tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67093133660512177682024-02-19T11:20:51.409-05:00Make It BikeableSteve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-7208640382036632202022-10-20T09:38:00.006-04:002022-10-20T09:38:39.841-04:00New Skills Park! (Fairland Regional Park)<p> Ribbon cutting on Oct 29th, see details in the link. I've been walking through here, watching the build-out and it looks amazing. Guess I'll need to get my bike out for a spin through the park, or "The Pit" as it is being named.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://montgomeryparks.org/montgomery-parks-completes-mountain-bike-skills-park-at-fairland-recreational-park/">https://montgomeryparks.org/montgomery-parks-completes-mountain-bike-skills-park-at-fairland-recreational-park/</a></p><p>It is pretty easy to ride from Burtonsville, down Greencastle Rd (watch that US-29 crossing, though) and connect up with Fairland Regional Park. Looks like they may be building some limited parking right near the skills park which will likely fill up quickly. </p><p>Close to location of new parking area for bike park. <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir//39.0791678,-76.92957/@39.0800504,-76.9296472,433m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0">https://www.google.com/maps/dir//39.0791678,-76.92957/@39.0800504,-76.9296472,433m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0</a></p>Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-86218797935642335912021-09-27T16:40:00.002-04:002021-09-27T16:40:29.940-04:00The reckless driver 2021-09-27<p>Frustrated with the way drivers are behaving, I'm more compelled to keep adding to the following page in recent days. </p><p><br /></p><p>Another update to <a href="https://wecan.makeitbikeable.com/p/poor-decisions.html">the Poor Decisions Page.</a></p><p><br /></p>Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-43582143512522512872021-09-24T08:45:00.003-04:002021-09-24T08:45:22.009-04:00People are still Driving Recklessly<p> Sadly -- it's still happening. Apparently our driver education initiatives aren't working. </p><p>Another update to <a href="https://wecan.makeitbikeable.com/p/poor-decisions.html">the Poor Decisions Page.</a></p><p><br /></p>Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-76764334870104368802021-04-29T16:55:00.000-04:002021-04-29T16:55:13.925-04:00Electric Mowing Equipment?<p> This is amazing! MCDOT is experimenting with all electric mowing equipment which could mean cleaner air and less noise!</p><p><br /></p><p>Read about it here: <a href="https://montgomerycomd.blogspot.com/2021/04/montgomery-department-of-transportation.html">https://montgomerycomd.blogspot.com/2021/04/montgomery-department-of-transportation.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-52039015971347806092021-04-13T21:50:00.005-04:002021-04-13T21:50:45.262-04:00Powerline Trail Funded!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Power_Line_Trail_west_of_PA_152.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Power_Line_Trail_west_of_PA_152.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Great news! On Monday, <a href="https://www.montgomeryparks.org/montgomery-parks-receives-funding-to-complete-construction-of-powerline-trail-from-south-germantown-to-cabin-john-regional-park/">Montgomery Parks announced</a> additional funding to extend the powerline trail which will connect South Germantown Recreational Park to Cabin John Regional Park. I'm not going to be utilizing it much since I don't live or work that close to it, but I'm hopeful that similar actions will be taken in other parts of the county. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A little history: <a href="https://www.thewashcycle.com/2015/02/montgomery-county-power-line-trails.html">https://www.thewashcycle.com/2015/02/montgomery-county-power-line-trails.html</a></li><li>Examples of existing powerline trails: <a href="http://www.pedestrians.org/topics/row-gallery.htm">http://www.pedestrians.org/topics/row-gallery.htm</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>As stated, thanks go to "Delegate Korman, the entire Montgomery County Delegation, and the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts."</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers! Looking forward to seeing parts of the trail getting built in 2022. </div></div>Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-27867002722003080402020-10-08T18:30:00.004-04:002020-10-08T18:30:04.092-04:00It's Time to Silence the Professional Mowers<p>Whether it is mowers or leaf blowers, none of them should be deafening from over 350ft away. </p><p><br /></p><p>Professional mowers and leaf blowers need to be equipped with mufflers or other devices to quiet their operation. My honda lawn mower is not even close to producing this much sound even when I'm 10 ft away from it. Residential mowers with smaller engines are obviously much quieter by design. The companies that make the professional lawn mowers must think that they are only used in an industrial park. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxft6BY5pigiwsPhVLfNNaRYgof5C5pKgiNu-KYZ608wmE6tMIyrVsG21XGDFwOJx4eaBsvi_8odkrN8qZFPA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The manufactures know that mowers are using these in residential areas and it should be both the manufactures' and the owner's responsibility to ensure they are silenced appropriately. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-26013534489606354022019-09-03T19:51:00.000-04:002019-09-03T19:51:42.913-04:00Pedestrian Master Plan for Montgomery CountyI just received notification about the new initiative for a Pedestrian Master Plan (much like the previously adopted Bicycle Master Plan) and the first community meeting will be in September 2019. Sign up on this website to stay informed. <br />
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<a href="https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/transportation/pedestrian-planning/pedestrian-master-plan/">https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/transportation/pedestrian-planning/pedestrian-master-plan/</a><br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-69423611072937397662019-08-16T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-16T07:00:01.673-04:00Ride On (MCDOT) Allows Children to Stay in Strollers While Riding the BusIt's a start, Ride On is now allowing strollers to board using the boarding ramp (<a href="https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=23381">https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=23381</a>). Though with the limitations of the policy it still doesn't meet the standards I found in Stockholm many years ago which allow parents to travel with many children under 7 and for parents with buggies (strollers) they can board through the exit door and there isn't any fees for parent or child (<a href="https://sl.se/en/eng-info/fares/children/">https://sl.se/en/eng-info/fares/children</a>/).<br />
