• Home
  • Biking in Baltimore

Google

Wheels of change: Baltimore's bike crusade


By Andrew Zaleski, For b

For 23 years, Penny Troutner has owned Light Street Cycles in Federal Hill. And she had seen bicycles on Baltimore's streets, for recreation and transportation, even before she opened her bike shop. But Troutner holds up 2011 as the year she noticed drivers giving cyclists in the city more room on the road.
...

But infrastructure improvements have also contributed to safer streets for cyclists. Since 2006, 140 miles of cycling lanes on city streets have been installed, a measure that garnered Baltimore recognition from the national League of American Bicyclists as a bicycle-friendly community.
...

"We're going to see a visible difference in the next two to three years of bike infrastructure in the city," said Billy Hwang, 40, the deputy director for administration at the city's Department of Transportation.

Hwang said this year marks the first time Baltimore is "dedicating federal and local funds to bicycling," a total of about $3.1 million to put toward bike infrastructure, including another 500 bike racks that will be placed citywide over the next year.
...

Nowhere has that call for better infrastructure been stronger over the past year than inside Bikemore, a cycling advocacy group founded in 2012.
...

*************************
Hear the plan

Bike and pedestrian planner Caitlin Doolin will present the Downtown Bicycle Network at the central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free library (400 Cathedral Street) from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 4.

<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bs-b-0122-baltimore-bikes-20140121,0,1736056,full.story">http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bs-b-0122-baltimore-bikes-20140121,0,1736056,full.story</a>;
**********************************************************************************************************************************
[B' Spokes: Click the link above at least to show support for more articles like this as well as I skipped a lot of good stuff so there is a lot more in there.]
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Poll: Do you think Baltimore leaders understand that millennials are key to healthy gains in Baltimore’s population?


There is a poll at the bottom of the page in the link. Do you think our leaders get it?

<a href="http://comebackcity.us/2013/12/09/millennials-lead-baltimore-forward/">http://comebackcity.us/2013/12/09/millennials-lead-baltimore-forward/</a>;
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Help Chris, help the climate


image

Chris Merriam here. As you probably know, I am the Executive Director of Bikemore, and we work to promote bicycling as a form of transportation in Baltimore, my amazing hometown. More bicycling = fewer cars on the road; healthier air, water, and people; and a more human-centric city. We work to make this happen by advocating for Baltimore City government to invest more in human-friendly street design (including, but not limited to bicycle lanes), and by teaching people how to ride a bicycle safely and responsibly on the streets.

I'm doing my part to take action and resolve our serious sustainability issues, but I need YOUR HELP!

It is clear that there are a host of issues affecting the health of our planet and economy. Right now, it is more important than ever to work toward a sustainable and green future. A great way that you can help me do something meaningful, substantial, and concrete is to support my fundraising for Climate Ride. I'm riding more than 250 miles toward this effort and raising money for Bikemore. Your generous donation will help us work to turn the tide, build the green economy, and secure our energy future.

You can make a secure online donation today by clicking on the 'Support Me' button. You'll automatically receive an acknowledgment and I will be notified by email of your support. Thank you for your help!

...


You can find the donate button here: http://bike.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=2504
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Update to pedestrian /bicycle access to the Mt. Sinai Lifebridge facility


Good Morning All-

I am advised that the Department of Transportation is developing several options to address concerns regarding pedestrian /bicycle access to the Mt. Sinai Lifebridge facility. We are working with Mt. Sinai regarding feasibility, and will get back with the community with the outcome.

The Traffic division will work to develop a concept and timeline to add crosswalks and pedestrian countdown signals at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Greenspring.


I will inform community members as soon as additional updates become available.

Kind Regards
Kohl

Kohl Erin Fallin
Northwest Transportation Liaison • Planning Division
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in America


#1 - North Avenue and Bel Air Road, Baltimore, Maryland – Zip Code – 21213
Violent crime rate of 149.98 per 1000 residents. That means your chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 7.

<a href="http://www.expertbail.com/resources/expertbail-blog/most-dangerous-neighborhoods-in-america">http://www.expertbail.com/resources/expertbail-blog/most-dangerous-neighborhoods-in-america</a>;
**********************************************************************************************************
[B' Spokes: This is why we need more &quot;eyes on the street&quot;, more people outside and cyclists are the forerunners of this. I'm not advocating to bike at this location lets try to help other Baltimore neighborhoods not fall victim to this kind of junk.]
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Biggest Bonehead (Please vote for Baltimore)


The city of Baltimore, for running a 180-mph car race through the streets of downtown, at great risk and annoyance to pedestrians.

Vote here by midnight on New Year’s Eve: <a href="http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/12/20/streetsie-awards-peoples-choice-vote-for-the-best-and-worst-of-2013/">http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/12/20/streetsie-awards-peoples-choice-vote-for-the-best-and-worst-of-2013/</a>;
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Some Guy Almost Killed Me Yesterday


by The Chop, The Baltimore Chop

A strange thing just happened to me riding my bike home yesterday. Some guy in a car almost ran me over. Not that there’s anything strange about that, unfortunately. It was his ultimate reasoning for doing it that was utterly baffling to me.
...

