Category: Biking in Baltimore

Please distribute the two reports below from JHU Security dated 10/06/09 on to interested persons.

ARREST OF JUVENILE – Attempt Bicycle Theft & Assault / CCTV Observation – Wolman Bike Racks – On October 5th at 8:17 PM, two juveniles were seen attempting to cut the lock on a secured bicycle. As Campus Officers and an off-duty Baltimore Police officer working for Hopkins approached, the two suspects began to run. One was arrested and the other suspect was last seen running south in 3200 Blk. Hargrove Street. Baltimore Police joined in searching the area with negative results. Bolt-cutters were recovered at the scene and a folding knife was confiscated from the arrested 14-year old juvenile. Both juveniles were identified and the arrested juvenile will be charged with attempted theft and various related charges. Investigation is continuing into their possible involvement in other recent bicycle thefts.

Theft of Motor Bike – 3100 Blk. Lovegrove St. (Rear of Smokler Center) – Between Oct. 3rd at 4:00 PM and Oct. 5th at 10:30 AM, a junior undergraduate’s unsecured motor scooter was taken. Investigation continuing.

Also known as

Our Lady of Ghisallo; Madonna of Ghisallo

Profile

Medieval legend says that Count Ghisallo was travelling near the village of Magréglio when he was attacked by highway bandits. Spotting a image of the Virgin Mary in a roadside shrine, he broke away from his attackers and ran to it. There he took refuge, pled for Our Lady’s protection – and was miraculously saved from the robbers.

As the story spread, the Madonna del Ghisallo became known as patroness of local travellers. In more recent times, cyclists would often stop to rest and pray at the chapel, which is a local landmark, and is at the top of a steep hill. After World War II, Father Ermelindo Vigano, pastor at the shrine, proposed Ghisallo as the site of an Italian shrine for bicyclists, and she was given as patroness of cyclists on 13 October 1949 by Pope Pius XII. The chapel has become equal part religious shrine, part cycling museum, with artifacts and photos from the sport. There is an eternal flame that burns there in memory of the cyclists of are no longer with us, and services each Christmas Eve and the Feast of All Souls commemorate them.
Continue reading “Patron Saint of Bicycling: Madonna del Ghisallo”

Greg Cantori (One Less Car) and Nate Evans (Bike Planner for Baltimore) talk about biking in Baltimore with Marc Steiner. Listen:
Continue reading “The Marc Steiner show and biking in Baltimore”

Continue reading “Yehuda Moon on drivers and journalists”

Baltimore, Maryland (September 28, 2009) Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined today by Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director Al Foxx, and Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld along with Glenmount Elementary/Middle School students and staff to announce the launch of an automated speed monitoring program in an effort to decrease driver speeds in school zones throughout the city.

“In an effort to promote safe driving habits throughout our communities and particularly in our school zones, the City of Baltimore is launching this important initiative,” said Mayor Dixon. “This automated speed enforcement program is designed to reduce driver speeds and make our streets safer for school children, motorists and pedestrians.”

The city’s new speed enforcement initiative will start on October 1, 2009. During the initial 30-day warning phase, motorists who exceed the speed limit by at least 12 miles per hour while driving through city school zones will receive warning notices in the mail.

Once the warning phase is complete, commuters who drive aggressively will receive $40 citations. These citations are not reported to insurance companies and no license points will be assigned. Notification signs will be placed at all speed enforcement locations so that motorists will be aware that they are approaching a speed check zone. The goal of the program is to make the streets of Baltimore safer by changing aggressive driving behavior.

The city plans to retrofit a targeted 51 red light camera locations with the new automated speed enforcement technology. In addition, five mobile enforcement units which will be rotated throughout school zones across the city should be in operation by the spring of 2010.
Continue reading “City of Baltimore Launches Automated Speed Monitoring Program”

Our Mayor is to be the master of ceremonies, say a few words at 7:15, and open the Tour at 7:30. Many of us will be there, so you can start the ride with friends.

“Tour du Port
is a superb way to intimately tour Baltimore.  It is
one of the coolest bike events around – and it certainly supports a cause that
we support –bicycle
safety!    
 All proceeds fund smart commuting options
and bicycle advocacy. What more could a bicyclist or commuter tired of
congestion ask for from a bicycle event!” — Baltimore Bicycle
Club

After Tour de Port ends, the nearby Hostel at 17 W. Mulberry Street will be holding a “Touring the Country on Two Wheels & A Few Bucks” . The program begins with the Toulsons’ talk & slide show about their self-sufficent bicycle tour from Harper’s Ferry to St. Augustine, FL. Then Jeffery Marks talks about, with slides, the tours he did this summer in the Pacific Northwest: North Cascades , Olympic, & southern tip Vancover Island BC. Also, Larry Black will be giving a presentation. Hear about all the bicycle options including recumbant tandems and how much fun it is to participate in an AdventureCycle Tour.

Refreshments will be provided. Last but not least, bicycle parking will be available, and the hostel is encouraging people to bike down. This cycling program is the perfect place to go after Tour de Port.

The City of Baltimore is expected to issue its first permit for a Sunday Streets event in October 2009.
Continue reading “Sunday Streets to pilot 25 October”

Continue reading “Race Across The Sky – October 22”

Bike blogs are cool so please take a moment to vote for our friends over at North Baltimore Bike Brigade.
Continue reading “VOTE FOR NORTH BALT BIKE BLOG FOR MOBBIES!”