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America Needs a 'Metropolitan Party'


An Interesting idea via City Lab https://www.citylab.com/politics/2017/04/america-needs-a-metropolitan-party/523065/
While the political divide does seem to be city vs rural so maybe the idea is to capture more of the suburban mind set. But I see just one problem, few seem to be doing the metropolitan area as a economic engine well. We are on the cutting edge of a lot of new concepts like complete streets which seem to be taken as a war on cars when really they are trying to get the streets to work well for everyone, including cars. Basically every thing we should be doing is fought tooth and nail because it does not continue old fashion ideals that the car is king so everyone should get a car. And that's just one issue that needs to be settled before a metropolitan party could become main stream.
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Audits Shine Light on DOT Inefficiencies


Via Bikemore

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I hope those running for office this election cycle recognize there is a new crop of informed voters who want more than platitudes about job growth and crime reduction. We want candidates to bring forth actual plans to rid our city of the horrible abuses those with power have allowed to go on for too long. Abuses that are well documented across all agencies, not just the Department of Transportation. We want candidates that understand the nuances of operating a cash strapped independent city, and are realistic about our locus of control. Good government isn’t something that should be aspirational for Baltimore, it’s something as voters we should demand.

http://www.bikemore.net/news/audits-shine-light-on-department-of-transportation-inefficiencies

[B' Spokes: Worth a read if you want some understanding of what's wrong with Baltimore. ]

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Ryan Dorsey - Transit Improvements On The Way


From Ryan Dorsey's email (he is running for city council 3rd district.)

Today I'm proud to announce that every detail of the revisions I submitted to Baltimore City's Department of Transportation concerning the Harford Road bridge at Herring Run project earlier this year has been adopted. Back in February, I wrote a petition asking the city to install protected bike lanes and sidewalks as part of the upcoming three year long project to completely replace this 104 year old bridge.

The plans will now include:

* a sidewalk height multi-use pathway with designated areas for cyclists and pedestrians, protecting both from car traffic on each side of the roadway
* bollard-protected cycle lanes along Harford Road approaching and leaving the bridge on both the North and South side
* an attractive handrail at the pathway curb, separating it from cars

As Baltimore continues to address inequality, this marks an important victory. A transportation system which provides users with safe, reliable choices will grow access to jobs and build a more equitable city. These improvements are an important part of breaking down systemic racial barriers to social equity and becoming a more united Baltimore.

Support progress for Baltimore City by donating to my campaign for City Council, endorsing this campaign through social media, and volunteering, so that in the years ahead I can continue to speak out and work for the interests of the 3rd District and Baltimore City.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/ryandorsey

Thanks to Caitlin Doolin and Chris Brown at DOT, Delegates Curt Anderson, Maggie McIntosh, and Cory McCray, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, and many thanks to Bikemore.

Enjoy a nice walk or a bike ride when the weather is clear.


Best,

Ryan Dorsey
#ibikeivote

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Endorsing Ryan Dorsey for Baltimore City 3rd District


Via Epiphany in Baltimore

"#3) He is well aware of the transportation issues of the city. I see him fighting hard for more access to the city via bike lanes and infrastructure (I've been biking to work so far this year, and wow is this really needed), as well as public transportation badly needed for our residents to get to their jobs. Right now, the Charm City Circulator reaches mainly only the white parts of the city, something that Dorsey pointed out with indignant passion. He also discussed an anger of mine, that the city has such poor transportation for its students, who have to rely on crowded and unreliable MTA busses to get to school; he wants to change this. (Related Link: Baltimore Spokes, a Bicycle Advocacy group in Baltimore, has endorsed Dorsey for the 3rd District race.)"