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When I traveled with my young children in Stockholm, not only did the culture there permit me to board the bus with stroller, all current passengers were required to make room for me and the stroller, similar to our priority seating policy. Everyone was very accomodating and even helped ensure I boarded and alighted the bus, with child still in stroller, without any problems.<br />
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I'd like to see this type of accomodation made on all of our region's buses in support of families. Traveling with children can be chaotic, and having to deal with payments for yourself, or your children, while keeping them safe and accounted for can be too much for most parents. The choice of using public transportation would be much easier to make if using it was as easy as it was in Stockholm. <br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-22350498679373507172019-06-20T22:18:00.000-04:002019-06-20T22:19:00.747-04:00Override the Governor's Veto Killing Bikeways Funding<div dir="auto">Here's one thing you can do now in preparation for next year's general assembly. </div><div><a href="https://ujoin.co/campaigns/672/actions/public">https://ujoin.co/campaigns/672/actions/public</a></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Let your representatives know you want this Bill's veto overturned. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div> Steve 'cyclopath' A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13062524511082624395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-74480413906789334322018-08-23T10:30:00.000-04:002018-08-23T10:30:10.126-04:00How Did This Traffic Light Slip Under My Radar?When I took these couple of photos on July 25th, I kind of figured out that the bus stops located on either side of Old Columbia Pike were getting platforms and probably lighting.<br />
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I did not come to understand, until today, that a full-blown traffic light was getting installed. Living less than a 1/4 mile from this "new" traffic pattern, I'm shocked that I had no previous knowledge of the plans. In my experience with any of the DOTs in the region, getting a request to completion usually takes a mound of paperwork and years of persistence. I have no opinion on the light location itself, as it wasn't even something I considered on this section of road. <br />
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I can't believe that the neighborhood, community, and regional interest groups were not involved in the development of the design for this traffic light. As you can see from the first photo above, the southbound shoulder is now blocked by a raised bus platform. This is great for people waiting at the stop, but now bicyclists must move out in to traffic at this intersection. If the design was put forth for public comment, I certainly would have asked for the platform to be moved back off the shoulder to leave room for bicyclists, especially during commute hours. <br />
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Finally, I'd like to know why this light became necessary. At the trail crossing of the Matthew Henson trail at Viers Mill Road, multiple people were killed and yet it still took a strong, active community quite some time to persuade SHA to move forward with a better crossing option. Newspaper articles were widely written, advocacy letters distributed, but that was not the case with this traffic light. <br />
(http://www.waba.org/blog/2016/07/matthew-henson-trail-crossing-at-viers-mill-road-is-still-deadly/) So what was the justification for this light? Who requested it, and what community backed it up? Why did it get installed without local community input? <br />
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I would like to see documented and consistent processes in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. Transparency will lead to better ideas and community involvement. <br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-7270967121464734352018-06-07T14:30:00.000-04:002018-06-07T14:30:06.644-04:00We really need to fix Old Columbia PikeRecently, I we had some nice weather in the area, so I just wanted to take my bike out for a little shake down before I begin my summer commutes on it. Living in an area surrounded by busy, high volume roads, I generally seek out the safest, quietest routes. <div>
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This was an unplanned route, but in my head, I thought I could get down to Randolph Rd, then turn around and return via Old Columbia Pike. So I started out heading south knowing I was going to ride under the ICC via the bike trail on the east side of the interchange. It's a bit isolated for me, generally, it's not visible from the road, and therefore I find this trail to be unsafe. In retrospect, this trail should have been built for better visibility, either up higher, next to the roads, or along the neighborhood streets. Hopefully in the future, new trails will be built keeping visibility in mind. <br /><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ire4qhHzAmLHTSsKoatci-TuS8Y0MMGCuFPvWV7P7ehsm4vYtLDJxpdQyZSC9Nla0RZ0wAFxEl6U6mZkTILScyBnJSXSyoGtvNac9MQpaAeY4GO-nqLDyUREB_DP2my2KNwopPDjjE64S_FkyHenKKAnS03SoJwmSC5UnNBimP04HYrV39HU5DdzeCHmR8iVxeVI5djdTK9XEgQUycJVh5NmsPXU4zqBdsbiWaVxRdpMrI0ueEplXU3EKE1OsWXbf6NVHvSn1hLDGWBSzBMETRQiGHKkf9ljkh7rBjn0qpQoseQuysJwWX8ELTZfJQC1MM777A18DkSaRxCxbqCKuwHqFxYuLiqAyOENgIXLESOZJGC4MTtFaW0ZLw1cNdKvo4vzRfU62drddsTdFbGT3VnLNb50XEVqMz85HA3roRGGHaFDlrq0N6qw1XtRGJVGfFh93oshTW4-RJFyXGY3M6l3FLB8EcMxQ2_WlHmFHgXxd7MpVYHpAf5K32AdF0H5Oplcc2sV8C_KkixKRwrx9vy1ufi7D1FYAbHhaiuPfVRFS-huSYf5X26DhM7lZGRO-8uLMC8VdrK9lF2jni2pMhgPKwFx6xl6D1tQ_z-EqYNA4YyHXRiiOMVoj0TjJQQ6rnN6gOPR0j2baNHwi-QniyDq-xG9pHqt=w1416-h820-no" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1416" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeIYb-zvmrCJV_sJ4J9yaJ2-eqQMsJDPmNxgvj0hxP0FmFhq6qsseJTFywcKkbe7t1fBuKWgC0CjJZ8R6yFNlJfekcHU4xDYjcNMSvyKFutI8PPFWoj6dTp091zEzLsYHmOBcckUwoe8/s640/Attempt-to-rideabout-avoid-old-columbia-pike-2018-06-07+10-45-13.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click image for larger image of the area I rode in the Fairland Area. </td></tr>
