Category: Biking in Baltimore

B’ Spokes: Not that bad in the rankings but still we could use some more parks.

https://parkscore.tpl.org/rankings.php

[B’ Spokes: I can’t resist putting in a plug for Larry Black owner of Mount Airy Bicycle (performing a stunt.)]

More pictures: https://www.bmoremedia.com/features/bikejam052212.aspx

5-8p, at Lake Montebello and held each Tuesday through the end of August. Family-oriented program for leisurely rides or bike lessons for all ages. Adult and children’s bikes and helmets are available. You must have photo ID to borrow equipment. Rides are free, but a $5 donation is suggested.
Continue reading “Laps around the Lake”

[B’ Spokes: It’s worth noting this is the first I’ve seen Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on a bike. And I’ll highlight a couple of new things as well.]
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BY RON CASSIE, Urbanite

The turnout for Friday morning’s Bike to Work Day in Baltimore City broke all previous turnouts, with more than five-hundred Charm City bicycle commuters registering for the day and many more stopping at one of the elevent “pit stops” around the city for coffee, bagels and camaraderie. Free T-shirts, too.
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Even Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake got into the action, riding to the pit stop at Baltimore Bicycle Works on Falls Road—a popular commuter route in the city.

“It’s my new thing,” said Rawlings-Blake of bicycling. Decked out in black exercise clothes, a silver helmet, and sunglasses, the mayor greeted and posed for photographs with local bike commuters while also shopping for some new gear. The mayor also noted several bike events coming up in the city—the annual Bike Jam this weekend at Patterson Park, Baltimore’s first Tweed Ride & Garden Party on May 26, and the annual Tour Dem Parks, Hon! ride in early June. “Making the city more pedestrian friendly and bicycle friendly is what today is all about,” Rawlings-Blake said. “That’s what keeps a city alive.”

The mayor and Baltimore bike czar Nate Evans, who also made a stop at Baltimore Bicycle Works, each noted that Baltimore City just put out a new bike map two weeks ago.
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Bike to Work isn’t limited to the morning commute, either. Mother’s Federal Hill Grille served as the official, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Happy Hour spot this year—one free beverage guaranteed for all Bike to Work participants.

https://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/StaffReport/archives/2012/05/18/bmore-bike-to-work-day

Baltimore Brew’s coverage: https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2012/05/06/ciclovia-briefly-amsterdam-ifies-north-baltimore/

My favorite quotes:
“Our mother never lets us ride on the road, we’re only allowed to ride on the sidewalk in our block,” said James, 12, of Medfield, as she stood on University Parkway and watched other cyclists whiz by in two directions.

“We almost went all the way to the Zoo!” said Chris James, 14. “We actually went somewhere.”

by Angie Schmitt, Streets Blog

This is fascinating. Using data from the FHWA, the esteemed Patrick Kennedy at Network blog Walkable Dallas Fort Worth has cobbled together a list of the American cities with the highest number of estimated highway lane miles per capita.

See if you notice any similarities (this is per 1,000 people):

1. Kansas City – 1.262

2. St Louis – 1.070

3. Houston – .822

4. Cleveland – .816

5. Columbus – .779

6. San Antonio – .759

7. Jacksonville – .745

8. Providence – .742

9. Pittsburgh – .731

10. Baltimore – .724

11. DFW – .719

“It’s like a who’s who of decaying or soon to decay cities,” says Kennedy.

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https://streetsblog.net/2012/04/20/cities-with-the-most-highway-miles-a-whos-who-of-decay/

[B’ Spokes: A very nice article by Michael Byrne which I’ll highlight the conclusion. If it catches your interest follow the link for the whole article as it gives a nice overview of where we are and how we got here.]
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By Michael Byrne, City Paper

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Overall, we’re at the crucial tipping point in Baltimore where cars will have to start giving things up, starting with budget dollars, but also road space. City government caved pretty fast last year when drivers complained about a new bike lane on Monroe Street replacing a car traffic lane, giving back the car lane with nary a protest and giving cyclists the finger. The same might happen on Mount Royal Avenue too, with resistance to the loss of a car lane to bikes coming from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Bikemore, is already fighting that battle (see page 12). And those battles will get more heated in the future as more necessary bike improvements in the city present themselves as things that are not free. The challenge for cyclists is to return fire with the economic (and beyond) benefits of that give and take. That is, cyclists have to demonstrate how we can’t afford to not make those compromises. And then do it again and again and again.

https://citypaper.com/news/the-bike-issue-1.1301561

Bike with Hector Picard,a double arm amputee as he passes through Baltimore on his journey from Fort Lauderdale to NYC. Hector will bike from DC to Baltimore on June 7th, and from Baltimore to Philly June 8th. He would like some company along the way. Who’s in?
www.dontstopliving.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/350154698376630/

Join us for SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2012, Noon to 4 PM for Baltimore’s first multi-community ciclovÍa sponsored by Roland Park Civic League, Keswick Multi-Care and Bmore Streets for People.

Whether you come on bike, on foot, on skate or any other way this event is for those who care about the health and welfare of the city. For four hours the streets will be car free and open to the people to do what they want and explore multiple neighborhoods and Druid Hill Park.

For more info on how to volunteer follow here: https://www.facebook.com/events/219607954805406/

For more info on the event: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bmore-Streets-for-People/121281651312486 and https://www.rolandpark.org/Ciclovia.html

Via Twenty20 Cycling Co.

Dear All Loch Raven Trail Users,

Thanks for all of your support to date!

On May 1st at 2:00pm Baltimore County councilman David Marks is introducing a bill that could significantly benefit mountain bikers at Loch Raven. Unfortunately, the DPW and the Reservoir Technical Group are coming out in full force to block this bill. We need credible witnesses to testify on our behalf.

We need attorneys, environmentalist, scientists, business owners, lifetime mountain bikers, etc.

Can you help? This is a do-or-die situation for mountain biking at Loch Raven. Please pass this email on to that can help! Any help is greatly appreciated!

Bob and I will be two of the speakers. Our job is to discredit the opposition while at the same time explaining the benefits we bring.

Please let me know if you are available. In addition please pass this email along to anyone that can help our cause.

We need a big crowd.

Thanks for your help!
Dave Blum and Bob Compton
Continue reading “We need attorneys, environmentalist, scientists, business owners, lifetime mountain bikers, etc.”