We are a movement
The latest news and updates from Bikemore
The former bike racks that many riders--myself included--locked up to went AWOL during the mixed trail construction, and the racks outside of Noodles and Company went missing sometime ago, too.
Although we went rack-less for awhile, we now officially have replacements, according to reports at B'more Bikes. Make sure you give them a try next time you're downtown.
This weekend is going to be a busy one for Bikemore! Check out everything we have going on below. Friday, May 17:
Saturday, May 18:
Monday, May 20:
Try to join us for at least one of these events, and hopefully we will see a lot of you over the next few days!
Over the past few months, Bikemore has heard several accounts of Harbor East security employees placing stickers on bicycles locked to any object that Harbor East Management Group did not explicitly install as bicycle parking (e.g. a standard No Stopping from here to intersection sign). These stickers were intended as "courtesy notices" instructing people to lock to bicycle racks rather than street signs–even though locking to street signs is legal (with some exceptions), and the stickering amounts to defacement of private property. A few weeks ago, Harbor East Management Group issued a memo to Harbor East residents and employees, titled "Bicycle Safety and Security Tips." The memo contained some great information about locking up your bike; for instance, a recommendation to use a Kryptonite U-lock rather than a cable lock to secure a bike.
However, the memo also contained information that is patently false. One paragraph reads:
"It is illegal to chain your bicycle to a city light or sign pole, benches or parking meters. Baltimore City Police are authorized to cut your lock and impound your bicycle should they chose to do so. Out of courtesy, Harbor East Security will place an "illegal parking" sticker on your bicycle as a simple reminder to use an authorized bike rack to prevent your bicycle from being impounded."
Quite simply, this is incorrect. Now, it is prohibited for a bicycle to be in a location where it would “obstruct or impede vehicular traffic or pedestrian movement,” so in that situation, the Police would have the authority to remove it.
However, these situations are few and far between in practice.
Since the initial memo, Bikemore worked with Harbor East Management Group and the City and confirmed the stickers were being used based on inaccurate information.
After working with Bikemore, Harbor East Management Group is no longer placing “courtesy notice” stickers on bicycles. That said, Harbor East continues to issue non-sticker “courtesy notices” on bicycles despite Bikemore’s efforts to reverse this procedure altogether.
As we move forward, Bikemore encourages riders to keep us abreast with the situation in Harbor East. If stickers return, notify us and we will work with the City and Harbor East Management Group to rectify the situation.
We ask the city government to issue a press release clarifying this issue of legal vs. illegal bicycle parking, and asking all public and private city stakeholders to stop spreading misinformation about bicycle parking.
It's hard to believe Bikemore's first Homebrew Bike Tour took place over 6 months ago. Last October, we threw our first Homebrew Bike Tour on the cusp of winter. Fast forward, and our second Homebrew Bike Tour is taking place just as spring is about to break. (Permanently, at last.)
The first event was fairly small in scope, and unfortunately we had to turn away some riders who wanted to participate. This time around, Bikemore we've planned for a larger turnout to accommodate a greater number of riders.
Here's the scoop: this Saturday, we will be biking to three houses in North Baltimore (in Reservoir Hill, Woodberry and Remington), each serving small samples of homemade beer and food.
You'll be assigned to one of three groups so that none of the houses get too crowded. Each group will rotated among the three homebrew houses. Then, everyone finishes the ride at Baltimore Node (403 East Oliver Street).
There will be more food, more beer, raffle prizes, and other fun stuff at the Baltimore Node. And the best part? At the afterparty, you can stay as long as you want to take advantage of the food and drink.
You don't want to miss this.
Not convinced? Check out photos from our first event and look at all of those smiling faces!
Tickets are only $20 bucks, so buy a ticket on Eventbrite, and don't forget to RSVP on Facebook afterwards.
Heading to the Orioles' home opener? Beat the traffic and bike to the Yard!
These bike racks were installed yesterday, compliments of the Orioles! This corral will accommodate 100 bikes. It will also be supervised during Orioles home games (although the O's and MSA encourage you to secure your vehicles).
This corral, just outside Gate C on Maryland Square (facing Russell Street), can be accessed via Lee Street or the breezeway in the Warehouse near the Veterans Memorial.
You will also find bicycle racks near the Babe Ruth Statue at the north end of the Warehouse, in front of Dempsey's Brew Pub, on the east side of the Warehouse, and at the Camden Yards MARC station.
Our work is wholly supported by our donors. Help us make Baltimore a better place to ride a bicycle.
