The MBAC welcomes our new Secretary of Transportation, John D. Porcari. Mr. Porcari is a long time bicyclist and bicycling advocate. He was appointed by Governor Glendening effective January 1, 1999. In his capacity as Secretary, Mr. Porcari oversees the operation of MDOT, its five modal administrations, and the MD Transportation Authority with 9,800 employees and a $2 billion annual budget. 

The MBAC meets quarterly with Mr. Porcari to discuss issues of importance to bicyclists throughout the state. Parker Williams, Administrator of SHA, Sylvia Ramsey, Environmental Programs, and Neil Pedersen, Director of the Office of Planning & Preliminary Engineering, who are all bicyclists, also participate.

Results of the January meeting included: 

• SHA will pilot a design policy change for turning lanes on Rt. 28 in Montgomery County. Currently turning lanes are designed 14 foot wide to allow bicycle travel along the right of the turning lane and through an intersection. SHA will pilot a designated ‘lane’ along the outside left side of the turning lane for bicyclists to travel straight through the intersection. This will allow for bicyclists to pass through the intersection and avoid a potential conflict with a vehicle turning right. 
• Mr. Williams and Mr. Pedersen will be involved in decisions that increase a roadway speed above 50 miles/hour or remove a shoulder that will cause the severance of bicycle travel. Bicycles are allowed to ride on roadways with speeds not in excess of 50 miles per hour, and on the shoulders of roadways with speed limits above 50 miles/hour if the roadways are not designated as limited access. If the shoulder is removed from a roadway segment and the speed is greater than 50 miles/hour, or the speed is raised on a roadway that has missing shoulder segments, bicycle travel is no longer allowed. This recently occurred on Rt. 32 north of I70, and other locations. 

 

January quarterly meeting (from front left) Neil Pedersen, Sylvia Ramsey,  Parker Williams, Harvey Muller, (from back left) Bob Moore, Therese Quaranta, Bill Kelly, Randy Mardres, and Mike Levengood.

The MBAC and it’s subcommittees have defined their focuses and goals for 1999.

MD Bicycle Advisory Committee
The MBAC’s is focusing on creating a positive working relationship with SHA/DOT to facilitate the creation of policy that will improve the bicycle friendliness of our state, and promoting the creation of regional bicycle transportation networks. Their goals include meeting quarterly with the Secretary of Transportation and SHA/DOT officials to present bicyclists interests, and helping regional organizations to form, grow, and become effective.

Safety/Education Subcommittee
The Safety/Education Subcommittee is focusing on expanding school programs to include bicycling educational programs, and increasing the awareness of the general public that bicycles belong on the road. Their goals include establishing periodic safety/education leadership meetings in Annapolis, and working with the Department of Education and the Department of Health to define the best way to educate children on safe bicycling.

Transportation Subcommittee
The Transportation Subcommittee is focusing on promoting bicycling as a mode of transportation through the removal of obstacles. Their goals include developing a report form for bicycle hazard and barriers for the state and a means for processing them, and learning more about the law and its interpretation as it relates to bicycle access on our roadways.

Legislation Subcommittee
The Legislation Subcommittee is focusing on designing legislation that will increase bicycle use as a mode of transportation and increase safety for all forms of bicycle use. Their goals include development of recommended legislation for 2000 legislation, working with SHA/DOT to refine, and seeking legislative support.

Trails Subcommittee
The Trails Subcommittee is focusing on understanding the types of trails, facilities, and access that recreational bicyclists want. Their goals include meeting bicyclists at trails meetings and soliciting their input.

Communications Subcommittee
The focus of the Communications Subcommittee is to develop communications tools for the MBAC. Their goals include creating a design for the letterhead and the periodic newsletter. Newsletters will be published at least four times this year. Other channels of communications such as the internet and newspaper will be looked at and utilized as appropriate.