The Second Annual Ride of Silence in Olney is the closest Ride of Silence to Howard County. This is the 10th anniversary of the original ride which took place in Dallas, Texas in 2003 as a silent memorial ride to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.

When: Wednesday, 15 May, at 7pm.

Where: Fair Hill Shopping Center, 18169 Towncenter Dr, Olney, MD 20832

The Ride of Silence participants will meet in the Harris Teeter parking lot in downtown Olney (Fair Hill Shopping Center, 18169 Towncenter Dr, Olney, MD 20832 off Rt 108) pick-up a police escort, and head out for a 10 mile ride. Last year there were 109 riders and about the same number are expected again this year. It is extremely important for us cyclists to let our neighbors know we are out there riding and so we ask them to please share the road with us. This ride is a great way to help us get the message out to everyone. So please mark your calendars for this year’s ride. You can also keep up with things on our Facebook page at “Ride of Silence in Olney, MD”. And you can always go to http://www.RideofSilence.org to get more information on the National event.

Your input is needed! The Maryland Department of Transportation invites you to attend a public meeting for the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update.

This meeting will be held: Thursday, March 21, 2013, from: 5:00 – 8:00 PM, at the William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center, on the University of Baltimore campus; 11 West Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore Md 21201.

The goal of the Plan is to support cycling and walking as integral modes of Maryland’s transportation network. This will be the first of three public meetings held to gather input for this Plan. Please visit www.mdot.maryland.gov/bikewalkplan to learn more about the plan update process and to complete the bicycle and pedestrian needs survey.

If you are unable to attend, visit the link above and take the survey online!

This week we’re pleased to announce that Howard County has applied for BFC (Bicycle Friendly Community) status. In 2012, Fran Horan, President of the The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Cycling Club, prepared and submitted a Bicycle Friendly Business Award that resulted in APL receiving a Bronze Award from the League of American Bicyclists. Fran then took on the task of preparing a Bicycle Friendly Community Award application for Howard County as a whole. Fran worked for many months with Howard County Government, BAHC, Columbia Association, and numerous volunteers to compile all the information needed. Thanks to Fran’s persistence and hard work, Howard County’s BFC application went to the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) on February 21st. LAB will announce the results in May 2013. If you see Fran around, please thank him for all his hard work!

Fran has provided a list of individuals that he would like to thank for assisting him in compiling the necessary materials to make this possible. These individuals have sent answers, ideas, pictures, gave permission to use pictures and videos, sent web links to use, met with him to provide and discuss answers, and much more. The list of these kind people and corresponding organizations/businesses can be found just below!

• Howard County Government:

Josh Russin, Deputy Chief of Staff, County Executive’s Office
John Byrd, Director, Recreation and Parks Department
John McKissick, Captain, Police Department
Mark DeLuca, Deputy Director, Department Of Public Works
David Cookson, Planner, Department Of Planning and Zoning
Raul Delerme, Recreation and Parks Department
Roberta Walker, Commuter Assistance Coordinator

• Columbia Association

Jane Dembner, Director, Bureau of Community Building and Sustainability
Sean Harbaugh, Assistant Division Director, Open Space Management

• Bicycling Advocates Of Howard County:

Jack Guarneri, BAHC President
Chris Tsien

• Race Pace Bicycles:

Jon Posner

• Bike Arlington:

Chris Eatough

• MidAtlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE):

Eric Crawford,
Melanie Nystrom
Todd Plunkett
Jim Bole

• Adventures For The Cure (AFC):

Adam Driscoll
Patrick Blair

• MD State Highway Administration:

Dustin Kuzan, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator

• The Morning Ride (TMR):

Tom Inskeep
Ray Lake
Jon Schultz (Baler)

• Glenelg Gang:

Ricardo Gonzalez

• The Columbia Triathlon Association, Inc.

Nate Evans, Baltimore City Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner

16th Annual Bicycle Symposium

Bike Maryland Hosts the 16th Annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium

Attendees have the opportunity to hear from and talk to 15+ experts presenting on topics ranging from Bike Maryland’s Legislative Agenda, Bike-share’s, Bike-Minded Programs, the new Maryland Bikeways Program, and much more! This is also a chance for non-profit, government, and community leaders to learn about key bicycle issues and ways to encourage bike friendly practices and accessibility at schools, in neighborhoods, and in the workplace.

The symposium draws over 300 experts, decision-makers, and enthusiasts, from the Mid-Atlantic region, who share an interest in alternative transportation options, innovative infrastructure, and safe practices on roadways and trails. This event is free and open to the public. 

• Seating is limited – RSVP’s are requested. Click here to RSVP and write your name and company in the subject line.

Date & Time:

•  Wednesday, February 27, 2013

• 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location:

• Miller Senate Building in the President’s Conference Center 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

• Click Here for directions.

General Information:

• 28 Presenters — Click Here for the agenda.
• Current Exhibitors:

Bike Maryland
Americans For Older Driver Safety
Baltimore Bicycle Club
Baltimore Department of Transportation
Baltimore Metropolitan Council
Bicycle Advocates of Howard County
BikeMore (Baltimore)
Capital Bikeshare
Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT)
Chesapeake BaySavers
Chesapeake Wheelman Cycling Club
Clean Currents
Friends of Anne Arundel Trails
Healthy Howard
League of American Bicyclists
Maryland Department of Tourism
Maryland Department of Transportation, Cycle Maryland
Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts – MORE
Potomac Pedalers Touring Club
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy