This is an unofficial page of MPBAC. For the official MPBAC page, please go to www.mdot.state.md.us/Planning/Bicycle/MBPAC.html

Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MPBAC)

Maryland Flag
  • promotes bicycling and walking as a fully accepted form of transportation
  • encourages bicycling and walking for recreation, physical fitness, and health
  • facilitates bicycle and pedestrian safety and education
  • advocates for bicycle and pedestrian facilities
  • provides guidance to state agencies on bicycle and pedestrian issues
  • networks with state agencies and bike/ped organizations

Making Maryland the Best for Bicycling and Walking
 
Annual Reports
Bicycling Links
Bicycling Events
Bike/Ped Directory
Legislative Charter
Meetings and Minutes
Membership
Pro Actions Newsletters
Symposium

Other Sites of Interest
  • MDOT MBPAC Page
  • MD Archives MBPAC Page
  • SHA Bicycle Pages
  • MD Dept of Transportation
  • MD Bike Ped Plan
  • md-cycling list server
  • National Center for Bicycling and Walking
  • National Transportation Enhancements Clearing House
  • Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities
  • BicyclingInfo.org
  • WalkingInfo.org
  • Bicycling Life
  • One Less Car
  • Perils for Pedestrians
  • Walk DC
  • Traffic Calming
  • Streets Alive
  • Living Streets


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    One Less Car - Maryland Campaign for Bicycling and Walking

    Presents the 11th Annual
    Maryland Bicycle Symposium
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
    President's Conference Center, West
    Miller Senate Office Building
    Annapolis, Maryland
    8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.


    Representatives from organizations and government agencies involved in bicycle and pedestrian issues will have exhibits and presentations throughout the day.  Come share information with bike and pedestrian planners, advocates, and legislators on making Maryland a better place for cyclists and pedestrians.

    Symposium Schedule:

    • 7:30 am    Exhibitor Setup
    • 8:30 am    Registration
       
    • 9:00 am   John Porcari, Maryland Secretary of Transportation
    • 9:30 am   Stephanie Yanovitz, Acting Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, SHA
    • 10:00 am  Update on State Bicycle Master Plan, Michael Jackson Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, MDOT
    • 10:30 am  Visit your legislators office
       
    • 11:00 am  Panel Discussion  - Bicycle Performance Measures
      (Bob Patten, Toole Design, Dave Whittaker, Maryland Dept. of Planning & Barry Childress, Baltimore Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee)
       
    • Noon        2008 One Less Car Excellence in Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Awards Ceremony and Pizza Lunch (Del. Jon Cardin will present)
       
    • 1:00 pm    Update on Baltimore City Bicycle Master Plan, Jessica Keller-Watson, BDOT
    • 1:30 pm    "Ciclovia in Bogota" video and presentation, Greg Cantori, The Knott Foundation
    • 2:00 pm    A Short History of the Bicycle in Maryland, Randy Mardres, Montgomery County Bicycle Action Group
    • 2:30 pm   Talk to your legislators

    2008 Maryland Legislation for Bicycling

    Two bicycle bills are being considered in the Maryland General Assembly in the 2008 session. SB 492 will change the law that prohibits bicycles from all toll facilities. This legislation is important because the state is planning to rebuild the Governor Nice Bridge on MD 301 across the Potomac River. A bike lane across the new bridge is not even being considered because of the present prohibition against bicycles and pedestrians. HB 143 will require that vehicles give bicyclists at least 3 feet of clearance when passing and yield to bicyclists in bike lane.

    Legislation in 2007

    See http://mlis.state.md.us/2007rs/subjects/bicycles.htm

    Legislation in 2006

     

    See http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/subjects/bicycles.htm

    2005 Maryland Legislation Affecting Bicycling

    SB-551 (Exceptions to Requirement to Stay Right)
    passed the Senate 47-0 and passed the House 128-3.

     

    Senate Bill 551 expands the conditions under which a person operating a bicycle is not required to ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable to include:
    (1) when avoiding pedestrians or road hazards;
    (2) where the right lane is a right turn only lane; or
    (3) when operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side. 
    The bill also states that all exceptions to this rule only apply when a person is riding a bicycle below the speed of traffic at that time and place. SB-551 brings Maryland law in line with similar language adopted by other states and the Uniform Vehicle Code.

     

    Planning the Future - A Statewide 20-Year Plan

    The Bicycle and Pedestrian Access 2001 Bill requires a 20-year statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Plan. The plan will help guide future transportation projects in Maryland. The development of the Master Plan is a collaborative effort involving state and local planning officials and private citizen groups from the around the state. MDOT has started the process and has information on the status of the project and provides copies of project documents at the Web site http://fhiplan.com/md_bike_ped_plan/.
    from April 2000
    Bicycle and Pedestrian Access 2001 Bill passes House 127-6 and Senate 45-2
    This bill establishes the Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access, requires the Director to develop a 20 year Statewide Bicycle-Pedestrian Master Plan to provide models to counties in enhancing bicycling and walking and help them fund them, ensures best and most modern engineering practices be used by the state, and expands the focus of the state Bicycle Advisory Committee to include pedestrians.  

    [Read the full bill]  
     

    go to MBPAC homepage
     Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

    url: http://ohbike.org/mbpac/index.htm
    This Web page is maintained and hosted by the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, Inc.
    For additional information, email info@ohbike.org
    Monday February 04, 2008