Month: September 2008

Posted on

What’s Wrong with Bike-Sharing?

A lot, says Greg Beato, of Reason Online. The Reason Foundation is a libertarian think tank/publisher. I think Beato misses the point, saying this in his concluding paragraph:
But if a bike-sharing program’s utility mostly lies in how much secure parking it offers—and it does—why bother with the bikes? And the sharing? Let users be responsible for obtaining their own bikes—that’s the simple part of the solution.
Secure bike parking is just one of the many utilities of a bike-sharing program. And really, “secure bike parking” is encompassed by the one overall functional utility of a bike-sharing program—to make bicycling extremely convenient. Many folks have bicycles “in their basements or in their apartment balconies,” as the Washington D.C. bicycle coordinator said. Even those necessary maintenance tasks—digging out the old bike, dusting it off, making sure it has air in the tires, making sure everything is working—prevent people from biking. Bike-sharing programs address that head-on.
Continue reading “What’s Wrong with Bike-Sharing?”

Posted on

Volunteer for Tour du Port

I would like to invite you to join One Less Car as a volunteer on October 5th, 2008. We will host our 15th annual Tour du Port bicycle ride and fundraiser. The ride, which will start and finish at the Canton Waterfront Park at 3001 Boston Street, we will close the ride at 2000 byclists.

To ensure the success of this ride One Less Car is seeking volunteers to participate as Route Marshals and Rest stop workers along the Tour du Port route. Benefits of volunteering include a Tour du Port long sleeve shirt, good food, and a fun time!
Continue reading “Volunteer for Tour du Port”

Posted on

Tour du Port Registration Closing at 2000 Riders

On Sunday, October 5th, Tour du Port rides again along Baltimore\’s scenic waterfront. This year One Less Car is closing registration at 2000 riders. If you plan on riding but have not yet registered, please register as soon as possible to reserve your spot!

To register or for more information visit our website www.onelesscar.org/TDP/2008/

This year\’s ride will begin at the Canton Waterfront Park at 3001 Boston Street in Southeast Baltimore. The park is located right on the water with a view of the city and the big ships that make the Port work. JOIN US FOR A GREAT DAY IN THE CITY!

AND REMEMBER! All registration fees and t-shirt sales help our effort to get more cars off Maryland\’s congested roads and neighborhood streets.

Posted on

Rides aroud the reservoir

Rec. and Parks is still at it, if you missed the Wednesday rides now you have two opportunities to catch the ride on Saturday Sept 13th and 20th from 10AM to Noon. @ Druid Hill Park by the tennis courts.

Posted on

One Less Car plans fall bicycle forum; will likely bring back Cycle Across Maryland

By Ron Cassie – News-Post Staff

One Less Car, a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of bicycling and pedestrian issues, will sponsor a Maryland Bicycle Fall Forum for the first time next month in preparation for the start of the next General Assembly in January.

"It’s a cattle call; all the bike clubs will be there – the College Park Area Bicycle Coalition, the Baltimore Bicycling Club, Oxon Hill, Howard County, MoBike (Montgomery Bicycle Advocates), and others," said One Less Car executive director Richard Chambers.

"Anybody who’s got a bike and is interested is welcome," he said. "It’s a free advocacy event."

The forum, scheduled to run from 6 to 9 p.m. , will take place Oct. 6 in the Parsons Theater at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel .

[For more information or to RSVP, please send an email to rchambers"at"onelesscar.org]

Chambers described the forum as a summit of sorts, to talk about upcoming legislation. He said it’s an opportunity for bicycling advocates to discuss what the state needs to do to promote safe riding, such as adding bike lanes and racks and connecting trails – all of which makes more bicycle commuting possible.

"Maryland Department of Transportation bike/pedestrian coordinator Stephanie Yanovitz has already committed to being there, and we’ve invited John Porcari, Maryland ‘s transportation secretary, highway administration people, and elected officials," Chambers said. "I think we’re going to get over 100 people to attend. Obviously, with gas prices, this is an issue that has legs."

Bill Smith of the Frederick Pedalers said bicycle advocates working in different parts of the state benefit by coordinating with each other.

"Many of us know each other via e-mail only," he said. "I’ve only met in person 10 percent of the advocates statewide. I want to know what is happening in other areas and I want to communicate that to all of the bicyclists in this area."

Smith, who said there are good things happening all over the state and in Frederick for bicyclists, said he wants to ensure that routine accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians are considered during every part of the legislative and planning process, so that all transportation needs are met, not just those of drivers.

Chambers also confirmed last week that One Less Car now expects to continue its annual fundraising ride, Cycle Across Maryland, after planning to drop sponsorship of the event earlier this summer.

After several years on Maryland ‘s Eastern Shore , the ride shifted its home base to Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg this July. In its 20th anniversary this year, the ride went smoothly and registration jumped 25 percent to more than 500 riders, said Charina Chatman, One Less Car’s events coordinator.

"The board has not voted on it yet, but I’m 90 percent sure we’re going to go ahead," Chambers said.

One Less Car’s largest ride, its annual, noncompetitive "Tour Du Port" trek around the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry , is expected to attract more than 1,500 cyclists in Baltimore on Oct. 5, the day before the Maryland Fall Bicycle Forum.
Continue reading “One Less Car plans fall bicycle forum; will likely bring back Cycle Across Maryland”