’t remember any part of the accident so this story is pieced together by friends and strangers who told me what happened. I was riding with many of you on a five day bike tour in Virginia. It was the last day of the tour and I was bicycling down a long decent at about 30 mph. The road was narrow and a truck was traveling toward me. I was riding a few feet from the right side of the road where a ditch ran along side the road. Unexpectedly, a large doe jumped out from the ditch directly in front of me as the truck coming toward me was about to pass me. I'm very sad to know that I immediately hit the deer and broke its spine. The deer died from this injury. I was thrown to the other side of the road. I barely missed the truck and landed in the other lane on my face - I had serious head, neck, facial and other traumas. No one had done anything wrong - just an "accident" - bad timing with the deer. 

When a fellow Baltimore Bike Club member, who luckily is a seasoned nurse practitioner, arrived a minute later, I was face down and covered in blood. I've heard from many people that she helped me in many ways – she was loving, smart and compassionate. She lied down on the road next to me and put her arm around me and told me I would be just fine. She stayed with me until I was in the ambulance. It was later, in the hospital, that I was diagnosed with two neck fractures. Luckily, no one moved me. As I was coming out of the semi-conscious state, the doctor's were stitching my lip back to its normal location on my face. The helmet I purchased the day before the bike tour saved my life. The straps were tight and it fit like a comfortable glove. Thankfully, the folks at my local bike shop assisted me as I sought a helmet that fit correctly.

When I was 14 years old my parents introduced me to bike club riding. They must have bribed me to get me to participate in the bike club experience as a teenager. But soon after the experience, I began to love biking. I felt free on a bike. For 30 years I've continued to love the bike.

While I'm on my bike I experience many things - really experience things like: wonder, freedom, the sky, changing of the seasons, my body, my breathing, laughter, pain, myself observing myself, concentration, the ground/dirt, smells, land, space, lack of energy, intense energy, deep feelings, hunger, my heart, my legs, sounds, quiet, wind....the terrain, sweating profusely, being freezing cold, being perfectly at ease, seeing disturbing things up close like dead animals smeared all over the pavement, seeing incredible wildlife – deer, fox, eagles, hawks, herons, frogs, bear, turtles, groundhogs… deepening relationships, time with friends, new friends, adventures, challenges, joy, easy gentle spinning, lungs bursting, love of life and the earth, beautiful landscapes, sunsets, trees, fields of wheat, woods, farms, communities, new places, family, gratitude for my dog, knowing what it is like to be chased by many dogs…. and so much more. And, I still have amazement that this object (the bike) is something I have the pleasure to enjoy – unlike so many others – I have the pleasure and freedom to enjoy it. A bike - a means of transportation; a racing machine; a piece of joy; a way to experience the world. I imagine that I will always be hooked.

So why this personal story? There have been many bicycling crashes and fatalities this year with automobiles and I hope that you will be grateful for your life, for your right to bike and that you will take an interest in increasing bicycle safety. The terrible and tragic crashes and fatalities are typically preventable. They are "crashes" -- NOT "accidents" or unusual coincidences like my experience above. Crashes are very different from accidents. Crashes involve a collision that could have been avoided.  Dangerous activities, like distracted driving, are often avoided if the consequences of a certain action, i.e. intoxicated driving, are significant. If drunk driving laws didn't exist, there would be many more tragic road fatalities. 

YOU can make a difference in decreasing crashes and fatalities. Crashes and fatalities are heart wrenching tragedies often consisting of a car hitting a bicyclist from behind; causing the injury or death of a father, husband, daughter, sister etc. while the person is bicycling with a friend, or to a job, or exercising, or relaxing on a lovely day. Any one of us could be a crash and fatality statistic. I never thought I would have the story above as part of my history.