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Additionally, as you can see from my route, I didn't quite make it down to Randolph. Unfortunately, there's no direct route southbound once I made my way south through the ICC interchange. I would have had to ride through Calverton Park, local streets, and generally take a long way to get where I wanted to go. I would be better if we just connected a trail to Randolph along the property frontage of Verizon on the east side of US-29 from Fairland Rd. Certainly, explore the <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27729920" target="_blank">map in detail</a> more to see the roads and connections that are needed. <br />
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On my return, I wanted to avoid Old Columbia Pike, so I crossed and road zig-zagged through some neighborhood roads to avoid the narrow or non-existent shoulders and high volume of traffic. North of Fairland Rd, and especially the point where Old Columbia crosses over the ICC, there is no extra room on the road for vulnerable users. The section northbound on Old Columbia Pike could use a shared-use-path along the east side. Even if it was a sidewalk, I would be on it as drivers failed to give me even 3-ft of clearance. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7WAM7Jy7dKKIeKu2Sh6VuLs-zXlncCQEZQOOn9tUM6fAMfLGkRVQfIU2on22_zMhvjVczbZbFwrIWd8hgb_ENBOKdb-nonVv_R4g6A4hfc1XdOXHXOOO6B4CfeIzKAS61PBKD9avF_EPLJ3OeuvAZrmg94Kh4kF_Ymxp8qGUzrmRSw2ySdTrKDdyCm7jJsI-WBTVGeMT3h2ct8Jly5ChNho9AXUT69ENe4ZHcMu_ZMjflKfXga0bgrQMe22N9vPdgkvIH_DbmXlxCeSZVL3AgUy5--aX6gjv2dxCGOjqS6DnHaLV4EPWpjV4oQukoGnD6UnkibNexeQce80qOhJI85qClFuIyCew3_3Ei_vN7Xf5O-DbOTdeB6XxwHTX34-dsPXLUGyz9WOWw6D2D7me8BDN35SfZtwNlMUBcQEpfL56-Z7QJy1Y3Qi-eYHQ98BPVlk6eHCjZuNz3motnS19ZkDPX8ZyQXAEW4NHG9Sq99lJtXHP3bT1RKKaX74ZBb_m35N58_0zagrE3MziHzODIjfEQM0Q9WmgjRs8M8lhe7a4k4t2fKQ4BO5os_5WHcIxBsfo5AWmD-B7X1s4hTe4nsGI1tE-Iu9bG6VIsY5DX70MGnNAPmyHrb97cnMLNG_X5DWbBQiyWVyAElW_hnh7JaVYpDbcgeye=w1913-h1043-no" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dU2mlVX8KnqRVVIV2" border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObud3JBntjSwRmu6EC_GD6_q0uW-q_jozgSvuY778nEOBzhLAbq2YYmSQ-EfjBO2OsA9aDMJhvKd1N3EkDX5UKiMGFNqBCYD3QJhxLf2iVUOomd11Zb-XxK2IDKkCKqMxrnV8CIzyeIM/s640/old-columbia-pike-looking-N-at-ICC-2018-06-07+11-33-21.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking North on Old Columbia Pike at the ICC Bridge</td></tr>
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Old Columbia Pike is a major connector for biking in the area between Burtonsville and White Oak. Planning phases come and go, yet I still have no safe place to ride. <br />
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Who is going to take the lead and get the money needed to build safe riding paths along Old Columbia Pike? <br />
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-85119512310142480712018-05-01T11:34:00.001-04:002018-05-01T12:46:01.223-04:00Only Shared Use Path Available -- BLOCKED<h2>
The only semi-safe route available along MD-198, and it's blocked!</h2>
It's bad enough that this path along MD-198 doesn't connect all the way to Cedar Tree Rd, stopping at Dino Dr. Now there is construction that appears to be daily now and constantly blocking the only shared use path my kids and I would like to use. <br />
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The path (shown below) west of the construction connects to the Downtown Burtonsville area and considering the basically non-existent shoulder, speeding cars (rarely enforced along this stretch), and groups of motor vehicles jockeying for position as they leave the US-29 intersection by cutting around each other in the right hand merge lanes, I have no place to safely ride along this stretch of road. <br />
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The Lorenzo Construction LLC appears to be doing the construction (410-984-1935) but unfortunately, feels the need to park their vehicles on the path. The road at this point is essentially 5 lanes, with the merge lane ending. It would be simple enough to put up cones and block the end of this merge lane without blocking the path. It would not cause any problems for traffic either.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2QSjL9q7G25anIiGNVKlOKVgpAF0WVZHAR5oYM3JmBO3CAAiszUeVTQ5-ojFLSAp0AfhtJXtr7KeIwbbNOkdWEL33QCN0MOAjQlGMRS40dO9hEFQs4nbDeSkKpKOPMGQgQPsrJK94Lk/s1600/6862F58B-3471-4A7F-A78B-67292FE1F491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2QSjL9q7G25anIiGNVKlOKVgpAF0WVZHAR5oYM3JmBO3CAAiszUeVTQ5-ojFLSAp0AfhtJXtr7KeIwbbNOkdWEL33QCN0MOAjQlGMRS40dO9hEFQs4nbDeSkKpKOPMGQgQPsrJK94Lk/s1600/6862F58B-3471-4A7F-A78B-67292FE1F491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2QSjL9q7G25anIiGNVKlOKVgpAF0WVZHAR5oYM3JmBO3CAAiszUeVTQ5-ojFLSAp0AfhtJXtr7KeIwbbNOkdWEL33QCN0MOAjQlGMRS40dO9hEFQs4nbDeSkKpKOPMGQgQPsrJK94Lk/s1600/6862F58B-3471-4A7F-A78B-67292FE1F491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2QSjL9q7G25anIiGNVKlOKVgpAF0WVZHAR5oYM3JmBO3CAAiszUeVTQ5-ojFLSAp0AfhtJXtr7KeIwbbNOkdWEL33QCN0MOAjQlGMRS40dO9hEFQs4nbDeSkKpKOPMGQgQPsrJK94Lk/s1600/6862F58B-3471-4A7F-A78B-67292FE1F491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2QSjL9q7G25anIiGNVKlOKVgpAF0WVZHAR5oYM3JmBO3CAAiszUeVTQ5-ojFLSAp0AfhtJXtr7KeIwbbNOkdWEL33QCN0MOAjQlGMRS40dO9hEFQs4nbDeSkKpKOPMGQgQPsrJK94Lk/s1600/6862F58B-3471-4A7F-A78B-67292FE1F491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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Additionally, it appears Lorenzo is also doing some construction at the U-turn at Dino drive where they are parking all their trucks and filling the U-Turn extension that I believe was put there to allow larger trucks the ability to make the U-Turn. <br />
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I would love to see a better policy created and adhered to prevent blocking of sidewalks and paths for vulnerable road users. Those walking and biking have no choice. Vehicles have 5 lanes of options. Please keep the sidewalks and paths open whenever possible.<br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com04340 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville, MD 20866, USA39.109200910142974 -76.92343711853027339.107660910142975 -76.925958618530274 39.110740910142972 -76.920915618530273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-64506033087664842592017-11-29T21:04:00.000-05:002017-11-29T21:34:30.775-05:00Coffeeneuring 2017<h2>
