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For the first time, the Tour du Port will offer a 36-mile “Urban Adventure” route for mountain biking and cycle-cross enthusiasts— through little-known local streets and single-track paths in Herring Run Park, Stony Run, Druid Hill Park, Dickeyville, and on the Gwynns Falls Trail.

“We’re really excited about it. Every year we want to do something to broaden the appeal of cycling in the city,” said Nate Evans, executive director of Bike Maryland, which hosts the Tour du Port, a major fundraiser for the organization. “Knobby tires are recommended. There’s some loose gravel and natural paths that they’ll definitely work better on.”

Other rides include a 14-mile, family-friendly “Harbor Loop” that passes through Patterson Park, the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill Park, South Baltimore,
Silo Point, and Tide Point; the “Port to Peninsula Loop,” which provides riders with a 31-mile ride option from Canton,
through Dundalk to North Point State Park, and back; and the 50-mile “Raven Challenge” through Baltimore City, around Loch Raven
Reservoir, through Long Green Valley, and back to Canton. All the rides are fully supported with SAG vehicles and rest stops.

Afterward, of course, there’s a post-ride celebration at the Canton Waterfront Park, with food trucks—tentatively including Aladdin Grill, Gypsy Queen, Kommie Pig, Koopers Chowhound, Pizza di Joey, and Green Bowl—plus vendors, music, canoe rides, and beverages, courtesy of New Belgium Brewing.

Walk-up registration, which includes two beers, is available the morning of the event.

Exhibitors at Tour du Port include a number of the region’s bike clubs and bike shops. Also, on display at
the Bike Maryland tent will be Tom Palermo’s last bicycle frame. An accomplished bicycle
builder and married father of two, Palermo was killed in a tragic crash on Roland Avenue last December.

Schedule of Events:

7 a.m: Registration begins

7:15 – 7:45 a.m: Raven Challenge and The Urban Adventure riders leave

7:45 – 8:15 a.m: Port to Peninsula Loop riders leave

8:15 a.m: Harbor Loop riders leave

10:30 a.m – 3:00 p.m: Lunch with food trucks, New Belgium Brewing, and music at
Canton Waterfront Park.

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See ya on the road.

1. Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Race. Aug. 15—The only high wheel race of its kind in America, it’s also one of the few in the world. Dressed in period clothing, sitting atop turn-of-the-century penny-farthings, riders race around downtown Frederick and draw huge crowds each year. Although this is purely a spectator event, the race is part of this weekend’s Tour de Frederick, a series of recreational rides benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick, with supported routes through the rural county and its covered bridges.

2. Larry’s Ride. Aug. 30—A fundraising event for Bike Maryland honoring Larry Bensky, who was struck and killed by a motorist in 2010, this is a beautiful—and challenging event—starting at Camp Milldale in Reisterstown with 22, 35, 50 and 75-mile options.

3. Civil War Century. Sept. 12—The popular Baltimore Bicycle Club ride launches from Thurmont and, with a limit of 1,600 participants, sells out—so register why there’s time. With breathtaking scenery, famous historical sites—Crampton’s Gap, South Mountain, Antietam and/or Gettysburg battlefields—low-traffic roads, this is a must for Maryland cyclists. Various ride options available for all levels, too.

4. Amish Country Bike Tour. Sept. 12—For those looking for something flatter than the Civil War Century, this 29th annual ride runs through Delaware’s Amish farmlands. Routes from 25 to 115 miles, with multiple rest stops, including one at an Amish schoolhouse where Amish residents serve home-baked pies and cookies. Sponsored by the Kent County tourism office to benefit local nonprofits.

5. Tour de Chocolate Town. Sept. 13—Pedaling through the “sweetest place on earth” hardly needs selling. Routes offered include 17.5, 35, 65 and 100-mile distances, with the unique opportunity to ride through a large portion of Hersheypark and pass by the town of Hershey’s landmarks. And, yes, registration includes a snack bag and a discounted admission coupon to the park.

