Pedal Power


	June 1, 2002 Volume 13 No. 2 Issue #49

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QUICK TAKES:

We are still working on getting a Roundabout at Rhode Island and Edgewood Rd. to ease congestion and allow for Safer/Better Bike/Ped Travel.

The Paint Branch Trail is open again. It runs from Cherry Hill Rd, just inside the Beltway, south to the University. It was heavily damaged during the Sept. 24, 2001 tornado that roared through College Park, taking down thousands of trees along the Paint Branch Creek and Trail.

Greenbelt Rd and University Blvd SHA Study Group moving ahead nicely. SHA will reduce the auto travel lanes and install 16' curb lanes and have sidewalks on both sides. The bridge over the CSX/Metro Tracks is still presenting a problem and solutions are still sought. The northern end of the College Park Trolley Trail will have a safer crossing at Greenbelt Rd (Route 430).

Membership was slow in coming in March. If you have not sent in your dues, we need your financial support. Our new web-page is going to raise our expenses, also stamps are going from 34 to 37 cents in July, making it more expensive to send out our newsletter. Our dues of ten dollars has been in place for ten years. We need your help. Thanks.

Councilman Blair Ewing of Montgomery Co. has put together a County Bill that would prohibit virtually any trails in the Montgomery Co. Park System from being built. Let him know what a travesty that would be. Call or email him at 240-777-7966, Councilmember.Ewing@co.mo.md.us.

Randy Mardres is working on his "Between the Creeks" project, looking at areas between Paint Branch Creek on the west and Beaver Indian Creek on the east for Bike/Ped connections.

2012 Olympics still possible for Baltimore/Washington!

METROCHEK TRANSIT CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED by BOARD of TRADE - HOW ABOUT BIKECHEK?

Federal Government employees have benefited from the Metrochek program for several years now, giving them a strong incentive to not commute by car. Riders receive up to $100 per month in metro cards, recently upped from $65. To help reduce traffic congestion, the Greater Washington Board of Trade kicked off a year-long campaign to urge private companies to offer Metrocheks. Out of the close to 700,000 Metro trips made per day, 190,000 Metro riders in the Washington Area use Metrocheks. This system works well because the riders turn-in their Metro Fare Card as proof of rider ship. We in the Bike/Ped Community have been asking for years "How about the Bicycle Riders who don't clog the streets with their autos?" But how do you prove rider ship? Any ideas out there? We have been talking with the U of M and IKEA in College Park about such a "Bikechek Program". REI has a sign-off card for their employees who do drive to work. A supervisor initials their cards each day they are car-less and after about 20 such days they get a $100 REI gift certificate. Let's continue to ask for "Bikechek." Sounds like a Smart growth Idea!

IKEA COMING TO COLLEGE PARK

IKEA is a Furniture Store that sells mostly un-assembled furniture. It is a European store that was founded in 1938 and attracts smart folks who like to save money by doing some of the assembly by themselves. IKEA has started construction behind the Holiday Inn on the Northwest corner of the Beltway Rt.#95 and US#1. They have 45 acres and over $100,000,000 to build a 400,000 square foot showroom and an 1,800 auto parking lot, with $11,000,000 going to improve US#1. We have been meeting with IKEA this the past year and have asked for Bike/Ped Facilities to and on their complex. They have been quite receptive and will install sidewalks from US#1 to their front door, have bike racks, showers facilities, and bus travel to the front door. We are discussing a Paint Branch Trail connection to the rear of their property. US#1 from Sunnyside to the Beltway will have 16' curblanes-striped at 5' Bike Lanes and sidewalks on both sides. They will have 500 employees, maybe some of them will ride their Bikes/Walk/Bus to work and share in a Bikechek Program. We welcome IKEA to College Park!

UNIVERSITY BLVD. STREETSCAPE, NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE TO ADELPHI RD

MD State Highways is doing a "Streetscape Program" with the Langley Park Community on University Blvd., similar to what they are doing with College Park, Berwyn Heights and Greenbelt on Greenbelt Rd. from US#1 to Mandam Drive. CPABC folks served on both of the study groups. SHA put up their priority lists in Langley Park at last month's meeting. It listed: 1. Full 5' Bike Lanes on University Blvd. (both sides) and 8' sidewalks on both sides from New Hampshire Ave. Rt. #650 to the U of M at Adelphi Rd. Locals want and expect to walk and cycle to their parks and the University. They call this section International Blvd because it is the most diverse community in the region. The residents appreciate a community where one can walk/bus/bike to services. It was a pleasure to hear them ask for these services and not worry about lack of parking places. Some day these sentiments might prevail in College Park. We don't know of a car that has purchased anything yet, just customers, and they arrive by all modes of smart transportation.