Coffeeneuring 2017 - It's a wrap, <a href="http://makeitbikeable.com/p/coffeeneuring-2017.html">read</a> all about it.</h2>
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The coffeeneuring challenge has run for 7 years, you can read the rules, comments and start planning for next year at <a href="https://chasingmailboxes.com/2017/09/27/seven-is-a-lucky-number-the-7th-annual-coffeeneuring-challenge/">chasingmailboxes.com.</a><br />
<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-25844412408919226742017-11-23T13:00:00.000-05:002017-11-23T13:00:20.416-05:00Better Routes to Schools - Courtesy Delegate Eric Luedtke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do I want better routes to walk and bike to schools? Yes! Moreover, I want better routes for getting to the stores, to work, and to school. </div>
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Here Del. Eric Luedtke stands near MD108 in Olney (video published in Aug 2017). Both Sherwood HS and Sherwood ES are close by, but without a safe way to get to school, due to no sidewalks or bike paths, the students must get there either by bus or car. Del. Luedtke states that there are a number of schools around the state in this situation and he would like to hear from you. </div>
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Which schools have this problem? </div>
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Tell him about your school. What is preventing you from getting to/from school on foot or bicycle? </div>
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Please feel free to comment here or send <a href="mailto:eric.luedtke@house.state.md.us">email</a> directly to <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa15447.html">Del. Luedtke</a>. </div>
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List of Schools</h3>
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<li>Burtonsville ES, Burtonsville MD</li>
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<li>MD198 poses crossing problem</li>
<li>No sidewalks between US29 and School along MD198</li>
<li>No bike parking at the school</li>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-7427401479971374462017-10-27T15:00:00.001-04:002017-10-27T15:04:03.017-04:00I'm too important for a parking space!Here's what must have run through this drivers mind.<br />
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Hi,</blockquote>
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I need to pick up my takeout, and I'm in a hurry. Instead of parking in one of the open spaces that would take me an extra ten seconds, I thought I might just park here which is right in front of a stop sign, on a crosswalk, and a pinch point for people trying to get in and out of the parking lot. It's OK, my time is way more important than the 20 vehicles that had to maneuver around me and probably wait 10-15 seconds before they could pass in the single file lane I left for them.</blockquote>
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My license plate is from Maryland:<br />
<ul>R</ul>
<ul>A 5812</ul>
<ul>V</ul>
And I drive a nice white Mercedes.</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harris Teeter at Eden Brook Dr and Guilford Rd. in Howard County MD (2017/10/27)</td></tr>
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Have a nice day.</blockquote>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-66003140740824352652017-08-09T21:45:00.000-04:002017-09-10T18:30:03.960-04:00Bicyclists, Please Stop!This goes out to the bicyclist that chased me down Brooklyn Bridge Rd this morning. The intersection of Montgomery St and 8th St in Laurel is a 4-way stop. Don't blow through this intersection while I'm stopped with my foot down and checking for cars. You make all bicyclists look like scofflaws. It's that simple.<br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-77598670502863945522017-07-18T22:42:00.000-04:002017-07-18T22:42:00.220-04:00Public Comment for the MD 28, Norbeck Road, and MD 198, Spencerville Road/Sandy Spring Road project AW068_11 (was MO886_11)<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Please submit a public comment about MD-198 by July 19th!</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's my message -- thanks Sebastian for producing a template that made it easier to put these items together. </span><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">To: jbeck@sha.state.md.us</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cc: eric.luedtke@house.state.md.us, Tom.Hucker@montgomerycountymd.gov, craig.zucker@senate.state.md.us</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br />
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Dear Mr Beck,</div>
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As a regular user of MD 198, I am pleased to see progress at making this road safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. That being said, there is room for improvement.</div>
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I have been a long time resident of Burtonsville and have been a strong supporter of rebuilding this community into a destination via my participation in the design of the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan and continuing work through the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC) and Montgomery County Bicyclists Advisory Group (MCBAG). I envision and walkable and bicycle friendly business district with bicycle connections between all surrounding communities and parks. To make this happen, I urge the State Highway Administration to make the following revisions to the MD 28/198 Corridor Improvement Study.</div>
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<b>For all All of MD198/MD28</b><br /><ul>
<li>I support bike-friendly facilities, in particular, the off- road shared-use path on one side of MD 198 in areas with few driveways or curb cuts. Areas that currently have a high density of access points should be reconfigured to reduce curb cuts/access. The path and roadway should be separated by a green space buffer wide enough for tree planting to provide shade. </li>
<li>The shared-use path should be wide enough for two directions of bicycles and pedestrian traffic and designed to be as straight as possible and for a reasonable bicycle cruising speed of up to 15-20 miles per hour. </li>
<li>Crosswalks should be announced with markings and signage to warn drivers about crossing bicyclists and additional markings should be made where driveways cross the trail, possibly with raised crosswalks to slow drivers and raise awareness to trail users. </li>
<li>High-speed, right- turn slip lanes that turn across the trail should be reconfigured to slow down turning vehicles and improve visibility of cyclists and pedestrians.</li>
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<b>Critical recommendations for SHA Project Management Division, Segment D (Burtonsville):</b><ul>
<li>Comply with the Burtonsville Crossroads Neighborhood Plan by providing a landscaped median with breaks to establish a grid of local streets, enhance safety, and improve access to businesses. This would look more like the Alt-3 Access Management Profile. </li>
<li>Lanes should be narrowed from 11 ft to 10 feet to discourage speeding and bring a more residential/commercial quality to the business district.</li>
<li>In addition to lane with reductions, speed limit through Burtonsville Business District should be set to a maximum of 25 mph.</li>
<li>Overhead utilities should be cleaned up and buried.</li>
<li>Widen grass buffers between sidewalks and road to 6 ft to allow streetscaping.</li>
<li>Widen bike lanes to 5 ft and add 2 ft buffer from travel lanes to improve safety.</li>
<li>Add traffic circles at Old US-29 and MD-198 and at Old Columbia Pike (diagonal intersection) and MD-198. This will facilitate those who need to make U-Turns since left turns will be essentially eliminated through the Business District with the exception of a traffic light at the Burtonsville Town Square intersection.</li>
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<b>Critical recommendations for SHA Project Management Division, Segment E (West Laurel):</b></div>
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<li>Add second turn lane from McKnew Road to MD 198 or add a signalized intersection at Cedar Tree to relieve the aggressive behavior people exhibit when attempting to leave the community. </li>
<li>Drivers leaving McKnew Rd to MD-198 should not have any turns while MD-198 through traffic is green. The limited visibility and speed of traffic in this segment makes even right-on-red dangerous. Additionally, a bicyclist on the shoulder has no bailout area due to the volume and speed of traffic which is a problem when vehicles routinely make continuous right-hand-turns on red (without a stop). Even with a stop, the vehicles are pulling well into the bicyclists useable shoulder area. </li>
<li>The MD-198/McKnew intersection should be completely controlled, including left turns with red-arrows from MD-198 to McKnew to prevent the frequent collisions that occur today. </li>
</ul>
<b>Critical recommendations for the SHA District 3 office include:</b><ul>
<li>Allocate funding for intersection improvements at MD 198 and Peach Orchard Rd.</li>
<li>Install traffic signal at Burtonsville Town Square.</li>
<li>Install speed activated signs in 25 and 30 mph speed zones.</li>
<li>Provide crosswalks for people to safely cross MD 198 (see Coalition to Fix 198 document for locations).</li>
</ul>
<b>Critical recommendations for Montgomery County include:</b><ul>
<li>Install gateway landscaping and signage at entrance to Burtonsville retail district.</li>
<li>Accelerate funding for Burtonsville Access Road.</li>
<li>Draft amendment to state legislation to clarify applicability of speed cameras.</li>
<li>Construct sidewalk on McKnew Road to connect to MD 198.</li>
<li>Extend Sidewalk on North side of MD-198 from 4140 Sandy Spring Rd to McKnew Rd to allow pedestrians a place to walk while not forcing crossings midway. Also allows safer access to bus stop.</li>
</ul>
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Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the study. I encourage you to review the full report developed by the Coalition to Fix MD 198 (download at: <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://goo.gl/LUCzep&source=gmail&ust=1500518258823000&usg=AFQjCNFUy1OmP7AkdxeUlqe5EVsdoU_b5Q" href="https://goo.gl/LUCzep" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/LUCzep</a>) </span>for more recommendations.</div>
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Sincerely,<br /></div>
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Stephen Ashurst<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-58590048481517077752017-04-19T18:41:00.000-04:002017-04-19T18:41:08.494-04:00Skimping on Trail Design, Already? (Patapsco Regional Greenway) Almost right on queue, as soon as a proposal for a new bike trail is on the table, disclaimers immediately follow. This particular network of trails was jointly announced with the disappointment that the trail couldn't be built to full width. <br />
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<i>The greenway is proposed to be a 10- to 12-foot-wide, ADA-accessible trail, <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">though this may not be feasible in some sections of the corridor due to environmental, right-of-way, and topographical constraints.</span></i></blockquote>
This needs to stop. I'm all for protecting sensitive lands and being as environmentally friendly as possible, and we all understand that building through such areas come at a cost. But we also build six lane super-highways above & through environmentally sensitive areas, so we should be able to build a simple 12 foot wide path that would ultimately be more useful than the six lane highway 25 years from now. I'm thinking about the ICC where the bike lane was promised for the full length of the toll road, but remains unbuilt on account that it would cause too much environmental damage. We need to look at the big picture and stop cutting these really small corners. If the ICC right-of-way, for example, was such an environmentally sensitive area, perhaps they should have only built four lanes and allowed for the bike lanes, saving more than 24 feet of roadway instead of just 12 feet of bike trail. <br />
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The above quote is from the "concept" plans for the <a href="http://www.baltometro.org/our-work/multi-modal-planning/bicycle-and-pedestrian-planning">Patapsco Regional Greenway.</a> Concept, to me, means it should be time to dream and plan what the network should be like, <u>without restrictions and short changing bicyclists</u>. Bike and pedestrian networks should be planned and implemented with the same priorities as large roadway projects, including public input that would have a process of vetting the concept ideas and selecting the most sensible. All of this needs to be supported with investment to make the project a success. This is no time for dismissing and skimping on trail design. Make a concept that would serve the needs today and 25 years from now. <div>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-15906252271377110792017-04-06T14:10:00.000-04:002017-04-08T18:27:48.978-04:00Maryland Legislation 2017I've recently sent an a record amount of letters to my legislators about both worthwhile and horrendous bills. Here are some of my top subjects:<br />