6. Tour du Port. Sept. 27—Trek 13, 30, 35 or 50 miles around Baltimore City, launching from the Canton Waterfront Park. The 22^nd annual ride, another Bike Maryland fundraiser, includes a new, 36-mile urban adventure route, featuring miles of single-track, mountain bike riding within the city limits. The post-ride celebration includes a BBQ lunch and craft beer.

7. Seagull Century. Oct 3—One of the biggest century rides on the East Coast, the 27^th annual event leaves from, and returns to, Salisbury University, offering three route options. The most popular ride, obviously, is the Assateague trip—where you’re likely to see a wild horse or two. It’s always flat, but not always easy if the breeze kicks up.

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For many, the central image of a bicyclist remains a spandex-clad weekend warrior tackling the rolling hills of one of central Maryland’s counties. Not that there’s anything wrong with that—we love our rural road rides—but the images, interviews, and clips on the Bicyclists of Baltimore’s website reveal and chronicle the many different sides of the urban pedaling community. The profiles include an award-winning bike builder, kids, young African-American women, a college professor, Latino immigrants, everyday bicycle commuters, and people who just would rather explore and traverse the city outside on two wheels than inside an automobile.

Launched initially as a social media effort—Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—Dahl and O’Guinn are now expanding their project, raising money for a feature-length documentary that will highlight the lives of individual cyclists while also showing how bicycling can assist in addressing social and economic barriers.

Dahl and O’Guinn note that until recently, it was a fairly rare sight to see someone bicycling through the streets of Baltimore. Today, however, city riders are “chomping at the bit” for more bicycling infrastructure as group rides, such as the Baltimore Bike Party and women-only Crank Mavens take hold, and bike advocacy organizations, such as Bikemore and Bike Maryland, continue to grow.

With their film, Dahl and O’Guinn, who are partnering with the nonprofit production company From The Heart, say they want show how bicycles have the potential to change the city and the people that live within it.

“Our city is reaching for social justice, and this film offers a lens into the lives of people from all corners of Baltimore who are connected to their communities through the bicycle,” says O’Guinn.

So far, they’ve raised nearly $5,000 via Indiegogo toward their goal of $19,000, with a little more than three weeks to go in their fundraising campaign.

“The goal of the project is to connect people, and this crowdfunding strategy offers a means to not just raise money, but to uncover new stakeholders,” Dahl says, adding the project has received broad support from other local bicyclists, bike shops, and social advocacy organizations.

About the film, from Indiegogo:

By creating a documentary film we not only celebrate individuals, but also bring them together in a visually compelling narrative that transcends social and economic barriers.

We follow the lives of bicyclists from all corners of Baltimore exploring how the increase in cycling in Baltimore helps to shape the city as a whole, and strengthen our different communities. We examine the ways in which Baltimore, a city with deep socio-economic and racial divides, can become united through the use of a human-powered vehicle.

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There are also other reasons, specific to Baltimore, why it’s good for our state of mind. Pedaling downtown alongside a 15-foot pink poodle and her friends is bound to make anyone smile, for example, and discovering the city’s amazing urban green spaces by bike enables us learn more about our community. Also, the fresh peaches at the Civil War Century are the best thing ever—although you do have to wait ‘til September for those.

So with summer here, consider these seven rides our local favorites this month:

June 14: Tour dem Parks, Hon!—13^th annual ride connects bicyclists with Carroll, Patterson and Herring Run parks as well as some tucked away gems. There are 14, 25 and 35-mile options, with registration offered online until midnight Thursday or in-person Sunday morning—all in support of Baltimore City parks programming. The event starts early at Druid Hill Park. If you hustle, you can finish and still make it to the next ride on this list.

June 14: American Visionary Arts Museum Kinetic Sculpture Race—free, 17^th annual, amphibious art-bike extravaganza kicks off at 11 a.m. and pretty much lasts all day as it hits Federal Hill, Canton and Patterson Park. Join for some or all of the fun. Check the spectator’s guide for details.

June 17: Bike Through History Series NCR Trail—this is a guided tour offered for six more successive Wednesdays through July on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, formerly known as the National Central Railroad trail. Each tour, this one starts in Monkton, is led by a Maryland Park Service volunteer and local history expert and tackles about 10 miles on the trail.

