Bikemore Statement on Governor Hogan's Baltimore Red Line Decision

Bikemore is gravely disappointed in Governor Hogan’s decision to not build the Red Line. Hogan's decision is a slap in the face to residents of Baltimore City, 31 percent of which do not own a car, and rely on the City’s insufficient public transportation system to access jobs.

At a time in our history where the results of decades of disinvestment in our urban centers has been made starkly clear, Bikemore finds it unconscionable that a public servant would support more resources to some of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, but keep Maryland residents most in need of improved access to jobs in the cold. Leaving $900 Million in Federal Funding on the table, as well as walking away from decades of state and local resources invested in the planning and engineering of the project proves that Hogan isn’t in service of the public at all.

To those who believe the $2.9 billion plan was too costly, Hogan announced today at the same presser $2 billion in road and bridge projects on state highways, none of which are located within Baltimore City limits.

Bikemore believes that safe, efficient, reliable transportation is a right that all residents of Maryland deserve. To simply say yes to our most wealthy residents, and no to those most in need is wrong, and Hogan must be held accountable. Bikemore rejects political figures who wring their hands at the serious social issues Baltimore is facing, but when presented viable projects that are proven to directly address root causes to economic disparity, simply say “the cost is too high.”

Bikemore will continue to press policy makers to invest in multi-modal transportation solutions that make sense for the residents of Baltimore. In addition, we will continue to advocate for a fully funded, comprehensive, connected bicycle network for Baltimore City and County that will allow residents to safely access jobs, amenities, and schools by bike. With the Red Line now off the table, this need is more immediate than ever. Continuing to allow residents to be cut off from jobs and services--while simultaneously decrying the issues that erupt when they are--is the lowest form of hypocrisy.

We encourage those disappointed by today’s news to contact the Governor's office and express your concern by email, phone or letter.

Bikemore Announces Liz Cornish as Executive Director

After an extensive interview process that included both local and national candidates, Bikemore has named Liz Cornish executive director. She will begin in late May.

Liz Cornish is an experienced nonprofit leader and talented community outreach specialist who believes bikes have the ability to transform people's lives. Liz comes to Bikemore after serving as the first Women Bike Manager at the League of American Bicyclists.

Liz spent the first part of her career working in Outdoor Education. In 2009 she was hired by Outward Bound USA to build an urban experiential education program in Omaha, NE from the ground up. It was in this role that she began to see how cities designed for safer bicycling and walking could potentially address many of the challenges facing her underserved students and their families. She's been advocating for better biking ever since.

The hiring panel consisted of Bikemore Board Members and the Executive Director of Bike Maryland, Nate Evans.

“Bike Maryland welcomes Liz Cornish as the executive director of Bikemore, our local partner in Baltimore. Liz’s experience in community bike initiatives will help accelerate Baltimore’s positive trends in bikeability. We look forward to working with Liz in the years to come.”

— Nate Evans, Executive Director of Bike Maryland

Greg Hinchliffe, who served as interim executive director during the hiring process, will continue to serve Bikemore under Liz Cornish in an advocacy role and as a member of the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet Liz Cornish and am excited to work with her to make bicycling a safe and convenient transportation choice in Baltimore.”

— Jon Laria, Chair of the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission

Liz is relocating to Baltimore from Northern Virginia, and will be introduced to Bikemore's membership base at the annual Bikemore members' meeting May 12th.

Charles Street Reconstruction Community Meeting

Bikemore has been working with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to improve the design of Charles Street from 29th Street to University Parkway.

The old striping plan removed parking for several lanes of rush hour traffic and included a floating bike lane.

The improved plan provides one lane of vehicular travel, a buffered bike lane, and a lane of full-time parking. This will further calm traffic in a corridor used by many who walk, and will provide a safe bicycle facility as recommended by the recently adopted Bike Master Plan and Homewood Community Partners Initiative.

We anticipate some opposition from individuals who prioritize vehicular travel speeds over the safety of all road users, so please come out to the Community Meeting and support this safer plan for Charles Street.

Facebook Event Link

Baltimore City Planning Commission Adopts Bicycle Master Plan

Today the Baltimore City Planning Commission adopted Baltimore City's Bicycle Master Plan. This document is a long overdue update to our city's original bike master plan, and Bikemore was pleased to support its adoption through testimony alongside Bike Maryland at today's hearing. 

We thank the Baltimore City Department of Transportation for adopting many of Bikemore's suggested changes to this plan and for providing answers to every public comment submitted on the plan. 

