TheWashCycle

Rules change could make bike commuting in suburban Maryland parks legal and lower trail speed limit

The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has drafted a revision to the Park Rules and Regulations that govern parks in Montgomery and Prince George's County. Since so many multi-use trails in suburban Maryland pass through N-NCPPC parks there are obviously parts of the new rules that are relevant to cyclist. There will be a planning board hearing on the draft rules tomorrow (and also that review of the Bicycle Plan Framework) at which the public is invited to testify and the public may provide comments via email at  [email protected], or by mail to:

M-NCPPC
c/o Rules and Regulations Review Committee
6611 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 200
Riverdale, MD 20737

The public input period will end at 5 p.m. on August 1, 2016.  Public input will be considered before the Commission enacts new rules and regulations.

There are several rule changes that are relevant to cyclists and bike commuters.

• Instead of prohibiting all public use of Commission or Park Property from sunset to sunrise unless that facility is officially open for public use, the new rule would make it possible to specifically allow bike commuting. "An Administrative Directive may provide alternate hours of operation for a Park Property or Facility, including alternate hours deemed appropriate for any trail or trail segments that facilitate bicycle and pedestrian commuting..."
• The current rules permit cycling "only on roads or trails designated for that purpose" but the new rules permit it "on roads on Park Property, including Parkways...[and] on official paved and natural surface trails on Park Property...Unless otherwise posted." Which means parks have to opt out instead of opt in.
• The default speed limit on all trails drops from 25 mph to 20 mph.
• Under current rules, parking is prohibited on or obstructing the entrance to, any trail. The proposed rules prohibit it "on or within twenty (20) feet of any bicycle path"
• Horseback riders now "must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists."

These are mostly small changes, to rules that probably aren't often enforced, but hopefully this will mean the end of restrictions of bike commuting via trails at night. I once got a written warning for commuting home in the winter. And surely there are some foot-droppers out there like Crikey who have been foregoing night commuting because of the sunset rule.

The full bicycle section of the current and proposed rules are below the fold for your comparison fun.

Bike Maryland is downsizing

From a letter sent out last night.

Throughout the years, Bike Maryland has been an active voice for bicyclists in Maryland, passionately advocating for safer bicycling through better infrastructure, legislation, education and enforcement. With your generous support, we believe we have helped to make a difference. However, revenue has not kept up with the costs of doing our mission, and with great disappointment, we have recently laid off our dedicated and talented paid staff.

The Board of Directors is working to maintain Bike Maryland as an all-volunteer organization supporting state wide advocacy and bicycle safety education where grant funding is available. To support the administrative costs of these efforts, planning for Larry's Ride will continue, and we intend to ensure the seventh year of this key bicycling event is the most successful one ever.  We hope you plan to attend or volunteer for this fun fall ride.

We are appreciative of the support we have received from our members, sponsors, donors, and event participants. With your continued support, Bike Maryland will be an effective voice for cyclists in our great state. We look forward to reaching out and engaging our cycling community in this important endeavor.

It's surprising to me that a state like Maryland can't support a professional bicycle advocacy organization. Cyclists who ride in Maryland will be worse off for this turn of events. 

"Move over, slow down" bill passes in the Maryland House

From Bike Maryland

In Maryland's General Assembly, an amended House Bill 214 passed the House 113-24 and now moves on to the Senate. The first Senate hearing on the bill was last Thursday. On the Senate side, SB 1123 is sponsored by Senators Klausmeier, Raskin, and Lee. A huge thanks to everyone who called or emailed their delegates. Learn more about the amendments here. In summary, if drivers cannot give three feet they will have to slow down, similar to California's three foot law and our "Move Over; slow down" law for passing emergency vehicles on the side of the road.

Maryland announces workshops for 2016 bike/ped grant funding. $14 million available.

The Maryland Department Transportation announced this week that $14 million in reimbursable grant funding will be available in 2016 for projects that enhance walking, biking, and recreational trail access statewide.

In March, two workshops will take place to provide local governments and non-profit organizations the opportunity to gather information on state-funded Bikeways, Transportation Alternatives, and Recreational Trails programs.

Additionally, MDOT staff will provide information about applying for designation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area at the workshops.  Throughout the year, MDOT staff will meet with representatives from local jurisdictions across the State to discuss in detail bicycle and pedestrian plans and potential projects.  

This is an annual process, and several area projects got funding last year, though last year there was $14.9 million available. Not sure if the drop is because of the new federal "highway" bill or if it's a state decision.

Bills in 2016 Maryland session could make cycling safer and easier

Lifted from WABA

HB 214: Three foot passing law amendment—Currently, Maryland has a law requiring motorists to pass bicycles with at least three feet. However, under the “narrow lane” exception to this law, drivers do not have to pass with three feet where the lane is less than 14 feet wide. Most of the lanes in Maryland on which a person would want to ride a bicycle are narrower than 14 feet, making the protections of the law close to meaningless.  This bill would remove the narrow lane exception from the three foot law, so that vehicles have to give three feet when passing on all roads. Of the 28 states that have three foot passing laws, Maryland is the only one with this self-defeating exception.

HB 426: Repealing the mandatory use of bicycle infrastructure—Maryland law currently requires a person on a bicycle to use a bike lane if one is available, instead of riding in traffic lanes. This may have been a reasonable law ten years ago, but it does not make sense today, given the wide variety of skill and comfort level of people who bike, and the new types of protected infrastructure being built.  For example A 30 mph paceline should be on the roadway, not the protected bike lanes that are often used by slower moving commuters.  Protected bicycling infrastructure is a wonderful amenity that encourages folks to ride who might not feel safe doing so otherwise, but it is not for everyone. Marylanders should have a right to use their own best judgement in choosing the routes that are most appropriate for their style of riding.

SB 302/HB 864: Punitive Damages for Aggressive Drunk Driving— This bill creates a cause of action for the victim of drunk driving or her family to sue for punitive damages, something current case law precludes. Over the past five years, there were approximately 325,000 violations of driving under the influence of alcohol, 59 of which were vehicular homicide while under the influence. Victims and their families deserve the right to seek compensation for the harm they suffer when drivers make the decision to drive drunk.