June 20: Bikes & Beer—First-time event in Baltimore features a 15-mile ride, starting from Union Craft Brewing in Woodberry, trekking through the city to Heavy Seas Alehouse in Upper Fells Point. Riders will get a chance to taste two new beers at Heavy Seas—as well as down a full pint—before heading back to Union Craft for live music, food trucks, games and prizes. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Bikemore and Bike Maryland.

June 26: Baltimore Bike Party—the last Friday of every month event is always a recreational ride/costume party on wheels. Generally about 12 miles or so, each month there’s a different theme—June is “Baltimore Boastin’ & Maryland Mania!”—and meet-up begins at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park. (Below photo courtesy of O’Doherty Photography.)

June 27: 45th Annual Flatlands Tour—a non-supported (meaning bring plenty of water and spare tubes), but awesome Baltimore Bicycling Club ride that starts in Chesapeake City in Cecil County and explores much of the Delaware River wetlands. Routes vary from 35, 54, 63 and 77 miles to a full century ride. Just $5 for BBC members and $6 for non-members.

June 27: Two Rivers Bike Ride—opportunity to pedal the gentle rolling hills of Maryland’s Eastern Shore while checking out the scenic Corsica and Chester rivers in Queen Anne’s County. Multiple distances offered, with the longest route leading through Tuckahoe State Park. This isn’t far from Baltimore, about 60 miles to the start in Centreville.

*We also want to note that there are a number of informal, but regular Baltimore group rides, including the women-only Crank Mavens Monday Night Riders, the Thursday Night Indeterminately Named Baltimore Social Bike Rides, and Fun On Bikes! Weekend Distance Rides.

*Nearly all local bike shops organize group rides of one sort or another, too. The Biking in B-more meetup.com group is another good place to find rides, especially recreational-paced rides.

Just pedal.

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First, the good news. We remain in the top 10 overall—No. 10 exactly—squeezed between Wisconsin at No. 9 and New Jersey at No. 11. We rank third in the east, still ahead of neighbors Pennsylvania (No. 12) and Virginia (No. 13), although they’re making up ground, but well behind Delaware (No. 3).

Maryland received high marks from the League—whose history dates back to 1880— for our 3-foot safe passing law, dedicated “Bikeways” infrastructure funding, our “complete streets” policy, the Department of Transportation’s “share the road” campaign and the just-updated state bicycle master plan.

Nonprofit Bike Maryland also got a shout out from the League for its active state advocacy.

The not so good news: Maryland’s score actually dipped from 53 out of a potential 100 points to 49 points this year, falling from 7^th overall to 10^th. Massachusetts, Utah and California all leapfrogged over us. Washington state came in first.

In fact, a couple of areas where we’ve scored well in the past—bicycle-friendly legislation and enforcement, for example, and bicycle-friendly education and encouragement—are places where Maryland slipped, according to the League’s state “report card.”

Related to the Maryland’s 3-foot safe passing law, the League noted that efforts failed again this year in the state legislature to amend potentially dangerous exemptions to the law.

The League of American Bicyclists survey also noted Maryland needs to improve its bicycle-related crash reporting, adopt a mode-share goal for biking, better integrate bicycle commuting into all transportation, provide training to engineers and planners on how to implement the “complete streets” policy and improve bicycle network connectivity.

Emily Ranson, Bike Maryland’s advocacy coordinator, said the organization will be pulling together a summer working session with state legislators, Department of Transportation officials, state troopers and other stakeholders to try to find a solution to the 3-foot safe passing law exemptions. For example, allowing drivers to pass cyclists over a double-yellow line when room and sight line permit to maintain the 3-foot buffer.

In terms of big picture bicycle connectivity, the League also highlighted the failure of the state to move forward on a safe bicycle route over the Susquehanna River between Perryville and Havre de Grace that would allow cross state bike trips. Currently, the inability to cross the Susquehanna River by bike is one of the biggest gaps in the 2,900-mile East Coast Greenway, which runs from Maine to Florida. Preliminary proposals being looked at include adding a bicycle lane to the Hatem Bridge or building a pedestrian/bicyclist bridge alongside the bridge—or including a bike/pedestrian bridge alongside the new Amtrak bridge that’s being planned over the Susquehanna in the next 10-15 years.

