Biking roundup

1. I was not able to attend any of the Bicycling Summit last week (because I was sick). Washcycle has a nice entry here, "National Bike Summit Summary," plus there is a great deal of coverage on the Bike Portland blog, including "Summit starts with lessons from Copenhagen" and a general roundup. (A fuller story is coming.)

I regret missing the presentation on Copenhagen. An easily digestible summary was provided by Adam Voiland on the Examiner website.

2. Maryland is considering legislation requiring drivers to provide a 3 foot buffer when passing bicyclists. See "Buffer zone a good idea for cyclists, even the irksome ones " from the Baltimore Sun.

3. Mark Counselman of Maryland's Neighborhood Design Center alerts us to a press conference on onstreet bicycle parking being installed in Charles Village in Baltimore:

Please join us to celebrate... bicycle parking!... the city's first installation of on-street bike parking, where one car spot will be transformed into 10 bicycle spots! It's been discussed on this list, and in Charles Village we're making it happen, kudos to Nate Evans our talented and enthusiastic bike-ped coordinator for taking the lead. To celebrate, you are invited to:

Join Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Department of Transportation for the ribbon cutting!

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Charles Village @ Eddie’s Market
3117 St. Paul Street

This isn't 'just' about bike racks;- it's about make Baltimore a little cleaner, greener and more sustainable- it's about supporting neighborhood businesses- it's about tangible progress, however small, toward the bold plans laid out by so many on this list- it's about building on Charles Village's recognition as one of America's 10 best neighborhoods- it's about our DOT, Parking Authority, merchants and civic association all working together... and on Friday it will be about celebrating this accomplishment!

For everyone who would like to see more bike parking on more of Baltimore Main Streets and commercial districts, come out Friday to show your support, talk to your local merchants and community groups who have to buy into the idea, and bring them along on Friday. Spring is just around the corner, and it's a great time to go out and shop locally, by bike. Hope to see you Friday in Charles Village.

4. And the City Paper protests a bit much ("Bike Helmets and Europe") to my criticism of their cover story "What's Your Excuse? " about not wearing bike helmets. Note that my criticism wasn't about the story--that it's not just dumb, it's incredibly risky to not wear a helmet--but that the story could have been a lot better, by going beyond the "it's dumb and stupid to not wear a helmet" trope.

5. Relatedly, Indyweek, the alternative weekly in the Raleigh-Durham area, ran a set of stories on bicycling, including the cover story, during the period of high gasoline prices last summer.

6. This Saturday is Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Benefit and Auction, at the German Embassy in Georgetown.