^{Delegate Jon Cardin (in suit), Tammy Bensky (in black - widow of 2010 fatality victim Lawrence Bensky), Carol Silldorff (to Tammy's immediate right), 75+ bicyclists ride to Annapolis to support pro-bike safety legislation.}

Many of you knew someone this year that lost their life or was seriously injured while bicycling due to an automobile crash by a reckless driver. Horrifically, and unlike my experience, most of these bicyclists didn't have a friend who got on the ground with them and told them they would be ok. Some were left as hit and run victims. The New Year is around the corner. Will you, as a bicyclist, friend or family member of a bicyclist, commit to these three tasks?

1. Support Bike Maryland - click here to support Bike Maryland - we are your bicycle advocates.  Right now your support is being matched dollar for dollar.  
2. Five minutes of your time is needed to perform this task that can decrease your (or your friends or loved ones) chances of injury or death. You do not need any sort of expertise to do this simple act that can save lives. Bike Maryland will, in the next few weeks, publish a list on the Bike Maryland website of pro-bike bills to support. These are bills that over time will make Maryland a safer place to bike. When this list is published, call your State Senator and/or Delegate. These people need to hear from you! You do not need to discuss the bill in depth. You will make a difference by saying , “Hello, my name is abc and I live in your district. It is very important to me, as one of your constituents, that you support xyz bill.”
3. Send this newsletter to everyone you know - spread the word about Bike Maryland.

^{Thank you - Happy New Year - I wish you peace, love, freedom and safety - Carol Silldorff.}  

Bike Lane Petition

As Baltimore City moves forward with bringing the 25th Street Station development to Remington, it is also important that the city moves forward with the development of new bike lanes in this area. However, throughout the public process, the needs of cyclist have been marginalized by several community groups. While traffic concerns and traffic calming are important issues that should not be ignored, Baltimore needs to acknowledge that not all traffic is car traffic. Car traffic will decrease if distinct bike lanes are created to offer a safer commuting corridor for cyclists.  Furthermore, plans have been developed that will not impede automobile traffic.

Please sign this important petition and encourage the Department of Transportation to create bike lanes on Huntingdon Avenue and 25th Street. 25th Street is a vital link in the city’s bicycle network being the only east-west bike amenable street between North Avenue and 33rd Street. This route will not only connect Hampden and Remington neighborhoods to the Guilford Avenue bicycle boulevard and points downtown, but also provide a safer route for Johns Hopkins students from the university to the medical campus.

Click Here To Sign 

Dollar for Dollar Match!

Please consider a donation to Bike Maryland. Every dollar you donate will be completely matched dollar for dollar until December 31st! This opportunity doubles your donation power. This is our end of year fundraising campaign and your support is greatly appreciated as Bike Maryland moves towards the start of the 2011 General Assembly Session. Last year we promoted six bills which passed into law - including enhancing your right to bike and bike safely, promoting transparency in transportation funding and increasing alternative transportation opportunities. All donations substantially contribute to Bike Maryland's ability to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions, and provide a voice for all bicyclists throughout Maryland. Please click here to make a donation.

Single Track Trail Usage in Maryland Reservoirs

Approximately 200 people met last week to discuss reservoir single track trail restrictions. The goal was to raise awareness about access and recreation issues and convince lawmakers that we need their support to keep single track trails accessible to ALL user groups. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Reservoir Natural Resources Section Police officers have begun enforcing an old and restrictive 1998 Mountain Biking Plan. Restrictions to single track access have been made by DPW without the public’s knowledge, input or the opportunity for real collaborative problem solving.

A review of the meeting can be viewed here. 

Please sign this petition to tell Baltimore City's Mayor, the City Council and the Department of Public Works that you want Single Track Trails at Maryland’s Loch Raven, Liberty and Pretty Boy Reservoirs to be legally open to ALL users including mountain bikers, hikers, runners, bird watchers and fishermen.  CLICK HERE to sign the petition.

The Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (over 5,000 members, 950 volunteer hours at Loch Raven this year alone), the International Mountain Biking Association, Bike Maryland (17,000 members), local businesses, local schools, the boy scouts and the citizens who use the trails want and often already work to correct poor trail conditions, remove liter, protect the environment and our municipal water supply. These groups have expertise in building sustainable trails, provide a substantial volunteer base to maintain a world class trail system, and have a history of achieving results. DPW is being asked to partner with organized volunteer groups to help maintain the trails. Baltimore’s watershed areas are among the largest open spaces accessible to Maryland residents. They are a valuable recreational resource we cannot afford to lose!

Last week One Less Car changed its name to Bike Maryland! 

Bike Maryland's mission is to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions, and provide a voice for all bicyclists in Maryland. 

Bike Maryland supports public transportation programs but our serious focus will be on supporting bicycling programs, initiatives and advocacy campaigns throughout the state of Maryland.  A current Bike Maryland goal is to increase the number of bicycle friendly communities, universities and corporations in Maryland. 

Does your community, university or place of work support biking?  Is it a commuter friendly environment with bike racks, bike facilities, showers or more?  If so, please contact us and let us know about your special bike friendly environment.  If you live, work or study in a place that isn't bike friendly, future newsletters will definitely address this topic. 

Your Right To Use Single Track Trails is in Jeopardy!
Emergency Public Meeting this Thursday October 28th.   

Trail users, local communities, outdoor groups, business and ALL who are enriched by the recreational trails at Loch Raven Reservoir are invited to an emergency public meeting on Loch Raven Reservoir trail use changes. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2010, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Timonium Fairgrounds in the Fasig-Tipton building. 

• The goal: Raise awareness about access and recreation issues and convince lawmakers that we need their support to keep single track trails accessible to ALL user groups.
• The issue: Department of Public Works (DPW) Reservoir Natural Resources Section Police officers have begun enforcing an old and restrictive 1998 Mountain Biking Plan. Single track trail users have been informed that the intent is to restrict access to ALL users!
• The urgency: Restrictions to single track access have been made by DPW without the public’s knowledge, input or the opportunity for real collaborative problem solving.

Click here for directions, additional information and updates. Contacts: Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE, Loch Raven Trail Liaisons at LochRaven@more-mtb.org.

Please sign this petition to tell Baltimore City's Mayor, the City Council and the Department of Public Works that you want Single Track Trails at Maryland’s Loch Raven, Liberty and Pretty Boy Reservoirs to be legally open to ALL users including mountain bikers, hikers, runners, bird watchers and fishermen.

CLICK HERE to sign the petition.

The Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (over 5,000 members, 950 volunteer hours at Loch Raven this year alone), the International Mountain Biking Association, Bike Maryland (17,000 members), local businesses, local schools, the boy scouts and the citizens who use the trails want and often already work to correct poor trail conditions, remove liter, protect the environment and our municipal water supply. These groups have expertise in building sustainable trails, provide a substantial volunteer base to maintain a world class trail system, and have a history of achieving results. DPW is being asked to partner with organized volunteer groups to help maintain the trails.

Baltimore’s watershed areas are among the largest open spaces accessible to Maryland residents. They are a valuable recreational resource we cannot afford to lose!

Have you been in a bicycle crash recently or know someone who has? We need your help to gather data on bicycling injuries and fatalities in Maryland.

Please take a moment to send us your answers to the following questions:

1. Where did the crash take place?
2. Was the accident caused by a bicyclist, motorist, faulty infrastructure, conditions/weather, another reason or combination of the above?
3. How old was the bicyclist?
4. Was the bicyclist injured or killed?
5. Was the bicyclist obeying the rules of the road?
6. Did a police officer respond to the incident? What was the protocol followed?
7. Was the bicyclist a frequent rider or new to biking?

Thank you for taking the time to give us your input during the data gathering phase of the new Maryland Bicycle Ambassadors Program. Our goal is to make Maryland a safer place to bike for everyone!

Noon on Friday September 17th is the deadline to order merchandise that will be available for pick up at the Tour du Port.

