During 2023, 14 pedestrians and cyclist lost their lives on the streets of Montgomery County.
During the first 10 months of this year, more than 400 people were struck while walking, biking or rolling, according to Councilmember Evan Glass, who chairs the council’s Transportation and Environment Committee.
“We have a serious problem on our roads in Montgomery County,” Glass said. “We need to slow people down. We need better enforcement to make sure everybody is safe.”
On Tuesday, councilmembers issued a proclamation in honor of National Pedestrian Safety Month.
On hand was Dan Langenkamp and his two sons. Two years ago, their wife and mother, Sarah Langenkamp, was killed while riding her bike home from her sons’ school. She was in a bicycle lane when the driver of a Volvo D3 flatbed truck turned right into a parking lot at 5244 River Road and struck Langenkamp.
“She was killed in a bike lane that was supposed to be safe,” Langenkamp, said a few days after the Aug. 25, 2022 collision. “I am not calling this an accident. It was a crash, and crashes rob their families of so much more than the individual.”
During the Tuesday council meeting, Langenkamp said, “We are in a real battle to change people’s minds about convenience in this country.” He added, “I think we can all agree riding your bike should not become a life-or-death situation.”
Council Vice President Kate Stewart noted, “Behind each number is a family,” she said of the fatal pedestrian and bicyclists’ statistics. “Pedestrian safety does impact all of us, but in particular, it does impact some communities more,” she said pointing to communities of color and people with disabilities.
“We need to make sure people are not losing their lives when they are walking,” added Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe. She urged drivers to be especially careful during Halloween and when Daylight Saving Time begins Nov. 3.
Thank you to @MoCoCouncilMD for recognizing National Pedestrian Safety Month! 🚶
Today's proclamation acknowledged the many partners in government and the community working every day to make our streets safer for walking, rolling, and biking. pic.twitter.com/FWZhHuVz6o— Mont Co Vision Zero (@VisionZeroMC) October 22, 2024
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