Category: Biking in Baltimore

Check out Mid-Day with Dan Rodricks 12:00-1:30. The segment on bike commuting is expected to air at 1:00 pm.

Hi. I’m moving to Baltimore from Chicago, where I currently have a 15 mile round trip commute.

In Baltimore, I will be working at JHU’s medical campus, and sometimes at Bayview. I am considering living near the subway stations along Park Heights (e.g., Reistertown or Rogers metro stations), so that I can take the subway sometimes, but I would also like to bike sometimes as well. Is there a safe way to go from there to JHU if I’m traveling only in the daytime?

Janet

[Not sure if this has passed or not (conflicting web reports) but this is what’s up:]

Summary (full text in "Read more"):
Resolution #4:4Ensuring Bicycling is Integrated into National Transportation, Climate, Energy and Health Policy Initiatives indicates that bicycling is in the national interest; encourages the development and implementation of a coordinated national bicycling strategy aimed to increase safe bicycle use as a mode of transportation and the development of federal transportation, environmental and public health policies that recognize increased and safe bicycle usage for transportation is in the national interest; urges Congress in the next federal transportation reauthorization to establish policies and funding mechanisms that will reduce the number of motor vehicle miles traveled (VMT), improve safety conditions for bicyclists, collect transportation and safety data needed to monitor progress and provide incentives for state and local governments to adopt and implement Complete Street policies designed to accommodate all users; urges Governors and state-level leadership, independent of new federal transportation legislation, to embrace Complete Streets policies that acknowledge the contributions of bicycles as a means to reduce vehicle miles by integrating bicycle use into standard street design; and calls on all mayors that sign onto the Climate Protection Agreement to develop and implement action plans to incorporate bicycling programs and policies as a key component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, and that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages every mayor to strive to make their city a Bicycle Friendly Community.

cies designed to accommodate all users; urges Governors and state-level leadership, independent of new federal transportation legislation, to embrace Complete Streets policies that acknowledge the contributions of bicycles as a means to reduce vehicle miles by integrating bicycle use into standard street design; and calls on all mayors that sign onto the Climate Protection Agreement to develop and implement action plans to incorporate bicycling programs and policies as a key component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, and that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages every mayor to strive to make their city a Bicycle Friendly Community.
Continue reading “Resolution Submitted to the United State Conference of Mayors (Mayor Shela Dixon in attendance)”

– Sun Editorial

With gas prices topping $4 a gallon and a growing awareness of carbon footprints, a search for alternative means of transportation is under way. So why aren’t more people riding bicycles in Baltimore? It’s cheaper than driving or taking mass transit, and it’s a good way to get exercise without sacrificing much time from busy schedules. Still, there are fewer bike commuters in Baltimore than in other East Coast cities, census numbers indicate.

The city has been trying to encourage more residents to use bicycles to commute by adding bike lanes to some city streets and extending the Jones Falls and Gwynns Falls trails – two bike paths that aim to connect residential neighborhoods with the city’s urban core. Recently, the city’s parking authority announced it was considering installing bike parking facilities in a parking garage adjacent to City Hall.

These efforts are definitely steps in the right direction when it comes to making the city more bike-friendly, but there is still much to be done.

The main obstacles officials face as they try to improve Baltimore’s bike appeal are safety and security. Some people opt not to bike to and from work because they are afraid of riding in hectic rush-hour traffic on the city’s relatively narrow streets. The condition of the pavement on some streets can deter cyclists who worry about popping a tire going over a bump or pothole. And people aren’t going to ride their bikes to work or to shop if they can’t park them securely, without fear of returning to find a missing wheel.

The city should continue to extending bike paths and add more dedicated bicycle lanes on commuter arteries throughout the city. If the proposed pilot bike parking program is successful, similar facilities should be installed in other parking garages as well. The city could also encourage bicycling through better maintenance of commuter routes, fixing potholes and ensuring a smoother ride.

Local businesses and commercial landlords also can help promote biking by providing workers with secure and dry places to store their bikes while at work. Businesses could provide employees with showers and a room to change into dry clothes, which would be a boon to bikers – and those who work with them – on grueling summer days.

Most importantly, the city must educate residents about bike safety, both for bicyclists and drivers. If drivers are more careful, particularly when cyclists are around, people will be more likely to consider riding their bikes in the city.

