Biking Advocates Honor Councilman Marks

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks' enthusiasm for biking trails has caught the attention of a regional advocacy group. 

Marks was honored with the 2012 Silver Spoke Award for Legislator of the Year from the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE), representing more than a thousand mountain bikers in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia, according to a release. 

"The MORE Board of Directors and club membership would like to thank you for your support of a multi-use, sustainable trail system at Loch Raven Reservoir," MORE President Dave Ferraro stated in a release. "MORE still has work ahead at Loch Raven, but we are much farther down the trail due to your leadership and guidance through a challenging process. Rest assured, the trail-user community recognizes your efforts."

"I have worked very hard to expand our network of sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes throughout Baltimore County, and I am very humbled by this award," Marks stated in the release. "Trails are not only good for physical fitness and recreation, but they can boost our local economy by promoting tourism. I thank MORE for its many hours of volunteer work improving our trail network."

Since 1992, MORE members have contributed thousands of volunteer hours toward maintaining and constructing hundreds of miles of natural-surface trails in 25 state and county parks. It also leads rides. The group presented the award during its winter meeting in Great Falls, Virginia, the release stated. 

Marks, a Perry Hall resident who took office in 2010, represents a stretch of Baltimore County between Kingsville and Towson.