MARYLAND 500 RIDE CANCELLED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 14 YEARS

We did all the preparation for our 14th Annual Md. 500 Ride on Sunday April 28, 2002 at 9:00 AM at REI. About 90% of the work for a ride is handled before it even starts. We watched the weather report the whole week before April 28. Whenever asked, our policy is "Rain or Shine." But Sunday morning turned up with pelting rains, heavy winds and thunder and lighting. Several of us: Sam Bronstein, Chad Kayser, Randy Mardres, Otis Haywood, and Sue Kelly, were on site at 8 AM to start setting up when some riders started showing up. Tom Willging cycled all the way up from NW Downtown in the steady downpour. But, for the safety of riders, we cancelled the ride for the first time ever. We called Capt. John Brandt from the U of M Bike Police Bike Patrol and others to get the word out. Around 9:00 AM, ten to twelve riders with rain gear decided to ride anyway and set off with Tom Willging and Otis Haywood in the lead for the Anacostia Trail System. Two young ladies, including Paula Burr from PG Co, emailed us about what a wonderful ride they had in the rain.

Riding in the rain is fun, but the lightning turned us around. We got plenty of Bicycling in that week with Larry Black's Peace Ride on May 2, Bike to work Day on May 3, and the Bike Friday Ride on May 4. We were riding with tornado threats on Larry's Ride at the U of M. Glad to say all were safe and had a great time. Hopefully we will not have to cancel again for the next 14 years. Next CPABC group ride is the Fall Ride Oct. 27, 2002.

LARRY BLACK'S PEACE RIDE AND BLOCK PARTY

We almost had a repeat of our MD 500 cancellation for Larry Black's Peace Ride and Block Party on May 2, 2002. It seemed to rain the whole first week in May. As many of you know, Larry's College Park Cycles was heavily damaged during the riots in downtown College Park after the Maryland Basketball Championship. Chad Kayser was beaten-up trying to protect the shop and its contents and just about all the display windows were broken out. Larry and Linda Black, being the positive smart business people they are, decided to put a good spin on their misfortune and have a peace ride and block party. It was short notice, and with tornadoes threatening, about fifty bicyclists lined up for the route laid out by Barry Wells. We did a ten mile parade loop around the University and the Anacostia Trail System. Afterwards all gathered for a block party at Larry's shop on Knox Rd for refreshments, door prizes, and an appearance of the famous U of M Cheerleaders. Steve Brayman, Mayor of College Park and UM President C. D. Mote, spoke appreciatively about Larry & Linda's strong involvement in the community and on their response to this difficult situation. All promised to work together to see that this damage does not happen again. Thanks Linda and Larry Black for being the great folks you are. You're absolutely right, bikers are a hearty bunch.

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you, Sue, Otis, Tom, and everyone else. I smile like a Cheshire cat each time I think about Sunday's ride. Although the ducks looked at us like we were crazy, they would have joined us on our bikes in a New York minute if they had the slightest inkling of just how much fun we were having.:0). I've never biked in the rain and I must say that Sunday's 14.5 mile ride was quite exhilarating. I had a wonderful time and would do it again without hesitation!!! ~PAULA BURR~

WB&A trail to Anne Arundel County seems dead

After a lot of brave talk, it appears that the State won't move to force County Executive Janet Owens to allow the WB&A to cross the river into AA County. I guess Ruby Ridge has won this round. Owens confesses that "family ties" are responsible for her handing the WB&A right of way, BG&E's gift to AA County, over to Anne Arundel County's Ruby Ridge. She also refuses to let a court decide who owns the WB&A probably because it is well known that the AA County lawyers agree that the county owns it.

She has also reneged on her promise to reveal the results of the wasted $65,000 feasibility study of the Ruby Ridge Bypass (RRB) that was suppose to be finished by January 1, 02. The RRB would skirt Ruby Ridge but requires much building over AA County flood plains and private property, that would have to be purchased, to reach the river. Then bridge over into Prince George's County via more flood plain. The RRB would use the Uhler Trail, former Race Track spur, but MNCPPC says "no way".

The Army Corps of Engineers are probably laughing their medals off as they look at the cost of bridging the flood plains. All this even though several years ago Owens signed off on an agreement to pay Ľ the cost of building the WB&A bridge over the Patuxent along the WB&A right of way.

