Category: Biking in Baltimore

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Baltimore Bikeshare needs a Tango Partner: Better Bicycle Infrastructure

Via Comeback City

MDOT is requesting $882,000 for the implementation of “Charm City Bikeshare.” 44 stations and 425 bicycles are envisioned. Great news! However, it takes two to tango, and Baltimore will still need better bicycle infrastructure to create a beautiful dance in Charm City. Baltimore has made strides, but Bicycle Magazine is probably on target ranking Charm City 48th out of its top 50 US bicycling cities. Baltimore falls right behind Fargo, North Dakota and Anchorage, Alaska on the list.

To leap ahead of our frost covered competition, Baltimore should build a bike friendly infrastructure network, focusing on its destination rich center to complement Bikeshare. Envision a resident or a visitor starting their Charm City Bikeshare experience in Inner Harbor East. “Sharing” a bike to reach the Convention Center, Camden Yards, University of Maryland Baltimore/Hippodrome, or Penn Station, are all indirect awkward bicycle trips. However, these are the kind of bread and butter trips that make for a successful Bikeshare system.
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https://comebackcity.us/2013/04/23/baltimore-bikeshare-needs-a-tango-partner-better-bicycle-infrastructure/

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The brand new Bike Corral at Oriole Park

Via email

The attached
was just installed yesterday [April 3],
compliments of the Baltimore Orioles.  The bike corral
(which is in addition to the racks next to the Babe Ruth statue) will
accommodate 100 bikes.  It will also be supervised during Orioles home
games (although the O’s and MSA encourage you to secure your vehicles.)
 
This corral, just outside Gate C on Maryland Square, can be accessed
via Lee Street or the breezeway in the Warehouse near the Veterans Memorial.
 
You will also find bicycle racks in front of Dempsey’s Brew Pub, on the
east side of the Warehouse, and at the Camden Yards MARC station (which will be
upgraded this year.)
 
Please help us get the word out to the Baltimore cycling
community.  Look forward to seeing you at the ballpark.  Go O’s !!!
 
Jan Hardesty
Public Information Officer
 
PS.  Here is the message the O’s
posted on the center rack

image

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Open for Review Maryland BikeShare Program – Baltimore Region

2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program Amendments

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently launched the Maryland Bikeshare Program, which provides grants to support the planning and establishment of local bikesharing programs in Maryland. The Bikeshare program is part of the bigger Cycle Maryland initiative to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride, and to make bicycling a true transportation alternative.

>> Learn more about Cycle Maryland @ cycle.maryland.gov

In the Baltimore region, MDOT has selected the following projects to receive funding:

  • Howard County – Feasibility study
  • Baltimore City – Bikeshare implementation

The next step in the process is for these projects to be added to the Baltimore region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as a new project. The total cost is just under $1.3 million, including approximately $922,000 in federal funding.

Bicycles at Bikeshare station

What is Bikesharing?
Bikesharing is a system in which bicycles are available for shared use between established stations.

Bikesharing systems provide an affordable option for short-distance trips as an alternative to public transportation, driving in a car or walking. It can help solve the “last mile” problem, connecting public transportation riders to their final destinations. Bikesharing is not a substitute for private bike rental services, but rather it provides an option for short-distance trips.

How will the money be used?
Funding will be used to study the possibility of starting a Bikeshare program in Howard County. In Baltimore city, funds will be used to set up the Bikeshare program – including items such as the purchase of bicycles, docking stations, and related amenities (terminals, spare parts and supplies, etc.).

>> Download details about the project (pdf)

 

Public Review and Comment

Flyer - Maryland Bikeshare - Open for Comment

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board welcomes your comments on adding the Maryland Bikeshare project to the regional Transportation Improvement Program for these two projects.

A public review period will be held from Tuesday, March 19 through Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Public Library – Finksburg Branch (2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, MD 21048). This library is accessible by transit through Carroll Area Transit Service. To schedule a ride, please contact CATS at 410-876-RIDE or 866-304-2287.

Comments are also welcome during the Public Comment Opportunity at the:

  • BRTB Technical Committee meeting on April 2 at 9:30 a.m.; or
  • BRTB meetings on April 23 at 9 a.m. (tentative vote).

>> BRTB Resolution 13-24 (pdf)

>> View a summary of April 2013 TIP amendments (pdf)

>> Download a flyer (pdf)

>> View public meeting presentation (pdf)

Share Your Thoughts

To share your thoughts and ideas, submit all comments in writing to:

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
Offices @ McHenry Row
1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230

Fax: 410-732-8248
E-mail: comments@baltometro.org

All mailed comments must be received no later than 3 days after the end of the comment period.

 

For more information:

Jason Biernat, jbiernat@baltometro.org, 410-732-0500 x1048

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State Outdoor Recreation Survey Now Online

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages Marylanders to share their thoughts on State parks and lands through a quick and easy online survey.

The survey asks a variety of multiple choice and open ended questions that will help DNR determine which outdoor recreation facilities, programs and services do and do not meet the needs of the community. Areas include State parks, forests, wildlife areas and trails.

Public input will help guide the update of the Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for future State outdoor recreation facilities and services.

The Department has hired a nationally-known parks and recreation management consulting firm, GreenPlay, LLC, to oversee the Recreation Component of this planning process.

To take the online survey, visit https://survey.rrcresearch.com/s3/Maryland.

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