At the urging of BikeAAA, Anne Arundel County launched its first Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission (AACBAC) in late 2015. The Commission consists of representatives of the City of Annapolis, Maryland SHA, a variety of County Departments ( including Transportation, Public Works, Rec & Parks, Police, Planning & Zoning) and citizens that span the geography of the county. The primary mission is to create an interconnected network of bikeways (both on and off-road) in order to advance biking (and walking) for transportation and recreation. Since its launch more than 30 miles of bikeways have been added, a vision for the Anne Arundel Trail Network was developed, numerous policies and laws have advanced, a full-time Bike/Pedestrian Transportation Planner position was created and Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis achieved Bronze Bike-friendly Community designation by the League of American Bicyclists. We are now working towards Silver.
The AACBAC has been held up as a model commission based on its measurable progress, high level of engagement and extraordinary collaboration among the many departments and constituents represented. The AACBAC has engaged with other commissions and departments and shared lessons learned and best practices. In 2022, the County Executive Office established an awards program for outstanding achievement among citizen and government members of it’s 56 county boards and commissions. The AACBAC hit the trifecta with an awardee or nominee in each of the three categories – for leadership, citizen engagement and government employee contribution. Each represents the team commitment of all of the citizen and government members of the full commission:
Cpl. Dominic Scali, Anne Arundel County Police Bike Patrol, Outstanding Public Service Award
Cpl. Scali has been a key member of the AACBAC since inception. His extraordinary commitment to safety, community relations and serving the needs of our most vulnerable county residents earned him this award. He consistently goes above and beyond his duty in all things including provision of Wheels of Hopes bikes to adults and children, co-lead on the Lifeline 100, advising on infrastructure, safety and enforcement initiatives and providing safety programs for children and adults of all ages and abilities. He has been a model representative at state and national forums focused on bike safety and police/community relations. He was among 3 selected for this prestigious award.
Glenn Gunter, Civic Engagement Award
Glenn Gunter resides in Odenton and has been an engaged bicycle advocate long before becoming a charter member of the AACBAC. In addition to representing the western part of the county, Glenn is also an officer in the Cycling Advocacy Network at Ft. Meade, officer of the Seven Oaks Community Association and founding leader of the Ride of Silence in Maryland. Glenn actively engages in all aspects of bike advocacy throughout the county but especially in west county He has been a catalyst for a variety of projects including the Children’s Bicycle Safety Park completed in 2022 in the Seven Oaks Community.
Jon Korin, Good Steward Award
Jon was a founder of BikeAAA in 2013 as a project of Leadership Anne Arundel. He advocated for the AACBAC in 2015 and became its founding chair later that year. Jon continues to lead this engaged group of citizens and public employees as they advance safe infrastructure, policies and laws for people of all ages and abilities throughout the county. He was among three board and commission leaders selected for this award.
