From the Baltimore Sun:
I would like to thank the Baltimore Sun for its coverage of International Walk to School Month, as celebrated at Stoneleigh Elementary School and elsewhere throughout Maryland.
In many neighborhoods, it is impractical or unsafe for children to get to school unless they ride the bus or get dropped off by their parents. Joppa View Elementary School in Perry Hall, where our son attends, is a perfect example. Built in 1990, the school is isolated from many surrounding neighborhoods by Honeygo Boulevard. Children who live 50 feet away cannot walk to school.
Reconstructing places like Honeygo Boulevard would be expensive, but in this era of limited local resources, there are relatively low-cost ways Baltimore County could improve pedestrian safety.
The county could better scrutinize proposed developments so they connect to existing neighborhoods. The county could also tap into underutilized federal resources, such as the Safe Routes to School program, which provides grants to local jurisdictions. The county could consider creating a version of the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which recommends ways to better connect neighborhoods and improve pedestrian safety. Walking and bicycling are not just good physical fitness. These types of activities can also reduce automobile use and lower congestion. Baltimore County should work to make its neighborhoods accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists.
David Marks, Perry Hall
The writer is a former chief of staff at the Maryland Department of Transportation and a former member of the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bal-walkingletter1019b,0,2026320.story
From the Baltimore Sun:
The benefits of students being able to walk to school with their parents or their friends are undeniable. As Joe Burris wrote in his Oct. 15 article, "Trying to get kids to walk to school," the practice makes for healthier kids and healthier communities. Programs like International Walk to School Month, where Maryland is the top participant among Mid-Atlantic states, are helping change behaviors.
But we also need greater attention toward building communities where people can live, work and play in the same proximity. In fiscal year 2008, 40 percent of school construction was outside of existing population centers, the so-called Priority Funding Areas. Typically, few youngsters would be able to reasonably walk to those schools.
Officials and school boards need to design and build new schools as integral parts of designated community growth areas and to reinvest in existing schools in our existing neighborhoods. That's smart growth. Giving families better options to make that walk would save public dollars, the environment -- and a few pounds to boot.
Richard Eberhart Hall, Baltimore
The writer is secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bal-walkingletter1019,0,4077477.story
“Secretary LaHood pledged to work with Congress to ensure that the issue of distracted driving is appropriately addressed. He also announced a number of immediate actions the Department is taking to combat distracted driving, including the Department’s plan to create three separate rulemakings that would consider:
Please read the full summary at: <http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot15609.htm> and The League’s Distracted Driving Summit <http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2009/09/distracted-driving-summit/> blog.
There is plenty of work ahead of us at the state and local level. We will continue to keep you updated as we move forward.
Chanda Causer
Grants Manager & Training Coordinator
Alliance for Biking & Walking
A brief highlight of the Leagues page:
"Noah Budnick of Transportation Alternatives in New York City offers a complete analysis in the Executive Order report, which recommends 20 measures covering enforcement, adjudication, transparency, investigation and prosecution all aimed at changing driver behavior to improve safety."
Bike Pittsburgh has compiled the following data for 60 of the major US cities. So I'll highlight Baltimore's ranking:
If you want to compare the past few years, you can find the data here:
"Look, we built the interstate system. That's done. Now we're trying other things so you don't have to get in a car every time you want to go somewhere."
The interview is at: http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/gettingaround/articles/living_in_a_post_car_world.html
Greg Cantori, President of the Board of Directors of Bike Maryland, and Marc talk about the challenges and dangers of biking through the streets of B-More. Nate Evans, bike and pedestrian planner for the city of Baltimore, shares what's next for making Baltimore more biker friendly.
http://www.steinershow.org/radio/the-marc-steiner-show/october-1-2009-hour-2
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All traffic fatalities:
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Speeding traffic fatalities:
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Pedestrian traffic fatalities:
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Bicycling traffic fatalities:
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16 and under traffic fatalities:
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Source: http://www.saferoadmaps.org/maps/index.htm#fragment-5
The City of Annapolis in partnership with the Annapolis Bicycle Racing Team (ABRT) invites you to join us at the…
BE BRIGHT, BE SEEN Safety Rally
City Dock, Market House
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
REGISTER AT: www.annapolis.gov/BikeAnnapolis
*An additional 20 light sets will be distributed at random to all remaining registrants at the event at 6:00pm.
Register in advance until October 28th at: www.annapolis.gov/BikeAnnapolis
On-site registration available but pre-registration is encouraged!
For further information, contact Iain Banks at ibanks@annapolis.gov
MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SAFE WHEN RIDING AT NIGHT, USE LIGHTS AND REFLECTIVE CLOTHING.
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