Reflecting on Bikemore's 2020: From Menelik

From food distribution at the Franciscan Center in September.

By Menelik Yeha, Program Coordinator

My personal reflection for this year is one that ultimately showcases a dance between ideals and their opposites.  Old philosophies versus new and fresher ones.  Personally and professionally there were many experiences that were shaped by external factors, yet propelled by an inevitable constant, change.  Prior to the pandemic, cycling was my preferred method of getting around the city.  It was also the preferred method to move about in times when I simply desired exploration.  Ironically, once COVID and social distancing became more apparent, I suddenly found myself walking more; initially for the sake of exploration and varied exercise.  Little by little, this reasoning morphed into the enjoyment of simplicity, pace, and ease of access to nearby destinations.  I realized that I could also wander in a kind of, “novice” way aimlessly, without necessarily having a clear destination in mind.  Experiencing the city in both capacities, walking and cycling at a different pace was definitely appreciated.  This allowed thoughts and ideas to flow and step forward into reality instead of the previous place of sub conscience living.  The imagination and passing thoughts of other times were now as tangible and touchable as both feet firmly planted on the ground.  Time seemed to stand still and at times, even disappear.

Now, at Bikemore towards the end of last year, we listed some team and personal goals for this year.  Listing such goals were of course from the assumption that things would follow a particular format, schematic, or sequence etc.  However, as we all watched life shift into an unfamiliar and strange place for most of us worldwide, as an organization (myself included) we were forced to place all previous concepts, ideas, and notions of spring/ summer programming on ice.   

Then, as spring began to peek from under the cover of winter and nature began to sing, anticipation of the cycling season approaching was also bubbling.  Typically, at Bikemore our programming would naturally and simultaneously begin edging towards the start line as these changes occur.  However, this time, 2020 would announce that this would be a ‘no go’.  ‘Riders please return all horses to their respective stable’... or so we thought.  The advent of a new appreciation for cycling was born. 

This birth not only took place locally, but around the world.  Additionally, and inseparably were fresh ideas and recognition of the practical uses, benefits, and possibilities regarding our relationship with something that many had only considered recreationally; a bicycle.  Although many people have benefited directly from biking, there were exponentially many people to benefit indirectly from folks being passionate about biking.  These are people that receive food via bike delivery. 

So, since programming had initially slowed and in some ways came to a halt before getting started, we were able to be a bit more creative in our approach to identifying solutions to other needs. An example of this has been the beautiful relationships we’ve cultivated with food delivery organizations, volunteers, and clients alike.  Also, we reached record numbers of mobile bike repairs both for city residents and many that had travelled into the city from areas beyond like, Randalstown, Owings Mills, Catonsville, White Marsh, and Parkville.  This speaks to our work not only being valued, but necessary. 

In conclusion, taking things a bit slower this year allowed us the ability to check in with ourselves individually and with one another collectively in ways we hadn’t before, therefore, opening space to analyze some specific practices.  In hindsight, I can say that an added mental flexibility has personally provided me with a sense of durability and I’m sure better is yet to come. 

Can you support us in 2021? Make your donation here to Bikemore in Action.

If you would like to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation instead, click here.

Reflecting on Bikemore's 2020: From Clarissa

Our first day of food distribution with the Franciscan Center in August

By Clarissa Chen, Community Engagement Coordinator

Last November, my roommate sent me a story from the New York Times Modern Love column, The Bike that Saved My Life. In the story, the author tells us about the year she started to ride her bike in New York City, out of necessity for transportation and exercise when strapped for cash. She learns to cross the once-treacherously steep Manhattan Bridge and enjoy the skyline views, buy warm gear to keep her biking through the winter, and recognize other bike commuters -- all the while moving through a tough breakup and living alone.