One Less Car Got You Three Feet!  The October 3rd Tour du Port (TdP) is less than three weeks away! This year four fabulous custom items are available for purchase. NOON on Friday September 17th is the deadline to order merchandise that will be available for pick up at the TdP.  Orders may be placed after the 17th but these items may not be available for pick up at the Tour du Port (if not available by October 3rd they will be mailed to you). Click Here to Register for the Tour du Port and order merchandise for pick up at the Tour du Port.

One Less Car Got You Three Feet!  Support safe roads, safety legislation, equal rights for bikes, bike lanes, public transit, sidewalks for safe walking and more community initiatives by attending the Tour du Port and supporting One Less Car (OLC)!  ALL TdP proceeds and merchandise sales directly support these initiatives. We are your advocates. Your support helped OLC achieve the passage of SIX Maryland bills this year!  Click here to learn more about these bills, including the three foot rule bill, that requires three feet of distance between you and a passing vehicle.

Congratulations - It's Time to Celebrate! 

The League of American Bicyclists announced today that Baltimore was named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community! This award is presented only to communities with remarkable commitments to bicycling. One Less Car is very proud of this announcement!  A huge pat on the back goes out to Nate Evans, Baltimore's Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, for his tremendous efforts to create a truly Bicycle Friendly Community.

Nate's response to the award, "After two Honorable Mention awards, Baltimore joins the ranks of Philadelphia, Washington DC & Charlotte as a bronze level bike friendly community. To put it in perspective, Portland is platinum, San Francisco & Seattle are gold, and Chicago & Arlington, VA are silver. We still have a long way to go, but as a community of cyclists, we can become even more bike friendly! Thanks to everyone who helped bring this award to B’more!"

Bike Bill Vote at Baltimore City Council Hearing

On Monday September 20th, Baltimore's City Council will vote on the following bike bills:

• 09-0175R Informational Hearing – Baltimore Police Department – Police and Cyclists
• 09-0430 Transit and Traffic – Bike Lanes
• 09-0431 City Streets – Bike-Safe Grates

These bills will be presented to City Council at 5 pm at Baltimore's City Hall.  Please show your support for these bills and a bicycle friendly Baltimore by attending the Council Hearings. Let's say yes in support of these bills!

Get Involved or Subscribe .

Get the Tour du Port Discounted Rate Until this Sunday August 29th. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  Order super cool custom socks, jerseys and wicking t-shirts now to pick up at the Tour!

Join thousands of riders at Baltimore’s Canton Waterfront Park to kick off the 17th Annual Tour du Port! Routes to ride: 12, 26, 40, 50 (half century route) and 62 mile option. The Tour routes travel through many historic neighborhoods, waterfront areas and scenic parks. This fully supported Tour includes refreshments at rest stops, map, SAG support and a post-ride celebration at the Tour’s end with lunch supplied by WHOLE FOODS MARKET Harbor East and Mount Washington locations, and live music! Tour du Port is One Less Car’s annual fundraiser – all fees go directly to advancing the programs and advocacy efforts of One Less Car, a non-profit organization dedicated to walking, bicycling and mass transit alternatives. OLC worked to get the 3 foot rule and 5 additional pro-bike, pedestrian and alternative transportation bills passed in 2010!  You and your friends and family will have an unforgettable time! Click here to register and to view the new custom jersey, t-shirt and really cool socks available.

Tonight, August 27th, Critical Mass rides from the Washington Monument in Mt. Vernon at 7pm. Helmets Please!

Tomorrow, August 28th, Free Bike Swap

Swap at The Hexagon from 12 to 5pm.  Featuring demonstrations by Baltimore Bike Works, Twenty20 Cycling and Velocipede.  Discuss the politics of biking with members of Red Emmas Cafe and Books Co-Op. Buy, sell and swap your used parts and bikes – there are no vendor fees and no entrance fees.

Monday, August 30th, Bike Bill Work Session and Vote

The Baltimore City Council’s Community Development Subcommittee will hold a work session & vote on three bike-related bills!

• 09-0175R Baltimore Police Department – Police and Cyclists
• 09-0430 Transit and Traffic – Bike Lanes
• 09-0431 City Streets – Bike-Safe Grates

The work and voting sessions are open to the public.  Location - 4th Floor City Council Chambers in City Hall, Baltimore.

September 8th, MUSIC EVENT - Ben Sollee's Ditch The Van Tour!

An evening you will not forget! Hosted by One Less Car, doors open 7:30pm, 8:30 performance, 2640 (a cooperative events venue located at 2640 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore). Sollee takes on his largest challenge yet as the Ditch the Van Tour 2010, is a transcontinental endeavor not reliant on the traditional modes of touring. Four regional tours, in which all touring members ride without the use of support vehicles, are linked together. The Ditch the Van Tour is about much more than going car-free though. Sure, it's a reaction to the massive carbon footprint that many tours leave behind (particularly the fleet of 53' trucks required to haul an elaborate U2 stage) and an awareness-raising project for the nation's elaborate series of Adventure Cycling-advocated bike highways and communities where bike infrastructure is lacking. However, Ben also sees the bike tour as an opportunity to acquaint himself with a myriad of towns and communities across our nation - a "beautiful limitation" he calls it - that can only present itself when you slow down the pace of life by traveling by bike rather than bus or plane, as Ben tells National Geographic in a recent interview. “I'll sum up (Ben Sollee’s) performance in one word: astounding.” “Sollee plays the cello like it’s more than just an orchestral instrument. He plays it like a rock star!” Learn more here. $10 fee. 

• For a sample of Ben's live performance:  A Change Is Gonna Come.
• For a multimedia perspective of the previous tours, check out Pedaling Against Poverty Vimeo Channel.
• For a little more of a preview of the upcoming tour, see article posted by National Geographic.

September 30 and October 1st - Cities For Cycling/One Less Car Fall Bicycle Forum in Baltimore

One Less Car has partnered with the Baltimore Department of Transportation/Bike Baltimore to host the National Association of City Transportation Officials Cities for Cycling (C4C) summit. The September 30th event is an important step toward a smart, clean and green commuter friendly Baltimore. Traditionally, the One Less Car Fall Forum is held prior to the start of the Maryland General Assembly session to bring together leadership, advocacy groups and the general public to discuss city, county and state bicycle advocacy and program opportunities. The September 30th Thursday Evening Forum will be interactive, educational, FREE, and open to the general public. It will include an array of bicycle infrastructure, advocacy initiatives and programs that have been successful in other cities with a Q&A session at the end. Friday, October 1st will include meeting opportunities followed by a bicycle tour of recently improved Baltimore bike facilities. Times and locations to be posted soon. Check out the OLC event calender for updates and additional events.

 

Get Involved or Subscribe

This Thursday July 15th 5-8pm Bicycle: The Art of Cycling!

Bicycle Rack at Penn Station

Join the One Less Car Baltimore Bicycle Alliance for a mid-summer social at the opening reception of Mark Cottman's new gallery exhibition Bicycle: the Art of Cycling!  This is a unique opportunity to view art from an outstanding artist with a passion for bicycling and smart green commuting! Mark's bicycle work has been seen all over the country and commissioned for cycling events and the movie, Ride Across America. This series is a collection of original paintings and watercolors depicting the bicycle theme, presented through a multitude of vivid images from racing to the urban commuter. 15% of purchase proceeds support OLC.

Please join us at this exciting and unique event! Mark Cottman Gallery 1014 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. You can take the free Circulator Purple Route. For more information visit click HERE.

Zero Emission Commuter

Tour du Port - October 3rd, 2010 - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Baltimore’s Premier Bicycle Event is a Super Cool Ride for a Terrific Cause!

