February 2009 Maryland BPAC Meeting Minutes

Running just a little bit behind...

1. A scope of work proposal for conducting a survey of Maryland school policies regarding student travel by bicycling and walking was scheduled to be sent to MDOT within one week.

2. The MBPAC decided to support the following bills

HB 97 Manslaughter by Homicide - which creates a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and $5000 fine, for criminal negligence in the operation of a vehicle that leads to the death of another. [No action was taken on this bill]

SB 428 Three foot passing bicycles - Requires drivers to give at least three feet when passing [Passed the Senate with amendments, failed in the House's Environmental Matters Committee]

SB 98 No Texting While Driving - Passed

HB152 Leaving the Scene of an accident - requiring the police to arrest someone, without warrant, if they suspect them of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a injury or death. [Failed in the Judiciary Committee]

SB 15 - Authorizes Use of Public School Construction Funds for Student Bike/Ped Access - [Failed in the Senate]

SB 370 - Extending Duration of Quiet Car Task Force - allows the task force another year to report on recommendations for he minimum sound level for new vehicles. [Passed]

They voted to oppose the following bill

HB 187 - Mandatory Helmet Law - [No action taken]

[They also support a law calling Hoye Crest the highest point in the state. I find that funny. I've been to Hoye Crest. It's nice and near the smallest church in the Continental United States. But Hoye Crest is the highest point in the state -  - law or no law. It reminds me of the attempt by the Indiana legislature to change the value of pi.]

3. Henson Creek Trail Extension - This project has been in the works for a few years. It would extend the Henson Creek Trail from it's current terminus at Temple Hill Road, outside the Beltway, to the Branch Avenue Metro Station, inside the Beltway. In 2006 and 2007 PG County officials missed the deadline to apply for funding for it. Now it appears the application has been submitted and rejected (by SHA?). The trail would pass under the Beltway in the existing box culverts through which the creek passes - as is done with the Shirlington Underpass. But it appears SHA staff is concerned with the TEP application's lack of a Hydraulics and Hydrology study that they requested. It appears they'll try again.

Michael Jackson, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, MDOT, will set up a meeting between Henson Creek Trail extension stakeholders including M-NCPPC staff and SHA staff to discuss project prior to a resubmittal of the TEP grant application.

Comments

[Froggie]

How about connecting Henson Creek to the Wilson Bridge trail?

[Washcycle]

I think that is a great idea. PG County will probably tell you that they ARE connected, and that you can get to one from the other by Oxon Hill Road. But as I recall, Oxon Hill Road is not that bike friendly. Only experienced and fearless cyclists will use it. They could improve OHR. Or find a route through bike unfriendly National Harbor and Fort Foote. Or - the best option in my opinion - build a path along Carey Branch (the stream that parallels Indian Head Highway and feeds into Henson Creek) from Henson Creek to where it crosses under IHH and then connect it to Port America Grande Boulevard and the Wilson Bridge Trail. Or better yet, do all three.