4/18/06 Link Dump

p>I've been collecting post ideas faster than I can write posts, so to clear some out, I'm going to occasionally drop a quick group of less important issues in something I'm calling "10 for Tuesday."

1. Bike path paving along Route 27 in Arlington

2. CCCT will be giving away free bells and whistles to Capitol Crescent Trail users on Saturday, April 29. Volunteers will mount bells on bicycles free for those who request them, and will give out free whistles on Saturday May 29, 10-12 a.m., at the Bethesda Rest Stop.
This is one of several "Bells and Whistles" events the CCCT sponsors each year to increase safety awareness and to promote improved trail courtesy.

3.  2 years later, pedestrian tunnel under Route 28 still closed

The State Highway Administration had not originally planned to build the tunnel as part of the $41 million Route 28 road-widening project. It was added later with the understanding that future hiker⁄biker trails would be constructed by the Lakelands developer — Classic Community Corp.

The tunnel was built to be used as a future connection to the trail system. To date, no trails have been built, so the tunnel is currently fenced off for safety until that happens.

Classic Community Corp. did not return calls about when the trail system would be completed.

4. Letter asking for money to complete the CCT

5. 2006 Maryland General Assembly passes part of 1 bike bill –

Senate Bill 846 passed with amendments. The bill as passed with the amendments makes a bell optional equipment and not required equipment, quantifies the braking requirement for bicycles, and allows a rear red or flashing amber light that acts as a reflector to be used instead of the required rear reflector at night.          

The amendments removed the part of the bill which would have removed Maryland's restrictions on riding on the roadway where there is a bike lane or a shoulder paved to a smooth surface. Maryland is one of only eight states with either restriction. Although Maryland's mandatory bike lane and shoulder rules have several exceptions, there are other situations when a cyclist should have the discretion of riding on the roadway instead of in the bike lane or on the shoulder. 

Senate Bill 871 /House Bill 721 failed, having been given an unfavorable report by the House Environmental Matters Committee. The bill prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from overtaking and passing a bicycle unless the driver can do so safely without endangering the rider of the bicycle; prohibits a driver of a vehicle from intentionally interfering with the movement of a person who is riding a bicycle; and, the driver of a motor vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a person riding a bicycle in a designated bicycle lane.[...text of the bill]

 

6. DC area cycling radio show, the spin zone.

7. Dead bikes on UMD campus. This is a problem at every school in the country as far as I can tell. Students graduate and leave their old beaters locked up on campus, never to be ridden again.

8. Funcycle at Bike the Sites.

9. George Bush has influenced at least one person to ride - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

10. VRE getting new trains  (see photo for inside shot with bikes). VRE Management says "The new cab cars that we have ordered are bike friendly. After they are all on-line, we will reevaluate our bicycle policy."