First, the good news. We remain in the top 10 overall—No. 10 exactly—squeezed between Wisconsin at No. 9 and New Jersey at No. 11. We rank third in the east, still ahead of neighbors Pennsylvania (No. 12) and Virginia (No. 13), although they’re making up ground, but well behind Delaware (No. 3).

Maryland received high marks from the League—whose history dates back to 1880— for our 3-foot safe passing law, dedicated “Bikeways” infrastructure funding, our “complete streets” policy, the Department of Transportation’s “share the road” campaign and the just-updated state bicycle master plan.

Nonprofit Bike Maryland also got a shout out from the League for its active state advocacy.

The not so good news: Maryland’s score actually dipped from 53 out of a potential 100 points to 49 points this year, falling from 7^th overall to 10^th. Massachusetts, Utah and California all leapfrogged over us. Washington state came in first.

In fact, a couple of areas where we’ve scored well in the past—bicycle-friendly legislation and enforcement, for example, and bicycle-friendly education and encouragement—are places where Maryland slipped, according to the League’s state “report card.”

Related to the Maryland’s 3-foot safe passing law, the League noted that efforts failed again this year in the state legislature to amend potentially dangerous exemptions to the law.

The League of American Bicyclists survey also noted Maryland needs to improve its bicycle-related crash reporting, adopt a mode-share goal for biking, better integrate bicycle commuting into all transportation, provide training to engineers and planners on how to implement the “complete streets” policy and improve bicycle network connectivity.

Emily Ranson, Bike Maryland’s advocacy coordinator, said the organization will be pulling together a summer working session with state legislators, Department of Transportation officials, state troopers and other stakeholders to try to find a solution to the 3-foot safe passing law exemptions. For example, allowing drivers to pass cyclists over a double-yellow line when room and sight line permit to maintain the 3-foot buffer.

In terms of big picture bicycle connectivity, the League also highlighted the failure of the state to move forward on a safe bicycle route over the Susquehanna River between Perryville and Havre de Grace that would allow cross state bike trips. Currently, the inability to cross the Susquehanna River by bike is one of the biggest gaps in the 2,900-mile East Coast Greenway, which runs from Maine to Florida. Preliminary proposals being looked at include adding a bicycle lane to the Hatem Bridge or building a pedestrian/bicyclist bridge alongside the bridge—or including a bike/pedestrian bridge alongside the new Amtrak bridge that’s being planned over the Susquehanna in the next 10-15 years.

“The best news from the past year is that Gov. [Larry] Hogan decided to keep the Bikeways funding in place,” Ranson says, adding that the state also formally adopted more modern state road building guidelines that potentially can protect cyclists. Launched in 2011 by then Gov. Martin O’Malley, the Bikeways effort has funded dozens of projects across the state over the past several years, with $15 million available in reimbursable grant funding in 2015 “for projects that enhance walking, biking, pedestrian safety and recreational trail access,” according to Maryland Department of Transportation.

“That grant funding is the fastest way for municipalities to create bike lanes and trails, to put up signage and so it’s important to maintain that funding,” Ranson says. “Many states are making great strides, in terms of enhancing their bicycle infrastructure, making bicycling safer and more convenient for people, and that’s what we want to do, too. Maryland isn’t stagnating,” Ranson adds, “but we need to do more if we are going to stay apace with other states.”

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This Friday—National Bike to Work Day—sponsored locally by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in Baltimore City and the surrounding area at 28 destinations, offering coffee, bagels, and often a little bike schwag to boot from about 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Even better, you get to rub elbows with fellow bicycle commuters before work.

The full listing of Baltimore area “pit stops”—including 16 around the city—can be found here. Registration is free.

City Councilman Nick Mosby can’t bike to work Friday, but is hosting an bike to work rally (8 a.m. start) this Wednesday at Nancy’s cafe at 131 W. North Ave.

On Friday, City Councilman Bill Cole will be biking to work, meeting other riders at Sharp and Henrietta streets in Otterbein/Federal Hill for a cruise over to City Hall where Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will be speaking at 9 a.m.

In League of American Bicyclists’ “bicycle-friendly” cities—meaning those places like Baltimore that have demonstrated a commitment to improving bike infrastructure and encouraging bicycle commuting—bike rider rates have increased by 80 percent. Overall, Portland ranks first in the percentage people bicycling to work at 6.1 percent, followed by Madison (5.1 percent), Minneapolis (4.1 percent), Boise (3.7 percent), Seattle (3.4 percent), San Francisco (3.4 percent), and Washington, D.C. (3.1 percent.) In Baltimore, the percentage of bicycle commuters jumped from .3 percent in the 2000 census to .8 percent in the 2012 census.

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council promotes Bike to Work Day as part of its “Clean Commute” initiative, noting on its website that “emissions from single occupancy vehicles contribute significantly to our region’s dangerous ozone levels.”

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Maryland scored high marks in encouragement and legislation—creating a 3-foot passing law and toughening distracted driving penalties (Jake’s Law) in recent years—as well as education and encouragement. The state also received kudos for new polices that include bicycle education for police and an emphasis on bike safety in its strategic highway plan.

Maryland also received shout-outs for its active state advocacy group, Bike Maryland, as well as its “Complete Streets” policy, “Share the Road” campaign, and commitment to state funding. The state’s report card can be found here.

Washington, Minnesota, and Wisconsin made the podium in the rankings, coming in at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, respectively. Delaware ranked fourth, with nearby Virginia and Pennsylvania at No. 18 and No. 19, respectively.

In a statement, Gov. Martin O’Malley highlighted the passage of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 as key in supporting alternative transportation efforts, including bicycling projects. Maryland will dedicate nearly $210 million over the next six years to programs that support alternative transportation projects, including bike lanes and trails. In 2011, O’Malley launched the Cycle Maryland initiative to promote cycling and increase funding to expand bicycling opportunities.

“To build a modern transportation system that supports the needs of all Marylanders, we have to invest in alternative forms of travel like bicycling,” said O’Malley. “We are honored that the League of American Bicyclists recognizes Maryland as a leader in making bicycling a true transportation alternative. Beyond the health benefits, expanding cycling and walking opportunities are fundamental to our ongoing efforts to foster sustainable land-use, protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better connect our communities.”

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