terrapinsanity.com

Parking permit holders on campus today received a cheerful announcement that next week will kick off a “Share the Road” campaign for bicyclists. (Memo is reproduced below.) The key text to focus on is “During the week of April 5 – 9 the campus police will be stopping drivers and cyclists to provide information about sharing the road.”

Nice to know in advance that the state will be exercising police authority in order to actively distribute advocacy materials. Wonder what other measures are so important for our own good that they warrant being forced on us by armed agents of the state?

Dear Permit Holder,

During the week of April 5 – 9 the campus police will be stopping drivers and cyclists to provide information about sharing the road. This is part of a larger Share the Road Campaign that is a collaboration between DOTS, ERC and Campus Police.

Events include:

BIKE FAIR: information, meet a commuter, bicycle and helmet fittings, prizes and giveaways, test rides, food and more!

BIKE FILMS: Unicyclist Mountain Bikes, Rage on New York Streets, DC Metro Extreme Commuters and more!

BIKE RALLY: Ride in a group to try out existing bicycle facilities and weigh in on upcoming improvements. Get some fresh air, have fun. Ride ends at RJ Bentley’s for a social get together.

For information about prizes, raffles and events during the week of April 5th:

http://www.transportation.umd.edu/share.html

For information about sharing the road:

http://bikeumd.wordpress.com/share-the-road/

To begin a commute journal that will help you think about other ways to get to campus, sign up or login for your personal commute calendar:

http://zimride.umd.edu/