Breakfast links: Fight for your rights in the states

Vienna sides with pedestrians

Despite resident complaints of losing privacy if a sidewalk were built on Courthouse Road, the Vienna town council voted to build the sidewalks.  (Sun Gazette, David C)  (Tip: David C)

3 feet today in VA

Today, the Virginia Senate Transportation Committee will consider a 3-foot passing rule for cyclists and adding “careless driving” as a misdemeanor for injuring or killing people that’s not as bad as “reckless driving.” Local committee members are Patsy Ticer (D-30, south Arlington, Alexandria) and Chap Petersen (D-34, Vienna and Fairfax City area). (Virginia Bicycling Federation)

Maryland’s bills

There are 3 bicycle-related bills in the Maryland legislature: a 3-foot passing rule (by Takoma Park’s Jamie Raskin), one about reckless driving, and one to ensure peds and bikes get a fair share of transportation spending. (TheWashCycle)

What Metro needs

Peter Benjamin says Metro needs a “Clark Kent” for GM, who can handle many different difficult responsibilities from politics to safety to management. … Dr. Gridlock’s readers suggest people stop blaming management for every little problem. (Post) … One of those blamers seems to be Senator Mikulski. (WTOP)

How to fight the state DOT

Urbanophile writes a how-to guide on fighting a state DOT (or county DOT). The first and most important step? Organize politically. (Bossi)  (Tip: Bossi)

Design the next Golden Triangle bike rack

The Golden Triangle BID is running a contest for a new bike rack design. Last year’s contest created the “BIKE HERE” rack at the Dupont Circle south entrance. (WBJ)

Not so sure on Wheaton Costco

The Montgomery County Council is skeptical about the proposed $4 billion

million Wheaton Costco subsidy despite heavy lobbying by the executive. (Examiner)

Who’d win in a fight, Montgomery or Fairfax?

Montgomery County commissioned a study comparing themselves to Fairfax. They found Fairfax’s job creation is better, but they have to drive a lot more because Montgomery’s transit is better. (WTOP)