We’re changing the conversation this election

On Wednesday we hosted our first ever Mayoral Transportation Forum. Over 200 people filled the studio at Real News Network and heard leading candidates share their vision for transportation. Candidates went on the record and expressed support for solutions like expanding the Circulator, building the Separated Bike Lane Network, and even tearing down the JFX. 

This success of the forum made two things clear: people want to vote for someone who understands why reliable, sustainable, and equitable transportation is critical for Baltimore’s future. And Bikemore is leading the conversation. 

But if Baltimore is going to make meaningful progress and become a city for people -- not just for cars, we need to do more. We need your help. 

We're only two months from primary Election Day. Join us now and be part of the movement of people who are ready to hold candidates accountable.  

Thank you to our partners, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition, and the Real News Network; without their support, the forum would not have been a success.

On March 12th, we will host a transportation forum with candidates for Council President. It’s important to hear how candidates will shape a legislative agenda and build consensus on transportation issues. Register here and show your support of transportation by showing up.

Mayoral Transportation Forum Recording

On Wednesday, February 26, Bikemore in Action hosted our first Mayoral Transportation Forum with five leading mayoral candidates: Sheila Dixon, Mary Miller, Brandon Scott, Thiru Vignarajah, and Mary Washington.

This event would not have been possible without the support of our partners Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, and the Real News Network.

You can watch the recording of the forum below.

What city-wide candidates have to say about transportation

I Bike I Vote launched in 2015 to encourage local candidates to develop policy platforms on transportation. We wanted to educate voters about the ways transportation intersects with other important issues like public safety, schools, and economic development. The Red Line had been cancelled and the city was still reeling from the effects of the death of Freddie Gray. It was a pivotal time, an important election, and we wanted to do our part in making sure folks turned out to vote. 

Five years later, Bikemore has grown both in size and influence. We have become a leader in transportation advocacy. 

Candidates owe it to the citizens of Baltimore to have a plan to ensure everyone has access to transportation that is safe, affordable, and reliable. Transportation is the foundation that allows people to get to work and school. It means people can access necessities like fresh food and health care. It enables people to explore Baltimore and experience all it has to offer without searching for parking. 

Today we released the responses to our questionnaire from candidates running for citywide offices. On Wednesday, we are co-hosting a Mayoral Forum so that citizens can hear the candidates’ positions on transportation in real-time. 

In the next few weeks, you can expect the release of more candidate questionnaires, a forum for candidates running for City Council President, and analysis that will see how candidates stack up against our vision for transportation in Baltimore. 

Get educated. Get engaged. And stay tuned. We’re just getting started. 

Launching #IBikeIVote 2020!

In the coming weeks, Bikemore in Action, our 501(c)(4) arm, will roll out #IBikeIVote 2020. Our focus will be the Primary Election on April 28th, 2020, and the candidates running for Mayor, Comptroller, City Council President, and City Council. 

Earlier this week, we sent a candidate questionnaire to all announced candidates for the above offices. They are due back on February 10th, and we will be sharing both a summary of responses for each office/district as well as the full questionnaire in the weeks following. 

You can check out the questionnaire below. City Council candidates were also sent district specific questions about upcoming projects in their districts.

We will also be hosting Transportation Forums for Mayor and City Council President, which will be recorded and live streamed in front of a live studio audience at the Real News Network. The Mayoral Transportation Forum will be held on February 26th at 6:00pm, and the City Council President forum will be held on a date to be determined in March. The format and questions for these forums will be developed in partnership with Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition, other transportation advocacy organizations, and transit riders and operators. 

For the first time, our state delegation has come together to form a transit caucus. We’ve passed a national award winning equity-focused complete streets ordinance. And we have candidates running across the city who understand that access to transportation is critical to escaping poverty and accessing opportunity. 

We look forward to sharing the results of the questionnaire in mid-February, and hope to see you at the forums.

President Street Bike Lane Improvements

The Baltimore Complete Streets ordinance requires Baltimore City Department of Transportation to retrofit improved walking, biking, and transit infrastructure onto streets during routine resurfacing.

President Street began resurfacing prior to the ordinance taking effect, but BCDOT was able to make some last minute changes in the design to add high visibility crosswalks and a flex post buffer to the previous substandard bike lane.

While President Street is still far from a safe, all-ages street, we are thankful for these improvements. We will continue to advocate for BCDOT to extend this separated treatment up Fallsway, creating a more visible and safer Jones Falls Trail while connecting to existing protected bike lanes on Centre and Monument Streets.