Pedal Power


	March 1, 2002 Volume 13 No. 1 Issue #48

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GOOD NEWS ON POWDER MILL ROAD!
For the past year CPABC has been attending SHA Meetings regarding streetscape improvements on Powder Mill Rd in Beltsville from US#1 westward to Route #95. There will be 16' bike lanes and 5' sidewalks on both sides when this road is rebuilt in the next year. The roadway will stay at two lanes and the State Designation Route #213 will be transferred over to Ammendale Road when Ammendale is expanded to four lanes. The folks who live along Powder Mill Rd are quite fortunate that their road will not be widened but will remain as a low-speed neighborhood collector roadway with bikeable / walkable conditions.

MARCH IS CPABC'S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL MONTH
Once again we ask you to continue your membership and support of your CPABC. We prefer January over March because there are other renewals the first of the year. As we finish our 14th year of successful advocacy we need to keep working on our Bike/Ped Transportation System. Our successes have been many and each motivates us on to the next. We are seeing MDOT/SHA take Bike/Ped Travel more seriously but our work will never be finished. The powers-that-be seem to respond when we ask the pertinent question of "Where is the bicycle in this project?" Renew your membership to show the transportation folks that you want more bike/ped improvements in our communities. We need to thank our long-serving ‘staff,’ people like Linda Stemmy /Membership-Chair, Larry Bleau/Treasurer, Randy Mardres and Morris Warren / professional guidance and Larry Black for his business sense and guidance over the years and the rest of the center core of advisors that have been with us since our founding in 1988. Our membership is over 125 and our renewals have been outstanding over the years, your support shows us that we are doing the job that you want us to do. So once again we ask you to fill out the enclosed application, put it in the enclosed envelope with your check and any extra donation you might want to include. Our membership dues only cover about 1/3 of our operations. The rest comes from donations and our bike rack sales. Just about all our operating costs go to printing and mailing out this newsletter. We share some of our small revenue with other groups and clubs with trouble getting funds. Send your returns to Linda Stemmy in Annapolis while you are thinking about it. Hope to see you at our next general membership meeting on Monday March 4 at REI at 7:30 PM, or maybe at our Maryland 500 Ride on Sunday April 28 at 9:00 AM. Thanks again!

ISTEA UP FOR RE-AUTHORIZATION
ISTEA, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act first enacted in 1991 by Congress, authorizes federal transportation funds’ use for non-automotive transportation. In ‘91 it was $17.1 million and by 2000 it had risen to $296 million. This year Congress will discuss reauthorizing these important funds from TEA-3. For more info; http://tea3.org/ or http://bicycling.about.com/msubistea.htm?once=true& As we all know budgets are getting tight and we will have to encourage our elected officials to keep these funds coming. LAB (League of American Bicyclists) is having a National Bicycle Summit in DC March 6 to 8 with congress and Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta to work on a national transportation system that includes bicycling. Contact LAB at 202/822-1333 for info on the National Bike Summit.

What is happening to the Maryland Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee??
That is the most asked question we get! The last meeting of the MBPAC was September 21, 2001 (close to 6 months ago!). The original committee of 13 was expanded to 21 around Christmas to allow for more diversity. No other info has been forthcoming as to when another meeting will take place. MBPAC was asked to attend the Annapolis Symposium so folks could get to know them but that didn't happen. We will let you know of the MBPAC agenda when we receive info. Rest assured that your CPABC is on the scene and fully on top of what is happening bike/ped-wise in Maryland.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ANNAPOLIS BIKE/PED SYMPOSIUM!
We are happy to relate that the Fifth Annual Bike/Ped Symposium in Annapolis on Wednesday February 6, 2002 was a great success. There were over 40 displays/presenters from across the State in St. John's Hallway in the House of Delegates-Lowe Office building with 400 to 500 visitors. All were pleased with the many organizations, clubs and groups on hand to discuss issues, share ideas and work on future bike/ped plans. Many visited their Delegates to express needs and let them know that the "Bike/Ped Element" was alive and well in Maryland. Groups from Maryland, Virginia and DC are working together to form a Bike/Ped Transportation System across the region that will be running when our auto roadways no longer work. There was talk of the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Washington / Baltimore need for a world class transportation system to be ready by then. We need to thank Jim Hudnall President/OHBTC, Pete Olsen /OLC, Ellen Jones / WABA and Randy and Suzanne Mardres / CPABC for their great work in putting together this Fifth Symposium. Next one is Wednesday February 5, 2003.