It kind of feels like this year has been one long, neverending, tough breakup for us all. We’re in different boats in the same storm, and for most boats, the storm has wrecked our sense of security and wellbeing. I shy away from thinking about it, but we have lost so much this year. For me, some of those losses feel, at times, superficial: like not being able to see friends, visit my family, take myself to a cafe. Others have lost family members, jobs, the feeling of safety in public streets, stable housing.

Thankfully, our bikes have been a beacon of healing, connection, and joy in this tumultuous time. In the quiet moments of solo rides, we can reconnect with our city. In shared loops around Lake Montebello, we reconnect with each other. In uncertainty in crowded spaces, we get around with less anxiety. This year, I’ve seen how many people have started biking again, biking more, or using their bikes in new ways. 

Something else I’ve thought about a lot this year is our collective capacity for imagination. When people’s calls to defund the police became louder through collective protest, we asked, “What are the alternatives?” 

2020 has shown me that if we can imagine it, we can build it, and on bikes, no less. We imagined, alongside Gwen from Civic Works, cyclists bringing food to older adults on their bike. We imagined a physically distant and fun Cranksgiving unlike any we had done before. We imagined collective artwork with a bunch of people’s hand drawn bikes on it. These are small examples in the scope of change - but we are also imagining streets with space for people of all abilities and modes of transportation. 

As this year closes, I am setting an intention to sit with the imagination of those around me and nourish it. What else can we imagine in 2021? What else will we build? Our fiction becomes reality with each day of building, solidifying, and resting in this world. And I am grateful for those who are building with us — thank you.

Can you support us in 2021? Make your donation here to Bikemore in Action.

If you would like to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation instead, click here.

Reflecting on Bikemore's 2020: From Jed

From a community bike ride in November

By Jed Weeks, Policy Director

We all want to be done with 2020. Our friends and family have lost loved ones, lost their livelihoods, and experienced new stress and uncertainty beyond what the last four years have already thrown on us. That uncertainty will extend well into 2021, even as vaccination rolls out across the country we won’t be able to change our habits of physical distancing, mask wearing, and everything else we do while trying not to explode at the next person we hear say something is “unprecedented” or “the new normal.” 

So things suck, and I’m trying to focus on some of the good stuff that has happened in spite of, and in response to the pandemic. 

At the start of this, we had just hired new staff to dramatically expand our in-person programming as well as grow our organizing and advocacy. Within months of being hired, their jobs changed. Despite this, Clarissa and Menelik were able to pivot to new and safe programming ideas that also directly addressed needs during the pandemic. I’m sure they’ll reflect upon these programs themselves, and all I have to add is my gratitude for all that they’re adding to Bikemore. 

The explosion of biking in Baltimore and across the country has shown that there is a demand for the infrastructure and programming we advocate for, and that with investment we can absolutely create change of the scale we’ve seen in other cities and countries where bicycling has become a completely normalized mode of transportation and recreation in cities. 

Businesses are finally starting to recognize that parking may not be the best use of the limited space on the street, and introducing outdoor seating and vending that research has shown for years is a better use of space that results in more sales.

And, our years of organizing to build a robust coalition voice in support of more reliable public transit is starting to pay off. Our advocacy reversed severe public transit cuts proposed by the Hogan administration that would have directly harmed essential workers, who disproportionately rely on public transportation to get to their jobs keeping the rest of us alive. 

In endorsing Brandon Scott for Mayor, we chose a leader who said they were not afraid of making hard decisions, that they were ready to create and support real change in Baltimore. Our work on the transition committee and through other advocacy in these first 100 days will recommend we double down on supporting the explosion of biking, backing these small wins reclaiming space from cars, and bring a real vision for improved public transit from city leadership. 

We are in for hard times to come, but I'm grateful our team and our coalition partners are doing what we can to make things a little better.

Can you support us in 2021? Make your donation here to Bikemore in Action.

If you would like to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation instead, click here.

