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A Regional Bike and Pedestrian Newsflash
The following
monthly newsflash from the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board details
current news and events in regards to biking and walking both in and around the
Baltimore region.
The information found in the newsflash is informative;
it could inspire some to become more involved in the process of improving
conditions for biking and walking.
There is much to enjoy for everyone in this newsletter. There is always
plenty of information and resources available but the BMC tries to make all that
information just as enjoyable as riding a bike or taking a walk.
You may peruse the newsletter highlights below but be careful not
to miss anything.
Thank you and Enjoy!
Stephanie Yanovitz
BikePed Beacon
Editor | |
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BICYCLE COMMUTER
RESOURCE GUIDE AVAILABLE Guide
for employees and employers now available in print and for download online
  Cycling is a healthy, clean, economical and fun
way to get to work!
If you are an employee interested in commuting by bike, download our
Bicycle Commuter Guide for the Baltimore Region and find out how you can
get ready to ride safely to work. Details include rules of the road, how to
outfit your bike, and great places to ride.
We've also got a great companion guide - Employer Guide to Bicycle
Commuting: Establishing a Bike-friendly Workplace for your Baltimore Region
Employees - for employers in the region who want to become a bicycle
friendly employer. Included in this guide are some great tips on how to
encourage employees to commute by bike, providing bicycle facilities, and
details on the Bicycle Commuter Act and tax incentives for employees.
Print copies are available at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council offices,
as well as at local planning offices, community organizations, and bicycle
shops.
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 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: CITIZENS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE Applications due September 22
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is currently seeking
volunteers representing a diverse cross section of area residents and interest
groups for participation on the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
Members of the public with experience related to commercial transportation
(freight, trucking, cabs, etc); highway contractors; carpoolers and/or
single-occupant vehicle commuters; individuals who are transit-dependent or
organizations who serve transit-dependent populations are specifically
encouraged to apply.
The primary role of the Citizens Advisory Committee will be to enhance
citizen and public involvement in the transportation planning process by
providing input on key regional planning activities, as well as assisting in
outreach to communities throughout the region. Additionally, members will
receive regular updates on the planning process and be able to discuss planning
issues with staff of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and representatives
of the BRTB.
The CAC is an appointed committee of the Baltimore Regional Transportation
Board. New members will serve a three-year term, starting in January 2010.
Additional 1 and 2 year terms may also be available.
To apply to serve on the CAC, please download an application using the link
below and return via e-mail, fax, or mail (details on application). The deadline
for applications has been extended to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.
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BIKE TO WORK DAY 2009 SURVEY
Thank you to the 390+
bicyclists who responded to our survey!
Over 390 bicyclists responded to our request for
feedback, providing us with an amazing 39% return rate on the survey. Your
input helps us prepare for Bike to Work Day 2010.
Out of the 390+ survey respondents we were
surprised to find that almost half had participated in the Baltimore region's
Bike to Work Day for the very first time and many others who had bicycle
facilities when they got to work. Almost all of our cyclists received the
notification of the upcoming Bike to Work Day through e-mail and pre-registered
before the event. Since there were so many new riders, it means that our
outreach emails were well circulated.
It was encouraging to hear from folks that they
enjoyed listening to speakers and meeting sponsors at the rally sites. However,
there is still work to be done for those who can't ride in with a convoy or stay
at a rally site long enough before having to get to work.
Rest assured planning for Bike to
Work Day 2010 has begun. Since many folks want support for riding their
bicycles to work more than one day a year please look for more events for
bicycling during the Clean Commute months of April through June 2010, with Bike
to Work Day as the focal point.
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WALK TO SCHOOL DAY IS
OCTOBER 7
A one day event to
promote safe routes to school
 Celebrate Walk to School Day on
Monday, October 7, 2009, and promote safe walking and bicycling
throughout the year.
Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or
cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent
change to encourage a more walkable America - one community at a time.
Communities are using the walk or bike to school as the first step to
change community culture and create environments that are more inviting for
everyone, young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and biking to
school:
- To enhance the health of kids - Increased physical activity can
combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
- To improve air quality and the environment - Replacing car trips to
school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.
- To create safer routes for walking and bicycling - Sidewalks,
education programs and traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve
conditions.
Currently, there are over 30 Walk to School Day events planned in Maryland on
October 7th. Use the link below to find out if an event is planned in your
community or get the resources to plan your own Walk to School Day!
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 REGION'S LEADERS LAUNCH 'STREET SMART' PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY CAMPAIGN
Campaign seeks to reduce injuries and
deaths in the region
On Wednesday September 16 at 11 a.m. at Patterson Avenue and Reisterstown
Road Plaza, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, in conjunction with the Maryland
State Highway Administration's Highway Safety Office (MHSO), launched the
Street Smart Pedestrian Safety Campaign. Street Smart is an element of SHA's
"Choose Safety for Life" umbrella campaign and has been used successfully in the
Washington, DC, area since 2002.
Throughout the campaign, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists will be urged
to look out for one another and obey the rules of the road, such as "Stop/Yield
for Pedestrians", "Wait for Walk", "Cross after the Bus leaves the Stop", and
"Obey Signs and Signals."
Why Street Smart is important to the Baltimore
Region
The Baltimore metropolitan region averages 1,700 pedestrian and 500 bicycle
crashes each year, resulting in an average of 50 fatalities per year.
In 2008 in the Baltimore region:
- 231 lives were lost
- 23,574 people were injured
- 50,096 crashes were reported
- 44 pedestrians lost their lives
- 4 bicyclists died
 Thirty-four percent of all pedestrian and bicycle
crashes in Maryland occur in Baltimore City.
The Baltimore region represents 39% of the total fatalities and more than
half the crashes and injuries across the state.
The Street Smart Baltimore region campaign will follow on the
success of the Regional Highway Safety Campaign, which focused on distracted
driving and included radio spots with messages directed to teens and their
parents to minimize distracted driving crashes. Radio spots will debut in the
Baltimore region during the third week of September, and will be repeated in the
Spring 2010.
Street Smart will also work with local law enforcement to raise
awareness of the rights and responsibilities of drivers, pedestrians, and
bicyclists to look out for one another on the roadway.
Drivers should stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians should use
crosswalks, obey signals, and cross at intersections. Learning to be Street
Smart reminds us of the importance to use crosswalks, obey signals, and Share
the Road before it's too late.
>>>
Find out more about Street Smart at
www.drivesafebaltimore.com |
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In The News, Events, and
Other Useful Links |
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EVENTS
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council | 2700
Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310 | Baltimore | MD |
21224 | |
