Bikes rule, planet cools
TEAM BIKE
Suddenly, riding a bike is fashionable. But it can also be wet.
Today (Friday, May 16) was "Bike to Work Day" in the Baltimore area. Among other political leaders participating, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith led a group of about 100 bicycle commuters on a ride of green pride starting at the Baltimore County Courthouse at 8:15 a.m.
But an obvious drawback to biking to work was on display: it rained. A lot. Cars spew greenhouse gases. But they also have that nifty thing over your head called "a roof." Which can make it eaiser to look presentable at that 9 a.m. business meeting. On the other hand, nothing like a little extra shower to wake you up.
Sun photographer Jerry Jackson biked through rain to work this morning as part of the city's "Bike to Work" day festivities. He reported that the hardy didn't mind the dampness a bit. But he was bummed that one of the sponsors wimped out: Caribou Coffee, which was supposed to serve free coffee to the bike commuters in Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall. There were snacks for the damp bikers. But the coffee people melted away in the rain. And you know how cranky people can be when they expect a cup of coffee -- and don't get it.
Despite today's foul weather today locally, bike mania breaking out all over the country. With soaring gas prices and concerns about global warming, more and more bikers are hitting the road.
The Associated Press reports that $4-per-gallon gasoline is fueling bicycle sales across the country. And more people are dusting off the old banana seats and pulling their old rides out of the garage. About 18 million bikes have been sold in the U.S. recently. "Bicycle shops across the country are reporting strong sales so far this year," the AP reports. "'We're seeing a spike in the number of calls we're getting from people wanting tips on bicycle commuting,'" said Bill Nesper, spokesman for the League of American Bicyclists.
Recently in Baltimore, Mayor Sheila Dixon's administration has painted bicycle lanes on many streets (including Roland Avenue in North Baltimore) to make it easier for bikers to get around.
But what else needs to be done to encourage more people to ride? Anyone out there have comments as to what barriers remain to bike commuting -- like narrow suburban roads that lack shoulders?
(Above: Sun staff photo)
Comments
Hey Tom what do you think the chances are of installing bike lanes all over Baltimore City? I know O'Malley was into the idea but nothing ever happened.
Does anyone oppose bike lanes? Would it require a lot of money and temporarily closed roads?
Thanks for your time.
Tom's response: I don't know the answer to that. Recently, we've seen more bike lanes opened around my neighborhood (Evergreen in North Baltimore), which is great. They're not practical everywhere (sometimes roads are just too narrow). But a lot of Baltimore streets once had street cars -- so I imagine they're wide enough for a lot more bike lanes.
If you're in favor of this, I suggest writing to Mayor Sheila Dixon, who has launched a major campaign to make a more "clean and green" city.
Corey replies: I wrote an e-mail to the mayor about the bike lanes, thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Corey | May 16, 2008 12:30 PM
I am a lifelong bike rider. I've been a messenger in Baltimore City and have ridden x-country and through Ontario. Some of the toughest riding I've done is in this region.
Why? Several reasons.
1) Aggressive/unfriendly drivers and people on the street. I've been forced off the road, yelled at, and had things thrown at me. It is no matter that I obey the laws. One kid tried to steal my bike as I was riding it (he was no match for me!). I also deal with constant sexual harrassment.
2) No bike lanes.
3) Insufficient shoulder or shoulder littered with debris.
The number one reason I hear from others as to why they don't bike? They are afraid. Baltimore was recently ranked #4 nationwide in terms of having the most aggressive drivers. You have to be tough to travel on two wheels. I've had drivers send me to the hospital. I know.
Years ago I briefly sat on then Mayor O'Malley's Bicycle Advisory Committee. The message was that there was no money for bike projects. Any additional changes had to roll into existing construction budgets. Far too often our leaders are short-sighted, but I am encouraged by Mayor Dixon's resolve to create positive, forward-thinking change. We don't really need bike lanes on Roland Avenue because you already have a very wide shoulder, but they are sorely needed in many other parts of the city.