Reflecting on Bikemore's 2020: From Liz

The Mobile Bike Shop at Lake Montebello in November

By Liz Cornish, Executive Director

In a year where everything could have fallen apart, I watched so many positive things at Bikemore come together. We served more people through our programs than ever before. We experienced significant policy wins that helped maintain transit service and access to safe streets in a time when people need it the most. We endorsed and elected a Mayor who brings great promise to the office when Baltimore needs it the most. None of this would have been possible without the hard work, creativity and commitment from the Bikemore staff, Clarissa, Jed, Jeffrey, Joshua, and Menelik. 

I was moved seeing so many volunteers turn out to deliver food by bike to neighbors in need for our incredible partners Civic Works, the Franciscan Center, United Workers, and Bmore Community Food. One volunteer, Gail Betz described in our video about the program how she is often excluded from opportunities to provide emergency support due to being visually impaired. But since she bikes to work, this was a way to give back that she felt comfortable doing. That story encapsulates the duality of this year. The challenges and sadness of food insecurity made worse by the pandemic contrasted by beautiful acts of compassion from people eager to help.

That community spirit of giving back was also evident in our annual food drive and bike ride Cranksgiving. I was unsure how realistic it would be to pull off a large scale team event while still adhering to the safety measures necessary to minimize the risk of exposure to Covid-19. Despite moving registration online, we hosted 220 riders, slightly more than last year. Riders delivered over $2000 worth of groceries to Moveable Feast and Franciscan Center where the demand for their food has increased dramatically.

And the most beautiful thing of all this year was seeing so many people biking. Thousands of people got out on two wheels either for the first time or since they were a kid. Bike shops ran out of bikes. Trails and bike lanes saw more users than ever. It demonstrated the utility and universal appeal of biking. It was something that brought joy into people’s lives and allowed people to safely be together.

It was scary to steward a nonprofit during a time of uncertainty. But the thing that kept me going was the responsibility I had to ensure Bikemore’s work continued. That we kept fixing bikes, teaching people how to get around on two wheels, giving food to people in need, ensuring that people who relied on transit weren’t left behind, and electing people to office who shared our vision of a City built for people.

I am filled with gratitude for the people who supported us and allowed us to remain focused on keeping people safe, connected, and healthy during a year where those things were not guaranteed. These challenging times will not end on January 1st. But this year has proven that we can rise and meet the moment. 

Can you support us in 2021? Make your donation here to Bikemore in Action.

If you would like to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation instead, click here.

We did it together.

This year has been full of challenges and sadness. The uncertainty of our loved ones’ health and well-being has been at times too much to bear. And yet, in a year that has been described as unprecedented, people have used this time to imagine a better future. We have formed new relationships, explored new neighborhoods, supported small businesses, and fought for racial justice, essential workers, and the issues that matter to us most. 

And many people have chosen to use this time to rediscover the joy of riding a bike. When it has been important to stay apart to remain safe, we have gravitated to the things that we can still do together. Biking has helped so many us stay healthy and connected. 

Because the bike community stepped up, Bikemore was able to make a real difference. This year: 

• 50 volunteers delivered over 700 meals by bike for neighbors in need, supporting the amazing efforts of Civic Works, United Workers, and the Franciscan Center

• 100+ bikes have been repaired since September through our Mobile Bike Shop

• 220 riders collected over $2000 worth of groceries for Moveable Feast and the Franciscan Center at our annual Cranksgiving

• 100 people attended and over 2000 people live streamed our Mayoral Candidate Transportation Forum

• Executive Director Liz Cornish joined Mayor-elect Scott’s transition team co-chairing the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

To celebrate all that we have accomplished together, we wanted to celebrate the folks that made it happen--people who bike. 

This year on Giving Tuesday thought it would be cool to make a gift you could give to others. 

We asked people to share with us a drawing of their bike. Each bike tells a story. It reflects the many different ways people choose to bike, and also how, when faced with something hard, we can collectively create. You can pre-order one this week. 

Or, you can always make a donation to support our work. 

Thank you for giving your time, your dollars, and most importantly your joy. Bike people are the best people. We couldn’t do it without you.