“The best news from the past year is that Gov. [Larry] Hogan decided to keep the Bikeways funding in place,” Ranson says, adding that the state also formally adopted more modern state road building guidelines that potentially can protect cyclists. Launched in 2011 by then Gov. Martin O’Malley, the Bikeways effort has funded dozens of projects across the state over the past several years, with $15 million available in reimbursable grant funding in 2015 “for projects that enhance walking, biking, pedestrian safety and recreational trail access,” according to Maryland Department of Transportation.

“That grant funding is the fastest way for municipalities to create bike lanes and trails, to put up signage and so it’s important to maintain that funding,” Ranson says. “Many states are making great strides, in terms of enhancing their bicycle infrastructure, making bicycling safer and more convenient for people, and that’s what we want to do, too. Maryland isn’t stagnating,” Ranson adds, “but we need to do more if we are going to stay apace with other states.”

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The ambitious plan, unveiled online a couple of weeks ago, calls for the addition of roughly 90 miles of new city bike lanes and trails by 2028, including a protected north-south cycle track on Maryland Avenue and a second protected cycle track running east-west in Midtown on Mount Royal Avenue.

Among the other highlights:

—The creation of West Baltimore “bike boulevards” (roads that emphasis safe bicycle access) on Hollins, W. Lexington, W. Baltimore, Carrollton, and N. Smallwood streets

—Bus/bike lane improvements on Pratt and Lombard streets

—The development of a B’More Bicycle-Friendly Business Program

—Implementation of the Charm City Bikeshare by 2016

Other goals include additional bike parking and racks, promoting bicycle safety at schools, bicycling access to the Inner Harbor’s Waterfront Promenade, and mountain bike routes and pump tracks in city parks.

The bigger question at this point, according to bike commuter advocates, is whether the plan will be fully implemented. By all accounts, Baltimore has fallen behind other major cities around the country in recent years—Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Pittsburgh—in building bicycle infrastructure.

Presenting the plan during a media availability Wednesday, Rawlings-Blake said that creating a more bicycle-friendly city is part of her often-stated goal of attracting 10,000 new families to Baltimore. However, neither Rawlings-Blake nor the Department of Transportation committed to an increase in bicycle infrastructure funding. (For what it’s worth, the mayor would not commit to attending Bike to Work Day this year, either, saying only that she’s “thinking about it.”)

Baltimore City DOT director William Johnson said that the city will attempt to fulfill the goals of the plan by leveraging other revenue sources, including federal dollars, and by being “more strategic” in the implementation process, looking at ways to add bike lanes during resurfacing projects, for example. Over the past half-dozen years, dedicated funding for bike network infrastructure in the city has essentially remained flat at roughly $350,000 a year.

“The administration and city council just don’t get it—it’s a quality of life issue that cuts across every socioeconomic demographic,” said Light Street Cycles owner Penny Troutner, who served on the plan’s steering committee, referring to the need to fund implementation of the plan. “Bicycle infrastructure also helps small businesses, because people are more likely to shop at their neighborhood stores when they can bike there, and it helps tourism. Right now, more people aren’t biking because they don’t feel safe.”

In a city with a significant percentage of adults who don’t drive, Troutner noted, bicycling is also one of the least expensive ways to travel to work or school.

At a preliminary unveiling of the new bike plan last month at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Greg Hinchliffe, interim director of Bikemore, the city’s nonprofit bicycling advocacy organization, said much the same thing as Troutner.

“I think the stuff on the posters [the planned new bikes lanes and trails] looks great, but you can’t ride on pretty lines on the wall,” said Hinchliffe. “The planning looks great; the bottom line is implementation.”

In related news Wednesday, Rawlings-Blake announced an executive order establishing the Mayor’s Bike Advisory Commission, which is intended to help guide the administration and various city departments in promoting bicycling as a safe and convenient transportation and recreation option.

