Five years ago, Montgomery County created a committee to deal specifically with pedestrian safety. Since the goal of halving the number of pedestrian deaths wasn't met (and, in fact, the number of deaths have gone up) they're looking to extend the group's charter for 5 more years. But wait, there's more:
Today’s council resolution also includes a provision to add a committee member into the mix to exclusively represent the growing bicycle community.
Doing so would mark the first time someone was assigned to a county board or committee to specifically represent the interests of cyclers.
The bicycling advocate would fill one of the nine community member slots.
“We always felt that there was enough work to tackle just on pedestrian issues (without taking biking issues into account),” he said. “We hope that with the inclusion of a bicycle advocate, we will get additional resources committed to these efforts.”
Cyclers? Oh well. I think it's a good idea since bikes straddle that Blade-like boundary between vehicles and pedestrians (behaving at times like either one). At many times our problems are the same as pedestrians'.
Addendum: From the OLC Newsletter:
Montgomery County Council member Duchy Trachtenberg is working to create a position for a cycling advocate on the County's 17 member Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee. This is a step forward as no Montgomery County Board, Commission or Committee has ever had a specific seat for a representative of the bicycle advocacy community. Councilwoman Trachtenberg said that "Bicycling is an important mode of transportation as well as recreation for Montgomery County residents and will become ever more central to the County's efforts to meet the challenges of urban growth, public health and global warming," The council will vote on whether to include a cyclist representative on the PSAC at their June 19th meeting. Those interested in voicing support should contact their County Council representative or Council President Marilyn Praisner at councilmember.
now here's where it'd be good to provide a link to said council members. I admit, I don't know mine or how to contact that person!
Posted by: help! | July 12, 2007 at 12:46 PM