Read more:
http://epiphanyinbmore.blogspot.com/2015/09/endorsing-ryan-dorsey-for-baltimore.html?spref=fb&m=1
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Kristerfer Burnett is running for City Council in Baltimore’s 8th district


Via Afro,

...
Improving the city’s workforce preparedness will also require improving Baltimore’s public transportation infrastructure. Having companies like Under Armour or Amazon in South Baltimore will not be an economic boon if residents cannot get there in a reasonable time-frame on public transportation, says Burnett. A subpar public transit system is also having an effect on school attendance, something that has ripple effects on the city’s workforce preparedness. “When we talk to teachers and administrators [about] why attendance rates are so low, part of it is the buses are late, or they’re not showing up at all, and so a lot of kids are like, ‘I’ll just stay home,’” said Burnett.
...

- See more at: http://www.afro.com/holton-opponent-challenges-focus-of-balto-politics/#sthash.EouHajce.dpuf
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How Does Question 1 Affect Bike Projects?


Bike Maryland puts forth the argument that a lock box on transportation funding will protect bike funding.

<a href="https://www.bikemaryland.org/how-does-question-1-effect-bike-projects/">https://www.bikemaryland.org/how-does-question-1-effect-bike-projects/</a>;

B' Spokes: No doubt transportation funds have been in trouble for a long time since current taxing methods do not keep up with inflation but still I will strongly assert bike funding is a matter of political will and not the amount of money available. Currently bike projects are roughly 0.1% of the funds available. It is not like bike projects are expensive and I strongly disagree with what the amendment really implies; that more major road projects will fix Maryland's &quot;traveling by car is misery&quot; issues. In my humble opinion MDOT just throws money at the problem with little effect on actually fixing anything and too often makes maters worse for cyclists and pedestrians.

Witness the upcoming election for Governor, the Republican side is going to postpone major mass transit projects under the assumption that the money would be better spent on car only projects. This is like our battle, if the political will says we have the money we have the money, if the political will says we don't have the money then we don't.
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Question 1: Transportation Trust Fund


B&quot; Spokes: The General idea is to make it harder to use Transportation Trust Funds to balance the state budget, it still can be done but harder.

My stance is: No Support

What bothers me most is that there is no mention of repairing bridges, better funding for mass transit or even complete streets, just business as usual at MDOT.

Next, even under the old system we could build $3+ billion ICC highways so I don't get why things need to change.

The whole thing reeks of over stressing cars over everything else. Budgets will always be in flux from year to year and IMHO this is what government does. One year some group is unhappy and the next year it is someone else, that is the nature of things. But more than that, a vote yes here is saying, roads and more roads will fix our most pressing needs. And they need to be overly car centric since cars are paying for them right?

See Do Drivers Cover the Cost of Roads? Not By a Long Shot
<a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20141002232119321">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20141002232119321</a>;

But but there is so many cars driving... Not really, see Maryland Annual Vehicle Miles of Travel
<a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20130529171856978">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20130529171856978</a>;

IMHO it is because Maryland has over stressed driving everywhere that is the basic reason why driving is such a dismal state of affairs. You can't give preferential treatment to the most expensive thing and expect a balanced economical budget, that would be like having steak seven days a week. Nothing against steak or roads but let's keep it at a reasonable level OK? And oh, let's support more diversity.

For further reading see: Maryland transportation &quot;lockbox&quot; has a big hole from Greater Greater Washington
<a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9163/maryland-transportation-lockbox-has-a-big-hole/">http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9163/maryland-transportation-lockbox-has-a-big-hole/</a>;
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.Councilman Tom Quirk - Baltimore County District 1


Open Space, Trails & Environmental Protection
Councilman Quirk is a champion of open space and alternatives to vehicular traffic as integral to maintaining our quality of life, protecting our natural resources and maintaining our property values.
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“Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee” Bill 2-11 (February 2011) established the Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee.
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Traffic Management & Pedestrian Safety
Councilman Quirk lives on a heavily trafficked road and is intimately aware of the challenges that vehicular traffic presents for his neighbors and constituents, many of whom live in the district for its family friendly culture and good schools.
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“Speed Monitoring System” Bill 1-11 (January 2011)  increases availability of speed monitoring systems in school zones in direct response to the enormous number of speeding complaints.
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http://www.councilmantomquirk.com/issues.php#Open_Space__Trails___Environmental_Protection
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