CPABC, Local Groups Meet with Director of PG County Dept of Public Works and Transportation
Betty Hager-Francis is the Director of Prince George's Co DPW&T and we met with her on November 29, 2001, along with other citizens, to discuss bike/ped issues in Prince George's Co. Twenty-five met for 2 hours to let our transportation planners know that citizens want bike/ped facilities on all road improvements and want to have the smart option to travel in their communities without their cars. Ms Francis was very receptive about our concerns and stated she and DPW&T are working to include bike/ped on all projects and agreed that the bicycle was a valuable asset to transportation in the County. At that meeting she introduced a chief advisor, Cicero Salles, who was to be assigned as her bike/ped contact. This will provide a direct link to DPW&T operations.

Cicero Salles can be contacted at: csalles@co.pg.md.us or 301/883-5600

Maryland Bike/Ped Master Plan Still in the Works...
The Maryland Bike/Ped Master Plan is entering its second year and should be completed this Fall. Michael Flood from Fitzgerald & Halliday Consultants and Jennifer Toole from SCI Consultants have been tackling the project. We haven’t heard from them since before Christmas but are told they will be having more public meetings this Spring. We had hoped to learn more about it at our Annapolis Symposium but info was not available.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CONNECTION CORRIDOR UPDATE
CPABC held 6 meetings last year, bringing over 50 people together to discuss ways of getting people to the U of M without their cars and reduce some of the auto traffic on US#1. We had representatives from the university, the city, the state, county, BARC and various elected officials. We did not have all the players at the same meeting at the same time, but all agreed that a non-automotive corridor (rail-bus-bike/ped) is needed from the beltway to the university. SHA is undertaking a study to see if there is merit/feasibility to work further on this much needed connection.

University Blvd (Route# 193) Still Under Study
With the opening this Fall of the U of M’s 17,000 seating COMCAST Basketball Arena, situated alongside University Blvd, it was decided by the Stadium Authority that University Blvd needed to be enlarged to allow for arena traffic. At present there are 8' shoulders along this corridor, this has worked for over 40 years as a bike/ped east-west corridor. Initially SHA just wanted to take over the shoulders with no space for bike/ped travel. They agreed that this was a not a wise move and will install bike lanes. There is a restricted portion where Rte 193 crosses over Paint Branch Creek (East-side travel), but this area needs to be enlarged to allow safe bike/ped travel under US1 East to Greenbelt. We are currently working with Michael Jackson from MDOT, Harvey Miller from SHA and John Christman from District 3 for a suitable solution.

US ROUTE 1 FOCUS GROUP MEETING UPDATE
The US Route 1 focus group finally had its 1st meeting in 6 months this past January. The study team, which includes the Rte 1 Focus Group, SHA Engineers and traffic consultants, have concluded that US#1 from Sunnyside Ave south to the South gate of the U of M should be 4 lanes with 16' curb lanes and center raised medium with turn lanes. The SHA Administrator, Parker Williams, has not signed-off on the recommendation. So we still don't know what the final construction plan will look like!

Color Coded Maps Still in the Works
We are still pursuing "Kelly Color Coded Route Maps." Most agree that a color coded map for cyclists would be great. We suggest that on-road routes be colored green (for go!), off-road be brown/Earth colors and red designates where bikes can't go. Appreciate any thoughts on the matter.

Mr. Chih Chiag Chow's March 8, 2000 Bicycle Death Remains Unsolved
Mr. Chih Chiag Chow was killed on his adult tricycle while crossing US#1 on the evening of March 8, 2000. We are marking the second anniversary of Mr. Chow's accident because the two motorists who ran him over just north of Sunnyside Ave and Baltimore Blvd/US#1 have never been apprehended. We regularly check with the State Police on their progress on the still-open case, but there has been no progress. If anyone has info please call the State Police Barrack "Q" College Park at 301/345-3101.

2012 OLYMPICS STILL POSSIBLE FOR WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE
As we write this update for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Mayors Martin O'Malley and Anthony Williams are in Salt Lake City at the 2002 Winter Olympics, learning the ins and outs of hosting a world Olympic. Washington/Baltimore is one of the 4 finalists, along with New York, San Francisco and Houston. The final US city will be selected this Fall and matched against other World Host Cities. The Host City will be chosen in 2005 to allow 7 years’ preparation for the hundreds of thousands of guests expected.

The Wash/Balt contender has good stats to obtain the olympic bid. To host events, the area has 46 colleges/universities, 164 stadium/arenas, 100,000 hotel rooms (Atlanta only had 64,000), 3 major international airports, and 400 miles of existing passenger transit rail which, along with connector buses, can carry spectators and athletes around. We at CPABC are most interested in seeing our transit and bike/ped elements enhanced because we would be the beneficiary long after the 2012 Summer Olympics. The University of Maryland at College Park would be an Olympic Village and there would be a Bicycle Velodrome built between College Park and Baltimore. It all sounds good to us! Will keep you posted of the progress.

