Courtesy
This year, as always I was prepared for the usual onslaught. But - it hasn't come.
On Tuesday I had something happen that I've never had in all my years of commuting. Heading north on Charles Street, I'm south of Kenilworth Drive settling in my place in line waiting for the light to turn green. I'm behind a van. The driver rolls down her window. Since I suspect she wants to talk to me I coast up to her. She wants to know if I'm turning right or going straight. Since her right blinker is on she's obviously concerned about a possible collision. I told her I was going straight but that I was not going to pass her and thanked her.
As far as I know I'm riding the same as I always have. The only difference that I'm aware of is that I have added an aardvark rear triangle to my saddle bag.
So my conclusion is that drivers have become more respectful. But why?
Do they see me differently? Do they think I'm some poor soul that can't pony up for the $3 gas? Do they see the gray hair peeking out from under the helmet and think I'm a granddad? Or do they think they should be out on their bike going from point A to point B? I don't know!
But I like it!
Tour dem Parks, Hon!
Register online at <a href="http://www.tourdemparks.org">www.tourdemparks.org</a> or at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. The ride begins at 8:00 at the stable in Carroll Park (entrance in the 1600 block of Washington Blvd.) in southwest Baltimore. The cost of $25 for adults, $15 for teens, and $5 for children benefits parks-related groups.
Free T-shirts and water bottles to the first 300 riders!
For more information, call (410) 396-4369 or (410) 396-8360.
Sponsored by the Mayor
BikeJam 5-27-06
Saturday, May 27th
in Baltimore's Patterson Park
<a href="http://www.bikejam.org">www.bikejam.org</a>
Join us for the
8th Annual Cycling Festival!
Casual riders to bike enthusiasts can participate in the RecRide. Register at bikereg.com
Kids can play in fun activities and earn a free bike helmet at the Carefirst Kids
The Bike to Work Day Race (sort of)
Sheila Dixon (President of the Baltimore City Council) set an aggressive pace for the Bike to Work Day race from the very start and refused to give up her lead. But Otis Rolley (Director of Planning) was right behind and would not let her slack off the aggressive pace. Even Al Foxx (Director of Transportation) who was near the back of the pack fought to hold his position firm in the race till he encountered a couple of technical problems with the course, namely a storm grate and a pot hole which shaved seconds from his finishing time. Al was overheard saying
Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race 2006
Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race 2006 Photos from the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race 2006 |
Bike to work
Bike to Work 2006 Photos from Baltimore's Bike to work day ride from light street |
Reminder Bike to work day is Friday May 19th
<a href="http://www.baltometro.org/mambo/content/view/257/229/">http://www.baltometro.org/mambo/content/view/257/229/</a>
Hummer, bike or something in between?
"Hummer not looking so attractive any more? Will gas prices influence your automobile purchases?"
Or do you ride a bike and take mass transit?
<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/poll/?poll_id=1021">http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/poll/?poll_id=1021</a>
It
After presentation by Carley Francis (City Planner) and letters of support from Planning, Transportation, Mayor