http://bikemd.org Bike Maryland en-us Copyright 2013 Bike Maryland. http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=536 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=536 Check out this great video from NHTSA and learn what you can do to enhance the roads for all user's. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:29:00 -0500 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=535 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=535 As a representative of Bike Maryland, Bike Minded coordinator Katie Gore attended a December 17th public meeting in Towson Maryland, to unveil the proposed Towson bike route. Please seelink below: Towson Bike Beltway District Councilman David Marks, a long- standing bicycle champion, stated that we need to "thoughtfully accommodate bicyclist along with motorist". Bike Maryland supports the Towson Beltway proposal and knows that it is a huge step in a positive direction to make one of the highest traffic sections of the county bike friendly. At the meeting, residents voiced their concerns regarding fast moving traffic, decreasing lane space for cars and parking, as well as, the importance of safety for cyclists. Bike Maryland will actively promote cycling in Towson by holding free commuter workshops in the area to educate both the motorist and cyclist on all aspects of sharing the road. We think this is an amazing opportunity for the colleges and the commu . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:09:00 -0500 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=529 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=529 LCI Seminar Flicks on Helmet Headlamps The League Certification Instructor (LCI) seminar was a sleeper. And when I say this, I don't mean we nine students were snoozing during the three days of classroom and on-the-bike drills while learning to become certified League of American Bicyclist instructors Learn about the League. I mean, the Bike Maryland-hosted workshop actually grew in popularity with the passing of the hours, and it became a surprise hit. Each of our helmet light bulbs eventually flicked on. The main reason: our instructor Jennifer Laurita was one of the most effective teachers my decades old, over-educated past can recall. Not only did Jenni drive down Hurricane Sandy-battered roadways for our benefit, but she kept it upbeat all weekend in the huge but chilly Baltimore City Fireman's training facility (thanks Julie at CPAT!). Oh yeah, and Jenni obviously knew her stuff. Having been a cyclist for over 20 years (most as a prof . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:42:00 -0500 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=527 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=527 I f you live in an urban city, your daily commute is most likely accompanied by pedestrians, skaters and bikers all traveling in directions creating the bustling energy of city life. Drivers and bikers can clash as communication and awareness of the laws and road courtesies become skewed in the mix of "he said, she said." Like it or not, bikers aren't going anywhere. According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, in 2009 the American bike industry sold 5.6 billion in bicycles. In fact, three times as many new bicycles are sold in the US each year than cars. Cities like Seattle, Portland and San Francisco are growing their local bike culture making it safer and easier for people to make their commute by bike. As it saves families money and reduces the amount of pollution and traffic in big cities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in 2008 that 47 percent of Americans said they want more bike facilities in their communiti . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:15:00 -0500 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=508 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=508 The Annapolis Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Workshop pulled together a diverse crowd of concerned citizens, bicycle advocates, transportation specialists, engineers, and state officials this past Wednesday, July 11th at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center. Working closely with the Annapolis Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, Iain Banks and the League of American Bicyclists, Bike Maryland put together the workshop in an effort to help the City of Annapolis work toward their goal of becoming a BFC after receiving an honorable mention during the last award cycle. Bill Nesper of the League of American Bicyclists and Anna Kelso of Bike Maryland opened the workshop with a presentation on the League's BFC program providing background information on BFC criteria and examples of effective applications of this criteria in communities across the country. Anna and Bill also provided feedback from the Annapolis BFC application submitted early in the year, calling attention to very specifi . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:06:00 -0400 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=498 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=498 With over 60 people present at last night's Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC)Workshop in Salisbury, MD, the event brought together a wide array of stakeholders from thecommunity as well as the surrounding areas. Those in attendance represented local businesses (both large and small), Salisbury University, local and state government (thanks for making the trip Michael Jackson!), as well asseveral bike and environmental organizations. We were especially honored to have Mayor Jim Ireton with us. His opening words of support and encouragement set the tone for a productive evening of bicycle advocacy. The workshop is the result of a combined effort from Bike Maryland, the League of American Bicyclists, and bike-SBY. Together the three bicycle organizations worked to put together an evening aimed at educating the public on the League of American Bicyclists'Bicycle Friendly Community Program, identifying key priority areas in need of improvement in the community, and putting tog . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:48:00 -0400 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=482 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=482 Is that a question? Everyone's got an opinion about cycling and helmets. Most folks that live in the United States agree that wearing a helmet during your ride is not a terrible idea. But there is also the side that swears the brain bucket is unnecessary, once the kid turns 17 of course when it's no longer mandatory in Maryland. And I've seen the gangs of under 17 year olds wheelying down the street sin casco, all the more free ';cause of it. Just the other day at Downtown Partnership's bike happy hour, a guy from Amsterdam boasted how NO ONE in his homeland considers donning a helmet as they're swinging a leg over their steed on the way to work, school, or play (which they do, a lot). He went on to say that helmets are not as important there, because motorists are not only aware of cyclists, but the motorists ARE cyclists, that happen to be driving a car at that moment. They actually (gasp!) respect cyclists and pedestrians, and th . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Sun, 06 May 2012 23:20:00 -0400 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=476 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=476 What do you get when you have 400 grade school kids, only five bikes. . .and a week of spring rains? A Bike Rodeo, Bal'mer style, as evidenced by this recent photo taken at Hampstead Hill Academy. Many times a kid's first experience riding a bike is during a Rodeo. . .under the expert guidance of Bike Maryland's Bike MINDED Ambassadors and steady hands of volunteer making sure that the kids, " Pedal pedal, pedal. . . coast!!! You're doing it! Great! Lean into the turn!!! Stop at the cross walk!!!" Unfortunately, too many times a Rodeo may also be a kid's last experience safely riding a bike. Was the weather perfect? Certainly not, and besides, the school needed the playground for recess. So, we improvised by conducting the rodeo in the school's gym. Was 400 too many kids for two days? No! Bike Maryland would like to be able to accommodate every kid who shows an interest in two wheels! The real question is, &ldq . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:45:00 -0400 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=461 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=461 From B'More Bikes blog: The Department of Transportation is updating the 2006 Bicycle Master Plan! The original bike plan laid out a vision of what a bikeable Baltimore should look like and how to get there. In these five, almost six, short years, Baltimore has developed 3 area bike networks, built its 1st bike boulevard passed 9 ordinances and resolutions aimed at promoting cycling increased bike commuting by 40% The 2012 Bicycle Master Plan will build on the city's successes, but not without input from the community. Let DOT know how you feel about biking in Baltimore: what's good, what's not, what could be better, where you'd like to see more bike facility improvements. Take this quick online survey and have a say in how Baltimore's bicycle network & programs develop! http://www.bmorebikes.com/bike-plan-survey/ Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:45:00 -0400 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=459 http://onelesscar.org/page.php?id=459 Blog post by Roland Oehme ANNAPOLIS, MD - I attended the annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium in the beautiful capitol of Annapolis on February 22. This annual event is open to everyone, and encourages the public to learn the latest in bicycle advocacy issues statewide. During the symposium, I sensed an appreciation for past accomplishments as well as a strong desire to increase bicycle safety and awareness, and improve bicycle facilities and infrastructure. In the United States (with the exception of a few regional examples like Portland, Oregon) most people cannot use bicycling as a safe and convenient commuting method. Bicycling is still rather an anomaly, used by only a few strong souls to commute and by suburbanites who recreate by first driving to bicycle trails- and they frequently have to drive many miles, since trails are not always located where people live. This despite the fact that bicycle-friendly communities in any setting, whether urban . . . . Read the full story at http://onelesscar.org. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:53:00 -0400