More about the Bikeway

From the Columbia Flier/HC Times, December 13, 2017

Check out the sixth and seventh graphs:

"Several community members and local advocates spoke out about the need for greater funding for the county’s proposed Bikeway and other bike lanes. Chris Tsien, chief legal and financial officer for Bicycling Advocates of Howard County, testified at the hearing, saying the county’s bike lanes were woefully underfunded in comparison to surrounding counties.

"In fiscal 2018, Montgomery County spent more than $23 million on bike path funding, and Anne Arundel spent in excess of $6 million, while Howard spent just $600,000 on funding for new bike projects. The County Council unanimously passed the Bike Howard master plan in April 2016 to provide bicyclists and pedestrians with a safer network of pathways that navigate commercial and residential areas."

See the whole article at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-ho-cf-budget-public-hearing-1214-story.html

The Bikeway Got Your Help, Thanks!

But continuing support is necessary to make it really happen.

 

From Jack Guarneri, President of Bicycling Advocates of Howard County:

On December 17, we had over 60 supporters of cycling show up at  County Executive Kittleman's initial budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2019. Although there were other large groups from Howard Community College, Howard County General Hospital, and the HC Library (asking for much more County funding) they were made up primarily of employees. Our Bikeway attendees were a largely volunteer group made up of diverse representatives of cycling clubs, transportation, community groups, schools and many individual cyclists who were there solely to create improved bicycling accessibility and safety in Howard County.

Our goal was to demonstrate that there was wide-based, dedicated support for bicycle facility upgrades in the County and for the Horizon Foundation/Bike HoCo Bikeway proposal. We did that! Our speakers, Chris Tsien, VP of Bike HoCo, Alex Obriecht, owner of Race Pace Bicycles, Bill Harrison of Lee and Associates Commercial Realtors, and two very enthusiastic students from Howard High School (who biked to the hearing just like they bike to school and part-time jobs) made the case for more significant County funding for the Bikeway/Bike Howard -- and additional support was provided through testimony from the Savage Community Association, Wilde Lake Village Board, and Inner Arbor Trust, who, although testifying for other issues, indicated the need for bicycle and pedestrian improvements in their areas.

I want to thank all who attended the hearing and to those of you that submitted Bikeway support cards (or online at: https://hcbikeway.org/take-action/) or e-mailed your support to the County Executive directly at: akittleman@howardcountymd.

If you haven't submitted a Bikeway support form or e-mailed the County Executive on your support for better funding for bicycle facilities please consider doing so now. We only have a couple of months before the budget is solidified.
Note: HC spends about $2 per citizen annually for bicycle projects while Anne Arundel and Montgomery are spending approximately $20-25. We can and should do better.

9th Annual Bike HoCo/All-Club Ride

Time again to join Howard County cyclists on BAHC's 9th Annual Bike HoCo (All-Club) Ride. Enjoy a GREAT Fall ride and social.

DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 7, 2017

  • Check-in/Registration -- 8:30 - 10am
  • Staggered Start: Metric (63 mile) at 9am, 45 mile at 9:30 am, and 34/26 mile at 10 am
  • Beer and soft drinks will be available post-ride from 11:30 am – 3 pm

LOCATION: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

  • Start/Check-in/: APL Softball Field Parking Lot
  • GPS/Google Maps location: Across from 7150 Sanner Road, Clarksville, MD

DONATION: Use our Donate button at: https://bikehoco.org/take-action/ or send via Paypal to webmaster@bikehoco.org

  • Bike HoCo is a §501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization.
  • We request a minimum donation of $5 per rider to help fund our efforts as advocates for Howard County bicycling. You also donate cash when you check-in/sign waiver.
  • This is Bike HoCo only 2017 fundraiser, so please consider donating even if you don’t ride.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • 63/45/34/26 mile routes. Cue sheets and GPS data files are linked below and we will have paper copies at check-in.
  • Sign in starts at @ 8:30 am -- ALL riders must sign waiver
  • Staggered start:
  • 63 mile Metric Century @ 9am
  • 45 mile @ 9:30am
  • 34/26 mile routes @ 10am

 

  • Princeton Sports will again provide SAG support.
  • Rest stop @ Glenwood Community Center (Rt 97 & Carrs Mill Rd. Otherwise, routes go by various convenience stores
  • Post-ride social adjacent to APL softball field in the parking area.
  • Bike HoCo will also provide beer/soft drinks or you can BYO beer or wine (and some to share - especially if it is a good micro brew).
  • Wear Club or Group jerseys if you have one.