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<b>I supported these bills:</b><br />
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<li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=03&id=hb0578&tab=subject3&ys=2017RS" target="_blank">HB0578</a> - Vehicle Laws - Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (cross-filed: SB0338)</li>
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<li>Amendments have jointly been made by Bike Maryland, State Highway Administration and other sponsors to conform to the Federal Highway Administration standards. </li>
<li>Almost all motorists (99%) of drivers adhere to these Beacons and 76% of cyclists and pedestrians understand and use them. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons save lives.</li>
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<li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=03&id=HB0332&tab=subject3&ys=2017RS" target="_blank">HB0332</a> - Montgomery County - Maximum Speed Limits Outside Urban Districts MC 23-17</li>
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<li>This would give Montgomery County the authority to set speed limits as low as 20mph on certain roads outside urban districts. This will give local engineers another option in their tool bag so they can make certain streets safer.</li>
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<li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=03&id=hb0997&tab=subject3&ys=2017RS" target="_blank">HB0997</a> - Vehicle Laws - Bicycles, Play Vehicles, and Unicycles - Operation on Sidewalks and in Crosswalks</li>
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<li>This would allow bicycles to operate lawfully on sidewalks and in crosswalks. This bill adds legal protections for bicycles that are at the same level as pedestrians when using sidewalks and crosswalks.</li>
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<li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmmain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=hb0011&stab=01&ys=2017rs" target="_blank">HB0011</a> - Vehicle Laws - Causing Diesel Emissions to Discharge Onto Another - Prohibition</li>
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<li>Intentional emissions of diesel exhaust is a menace to cyclists, runners, and drivers. I've personally had a truck do this while driving in Montgomery County. This dangerous practice should be prohibited.</li>
<li>Video of this action happening to a cyclist: <a href="https://youtu.be/h8k8bhGrXIo">https://youtu.be/h8k8bhGrXIo</a></li>
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I do not support these bills:</b><br />
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<li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=hb1451&tab=subject3&ys=2017RS" target="_blank">HB1451</a> - Left Lane Use for Passing</li>
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<li>This bill only seems to enable and legalize speeding on our roadways. Maryland roadways are severely congested already and even in normal flowing traffic conditions, all lanes must be used, whether passing or not. In order to move all traffic down the road, all lanes must be used. </li>
<li>There are many specifics missing from this bill. We don't know how long is "too long" to say in the left lane. As vehicle speeds vary, even while passing, it may be impossible to always continue passing as someone in the right lane speeds up. Also for left exits, there's no rule about how far in advance of the exit we may enter the left lane. For an area, such as MD-32 and I-95, I generally get in the left lane to go from MD-32 E to I-95 N almost 2 miles in advance knowing that if I wait till I'm only one mile or one-half mile from the exit, it may be backed up and I won't be able to merge into the left lane. On roads like US-29 with stop lights and left turns all along it, there's no reason for people to move out of of the left lane, and doing so would only cause chaos as people are concerned with getting tickets for being caught in the left lane for too long. </li>
<li>This is a dangerous bill to people's safety while traveling our roads. It will encourage speeding and aggressive driving and likely enable more road rage incidents.</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=HB1456&stab=01&ys=2017RS" target="_blank">HB1456</a> - Vehicle Laws – Passing to the Right – Use of Shoulder</li>
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<li>This bill makes no mention about the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists using the shoulder in a legal manner. Even completely focused drivers, not to mention distracted drivers, are rarely verifying the shoulder is clear of these vulnerable users before bolting around a vehicle just to save a second or two of time. This bill endanger these users of the road and shoulder. Instead of passing this bill, a future bill to require re-engineering of roadways to allow for proper, safe left-turns while keeping a through lane open and preserving the shoulder and perhaps a protected bike lane would be more appropriate.</li>
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I encourage you to contact your legislators and get involved with your community and state level issues. <br />
<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-81392799011555796612016-09-21T13:00:00.000-04:002016-11-30T16:05:33.708-05:00A Comparison of Substance Abuse and Bicycling/Pedestrian Mortality Rates and Prevention Investment<div style="text-align: left;">
While listening to a lecture about alcoholism, a slide presenting the annual mortality rate by substances struck me when I saw just how many people die each year. Furthermore, I wanted to know how many people are injured or killed just by being pedestrians or bicyclists. While the injury rate was about 4% of the total (combined substance and pedestrian/bicyclist injuries) the investment for bicycle and pedestrian safety is only 0.2% of substance abuse prevention. </div>