Making Baltimore more bicycle friendly could pay big dividends, not just in energy savings but in the health of its biking citizens. For riders gliding down the bike trails and city streets with the wind in their faces and a fast-changing landscape flashing by, biking in Baltimore can be an exhilarating adventure.

– Erich Wagner
Continue reading “Baltimore should be biking”

All the comments in the "BALTIMORE truly sucks" article are appreciated but I will note without detail of vehicle ID time and place it is hard to take action. Even if the police "can’t do anything" we can do things that will help prevent negative things from happening in the future. So please post as much detail as you can.

On the positive side Baltimore City is in the midst of contract negotiations for an bicycle educational/safety campaign, the State is also looking into doing a safety campaign (and has funding for it as well!) The Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee has established contacts within the Baltimore Police Department and other city agencies to help bring these issues to the attention of those who can make a difference. Not to mention efforts of the Baltimore Bicycling Club to keep the metro counties aware of bicyclists issues.

Things are changing, be a part of that change.

[Comment from mod: We encourage everyone to report problems and issues in the Baltimore area. These reports ARE used to at least help make sure that steps are taken so the problems are reduced.]

I have been here in Baltimore for three years and bike almost daily to Johns Hopkins East Baltimore campus. During this time, I have been assaulted 6 times with fists, rubber bullets, rocks…. have also gotten a bike stolen from inner harbor with a security camera right on top of it.

By the way I am from Pakistan. Never saw any violence whatsoever in Pakistan. The first time I was ever assaulted was in Baltimore. Don’t think I am a cry baby I still defy the assholes/ terrorists of Baltimore and bike daily to campus because if I don’t these mfu*** have won. anyways, I have gotten used to all of the violence.

My advice to all the avid bikers out there

1. if you see more than one teenager approaching you, RUN. these punks attack you in groups.

2. never stop at a red light unless theres traffic approaching

3. don’t bother calling the cops if you get assaulted. they will laugh it off. just suck it up

4. always carry a spare tube in case you have a puncture

5. Bike at odd hours, very early in the morning or really late at night becase the assholes also need to get some sleep.

for my beloved Hollands (steel) bike, stolen within last 24 hrs by professional bike thieves who clipped the lock on my Catonsville garage and clipped a second lock securing it within the garage.
Silver w/purplish hue, Ksyrium wheels, black handlebar tape, Ultegra, triple. About 60 cm.

– John Fairhall

[Baltimore Sun’s coverage of Tour dem Parks]
…
"We want people to enjoy their bicycles and we want them to enjoy their parks," said Gary Letterton, an environmental planner with the city and one of the event’s volunteer organizers. "So many people come back from this and say, ‘Oh my God, I had no idea.’ Every year we do this I learn another spot in Baltimore. Most people have no idea what’s out here."
…
Nate Evans, a bike and pedestrian planner for the city Department of Transportation, said he hopes the event helps people to think a little bit differently about bicycling in the city and to learn about Baltimore’s bike trails, old and new.

"People think that biking is something you do in the county, that you put your bike in the car and take it somewhere to ride," he said. "We want to make it so you can get on your bike and ride where you need to go."
Continue reading “Seeing Baltimore in a new light”

All the current bike racks have been spoken for. You can still send in a request to Nate Evans the City’s Bike/ped planner Nate.Evans "at" baltimorecity.gov but it will have to wait for the next round.

[Note: Rumor has it that Baltimore is doing similar stings.]

Missoula police officers ramped up their enforcement of pedestrian safety laws from zero to zealous on Thursday during a 90-minute plainclothes sting operation on East Broadway.

A fleet of four motorcycle officers idled nearby as bipedal officer Annie Nordby, in off-duty attire, crossed East Broadway and Adams Street – an intersection marked by a painted crosswalk but with no cautionary light.

One by one, as motorists blew by Nordby, the motorcycle officers zipped into action, chasing after any disobedient drivers who failed to yield.

When the pedestrian safety operation was over, police had issued 14 citations for failing to yield to pedestrians, which could cost drivers up to $100, depending on a Municipal Court judge’s decree. Police also gave six warnings and 14 additional citations for infractions such as no insurance or expired registration.

Continue reading “Crossing guard: Police conduct pedestrian safety sting”