Join thousands of riders at Baltimore’s Canton Waterfront Park to kick off the 17th Annual Tour du Port! Routes to ride: 12, 26, 40, 50 (half century route) and 62 mile option. The Tour routes travel through many historic neighborhoods, waterfront areas and scenic parks. This fully supported Tour includes lunch, refreshments at rest stops, map, SAG support and a post-ride celebration at the Tour’s end with lunch and live music. The Tour is One Less Car’s annual fundraiser – all fees go directly to advancing the programs and advocacy efforts of One Less Car, a non-profit organization dedicated to walking, bicycling and mass transit alternatives. You and your friends and family will have an unforgettable time!

Check out One Less Car's Event Calendar to learn more about activities in your area!

Tuesday June 22nd - OLC Baltimore Bicycle Alliance Development Committee Meeting

The Bicycle Alliance Development Committee will meet from 6:30-8:00pm at the Knott Foundation located at 3904 Hickory Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21211. This meeting is specifically for folks who want join the Alliance Development Committee and volunteer approximately 3-4 hours a month to passionately promote bicycling in Baltimore City and County. Learn more here or contact Rachel Myrowitz.

Two weeks ago a successful initial Alliance Development Committee meeting took place and the following ideas/goals were discussed:

• Advocating for adequate funding for a complete non-motorized transportation infrastructure.
• Working to increase percentage of all types of bicycle ridership which decreases automobile usage.
• Ensuring that bicycles are recognized as a reasonable and mainstream transportation option.
• Educating communities in Baltimore to become bicycle-friendly and embrace a Share the Road philosophy.
• Recruiting and training Bike Ambassadors to host workshops on how to ride a bike (some folks have never learned), how to commute and on rules of the road instruction.

Thursday June 24th - HAPPY HOUR - OLC Baltimore Bicycle Alliance Social

Come socialize with other like minded bicycle enthusiasts at Shuckers of Fells Point from 6 to 8 p.m.  Located at 1629 Thames Street, Baltimore. 60 people attended the first Happy Hour which was a blast!

$5 donation to One Less Car. Shuckers specials include $2 domestic draft, $3 Bud Lite Lime, $3 Sam Adams Summer Ale, half price house wine and delicious bison, black bean and regular burgers for $5.95! Raffle prizes from Shuckers and more. Let's get together and have a blast - come and see your friends and meet new ones too!
 

A full listing of many additional workshops, meetings and fun events can be found HERE.  The OLC calendar is updated regularly. Tour du Port registration will open in two weeks!

New Baltimore Bicycle Alliance HAPPY HOUR THIS THURSDAY MAY 20th! Join One Less Car to kick-off the new Alliance with a celebration from 5:30-8PM at Kooper's Tavern located at 1702 Thames Street on the waterfront in historic Fell's Point.

Thursday morning Governor O'Malley will sign into law five important bike bills and we will celebrate this victory at Kooper's Tavern!

With a $5 donation to One Less Car, Kooper's will offer $1 off drafts, $2.50 rail drinks and $4.50 Guinness.  Raffle prizes from Kooper’s Tavern, Slainte Irish Pub and Restaurant, Woody's Rum Bar, Island Grill and Joe’s Bike Shop. This Happy Hour also kicks-off Bike to Work Day - which is the following morning!  Free t-shirts for Bike to Work Day participants! Kooper's menu has something for everyone!
 
Let's get together and have a blast - come and see your friends and meet new ones too!

Please Take Action Today (Monday deadline) - Ask University of Maryland Leaders to Support the Purple Line

University of Maryland leadership is resisting Purple Line service on Campus Drive, where it would best serve the campus. A proposal to “temporarily” stop current transit service on Campus Drive could set the stage for the University to divert the Purple Line away from main destinations on Campus Drive. The University needs more transit, not less. In an era of high energy prices and the need to fight climate change, the most sustainable solution is high quality public transportation connecting our communities, including our universities.

