Weekend links: Change in Maryland

New Bethesda entrance

Yesterday WMATA released more information about a planned second entrance to the Bethesda Metro at Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street. (TBD calls Bethesda WMATA’s “third-most used station,” but Bethesda is actually the third-busiest station in Montgomery County.)

WABA offers bike valet for dueling rallies

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are planning big rallies  on the Mall on October 30. WABA posted a message encouraging them to include bike valet at the rally.  (Facebook, Huffington Post)

Maryland cycling laws changing October 1

Numerous changes to laws that affect cyclists passed by the 2010 Maryland General Assembly go into effect next week. (WABA)  (Tip: Erik W.)

Energy for kayaking

A power plant along the Potomac in northern Montgomery County diverts river water for cooling and outputs it back into the river. The 900-foot outflow sluice has become a whitewater kayaking hotspot, a rare synergy between energy production and outdoor recreation. (Post, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)

Please forgive my distraction

The American Highway Users Alliance prefers roads that “forgive” distracted drivers over tougher enforcement measures.  Unfortunately, “forgiving roads” has often meant wider lanes, wider roads, and fewer street trees, all of which make speeding easier. (Streetsblog, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)

Freight rail concerns stall High Speed Rail

States are struggling to forge agreements with freight rail companies who say mixing high-speed passenger service with slow freight trains will increase safety risks and create barriers to future expansion of both freight and passenger service.  They may have a point. (WSJ, charlie)  (Tip: charlie)

Parking ticket and a little yoga

Cambridge, Massachusetts has revamped their parking tickets to be a little less serious, including yoga poses and relaxation tips.  Some residents are amused, others not so much. (GOOD)  (Tip: Erik W.)

Sleeping in a bubble

Though sleeping pods appeared at Japanese airports decades ago, one Spanish company is marketing larger sleeping “bubbles” to American airports. (Fast Company via Planetizen, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)

Scaffolding beautification

New York City has entered the final phase of a competition to design artful shrouds for scaffolds at the city’s ever-present construction sites. (WSJ Metropolis, William W.)  (Tip: William W.)