Maryland earns Honorable Mention in LAB's Bicycle Friendly State program

The League Of American Bicyclists Highlights Maryland As One Of Six Bicycle-Friendly States
Making Key Initiatives To Improve Conditions For Bicyclists

HANOVER , MD – The League of American Bicyclists named Maryland as an Honorable Mention in its Bicycle Friendly State program. Maryland is one of six bicycle-friendly states recognized for state initiatives to improve conditions for bicyclists. This year is the first year the organization expanded its program honoring bicycle-friendly communities to highlight states making government efforts for bicyclists.

As part of Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative, Maryland has taken a number of steps to improve access and to provide safe bicycling for residents and visitors. These efforts range from implementing a 20-year Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Master Plan and adding bicycle racks to buses to producing comprehensive bicycle safety materials. A key focus has been on creating materials aimed at encouraging adults to bicycle safely on Maryland roadways and trails. The Smart, Green and Growing Initiative is geared to help Maryland achieve a more sustainable future by linking: community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and environmental restoration efforts.

Said Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari. “In addition to a number of efforts here in Maryland , our next step is to launch our Maryland Trails Strategic Implementation Plan that will link 800 miles of existing transportation trails in Maryland . The goal is to provide trails without borders, by filling in the missing links regardless of city, county or State lines.”

One of the key missing links to be completed in June is the bicycle trail on the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge that connects Virginia and Maryland . This trail will provide an alternative commuter route and a great recreation option with an incredible view of the Potomac River and our Nation’s Capital.

The League of American Bicyclists cited a number of specific efforts Maryland is making that made them stand out including:
- coordination with other states;
- reach and breadth of education efforts by Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Washington Area Bicyclist Association and One Less Car;
- bike patrol certification;
- creation of a Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access position at MDOT;
- creation of popular Competence and Confidence adult bicycle safety video specific to Maryland ; and
- establishment of a 20-Year Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Master Plan that provides a detailed perspective from the State's vision of becoming the best State for bicycling by 2023 and the 66 action items needed to get there.

Both Maryland and Delaware were given honorable mention awards, with silver awards going to Washington and Wisconsin and bronze awards going to Arizona and Minnesota . Applicants completed a detailed, online form, and scoring was based on a 75-item questionnaire evaluating a state’s commitment to bicycling and covering six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement.
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The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America . The League represents the interests of America 's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates.

To learn more about Maryland ’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative, visit http://www.green.maryland.gov.
To learn more about Maryland ’s 20-Year Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Master Plan, visit http://www.marylandtransportation.com/Planning/index.html.
To learn more about the League’s Bicycle Friendly States program, visit http://www.bicyclefriendlyamerica.org.

Comments

[ANon]

In fantasy land, I would love to see either (a) an MUT from MoCo/silver spring to Baltimore, or a dedicated bike lane going all the way up.

(And a pony.)

[Allen Muchnick]

Regardless of its "honorable mention" or relative ranking among the 50 states, Maryland's traffic laws are among the most anti-cyclist in the nation (including requiring bicyclists to ride within paved shoulders regardless of their width or length) and the Maryland State Highway Administration has refused to build a long-planned continuous path along most of the Inter-County Connector.

If Maryland were truly bicycling friendly, it would have long ago retrofitted a bicycle crossing on the American Legion Bridge.

Gaming LAB's Bicycle Friendly States ranking won't make Maryland any better for bicyclists than it actually is.

[The Human Car]

I've rewritten part of the press release to be covered by the Onion:
***
The League of American Bicyclists cited a number of specific reasons why Maryland got this "close but no cigar" award and why they stand out including:
- Sends their State Bike Coordinator to other states but he keeps coming back;
- Reach and breadth of education efforts by posting stuff no one reads on the interweb;
- Creation of a Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access position to be included in the next revision of the Kama Sutra;
- The most ancient and well preserved Bike Master Plan. "It's amazing how well preserved this document is, it is as if nothing has changed." - W. T. F. Bicycling Archeologist.
***
Serious the award is in recognition in what has happened in years past, we have some amazing stuff on paper, now to get some traction on it.

[Generic Viagra]

Interesting post about Maryland earns Honorable Mention in LAB's Bicycle Friendly State program!!!
Have a nice day!