Get on board, Bike to Work Day is this Friday
Ever think of riding to work? This is the day to give it a try. Bike to Work Day is this Friday and if last year is any indication, there will be lots of two-wheeling going on.
More than 1,000 people registered in the region last year, up from 800 the year before, according to local sponsors the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. And given the attention to bike lanes, bike racks and legislation, perhaps there will be more this year?
This is the 13th year for the event in the region, and there will be rallies in at several locations from 7 a.m.-9 a.m.:
Anne Arundel Co/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis
Baltimore City - War Memorial Plaza at City Hall (100 N. Holliday St.)
Baltimore County - Courthouse Square (400 Washington Ave., Towson)
Carroll County - Westminster
Harford County - Government Center (220 S. Main St., Bel Air)
Howard County - The Mall in Columbia (by Sears Service Center, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)
Other events are planned at area universities and corporations.
The event caps off the League of American Bicyclists' Nationak Bike Month and promotes a "clean commute."
If you want to register locally, click here. It can earn you a t-shirt and guide.
If you'd like more information, go click here.
And if you're still in the mood for some biking or bike watching, the BikeJam will come to Patterson Park on Sunday. There will be racing with pro riders, plus food, beer, kid activities and a bike and health expo.
There will also be a set of rides for the recreational riders. Click here for more information on those rides.
Baltimore Sun file photo of last year's ride/Lloyd Fox
Comments
I've been pondering biking to work, but I still haven't figured out where in the heck I would even be able to park it. Are there actually bike racks anywhere around here? Am I missing something?
Posted by: Unsure | May 17, 2010 3:52 PM
Unsure, it would definitely depend on where exactly "here" is for you. I know that there are a number of racks downtown around Holiday St, and they may exist in other locations as well. If you are seriously interested in biking to work and want a dedicated bike rack, you should talk to your company's facilities management and ask them about setting up bike parking and be sure to let them know that the Baltimore DoT provides free bike racks for interested property owners:
Still, if you are seriously interested in cycling to work I would encourage you not to let a lack of dedicated parking dissuade you. Many cyclists get by locking their bikes to signs and parking meters. If you do this, you should keep the following things in mind:
* You should make sure that your bike is actually secure. If a thief can lift your lock over the object that you are locked to, then you should look for parking elsewhere.
* Make sure that your bike is not blocking pedestrian access to the sidewalks. Sidewalks are for pedestrians first, and it's polite not to make things harder for them.
* Make sure your bike is not in danger of being hit by a curb-hopping motor vehicle.
Posted by: jjsebalt | May 18, 2010 1:14 PM
Unsure,
Depending on where you are talking about, there are probably bike racks or other locations to lock your bike. My building allows cyclists to lock up inside the parking garage to a fence. Not the best of options, but it certainly works. Might be able to give better advice if you tell us where you are commuting to.
Posted by: Jed | May 18, 2010 4:10 PM