Posts by Jim Titus — Contributor
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The Beltway blocks bike and pedestrian connectivity. Widening it could make the problem worse.
The original construction of the Capital Beltway disrupted the communities and waterways where it was built and created problems for bicycle and pedestrian transportation that have only worsened during the last few decades. Now the State of Maryland is seriously considering a project to widening the Beltway (as well as I-270) and is asking for comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Regrettably, the EIS does not propose to fix those problems; if anything, widening the beltway could make them worse. Keep reading…
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Prince George’s is hiring a bike and pedestrian coordinator
Prince George’s County leads the Washington region in pedestrian deaths, and it’s behind when it comes to trails and streets that are safe and useful for people on foot and bike. To fix the problem, the county will soon hire a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator and develop a bikeway plan. News of the hire comes from Darrell B. Mobley, Director of the County’s… Keep reading…
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Governor Hogan thinks only 10% of Marylanders use transit. Actually, 25% or more do.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says that Maryland should shift its focus away from transit toward building more roads because (he says) less than 10% of people use transit. But the real number is far more. Keep reading…
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EPA will close its best bike room
The US Environmental Protection Agency plans to close its only state-of-the-art employee bike room in Washington this July, as it consolidates office space. About 100 employees are not sure whether they will continue to bike to work. Keep reading…
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MARC’s chief engineer wants to allow bikes on some weekend trains
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seriously looking at how to let passengers bring ordinary bicycles aboard MARC trains. A background briefing by top MARC officials last week left bicycle advocates with the distinct impression that they want to allow bikes on some weekend trains within the next year or so. MTA officials have long said that the combination of high… Keep reading…
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Maryland might allow many mopeds on trails, sidewalks, and highways, even for children
Hoping to encourage the sale and use of small motorized bicycles, Maryland’s House of Delegates passed a bill allowing anyone to drive some mopeds anywhere a bicycle is allowed, including streets, trails and sidewalks. But did lawmakers understand what this bill will mean? If it becomes law, someone could operate even a one-horsepower electric vehicle capable of driving… Keep reading…
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The power of a good Metro announcer
In the grind of a daily commute, announcements on Metro tend to disappear among all of the ambient noise. But when a train operator goes the extra mile, the difference can be shocking. On days when I am running late, I occasionally don’t board my Orange Line train at New Carrollton until 7:20 a.m. When that happens, my ears are greeted by a very unusual train operator. His voice… Keep reading…
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Feds will stop hyping effectiveness of bike helmets
Two federal government agencies will withdraw their longstanding claims that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of a head injury by 85%. The decision comes in response to a petition the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) filed under the federal Data Quality Act. In 1989, a study in Seattle estimated that helmets prevent 85% of head injuries. Later efforts to replicate… Keep reading…
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Prince George’s County struggles to get trails right
Prince George’s County’s parks department plans to triple the amount of paved trails in the next 25 years. But it’s unclear whether the trails will take people where they need to go. “I read the County’s draft Formula 2040 plan for 200 more miles of paved trails,” said a senior official of the Maryland Department of Transportation, whose staff… Keep reading…
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Could less review bring walkable TOD to Prince George’s?
Some Prince George’s County Council members want to make it easier to develop around the county’s transit stations with a pair of bills that would streamline approvals. But communities and smart growth advocates fear the bills would just encourage more of the unwalkable development that has been all too common near the county’s Metro stations in the past. Council… Keep reading…