The next step is turning this plan into paint on the ground, and that will take advocacy from Bikemore and support from our members and allies. 

The full press release from the Baltimore City Department of Transportation is below: 

City of Baltimore’s Bike Master Plan Officially Adopted

New Bike Master Plan will expand City efforts to create a more bike-friendly Baltimore

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director William M. Johnson is pleased to announce that the City of Baltimore’s Bike Master Plan was officially adopted today by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission voted to adopt the new Master Plan which will expand the city’s network of biking facilities and create a more bicycle-friendly environment in Baltimore.

“The 2015 Bicycle Master Plan seeks to uphold the vision of complete streets in Baltimore City which will enable more people to use biking as a viable form of transportation,” said Director Johnson. “Today’s adoption of the updated Master Plan provides the groundwork for the City to expand and enhance its biking infrastructure.”

Since the adoption of the City’s first Bike Master Plan in 2006, Baltimore has made significant progress in becoming bicycle friendly. Over 125 miles of bike facilities have been installed to provide city communities with a comprehensive network of bike lanes and trails. DOT has also installed over 600 bike racks in neighborhoods throughout Baltimore for safe and convenient bicycle parking.

Nearly ten years after the implementation of the original plan, we continue to develop additional improvements for the biking community.   The new Master Plan seeks to add over 100 miles of biking facilities over the next 15 years and commits to implementing 15 cycle projects within the next two years. This includes the installation of cycle tracks on Maryland Avenue/Cathedral Street, Madison Street and Center Street; improved bus/bike lanes on Lombard and Pratt Streets; and the addition of over six miles of bike boulevards in West Baltimore neighborhoods.

The Department of Transportation thanks the Planning Commission for adopting the updated Bike Master Plan, as we continue to invest in city communities to provide a multi-modal transportation system.

###

Mayor Signs Executive Order Forming Bicycle Advisory Commission

This morning, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the reconstitution and formalization of the long-dormant Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee.

This is a positive step forward and we look forward to serving on the new Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission and representing individuals who choose to or would like to ride bicycles for transportation or recreation safely and conveniently in the Greater Baltimore region.

We are thrilled that business leaders and public health experts who live and work in our city are also a part of this commission and that they recognize the numerous benefits of providing safe and convenient alternative forms of transportation.

The press release on the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission is below:

Members of the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission

The Commission’s purpose is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor’s Office and City departments on issues related to promoting bicycling as a safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation.

Their responsibilities are to coordinate among City agencies the implementation and biennial updating of the Bicycle Master Plan; provide guidance and advice on policies, designs, trends and opportunities that support bicycling in the City; advocate for the prioritization of capital funding for facilities serving bicyclists; advise on the adoption of the Urban Bikeway Design Guide of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (“NACTO”) and other NACTO standards on bicycli ng; and to take any other action to promote safe bicycling throughout the City.

The Commission is comprised of 11 members which include: a representative of the business community; a representative of the architectural, engineering or urban design industry; a representative of the bicycling community; a community representative; a member at large, who shall be chairperson of the Commission; a representative from the Office of the Mayor, as designated by the Mayor, who shall be vice-chairperson of the Commission; a representative of the City Council, as designated by the City Council President; a representative of the Planning Department as designated by that department’s Director; two representatives of the Department of Transportation, as designated by that department’s Director; one with expertise in planning bicycle facilities or activities; and one with expertise in traffic engineering; and a representative of the Baltimore City Police Department as designated by the Police Commissioner.

The commission members are:

• Peter Rosenthal, Vice President at Constellation Energy
• David Hong, Founder and Principal at Living Design Lab, L.L.C.
• Greg Hinchliffe, Interim Executive Director of Bikemore
• Dr. Keshia Pollack, Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University
• Jon Laria, Partner, Ballard Spahr, L.L.P.
• Dan Sparaco, Assistant Deputy Mayor of Operations
• A representative of the City Council, designated by the City Council President
• A representative of the Planning Department, designated by the Director of Planning
• Caitlin Doolin, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, Baltimore City Department of Transportation
• Traffic Engineer, Traffic Division, Baltimore City Department of Transportation
• A representative of the Baltimore City Police Department as designated by the Police Commissioner

Members appointed by the Mayor shall serve terms concurrent with the term of the Mayor. Members may not receive any compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of duties, in accordance with the City of Baltimore policy set forth in the Administrative Manual and as provided in the City budget.

###