Major Bike Rack Clean-up at Graduate Hills and Graduate Gardens

Now graduate students have more room to park their bikes. Collaborations on improving bike conditions on campus lead to a major clean-up of the racks. Police say that there were bikes from 20 years ago on the racks. Now entire racks are free of bikes! These two housing complexes are ideal locations from which to bike onto campus and many students enjoy the flexibility of not having to wait for a bus, especially on nice days. Unfortunately the racks were so full that it was a real deterrent.Word is that the bikes have been donated to the Engaged University Cycle Recycle program http://www.engagedu.umd.edu/programs

615 New Bike Registrations

University of Maryland has 615 new bike registrations this year! This is a 220% increase over last year! Hopefully this means that there are more people looking to ditch their cars on campus. I keep a bike in my office and people keep looking at me like I am crazy but maybe one of them will try it soon. I get too and from meetings a lot faster than by car. Especially since parking is at such a premium.

615 new registrations blows my conservative goal out of the water. I want to encourage people to keep registering. These numbers will help us to make credible requests for new racks and other services that help bikers.

I am going to put out a new survey. The question is, would you join a Bicycle Commuter Club? What I mean is would you like an area with showers and maybe some coffee to be put in near the bike shop?

Shortcut to campus from University Park…no Route 1 at all!

Special thanks to a UMD commuter. I have info on a backwoods shortcut to UMD for bikers and walkers.

The path starts on Calverton Drive which is off of Wells parkway and ends in the church parking lot by the business school. Enjoy!

Keep sending in the tips! Let's make commuting without a car safe and easy!

Clean Air Commute to Campus

Bicycling in to class or work makes for a Clear Air Commute. LA has a good flyer on the practice: http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/documents/CCACleanAirCommute090720_000.pdf
It would be nice if we had fantastic bike lines all the way in down route 1. That would make coming into campus so much easier for so many people. We recently met with Delegate Jolene Ivey from the 47th district about imporving bicycling conditions. Hopefully we will be able to make some changes in the coming year!

Biking in the rain part II

Slow down! - your breaking distance is going to multiply. Keep a safe distance and slow down!
Skip puddles! - you never know what is at the bottom of a puddle. It is collecting water for a reason. It might be harmless or it might be glass or a pothole. Avoid them!

Shine! - in the rain, more than ever, you need to shine. Use your lights, wear your reflective gear and be extra-visible.

The big clear umbrella will help. But slap some cool reflective stickers on it like this Glow Kitty. Lots of options are out there, Google reflective bike stickers and make a statement!

Biking in the Rain part I

I have been there, I have done that! Biking in the rain, or snow for that matter, isn't as bad as it seems. One must have accessory is the clear umbrella. Totes has one available at Target right now. It's cheap too! Roll up your cuffs and you will stay dry the whole trip. Try it! You'll see. www.target.com search for Totes Elements Clear Bubble Umbrella

Discussion about biking infrastructure in Prince Georges County

On Wednesday, October 14th, Del. Jolene Ivey (District 47) will be at the University of Maryland to discuss biking infrastructure in Prince George's County, as well as her proposed changes to the Rt. 1 Master Plan to make biking safer and easier. We will also be talking about options (and the feasibility) of setting up a county-wide bike sharing program, starting with College Park.

The meeting will be held in the SGA office, which is located in the Student Involvement Suite at the Stamp Student Union

Back Street Route to University Park

(Road – few busy streets) East on Campus Drive

Right on Regents Drive at M traffic circle,

Left on Armory Drive, connect to Rossborough Lane

Cross US Route 1 / Baltimore Avenue, continue on Rossborough Lane (east)

Right on Rhode Island Avenue / College Park Trolley Trail (south),

Right on Amherst Road, [climb hill]

Cross US Route 1 / Baltimore Avenue, bear left onto Md 500 / Queens Chapel Road in University Park

Commuting from University Park

University Park is a popular housing location for UMD faculty and staff. Many of those staff members commute onto campus by bicycle. The transition from UP, up route 1 and into campus offers some distinct challenges. Is there anyone with tips for a safe commute or suggestions to offer for advocacy projects to make this connection easier?