Hello Terps 4 Bike Lanes community! Happy February!
As always, remember to sign our petition if you haven’t yet, and to share with other people who hope to see bike lanes at UMD. Also, remember to report any crashes or close-calls using the NEW Crash Reporting Form. This form is both for pedestrians and micromobility users!
New Close-Calls/Crash Reporting Form
HUGE thank you to Andrew Bernish for developing our new crash reporting form. You can find it here: uofmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=6a009d7ce55d4d00bded43372c523cf5. If you experience a crash or a close-call on campus, please enter it using this form so that we can understand where crashes and close-calls are happening on campus. Data is key to driving the conversations with university administration about how we can make campus safer for micromobility.
Purple Line Safety Concerns
Several College Park community members have raised concerns over a potentially dangerous bike lane intersection near the Purple Line tracks at the University of Maryland. Specifically, the design of a section of the bike lane at the intersection of University Boulevard and Campus Drive makes it possible for bike wheels to get caught in the track’s grooves, posing a risk of crashes. This issue needs attention to ensure the safety of cyclists in the area.
New Temporary Bike Lane
In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new temporary bike lane on the sidewalk adjacent to Campus Dr. Riding parallel to tracks can be risky because bicycle tires and scooter tires can get caught in the tracks. Please take advantage of this temporary lane if traveling on Campus Dr. until the bike path can be completed. We also wanted to give a warning that the temporary lane is narrow, and rides through a corridor with heavy foot traffic, so please use caution.
SafeStride Program Update
Materials for the SafeStride program have been approved, and shirts for volunteers are now available. Community members are encouraged to keep an eye out for more information later this month regarding how they can participate in this initiative aimed at promoting pedestrian safety.
Important Bills Tracked by T4BL in the Maryland General Assembly (MGA)
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- Bikes on Sidewalks (HB0111/SB077) – Sponsored by Delegate Dana Jones and Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, this bill aims to permit bike riding on sidewalks statewide unless prohibited by local ordinance, with provisions requiring cyclists to yield to pedestrians and users of mobility devices.
- Bicycle Safety Yield at Intersections (HB511/SB826) – Introduced by Del. Elizabeth Embry and Del. Regina Boyce (D43A) and Sen. Will Smith (D20). Bike MD summary: This bill “would allow cyclists to treat a Stop sign as a Yield sign, yielding to pedestrians and to vehicles that have the intersection right of way. Eleven states and the District of Columbia have adopted Stop as Yield as the safest way for bicyclists to traverse intersections. A NHTSA fact sheet explains the rationale.
- Electric Bicycle Rebate and Voucher Program (HB0156) – Sponsored by Delegate Robbyn Lewis, this bill establishes a program to provide vouchers and rebates for the purchase of electric bicycles and related items, prioritizing low-income residents.
- Great Maryland Trails Act (SB0645/HB0530) – Sponsored by Senator Sarah Elfreth and Delegate Regina Boyce, this bill establishes a state office to oversee the creation of a Statewide Trail Plan and promote trail development for transportation and recreation.
- Maryland Transportation Authority Bike and Pedestrian Safety (SB0593/HB135) – Sponsored by Senator Waldstreicher and Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, this bill requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to include bike and pedestrian safety provisions in its projects.
- State Road Trail and Sidewalk Maintenance (SB0514/HB0389) – Sponsored by Senator Washington and Delegate Anne Healy, this bill removes a provision prohibiting the state from maintaining sidewalks and trails along state roads.
- Yielding Right-of-Way (Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Memorial Act) (SB0315/HB0337) – Named after a victim of a cycling accident, this bill provides protections for bike lanes similar to those for crosswalks, sponsored by Senator Ariana B. Kelly and Delegate Sara Love.
- Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2024 / Clean & Affordable Transportation Choices Act (SB681/HB836) – Sponsored by Senators Lam and Delegate Edelson, this bill requires measuring and mitigating climate pollution and vehicle miles traveled resulting from highway expansion projects over $10 million, promoting cleaner and more sustainable transportation options.
Bike Maryland Symposium
Several T4BL members joined Bike Maryland for their annual symposium in Annapolis on Thursday February 15th. You can check out highlights from the event here. You can support BikeMD by becoming a member, or by purchasing from their Merch sale. Funds raised will be used for BikeMD to continue their advocacy efforts at the state houses and enable their support of local bike advocacy organizations.
Other Announcements
Are you interested in joining the Student Government Association? Apply here.
Upcoming Events
February General Body Meeting
Date: Monday, February 26, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Where: Biosciences Research Building 1103
Please join us for our February GBM in BRB 1103.
DOTS Bike to Breakfast
Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Where: Regents Drive Bicycle Commuter Pen
Join the BikeUMD team for breakfast in the Regents Drive Bicycle Commuter Pen on the ground floor of Regents Drive Garage! This is a good opportunity to meet fellow cyclists and talk with the BikeUMD team about the status of bike infrastructure on campus. Bike to Breakfast is the last Thursday of every month and rotates locations.
RecWell Adventure Trip – Mountain Bike Fairland
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Where: Burtonsville, MD
Join RecWell in Burtonsville for this beginner friendly mountain biking adventure! Cost is $40 and there is a mandatory pre-trip meeting on Tuesday 2/27. Register at activeterp.umd.edu.
RecWell Brakes Workshop
Date: Monday, March 4, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Where: RecWell Bike Shop
The RecWell Bike Shop is hosting a Brakes workshop for those interested in learning more about how to maintenance their bikes. The Bike Shop is located in the Cole Student Activities Building #0249. Enter the building through the east side entrance at the top of Union Lane Parking Garage.
Scooter Snacks
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Where: Outside Yahentamitsi Dining Hall
BikeUMD will be tabling outside the Y. You can stop by to answer trivia questions, get advice on riding your scooter safely, win goodie bags, and more!
RecWell Fix a Flat Workshop
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Where: RecWell Bike Shop
The RecWell Bike Shop is hosting a workshop on how to fix a flat tire. The Bike Shop is located in the Cole Student Activities Building #0249. Enter the building through the east side entrance at the top of Union Lane Parking Garage.
March DC Bike Party
This event hasn’t been announced yet, but we wanted to put it on your radar. DC Bike Party typically rides the first Wednesday or Friday of every month (3/1, 3/6, or 3/8?). Although, we have a suspicion that they may instead do a St. Patty’s Day ride. You can follow DC Bike Party on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Formerly Twitter) to keep an eye out for their events!