Paint Branch Trail Still Closed in College Park , Covered with Tree Root/Stumps
The second most asked question in the bike/ped circle, after what is happening with the MBPAC- Committee, is "When is MNCPC Going to open the Paint Branch Trail in College Park?" Somewhere between 1000 to 1500 trees were blown over and uprooted in the September tornado that did many millions of dollars of damage from College Park to Laurel. MNCPC has contracted a lumber company to truck away the usable lumber but the problem remains of what to do to remove the upturned roots. Some of these root balls measure 15' to 20' in diameter and pose quite a removal problem. They need to keep the trail closed from the Paint Branch Golf Course about 2 miles to Cherry Hill Rd just inside the Beltway because of the trucks and heavy machinery. This was the prettiest part of the trail with beautiful mature shade trees along the creek and it will be years before the trail comes back to its previous beauty. Hopefully this major commuter route to the University will be re-opened this Spring.

College Park Trolley LineTrail Nearing Completion.
The College Park Trolley Line which has been under construction is moving along very nicely. This part of the $1.7 Million Dollar Construction runs between Paint Branch Parkway north 1.5 miles to Greenbelt Rd. The paving is in place 8'(We asked for 10') from Greenbelt Rd. south to Lakeland at intersection of the Paint Branch Trail at Pierce St. The remaining work is building the 150' -10' wide bridge over Paint Branch Creek and rebuilding the Old Historic Trolley Bridge over the original Pt. Branch Creek bed. The trail ends at the crossing of the busy four land Paint Branch Parkway and we hope to get a middle AASHTO Refuse Island to aid in safely crossing into Old Town College Park. We are hoping that we can ask Lt. Governor Kathleen Townsend Kennedy to help dedicate the trail this Summer.

IRISH TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
In a recent history of the "Irish and How they Got That Way" it was disclosed that, in the middle 1800's when the Irish were immigrating to the USA in large numbers, they were told the streets in America were paved with gold. Boy were they surprised when they got here. Not only were the streets not paved with gold, the streets were not paved at all and the Irish were needed to build the roads, canals and railroads. Your Chairman, Bill Kelly, takes serious note of this revelation because both his parents came from Ireland in 1925 and he feels he has a national heritage responsibility to continue this wonderful tradition of building not so much roadways but bicycle ways for all to use and enjoy!

BUSES AUGMENT TRANSPORTATION IN MARYLAND
Two new bus services were started last Fall in College Park and from the Greenbelt Metro to BWI Airport. "The Bus" is a commuter connector service run by Prince George's Co DWT&T from the College Park Metro Station (East side) through Berwyn to North College Park. It is Route #17, runs from 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM, Mon. to Fri., costs $.75 and $.35 for seniors- 55yrs, with children under 5 free. This is a 6 month trial run which needs to be supported by ridership to continue. Try to support and ride this valuable service and we might reduce some of our auto traffic in our communities. The Bus does not go to the Greenbelt METRO yet, which it should and also Attic Towers and Beltway Plaza. We are in contact with DPW&T to connect to this destinations. Call "THE BUS" at 301/324-BUSS for further input and info.

The other new service Metro instituted is the B-30 Connector Bus Line from Greenbelt Metro to BWI Airport. It runs daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, costs $2.00, runs every 40 minutes and takes 30 minutes each way. We took it last Friday during rush hour and it took a little longer but returned on Wednesday and it was a twenty minute return trip. You can park at the Metro Lot in the Multi-Day Parking and only pay $2.00 only for the last day if you leave between 2:00 & 10.00 PM. We are working on getting a bumper bicycle rack on the B-30 so you can cycle to BWI, catch the Light Rail and go right into downtown Baltimore. Let METRO and MTA know you appreciate their help in allowing us to travel without our autos. Call 202/637-7000 for further info.

Route #29 in Montgomery County Needs a Commuter Bikeway
Route #29 from Burtonsville south to Silver Spring is going to be turned into a Limited Access Highway by SHA at the cost over $160 million dollars in the next few years. The Bike/Ped Communities and Montgomery Co. have asked that a "Commuter Bikeway" be built on the east side of this busy roadway that would accommodate Bike/Ped Traffic from Burtonsville to White Oaks - FDA Center, to Four Corners, to Silver Spring, the new Silver Spring Transit Center and onto the Metropolitan Trail and the Crescent Trail. This corridor is in need of a major Bike/Ped Commuter Bikeway with grade-separated-intersections (an under- or overpass). Bill Kelly and Morris Warren met with Sec. of Trans. John Porcari on January 24, 2002 on this important issue but have not received a positive answer from Mr. Porcari. Mr. Porcari feels the grade-separated intersections would be unsafe. A good example of a grade-separated intersection is where the Paint Branch Trail goes under University Blvd.