Conveniently located transit will encourage more people to use public transportation to reach campus and provide better connections between the University of Maryland and destinations east and west of campus. By preventing transit from servicing this area, ridership to and from the campus will decrease dramatically. This is a bad policy that discourages sustainable growth.

Express your support for Purple Line service on Campus Drive. Urge Chancellor Kirwan to retain and improve transit service and to support the Purple Line on Campus Drive -- not stop it. Email Chancellor Kirwan Here.

Bike to Work Day Friday May 21, 2010!

Bike to Work Day 2010, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday May 21, 2010. This year will mark the 13th annual event in the Baltimore region and will feature morning rallies at locations around the region, including: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard County and at area universities and corporations.

Registration is now open! Register here. All participants receive an on-the-go snack and drink, and the chance to win prizes at the individual rally sites. You must be registered and attend a rally to win. The first Baltimore bike map is complete and will be supplied to Baltimore Bike to Work Day participants! Furthermore, the City of Annapolis will release its new bicycle map, helping cyclists navigate Annapolis. The map includes information on local attractions, scenic routes, Maryland bike laws, how to take your bike on Annapolis buses, local bicycle tours and much, much more. The Annapolis map can be downloaded here. May is National Bike Month and Clean Air Month. With our region's major traffic congestion and air pollution problems, one way to relieve these problems is to turn car commuters into bike commuters, especially for short commutes of five miles or less. The Bike 2 Work Day rally is a great way to promote the benefits of bicycling and we need your support! .

Bike and Benefits Card - We all know that biking has many benefits to your health, the environment, and more. But now in the Baltimore region, you can start biking for some exciting new benefits! To participate, simply download your copy of your Bike & Benefit Rewards Card here. Then, bike to these bike friendly establishments and receive your B2W benefit. Offers include gifts, discounts, chances to win prizes, and more! 

What is Bike To Work Day? Bike to Work Day promotes a “clean commute”.  Late Spring is the start of the ground-level ozone season, when we hear about Code Red and Orange Ozone Action Days. On those days, the air is dangerous to breathe – especially for the young and for the elderly. Single occupancy vehicles produce 20% of the dangerous ozone-emission pollution in the Baltimore area. Bike commuting can improve the air we breathe and much much more! 

Five Smart Transportation Bills Passed. It is Time to Celebrate!

It is time to celebrate - FIVE significant smart transportation/commuting bills were passed during the 2010 Maryland General Assembly!
These bills are now on the way to the Governor's office for his signature:
• SB 624 - Shoulder Rule bill - Sponsors Delegate Carr and Senator Frosh
• SB 51 - Three Foot Rule bill - Sponsors Delegate Cardin and Senators Raskin and Forehand
• HB 1155 - Transportation Transparency bill - Sponsors Delegate Lafferty and Senators Pugh and Harrington
• HB 282 - Funding for Bike/Pedestrian Access bill- Sponsor Delegate Peña-Melnyk
• SB 229/HB 710 - The General Assembly passed legislation (SB 229/HB 710) to appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding to study the state’s short- and long-term transportation funding needs.

Learn more here.

Three years ago, Delegate Jon Cardin took the initiative to promote the important Three Foot Rule bill. His dedication to the bicycling community, as the sponsor of the Three Foot Rule, has been outstanding! This year, OLC will continue to develop and strengthen bicycle safety bills with assistance from fellow bicyclists and with support and the sponsorship of leaders like Delegate Bronrott, Delegate Cardin, Delegate Carr, Senator DeGrange, Senator Frosh, Delegate Gaines, Senator Haines, Senator Harrington, Delegate Lafferty, Delegate Malone, Delegate McIntosh, Delegate Peña-Melnyk, Senator Pugh, Senator Raskin, Delegate Simmons and Delegate Stein who are passionate and committed to bicycle safety. Please contact these legislators and thank them for their support! To email a thank you go HERE.