In closing, a public outreach and awareness campaign targeted at drivers sharing the road with cyclists would help. And in general, drivers need help in managing their road rage.
Posted by: Valerie Butler | May 16, 2008 12:43 PM
Thanks for your comment Valerie, I took Tom's advice and e-mailed Mayor Dixon.
I think part of the problem is bikers are so rare in Baltimore City that they're viewed as nuisances rather than man-operated vehicles on the road. If there were more bikers, drivers would have to deal with the reality that the road belongs to them as well.
Hopefully with gas prices soaring that reality is fast-approaching.
Posted by: Corey | May 16, 2008 1:44 PM
Baltimore should send someone (I'll volunteer) to Copenhagen if they want to see how a big city deals with lots of bikes in the streets. There are ample bike lanes, bikers are orderly, and car drivers there are generally courteous and constantly on the lookout for bikes - as they must be. There are thousands of them. Danes also walk a lot. We were pretty well spent after a day of walking the city with friends.
Posted by: Frank | May 16, 2008 2:08 PM
Good for you, Corey! Keep us posted on Dixon's response. I agree that the Baltimore region is not very bike friendly like other areas are, as Frank also mentioned. One of my favorite U.S. cities to bike in is Portland, OR. They have bike lanes everywhere as well as the support of drivers who are used to sharing the road with them. I believe our area will get there, but it takes effort, education, and of course, patience.
Frank, let's all go to Copenhagen. :-) I hope that the Mayor and her advisors look at bike transit models that other populous regions have successfully implemented. We don't need to necessarily reinvent the wheel (pun intended) in order to create a safe and supportive infrastructure for bicyclists.
Posted by: Valerie Butler | May 16, 2008 3:54 PM
Back in 2005-06 the City, with a lot of public input from cyclists, developed a Bicycle Master Plan that is available for review on the Web at http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/bikeplan.php and there’s $5 million in the City’s Capital Improvement Program to implement the plan over the next six years.
The bike lanes, “sharrows,” and “floating bike lanes” that have shown up on 33rd, Keswick, and other streets in north central Baltimore are part of the Collegetown Bike Network, the first phase of implementing the Bike Master Plan. We’ve got a lot more work to do in educating the public about how to use these new facilities, but I’m already seeing the results in my neighborhood.
The consultant that helped develop the plan and the Collegetown infrastructure (Toole Design Group) has just been brought under contract to develop the details for implementing the next phase and the City has just hired a new Bicycle/Pedestrian Planner, Nate Evans.
Additionally, the City has formed a new Commission on Sustainability that will be working over the next six months to develop a Sustainability Master Plan for Baltimore City. The kickoff for public involvement in the Sustainability Master Plan is a public meeting on Tuesday, May 27th, 6:30 p.m. at 417 E. Fayette St., 8th Floor (photo ID is required to enter the building). At the meeting attendees will find out about the new Commission and be encouraged to get involved with the Working Groups that will focus on the following six topics:
• Air & Energy
• Water
• Waste
• Green Infrastructure
• Built Environment
• Transportation
The Sustainability Master Plan is a great opportunity to help shape City policy to support bicycling, transit, car-sharing, and other ways of making our city more environmentally friendly and a better place to live.
http://www.baltimorecity.gov/government/planning/downloads/0508/051508%20KickOffSustainability2.pdf
Finally, the MTA announced at Bike to Work Day that it was putting bike racks on all of their local buses, with a goal of having them installed by September 2008. http://www.mtamaryland.com/news/press/index.cfm?id=408&year=2008&month=5
It’s going to get better for cyclists in Baltimore City, but we need to show the demand for this kind of attention that Mayor Dixon has shown through a good turnout and involvement in the Sustainability Master Plan process and other outlets.
Patrick McMahon
Member, Baltimore City Commission on Sustainability
Chair, Transportation Working Group
Posted by: Patrick McMahon | May 22, 2008 8:02 AM