Volunteers needed: Deliver food by bike to older Baltimoreans

Photo credit Greater Mercer TMA

Photo credit Greater Mercer TMA

Background

Civic Works has been responding to COVID-19 by exponentially increasing their food distribution to older folks in Baltimore City. Our older neighbors are at greater risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19, and their mobility has become more limited as a result. 

Because Civic Works has reached their capacity, they reached out to Bikemore, asking if we knew how bikes could play a role in food distribution. We have a plan, but we need volunteers to make it happen. 

Volunteers will be responsible for picking up food from a central location (currently Real Food Farms in Clifton Park) and delivering to clients’ homes. Bikemore will provide a simple orientation, safety checks on your bike, suggested routes to help you ride safely, and general support. Civic Works will provide health safety training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to all volunteers.

If you’re interested, sign up for a volunteer orientation today (held virtually via Zoom). If we have enough volunteers, we’ll be able to support Civic Works by volunteer bike deliveries to bring freshly prepared meals to older folks in Baltimore. 

This is an ongoing weekly volunteer opportunity. We’ll update orientation times on a weekly basis.

All you need to volunteer: 

  • A working bike that you feel comfortable riding

  • Some sort of equipment to carry food (at least 5-10 lbs) while you bike

  • A cell phone to communicate Bikemore/Civic Works staff and for GPS

  • To feel comfortable riding alone without support - you'll be responsible for any repairs you may need along the way

  • Availability on either Thursday and/or Friday anytime between 9am-5pm

  • Be healthy; not showing any symptoms of illness

  • Must be 18 years or older

Sign up to attend a volunteer orientation!

If you have any questions, reach out to Clarissa at clarissa@bikemore.net. 


Weekly Update: Vote-by-mail ballots, Transit town hall + Cycling tips class

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Due to COVID-19, the Maryland Primary Election has been delayed to Tuesday, June 2nd and will be conducted by mail. 

This is going to be a difficult election season for everyone. While vote-by-mail can reduce many of the barriers to voting, it is a sudden change to our system and both campaigns and voters must adapt. It’s all the more important we communicate with voters and get them engaged in this time of crisis. Voting locally and nationally has never been more important.

Because you’ll receive your ballot in the mail, it’s critical to make sure you’re registered to vote and that your address is up to date. Read more.

TRANSIT + BIKE SHOP STATUS

  • Bike shops are open. Call your shop for specifics. 

  • Spin scooters are free for all healthcare workers, and Jump is offering free rides to all essential business workers. For Spin, sign up here. For Jump, ask your HR rep for a code or ask them to fill out this form.

  • MTA service has been further reduced. Masks or other homemade face coverings are required to be worn while riding transit. Click here for the latest MTA status. 

WHAT WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR

  • We are continuing to advocate for street closures to make physical distancing easier. This week our efforts gained the attention and support of Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter, Associate Dean Bloomberg School of Public Health.

  • Dr. Pollack Porter co-hosted a webinar on pandemic street closures with Janette Sadik-Khan, chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials. View it here.

VIRTUAL EVENTS

  • Wednesday, April 22, 7pm
    Virtual Townhall II: Public Transit During Pandemic and Beyond | Register 

  • Thursday, April 23, 5pm-6pm
    Cycling Tips and Bike Fit | Register

  • Read our FAQs about riding during COVID-19, and tag your solo or household ride photos with #BikemoreSolo on social media.

WHAT WE'RE READING, WATCHING + LISTENING TO

How to Ensure You Receive Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot

Due to COVID-19, the Maryland Primary Election has been delayed to Tuesday, June 2nd and will be conducted by mail. 

This is going to be a difficult election season for everyone. While vote-by-mail can reduce many of the barriers to voting, it is a sudden change to our system and both campaigns and voters must adapt. It’s all the more important we communicate with voters and get them engaged in this time of crisis. Voting locally and nationally has never been more important.

Because you’ll receive your ballot in the mail, it’s critical to make sure you’re registered to vote and that your address is up to date.

You can check your registration here, and if your address is incorrect, you can update it here.

At the end of the week, we will be releasing our #IBikeIVote 2020 Endorsements. Stay tuned for that and more ways you can volunteer with us and our endorsed candidates leading up to the June 2nd Primary Election.

Weekly Update: Scooter Ridership + Biking FAQS

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Transit + Bike Shop Status

  • Bike shops are open. Call your shop for specifics. 

  • Spin and Jump scooters are free for all healthcare workers. For Jump, ask your HR rep for a code or tell your HR rep in any essential business to fill out this form. For Spin, sign up here.