A call or email from a constituent is a big deal to to our representatives. A few minutes of your time can make a big difference in how these folks view bicyclists.
 
One Less Car is greatly appreciative of everyone who contributed testimony, contacted a representative, advocated for this cause and helped to make this happen.

Over the next few months, a One Less Car Legislative Agenda for the 2011 General Assembly session will be developed.

Some topics of interest are:



• Strengthening the new three foot rule

• Strong focus on the manslaughter by vehicle bill

• Bills that promote teleworking

• Introducing a bill to increase tax credits for bicyclists

• Support bills that promote safe and effective alternate means of transportation
• Reintroduce the accident vs. crash bill
• Support bills that promote funding for public transit

There will be more to add to this list and your legislative assistance is appreciatively accepted.  Please read below to learn how you can take action!
 

The One Less Car (OLC) Baltimore Bicycle Alliance!

Please join the One Less Car Baltimore Bicycle Alliance to help OLC strengthen the Three Foot Rule, promote bicycle safety legislation are help make bicycle lanes, safety and facilities a priority in Baltimore.

OLC is asking individuals, bike clubs, bike shops and other stakeholders to join the OLC Baltimore Bicycle Alliance. The goal is for local bicyclists to play an active role in shaping state, city and county legislative decisions which affect cycling in our area. During the 2010 legislative session, a small group of bicyclists from the community met with Delegates, worked on bill language, testified at the hearings and helped to gain support from representatives. This effort helped immensely. If a few concerned citizens can help pass legislation, with more involvement from the community, we can help create a new transportation culture and infrastructure!  More involvement is needed.

On April 12th the bicycling community took action! About 80 bicyclists, many who took a day off of work, biked to Annapolis on the last day of the 2010 legislative session to honor Lawrence Bensky, 43, of Owings Mills, who died on April 6 while riding his bicycle on Butler Road in Baltimore County. 
       
This is a rural road that many of the attendees and I bike on frequently. The bicyclists also rode to Annapolis in respect to the hospitalized bicyclist that was hit along with Lawrence. Supportive Delegates and bicyclists joined me in addressing the crowd. A huge thank you goes to the bicyclists who attended, the brave wife and family members of Lawrence Bensky and the organizers of this successful event! It was truly an inspirational day. This kind of support is needed prior to and during the legislative session. A significant difference will be made if everyone interested in bike safety would contact their state or county representative and ask them to support bike/pedestrian legislation prior to, during, and after the General Assembly session. Baltimore Magazine ranks Baltimore 48 out of 50 for bike-friendliness - here.  A strong active bicycle alliance will help create the change we need to be safe on the road.

One more bike is one less car! We all seek solace from the daily automobile commute that includes congestion. This congestion results in employees arriving late to work, less time with family and friends, health related diseases such as obesity and asthma, environmental damage including air pollution and degradation of our Chesapeake Bay which is both an economic and natural resource, and an increased reliance on foreign sources of fuel.

Over time, bike safety legislation and other initiatives will increase the viability of smart commuting! OLC is the only non-profit in Maryland with an active presence in Annapolis working on state bike safety legislation. The Three Foot Rule bill is only one of six bike/pedestrian/alternative transportation bills OLC promoted this session. There is much more to do to promote smart commuting and a safe environment for bicyclists in Maryland. I hope folks will join in support of this effort during the 2011 session. To join the One Less Car Baltimore Bicycle Alliance click HERE and check bicycling/walking and under message write "alliance". In the next few weeks we will schedule a meeting date.

Of current interest is the following Baltimore City Bicycle Legislation – which will be heard at Baltimore City Hall on Thursday, May 6th at 4 pm.
• 09-0429 - Required Parking for Bicycles
• 09-0430 - Transit and Traffic - Bike Lanes
• 09-0431 - City Streets - Bike-Safe Grates
• 09-0433 - Street and Transportation Projects - Complete Streets

Please attend to show support - learn more here.