Jon Laria, a partner at the law firm of Ballard Spahr, LLP, and member of the new advisory commission, and also spoke of the need to ensure implementation and necessary funding for the bike master plan now that it’s been completed.

“It’ll be up to us to hold the administration and the city accountable for implementation,” Laria said, adding that he does not yet know how often the advisory commission will meet, but said the meetings will be open to the public.

In welcome news for the mountain biking community, Rawlings-Blake also announced Wednesday that the city has reached an agreement with the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), the regional International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) chapter, to improve mountain bike access around Loch Raven Reservoir.

Access to the best trails in the reservoir watershed has been an area of contention for years between city officials, who have been concerned about maintaining water quality, and local mountain bikers.

From Bikemore’s website:

“Together, DPW (Department of Public Works) and MORE, the regional IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) chapter, will identify specific trails for improvements while closing or re-routing unsanctioned trails … In addition to trail maintenance, MORE and Bike Maryland will conduct education workshops on sustainable trail design and proper mountain biking techniques to reduce user impacts on the area.”

MORE’s annual Project Clean Stream event, which removes debris from Loch Raven Reservoir, is schedule for April 11 in Cockeysville.

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“It’s been a dream I’ve been playing around with for what seems like 20 years,” said Streb, who retired from full-time racing five years ago after having her second child. The hope is that the café and shop, which will serve beer and food, and sell new bikes and do repairs, will be open for business by the end of June. It’s a timeframe she admits may be optimistic. “But that’s the goal,” she said.

Streb said she and her husband closed on the former warehouse at 511 S. Caroline Street in January. By the end of this week, they expect to finalize a $500,000 start-up renovation loan from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as other private financing. The overall cost of redeveloping the long-vacant building, which sits on otherwise desolate block between Eastern Avenue and Fleet Street, is expected to run to more than $1.3 million.

“We’re all in, throwing everything on the table and rolling dice,” said the former X Games, U.S. National, and World Cup mountain biking champion, with a laugh. “It’s not like I’m risk averse.”

On a more serious note, Streb said that bicycle-themed pub and bike shop combination is a model that’s worked elsewhere in the U.S.—the Mojo Bicycle Café in San Francisco, for example—and beyond. (Closer to home, Pittsburgh has a popular bike-themed café/pub, but without a shop.) She added that they’ve already hired a “celebrity” chef, who she won’t name yet, but someone who also happens to be an avid cyclist. The café, which will include a bar as well as communal tables and seat 75 inside, will mostly likely focus on burritos and pizza, craft beer, and freshly roasted coffee. They’ll even make deliveries—by cargo bike—within a three-mile radius. “Pizza travels well,” Streb said.

And, in fact, plans call for spinning and yoga studios upstairs in the 7,000-square-foot space, along with offices for what she called “like-minded” nonprofits. (Think bicycle and/or environmental advocacy organizations.) The expectation is that the café and bike shop, with a permit for outdoor seating, will become something of a hub for city’s growing number of bicyclists—a place to meet up for coffee and a bite before a group ride or pizza and a beer afterwards.

“We’re also going to invest in landscaping and try to create some green space out front,” added Streb, who currently works part-time with Bike Maryland, a statewide nonprofit bicycling advocacy organization. “And we’re looking for funds for a bicycle-themed mural on the big, west-facing, exterior wall. It’s kind of bleak there now.”

She added that she and her husband tried to launch a similar effort four years ago in Federal Hill, a project that ultimately never got off the ground—which she’s thankful for in hindsight. “The timing is better now,” Streb says. “There’s more people bicycling, I see them year around now, and there’s more bike lanes. With more bike infrastructure on the way, the number of young people moving into the city increasing—not that you have to be young to ride a bike, but you do have to feel safe—the city’s bicycle culture is only going to grow. Our hope is to encourage all that, to be good neighbors, to be a part of it.”

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A Johns Hopkins Hospital software engineer and part-time bike builder well known in the bicycling community, Thomas Palermo, 41, was a married father of two children.