Trails as evacuation routes

I was both startled and elated when Sharonlee Vogel (WMATA) told me that the East Coast Greenway Trail was a major evacuation route and emergency vehicle access for the 9/11 WTC murders in NYC. Also recently I learned that the Mt. Vernon/W&OD was used by tens of thousands fleeing the Pentagon raid. This provides another excellent reason to build trails and hopefully might supply additional funding.

Chesapeake Beach Rail Road Trail started

The energetic people of Seat Pleasant are clearing the overgrown, liquor-bottled CBRR right of way from M.L. King Highway to a nearby shopping center. MNCPPC is also funding the acquisition of a section taken over by a junkyard. Esau Williams, Director of Economic Development (301-336-2600), is leading this effort with great local support, including a nearby church. Call Esau if you have more funding ideas. If the WB&A trail had him, it would be all the way to Annapolis by now.

METRO considering directional signs to nearby trails

The WMATA Board of Directors is considering signs indicating trails near METRO stations. This is a great idea, but not fully endorsed by the board. In fact, there was a book written several years ago about how to ride METRO to trails and it featured a ride to the College Park Station, a bike ride on the trail, a visit to the College Park Air Museum and lunch next door at 94th AERO Squadron. That is the way to spend a nice day. The Washington Post featured it in their Sunday edition. Anybody know of the book, authored by a lady in DC? Where can you get a copy?

BIKE FRIDAY RIDE

What is a Bike Friday???
Since May was Bicycle Month, a Bike Friday Ride was held. It started at the White House, went through Georgetown and up the Crescent Trail to Bethesda and back. Now, what is a Bike Friday? Bike Friday is a folding small wheeled (20") bike that is packed in its own hard case, ready for airline travel. It is called a Bike Friday after your man "Friday" in Robinson Crusoe, always there when you need him. Bill and Sue Kelly each have Bike Fridays and have taken them to Europe and Hawaii. They are the only folding Bikes that come with their own designed carrying case. We have where bicyclists have tried soft packs and other packing methods, only to find their prized bike bent and unusable. About 15 Bike Fridays gathered for the ride on a beautiful day. There will be a Bike Friday Club starting soon in the DC area.

OVER 2,500 RODE IN ON BIKE TO WORK DAY THIS YEAR!

This year 's Bike to Work Day was the biggest and best ever. Washington's Council of Governments (COG), WABA, all the area's bike groups and the Counties Public Works Departments put out a strong effort (along with funding) to make this Bike to Work Day a great success. Pre-registration was needed this year to secure a free Tee-Shirt. Over 2,500 registered before May 3 and rode in from 16 locations around DC. Many in College Park met at REI at 6:30 AM and then cycled the four miles to College Park City Hall for a pit-stop with great refreshments and door-prizes. Teresa Meunier and Prince George's County Public Works and did an outstanding job. Fred Shaffer at MNCPPC and Jill DeMauro from REI put the College Park Route to DC together. After leaving College Park with Capt. John Brandt and the Police Bike Patrol escort, we all rode eleven more miles to downtown DC. Once again it was beautiful weather and we joined the thousands at Freedom Plaza with Mayor Tony Williams and many Congressmen. COG Figures that over 10,000 Bicyclists ride their Bikes into DC everyday with only the Crescent Trail from Bethesda and some trails from Arlington available. The number would grow ten-fold if we had safe AASHTO Bikeways. Maybe someday!

Trolley Line Trail in College Park Nearly Complete!

The Trolley Line Trail in College Park is almost finished. It is built upon an old 1903 streetcar-trolley 20 mile line that used to run from downtown DC to Laurel, MD. The service was curtailed to Berwyn in the 1940's, and then to College Park in the 1950's. After a twenty year effort by Bike/Ped Folks in College Park, funding was found and approved by the City of College Park to build a two mile section from downtown College Park to Greenbelt Rd. Two bridges were constructed across Paint Branch Creek allowing for a direct connection across Paint Branch Parkway to downtown College Park. This trail is very nicely designed (but only 8' wide); off-road through the Berwyn section of College Park and linking the four-mile long , half-mile wide City. We are hoping to dedicate the trail this Summer. Maybe Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend can join us.

BIKES RACKS ON METRO BUSSES IN METRO DC

WMATA-METRO is going to install 1,400 Bike Racks on the front bumpers of all their Maryland/Virginia/ DC Buses. WABA/CPABC has worked for several years to convince WMATA that adding a Bike Rack to bus front bumpers would increase rider ship. Half the bus lines across the country have already installed racks and have been very pleased with the results. Montgomery Co. Ride-On Buses installed them several years ago under the guidance of Gail Tait -Nouri and Public Works and they have worked out great. Sharonlee Vogel of WMATA and Ellen Jones of WABA started the ball rolling with a regional study, with assists from other Bike Groups. The study found that the racks worked quite well, had an outstanding safety record, and were well received. The project will cost $1.6 million and will take several years to complete. VA and DC came up with their portion quite readily but MD needed persuading. CPABC, Richard Reis and many others started a letter-writing campaign to MDOT so the project could move ahead.

Each rack will cost about $1000 and holds 2 bikes at a time. They fold up when not in use and do not hinder driving or safety. In all the years of use a bike has not fallen out. Honolulu, which carries about 20,000 bikes a month on its 300 buses, has found that the only problem is that people sometimes forget and leave their bikes on the rack when getting off, needing to be reminded by the driver to retrieve their bike. This is a giant step forward and we applaud METRO-WMATA and the Transportation Departments in DC/MD/ DC.

CITY OF BOWIE DID AN OUTSTANDING BIKE/PED MASTER PLAN

The City of Bowie is working out an outstanding Bike/Ped Master plan under the able leadership of Frank Stevens, the senior Bowie planner. Frank has worked with/on the Prince George's Co BTAG group for the last four years. There are very few Bike/Ped Master plans in Maryland. The City of Rockville and Gaithersburg have them as does Montgomery-Park & Planning, but few others. The State of Maryland is working on a master plan that should be ready this Fall. You can not plan for Bike/Ped Travel if you do not have a plan to follow. Most regions that have good bike/ped facilities started with a Plan and that turned into well conceived and funded Bike/Ped facilities. Bowie has a full 38 page guide which lists existing facilities, needs, recommendations, and funding costs/sources. They have a full size color-code map. Green -On-Road, Brown-Off-Road and Blue for Water Trails with present trails and future routes. Call Frank Stevens at 301/809/3053 (or fstevens@cityofbowie.org) for further info and let him and the City Council know what a good job they did.

FRIENDS OF RT. 29 (FORT29) - KEEPING THE ROAD OPEN TO BICYCLISTS! Shoulder Access Pilot Project in Danger! The following is the text of a letter to Ms. Jennifer Vick, the Howard County Times reporter who wrote the May 2 article regarding bicycle access to the shoulders of Rt. 29. =====================================================================

Dear Ms. Vick:
I am writing in response to your article, "Bike Traffic on Rt. 29 Dangerous, Police Say", that appeared in the May 2 issue of the Howard County Times. Specifically, I am writing to point out that for long-distance touring and commuting cyclists, the shoulders of controlled access highways (CAH) such at Rt. 29 are among the most direct and safest routes available. As pointed out in your article, cycling on the shoulders of CAHs is legal in many states. In our own part of the country, New Jersey has had a policy of CAH bicycle access since the early 1980s. Indeed, only a few CAH shoulders in New Jersey are closed to cyclists. Adult cyclists may even apply for a permit that allows them to ride on the shoulders of most interstate highways! So where are the dead bodies of cyclists killed on CAH shoulders in these states? The answer is that there are none. Indeed, several studies show that CAH shoulders are among the safest bicycle facilities available. Why is this true? It is true because on CAH shoulders there is almost no conflict between motorized and bicycle traffic. Conflict arises only at interchanges where a cyclist must yield to motorized traffic before crossing a ramp. In its education program, the League of American Bicyclists has long taught proper, safe ramp crossing procedures. Although CAH shoulders have in the past been closed to Maryland cyclists, many other less desirable routes are and will continue to be open. For example, cyclists are permitted to ride in the traffic lane - taking the full lane when necessary - on any roadway with speed limits of 50mph or less. US Rt. 1 is a good example of such a shoulder-less road where cyclists frequently must occupy a full travel lane. And let us not forget the typical two-lane, shoulder-less suburban or country road where motorists and cyclists struggle to coexist peacefully. Have motorists been inconvenienced by bicyclists riding on the shoulders of Rt. 29? Has the number of cyclist/motorist collisions increased? The purpose of SHA's pilot program is precisely to provide answers to these questions. If the experience of New Jersey and other states is any guide, we can expect that CAH shoulders in Maryland will be found to be just as safe for long-distance commuting and touring cyclists as they have elsewhere.

Sincerely, Robert A. McCutcheon League of American Bicyclists, Instructor No. 760

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