  • Click here for the latest MTA status. 


Advocacy Updates

  • We’re advocating that Baltimore follow the lead of cities across the country and close some streets to provide safe spaces for people to bike and walk to get to essential jobs and for exercise. Read more. 

  • Scooters are playing a key role in providing needed transportation. Check out this ridership data from the last few weeks from DOT. 


Programs + Events

What We're Reading, Watching + Listening to

FAQs: Riding my Bike During COVID-19

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Can I still ride my bike?

Yes! While we strongly support the stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines set out by Maryland state leadership and the CDC, riding for commuting or exercise is allowed. 

If you are riding your bike: 

  • Follow social distancing by only riding solo or with members of your household

  • Follow the recommended 6 feet distance, leaving as much space between you and others

  • Be extra courteous when passing others walking or biking, announcing that you’re passing and leaving as much space as possible

  • Consider those who are essential workers and need to commute

  • Ride consciously and carefully, taking care not to take risks that would need medical resources

Please visit the CDC CDC or WHO pages for the most up-to-date recommendations. 


Should I wear a mask?

The CDC now recommends that everyone wears a mask when in public. Check out these resources for information about wearing masks while exercising:


Can I drive to a park or trail to ride?

Making as few trips as possible is recommended, but if there is not a safe place for you to ride for exercise within biking distance from your house, you can drive to a park.


Are parks open?

Yes, most parks in Baltimore remain open, but have closed or have restrictions on areas with potential for gathering or spreading disease. Visit Baltimore Rec and Parks for details on city parks, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources for state parks.

  • Visits to parks should be for exercise, do not congregate.

  • We recommend visiting quieter and larger parks like Druid Hill, Carroll Park, Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Clifton Park, and Herring Run which offer more space to spread out. The Lake Montebello loop is also now closed to cars.  


Do I need to do anything specific if I’m bike commuting to an essential job?

While some employers are providing letters to employees, you should not be asked to show proof that you are riding to an essential job. If this happens to you, let us know.


How should I prepare for a ride now?

It’s even more important to be prepared and self-sufficient since many businesses are closed to the public now. It’s harder to stop in somewhere for something you may need. 

We recommend you: 

  • Bring a flat kit, tools, water, snacks, and basic first aid kit so you’re able to take care of yourself

  • Plan your route so you don’t need to stop anywhere

  • Bring personal hygiene items (hand sanitizer, tissue, wipes, etc) so you can wash your hands before and after you touch anything in public, as you might unexpectedly need to touch or interact with someone to help some else in need 

  • Plan timing for bathroom/water/food needs

  • Be mindful that paths and trails, although not all, may be highly travelled, making social distancing challenging. If you arrive somewhere and it is crowded, try to be flexible and go somewhere else. 

  • If you’re riding for exercise, look for less traveled and less busy areas. 


Any tips for riding to run essential errands by bike?

  • Be sure to call ahead to see what their process is (e.g. if they’re doing call ahead to order, limiting the number of people inside, have different hours, etc)

  • Make sure you have everything you need with you

  • We know it’s harder to make big grocery runs on your bike, so check in with your community/bike-dependent friends to see if you can combine effort. If you’re driving to a store, see if you can buy things for your bike- or transit-dependent neighbors or friends.

How do I get my bike repaired?

  • According to the Governor's directive, bike shops are deemed essential businesses and are allowed to stay open. 

  • Local bike shops are mostly open with revised hours and processes to keep employees and customers safe. Most shops are offering drop off repair services, and are taking payments over the phone or via another means. Please call ahead to your shop to learn about their process. 

  • If you typically stop at bike shops for air in your tires, shops are likely able to help, but we recommend calling ahead if you’re able to. If you have one, we recommend bringing a pump and flat kit with you on your ride.

How do I purchase a new or used bike?

  • Most shops are still selling bikes. We recommend calling them for advice and doing research online to help determine what you’re looking for. 

How do I stay connected to the biking community?

  • Caring for your community by staying home and social distancing, checking in on friends, and providing mutual aid if you can are the best ways to care for Baltimore.

  • Tag #BikemoreSolo in photos of your solo or household rides!

  • And keep an eye on our social media for additional virtual events and live streams.


Additional Resources

How to Ride Safely Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Bicycling Magazine
Using Trails and Outdoor Spaces Safely in the Wake of COVID-19, Rails-to-Trails
Solidarity Guide to: Cycling Mutual Aid During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Cyclista Zine

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