The reckless driver 2021-09-27

Frustrated with the way drivers are behaving, I'm more compelled to keep adding to the following page in recent days.     

Another update to the Poor Decisions Page.

People are still Driving Recklessly

 Sadly -- it's still happening.   Apparently our driver education initiatives aren't working.  

Another update to the Poor Decisions Page.

Pedestrian Master Plan for Montgomery County

I 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. 

https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/transportation/pedestrian-planning/pedestrian-master-plan/

How 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.

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. 

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. 

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.   
(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? 

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. 

Better Routes to Schools - Courtesy Delegate Eric Luedtke

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.       

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.      

Which schools have this problem?  

Tell him about your school.   What is preventing you from getting to/from school on foot or bicycle?  

Please feel free to comment here or send email directly to Del. Luedtke.   

   

 List of Schools

1. Burtonsville ES, Burtonsville MD
• MD198 poses crossing problem
• No sidewalks between US29 and School along MD198
• No bike parking at the school
2.  

A Comparison of Substance Abuse and Bicycling/Pedestrian Mortality Rates and Prevention Investment

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.        

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.