A new Maryland law went into effect Oct. 1 that will hopefully offer a little breathing room for local cyclists who brave the roads around College Park. The law requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing, so long as the cyclist is riding to the right hand side of the road. While this law is a step in the right direction, it certainly leaves plenty of room for debate. For instance, how do you determine what three feet of space looks like when traveling at 30-plus mph? Unfortunately, I am aware of very few drivers or cyclists who carry a yard stick during their …

College Park is fortunate to have a tremendous system of off-road pathways for bicyclists.  Unfortunately, design flaws and maintenance issues deter greater levels of ridership and prevent the system from reaching its full potential.  One of the more obvious blemishes is the Paint Branch Trail's awkward intersection with Route 1.   Notorious for its high volume of traffic and dangerous intersections, Route 1 is a major barrier and nightmare for bicyclists.  Long waits at traffic lights and up to seven lanes of heavy traffic discourage bicyclists from riding on or crossing this street.   Since…