Let’s All Bike to Work May 3rd - BIKE TO WORK DAY 2002
On Friday, May 3rd, join hundred of bike commuters for a celebration of clean transportation! Celebrations will be taking place at eleven different pit stops around the region, with the main celebration occurring at Freedom Plaza in downtown DC. Each pit stop will offer breakfast, entertainment, dynamic speakers and chances to win bicycles and other prizes. For more info check waba.org.

"Between the Creeks"
Randy Mardres is putting together a concept of developing a "Pilot Priority Project Zone" which he calls "Between the Creeks" The creeks being the Paint Branch on the west and Indian Creek on the east. These two creeks are in two different counties and converge just above the University of Maryland. Randy wants to make this both an On-Road and Off-Road transportation network that would lead to the Metro Stations and the larger work centers in both Montgomery and Prince George's Cos. Stay tuned for more info to follow.

WB&A Trail Extension into Anne Arundel Co. Still On Hold.
At the completion of the WB&A Trail in Prince George's Co., Morris Warren and many others turned their attention on getting the WB&A Trail portion moving ahead across the Patuxent River(Bride) into Anne Arundel Co. into our State Capital in Annapolis. Several meetings have been held with County Executive Janet Owens/Staff to get the trail moving on the existing right-away but Ms Owens is reluctant to commit to building the trail at this time.

Maryland 500 Ride Sunday April 28, 2002 at 9:00 AM Starting at REI
Our 14th Annual Maryland 500 Tour/Ride is Sunday April 28, 2002 leaving REI at 9:00AM, Mark your calendar and plan to attend. This is always a great ride, well attended , a great first-time-group ride and fun for all the family. Hope you can make it.

Edgewood Road and Rhode Island Ave. Traffic Study Meeting March 2, 2002
The City of College Park and PG County are jointly working on a traffic study of this busy intersection. The study is evaluating installing a roundabout, traffic signal or no changes. There is also a proposal to relocate Edgewood Rd. where it enters US#1. The meeting will be at Davis Hall at 9:00 AM for the community to join together and hear what is planned.

Come out and join your neighbors!

Ikea Furniture Store Is Coming to the Northwest Corner of US#1 &Beltway
The IKEA Furniture Store is building a $100 Million Dollar, 400,000 square feet store behind the Holiday Inn just north of the Beltway. This is one of the largest single-store complexes to be built in Prince George's Co. CPABC has been meeting with IKEA regularly to convey to them that they are moving into a walkable/livable community and, as such, sidewalks and bicycle facilities are expected. IKEA will be spending $10 Million Dollars to improve US#1 from Sunnyside Ave. to Cherry Hill Rd, adding a third auto lane and a 16' curb-lane marked for bicycles and sidewalks on both sides. They will be one of the first stores built on US#1 that will have sidewalks from US#1 into their entrance. Bus Service will also drop you off at their front door. IKEA has been receptive and want to work with the community and be a good neighbor.

CPABC’S TEN MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2001

Dan Burden’s Workshop "Walkable/Livable Communities at U of M Jan. 13, 2001. Over 100 MD bike/ped folks, elected officials and transportation planners worked together.
Bicycles on METRO hours expanded to all times except 7:00 to 10:00 AM & 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Bikes on METRO increase! Worked with WABA on this vital issue.
CPABC/OHTBC/WABA put on the 4th successful Bike/ped Symposium in Annapolis, February 7, 2001.
After many years of CPABC efforts, we saw the beginning of construction of 1.5 mile College Park Trolley Line From Greenbelt Rd South to Paint Branch Parkway. Should be dedicated this Spring.
CPABC Organized and encouraged attendance and testimony at the June 27, 2001 SHA Hearing on US#1. 172 Attended this 5 hour hearing with strong local support for bike lanes on us #1 with a raised medium for pedestrian safety.
CPABC Members sat on the Transportation Sub- Committee of the U of M Master Plan Committee to ask for bike/ped considerations.
Worked with SHA & the U of M to have the shoulders on University Blvd / #193 retained and marked for bike/ped travel.
CPABC hosted 6 connector meetings to work on a connector or route from the beltway to the U of M to reduce traffic on US 1.
Worked with SHA on the US#1 corridor to install sidewalks/wide shared-use lane in front of BARC, the Burger King, Ewing Rd, Edgewood Rd and US#1.
CPABC once again worked-on, chaired, or served on over 75 bike/ped committee groups/meetings, attended over 125 meetings in 2001, maintained CPABC Membership to over 125 Members, produced 4 "Pedal Power" Newsletters (which now total 480), led 2 Awareness Rides/Tours, and is still the leading bike/ped advocacy group in Maryland!

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**Pedal Power is published four times a year by the College Park Area Bicycle Coalition (CPABC). All inquiries and submissions welcome. Feel free to use any and all info for your newsletter.