Bike Maryland Legislative Task Force Meeting

Please join Bike Maryland in a discussion of our state legislative agenda. At the upcoming legislative task force meeting we will discuss pro-bike priorities and set a strategy for action!

Monday, December 19, 2011
6:30 to 8:00 pm
Maryland Department of Transportation Headquarters/Harry Hughes Transportation Building
Richard Trainor Conference Room - 1st Floor
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076

There will be a conference call option.

Please RSVP - click here to RSVP.

The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State's annual budget. The 430th Session begins January 11, 2012. The General Assembly has 47 Senators and 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. Determine who your legislator is HERE.

While the Maryland General Assembly is in session we have a tremendous opportunity to promote state level pro-bike legislation. Bike Maryland seeks active advocates to assist with the promotion of pro-bike legislation during this short and fast paced legislative session. Active advocates can assist by contacting legislators, obtaining support from business, government and community leaders, performing research and increasing grass roots support!

Priorities:

• Dedicated funding for bicycling - requiring a dedicated percentage of funds from a potential Gas Tax increase be used to enhance and increase the number of bicycling lanes and paths (especially to connect existing sections of paths), improve signage relating to bicyclists’ use of the roads and three feet to pass, and to implement plans for cycling infrastructure already included in the State’s Master Plan.
• Strengthen Passing Legislation by requiring motorists to pass cyclists safely, including a combination of:
  a. Slowing Down: perhaps to within 15 mph of the speed of the cyclist
  b. Moving Left: to allow three feet to pass
  c. Crossing a Solid Line: when it is safe to do so (applies to any slow-moving vehicle)
  d. Waiting: until it is safe to pass and allow three feet of clearance
• Distracted driving legislation to make a driver’s use of a hand-held mobile phone a primary offense.
• Other items of interest (research assistance is needed here): determining a fair transportation enhancement match, allowance of bicycles on MARC trains, development of ICC bicycle infrastructure, strengthen enforcement of the Complete Streets statute in road design, and 24 hour trail access for bicyclists for commuting purposes.

Comments

[Greenbelt]

I'll be attending I think. If anyone needs a ride from the Greenbelt area, PM me on the WABA bike forum (same username as here).