And here’s where it gets bizarre. What do you think he said to me? He said :


“You were going way too fast.”

Now, I know exactly how fast I ride around Baltimore. On average it’s about 13 mph.
...

<a href="http://thebaltimorechop.com/2013/12/19/some-guy-almost-killed-me-yesterday/">http://thebaltimorechop.com/2013/12/19/some-guy-almost-killed-me-yesterday/</a>;
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Support Bethel Street Bike Park


The Bethel Street Bike Park is scheduled for construction in March 2014. Consisting of a pump track and two 'gravity/jump lines,' the park is designed to promote physical activity in Baltimore City youth by providing a safe, public, local place to ride. The bike park will be located adjacent to and fully integrated with the recently built Bethel St. Playscape and Garden, and will be complimented by an inviting community gathering space and a recently planted fruit tree orchard. The park will accommodate diverse levels of mountain biking experience, and is intended as a Baltimore City destination for members of the off-road community across the region. Programming for the Bethel St. Bike Park will initially consist of open riding sessions on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, and more frequently during the summer, with mountain bikes available for all kids. Additionally, The 6th Branch will organize periodic exhibitions at the park in order to sustain a high level of energy for the project.

How can you help?

T6B is hoping to use a combination of existing funds and new small grant funding for the major construction aspect of the Bethel Street Bike Park. New campaigns, such as this one, will help us acquire the actual bikes and safety equipment, as well as support maintenance costs.

<a href="https://givecorps.com/en/baltimore/projects/977-the-6th-branch-bethel-street-bike-park">https://givecorps.com/en/baltimore/projects/977-the-6th-branch-bethel-street-bike-park</a>;
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Special Traffic Enforcement Officers – Citywide Jurisdiction


There is no doubt in my mind that we need more Traffic Enforcement Officers to improve safety but wait, what? We need more officers just to direct traffic?

Well while Artscape was setting up I noticed tons of people running red lights to create gridlock from hell and hardly an officer to be seen. Well that's not exactly true, there were officers situated at every closed crossroad on Mt. Royal, sitting and just maintaining a presence just in case something might happen but the gridlock happening a block away was ignored. So we need more officers to correct that... I guess.

But do officers directing traffic improve throughput? Mythbusters says no.
<a href="http://youtu.be/OvoFjirrgYA?t=4m24s">http://youtu.be/OvoFjirrgYA?t=4m24s</a>;

So while I agree we need to address gridlock with enforcement but still there is a huge need for traffic safety enforcement beyond just not obeying a traffic signal or directions from an officer. Baltimore City is over represented with car crashes involving bike/peds, this is a huge quality of life issue that is being ignored.
<a href="http://mhso.mva.maryland.gov/TrafficSafetyData/_benchmarkreports/PedestOnFootBR-12Aug1-13.pdf">http://mhso.mva.maryland.gov/TrafficSafetyData/_benchmarkreports/PedestOnFootBR-12Aug1-13.pdf</a>;
<a href="http://mhso.mva.maryland.gov/TrafficSafetyData/_benchmarkreports/BikeOthPedalBR-12Aug1-13.pdf">http://mhso.mva.maryland.gov/TrafficSafetyData/_benchmarkreports/BikeOthPedalBR-12Aug1-13.pdf</a>;

But do the police have time to address traffic safety or other general public safety measures? They say no.
<a href="http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2013/11/26/inside-city-hall-why-police-dont-walk-the-beat-and-other-riddles/">http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2013/11/26/inside-city-hall-why-police-dont-walk-the-beat-and-other-riddles/</a>;

Well if you get hit by a car you can always call 911 and get a positive result. Wrong, I was hit by a car while walking across a driveway and the officer responded that &quot;unless I see it, I can't issue a ticket.&quot; and evidence is growing that not only are the police not out there watching for bike/ped issues, they are rather clueless on what the laws are for bicyclists and pedestrians. &quot;And remember to watch for cars, you don't want to be dead right.&quot; [Sheesh, not even close to good safety advice.]

So which brings me to City Of Baltimore Council Bill 13-0262 which states in part:
&quot;A Special Traffic Enforcement Officer has no power to issue citations for moving violations other than for a failure to obey lawful traffic direction and control devices.&quot;

They are expanding who can appoint and where they can enforce, all good things but I seriously wish they also expanded what they can enforce. The idea that only the police can enforce all criminal laws plus all traffic laws is just crazy.

We need to change the mindset in city hall from roads that are defined by just how many cars can go by per hour, to roads being public space and as public space have zero tolerance for bullies that threaten and hit those they don't like in &quot;their&quot; space.

Text of the bill: <a href="http://bikemd.org/files/public/documents/BaltimoreBillSTEO.pdf">http://bikemd.org/files/public/documents/BaltimoreBillSTEO.pdf</a>;
To follow the progress and more info: <a href="http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/detailreport/?key=5962">http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/detailreport/?key=5962</a>;
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)