Maine Ranks High in Bike Friendliness
Pro-bike Legislation and Education Moves This State to #3 Spot
May 14, 2009
During its assessment process, the League of American Bicyclists determines each state's accomplishments in passing pro-bike legislation, encouraging more bike riding for recreation and transportation purposes, increasing motorists' awareness, and educating riders of all ages on safety.
The annual assessment is based on a 75-item survey that ranks states in these broad categories:
- legislation
- policies and programs
- infrastructure
- evaluation
- enforcement
Pro-bike Legislation Gets Nation's Attention: the 3-foot Rule
Maine legislation that requires motorists to give a 3-foot clearance when passing a biker is a model law for the rest of the nation. Passage of this bill helped catapult Maine from the #6 spot to the #3 spot in bike-friendly state rankings for 2009.
To enhance this legislation, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) partners with state agencies in a Share the Road media campaign that underscores the need for both biker and driver to obey traffic rules and accommodate each other. This nonprofit bike enthusiast group has worked hard for years in advocating biking in Maine, including instructing school kids on bicycling safety, traveling in traffic situations, and knowing safe routes from home to school.
BCM's current legislative initiative is the Complete Streets provision that will help make Maine's streets and roads more friendly to walking and biking. When streets are being built or renovated, the planners must also design for bike and foot traffic, not just for the needs of motorized vehicles.
Although pro-bike legislation and bike safety instruction are core to BCM's work, this group also promotes national events such as the National Bike to Work Week and local events such as the Women's Ride for Heart Health in May and the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll in July. Fun, healthy, and educational!
Bike Touring and Commuting: Healthy for Humans and Environment
Biking to work and to do errands as well as for recreation is a good thing! Biking on a consistent basis is an excellent physical activity that helps people lose weight, build lung capacity, and tone muscles. Incorporate biking into a daily practice and reap many rewards.
- experience healthy physical activity for all ages
- use no gas and save money, don't pollute
- see and feel life outside of the car-mentality trap
- learn more about communities and neighborhoods
- take longer routes and view beautiful countryside
- incorporate bike touring into vacations (take own bikes or rent)
- support local economy
Suite101 has lots of resources and first-hand experience on biking, for example bike safety tips and bike commuting tips.
For those new to biking, start small and do not leap immediately into expensive bikes and accessories. Get a durable, well-built bike and helmet. Start with short routes and small hills and build endurance and traffic savvy. Then move onto bigger challenges and more sophisticated equipment.
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