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I would like to see bicycle and pedestrian safety investment increased to include programs and infrastructure build-out to match that of the current injury rate. Enormous amounts of investment were made available when the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was enacted in 1966. The same needs to be done in 2016 to build out proper infrastructure for people who are moving around today's cities and towns by walking or biking. </div>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-29423540475095741852016-07-16T08:30:00.000-04:002016-07-16T08:30:37.517-04:00Burtonsville/Fairland Community Bicycle Ride with Del. Luedtke, Planning Board Chair Anderson, Councilmember Hucker (invited)<h3>
Come ride and/or discuss the bicycling conditions around the Burtonsville/East County area. </h3>
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The ride starts at the Burtonsville Elementary School Parking lot (15516 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD) at 11:30am sharp. Please arrive early to get setup. </div>
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The ride will end at Seibel's Restaurant (15540 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD) where you can discuss more about the Montgomery County Bicycle Master Plan with Delegate Eric Luedtke and Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson (Councilmember Tom Hucker is invited) from 1pm - 2pm.<br />
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<b><u>Ride Details ** :</u></b><br />
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<li>Sunday, July 24</li>
<li>Arrive: 11:15 A.M.</li>
<li><b>Depart</b>: 11:30 A.M. (Sharp)</li>
<li>Return: 1:00 P.M.</li>
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<li><b>Starting</b> at the Burtonsville Elementary School Parking Lot</li>
<li>15516 Old Columbia Pike Burtonsville, Maryland</li>
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<li>Please RSVP to <a href="mailto:david.anspacher@montgomeryplanning.org">david.anspacher@montgomeryplanning.org</a></li>
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<a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=0d36b1f0-2220-4114-8c99-36b66d92f9c0" target="_blank">Burtonsville Community Ride - Official Announcement</a></div>
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<u>Below is a preliminary map of the scheduled ride. </u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Please note that this ride is open for everyone, however it will take place on roads that have traffic and may be uncomfortable for some.</span><br />
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-75883520239236800052016-04-07T08:23:00.003-04:002016-04-07T14:26:51.396-04:00Maryland "Three Foot Law" Amendments Stuck in CommitteeToday, I'd like to ask for you to write your Maryland senator and ask them to contact Senator Zirkin so that HB 214 (cross filed as SB 1123) can be moved through Committee.
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More info here:
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.bikemaryland.org/slow-down-move-over/&source=gmail&ust=1460117409433000&usg=AFQjCNFTSK9M2n51o_xFTqMVhpvXId2ERg" href="https://goo.gl/F9j4A6" target="_blank">https://www.bikemaryland.org/<wbr></wbr>slow-down-move-over/</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2016RS/bills/sb/sb1123f.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1460117409433000&usg=AFQjCNHXIRRVYi7rUbDeTx1b30qhBDJx6g" href="http://goo.gl/QXkWAF" target="_blank">http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/<wbr></wbr>2016RS/bills/sb/sb1123f.pdf</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2016RS/bills/hb/hb0214t.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1460117409433000&usg=AFQjCNEyM10c2SQR1BOQRA4W-lgBGOStcg" href="http://goo.gl/krzwgl" target="_blank">http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/<wbr></wbr>2016RS/bills/hb/hb0214t.pdf</a></li>
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Find your elected official here: <a href="http://goo.gl/MdHUhZ">http://mdelect.net/</a></div>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-83054625219436898342016-02-19T23:27:00.000-05:002016-02-23T16:28:07.244-05:002016 Bicycle Related Legislation for the State of Maryland<span style="background-color: yellow;">Update on Tue 2016-02-23:</span><br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/YT5roI" target="_blank">Bike Maryland</a> has posted their information about the following three bills and most notably, I feel that their take on the mandatory use bill (HB426) is more in-line with why I support it. I absolutely agree that the SHA needs to revamp their bike lane standards, as the current 5ft shoulders we are given are nothing more than a death wish along multi-lane, high speed traffic roads. The roads managed by SHA need proper protected bike lanes even more than most local roads due to the high volumes and high speeds of motor vehicles. Please take time to write your delegates to support these bills. <br />
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Thanks to WABA for keeping me informed of important Maryland State Legislation. Here's my thoughts and text sent to my legislators with regard to the following bills: <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=02&id=hb0214&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS" target="_blank">HB 214</a>, <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=HB0426&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS" target="_blank">HB 426</a>, <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=SB0302&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS" target="_blank">SB 302/HB 864</a>. <a href="http://www.waba.org/blog/2016/02/bike-bills-in-marylands-2016-legislative-session/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.waba.org/blog/2016/<wbr></wbr>02/bike-bills-in-marylands-<wbr></wbr>2016-legislative-session/</a><br />
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I changed out the 3rd paragraph a bit to make it a stronger argument. If you feel these bills are important to you, you should take a few minutes and send email to your legislators. Easily done at the WABA link above. </div>
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Here's my text sent, mostly written by WABA except for the 3rd paragraph.</div>
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I am a Maryland resident who rides a bike. Bicycling access and safety on our roads are key issues for me. I request that you support laws that create a safety culture that keeps people like me and my family, who choose to get around by bike, safe on the roads.</div>
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In particular, I ask you to support HB 214, which removes the "narrow lane" exception from the three foot passing law. Most of the roads in Maryland on which a person would want to ride a bicycle are narrower than 14 feet, making the protections of the passing law close to meaningless. This bill would require vehicles to give three feet when passing on all roads, and bring Maryland in line with the 28 other states that have three foot passing laws without self-defeating exceptions. Here's some additional information from the NCSL. <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists.aspx" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.ncsl.org/<wbr></wbr>research/transportation/<wbr></wbr>safely-passing-bicyclists.aspx</a></div>
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I also ask you to support HB 426, which would repeal the mandatory use of bicycling infrastructure. Protected bike lanes are a wonderful amenity that encourages folks to ride who might not feel safe doing so otherwise, but it is not prevalent enough to mandate the use of all bike infrastructure in a law. Many of our so called bike facilities are shoulders with little more than 3 ft and a white line and routinely end abruptly. Furthermore, they encourage unsafe passing by motor vehicles that do not give 3 ft due to a bike lane being present. Those who choose to ride bicycles as transportation should not be mandated to ride in this inferior infrastructure until such a time when a complete network of protected/grade separated bicycle infrastructure exists. </div>
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Finally, please support SB 302/HB 864, which creates a cause of action for punitive damages against drunk drivers. Current case law precludes the award of punitive damages to the victim of drunk driving or her family, and we should change that. </div>
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I urge you to support these bills when they leave committee. They will make the roads of Maryland safer for the most vulnerable users. I look forward to following your progress on these issues.</div>
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Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-55222941368590718082016-01-30T09:00:00.000-05:002016-01-30T09:00:11.309-05:00Unplowed Lanes Reveal Overbuilt Roads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my favorite unplowed sections along one of the many @MDSHA roads.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John's Hopkins Road between US-29 and Montpelier Rd</td></tr>
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With the map above, I filled in sections of road that went unplowed for about a week after the 2016 Snowzilla storm. I'm only highlighting the westbound direction, but there were also lanes missing from the eastbound direction. <br />
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As you can see by the graphic, the two exit lanes from US-29 South to Johns Hopkins Rd westbound disappeared as soon as the ramp ended. Also the dedicated left turn lane that is protected by a cement curb was also unplowed. With the latter, this meant that the signalized left turn would never activate since vehicles could not be present and therefore could not be detected. For vehicles turning right onto Montpelier Rd, they needed to merge to the middle through lane and then make a right around the pedestrian island when they would normally have a large radius non-stop turn. <br />
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So here we have a road designed with essentially 5 lanes westbound with one dedicated right and one dedicated left turn and 3 through. With this snow pack on the road, it was reduced to two combination lanes (a yielding left turn/thru and a right/thru lane). <br />
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Did the reduction in lanes affect the LOS (a measurement used by the SHA as standard practice to determine how many lanes to build)? We must remember that schools were canceled all week and OPM allowed liberal leave or late start times, but most people were back at work by Thur/Fri, with OPM starting work on-time Friday. The rush hour traffic moved smoothly through this area and nobody had to wait extra light cycles to navigate through this intersection. <br />
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Is this road overbuilt? Probably. Can the extra lanes be changed into protected and separated bike lanes? Yes, with the enormous amount of space available by just one 12-14 FT wide lane, wide bike lanes with wide buffer protection would be absolutely possible. The buffer could be large planters that would offer a great deal of protection, although many other options exist. <br />
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Do you know of other roads that handled traffic at an acceptable LOS while a lane or two was covered with snow? <br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709313366051217768.post-5543320464327592792016-01-27T15:30:00.000-05:002018-10-02T20:27:03.308-04:00Snow Fixed the ProblemThis is one intersection I'm glad is still blocked by snow. Impatient drivers find it necessary to drive on the shoulder to make a right-on-red. Although the lane configuration was never designed for this, everyone seems to find it necessary to drive off the pavement (in the mud sometimes) and within inches of sideswiping vehicles stopped to make a left turn, just to save a minute. Thanks snow for fixing the problem! This should not be two lanes, and when the snow was piled up on the shoulder, the intersection became calm and useable once again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How people usually drive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJKIpfx2Zo5gdw7dfwdgDf-pUHtcZ8FK8ab1-xGvYJ_-EvVZQAjn8oj6WCilMWx5A9IAgvcuKnCgr__qi5ZjYzjYODB43MNch0xALNB5OOZJwcJsrznVdJqWf91SLgbJAe7zu-wWea_Y/s1600/passengerview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJKIpfx2Zo5gdw7dfwdgDf-pUHtcZ8FK8ab1-xGvYJ_-EvVZQAjn8oj6WCilMWx5A9IAgvcuKnCgr__qi5ZjYzjYODB43MNch0xALNB5OOZJwcJsrznVdJqWf91SLgbJAe7zu-wWea_Y/s640/passengerview.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo with snow blocking the excess pavement.</td></tr>
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Although this fixes the vehicle turn problem temporarily, a permanent solution would include building a curb and sidewalk here, removing the excess pavement to prevent people from attempting to squeeze by on the right, and so people walking from the bus stop have a safe way into the neighborhood. <br />
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<br />Steve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01627602424889766768noreply@blogger.com0