A warrant will be issued for Bishop Heather Cook’s arrest, prosecutors said.

Criminal charges filed in District Court today:

• Negligent Manslaughter by vehicle (Max 10 years and/or $5,000 fine)
• Criminal Negligent Manslaughter by vehicle (Max 3 years and/or $5,000 fine)
• Negligently Driving Under the Influence resulting in a Homicide (Max 5 years and/or $5,000 fine)
• Negligent Homicide involving an Auto or Boat while Impaired (Max 3 years and/or $5,000 fine)

Traffic charges also filed:

• Duty of Driver to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in Bodily Injury
• Duty of Driver to remain at an Accident resulting in Death
• Use of a Text Messaging Device while Driving causing an Accident with Death or Serious Bodily Injury
• Driving under the Influence of Alcohol

According to a statement released to the press, Cook’s blood alcohol level was .22 at the time of the Saturday afternoon crash and that Cook veered into the bike lane that Palermo was riding in. Prosecutors allege that Cooke “failed to remain at the scene,” returning to her apartment before coming back to the scene where she was transported by Baltimore City Police to Central District and given a breathalyzer test.

Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, head of the
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, emailed clergy members on the same day as the the crash, acknowledging that Cook, 58, the diocese’s second-ranking official, was the driver in the fatal collision. The diocese also released a statement today after Mosby’s announcement of the charges against Cook, thanking prosecutors and police for their “thoroughness and care” in handling the investigation, as well as stating they are “fully cooperating with the Episcopal Church’s internal investigation concerning Cook’s conduct as a clergy leader.”

Sutton also confirmed that Cook “did leave the scene initially,” returning 20 minutes later “to take responsibility for her actions.” Subsequent accounts, reported by the
Baltimore Brew, put the time it took for Cook to return at 40-45 minutes. Also, according to several reports, at least one bicyclist followed Cook’s car as it left the Roland Avenue area, attempting to identify the vehicle.

Palermo was alive when police arrived and was taken to Sinai Hospital where he later died.

It’s since been learned that Cook pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

On New Year’s Day more than 700 bicyclists gathered in Bishop Square Park, adjacent to the Episcopal Diocese’s Cathedral of the Incarnation on University Avenue, for a memorial ride to the scene of the tragic collision that took Palermo’s life.

Among those speaking briefly at the vigil at the site of the crash at 5700 Roland Ave. were Nate Evans, of
Bike Maryland, Greg Hinchliffe, of Bikemore, and Jeff Hulting, Palermo’s brother-in-law, who talked about Palermo’s passion for cycling.

Hulting said that with two young kids, a full-time job, as well as his small custom bike building business, his brother-in-law hadn’t had been able to ride as much as he’d like in recent years.

“Last Saturday was a beautiful day and Rachel [Palermo’s wife], realizing how busy they had been, suggested to Tom that he do what he loved and and go out for a ride,” Hulting said.

Bikemore and Bike Maryland released a joint statement following Mosby’s announcement of the charges against Cook:

“On the behalf of citizens in Baltimore and across the state, Bike Maryland and Bikemore appreciate the efforts of the Baltimore Police Department and State’s Attorney’s office in pursuing justice for Tom Palermo and his family. The death of a bicyclist in a car collision is a terrible event, but preventable if all road users slowed down and committed their full attention to the operation what can be a deadly weapon when wielded incorrectly.

When drivers choose to drive distracted and impaired, they are completely disregarding the value of the people around them. They choose that the cell phone call, the text message, or the time spent sobering up, is more valuable than the lives of the people they may kill or injure. This is a choice, and our society cannot tolerate it when they choose to drive impaired. Children buckled in the backseat, pedestrians crossing the crosswalk, and bicyclists using the bike lane are in peril when our community allows this to happen. We stand with the State’s Attorney’s office as they make a stand against distracted and negligent drivers.

We would like to remind everyone that when you hit-and-run you are choosing to deny that victim immediate care. Slow down; pay attention; and treat all vulnerable road users like you love them…because someone does.”

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Among those speaking briefly at the vigil at the site of the crash at 5700 Roland Ave. were Nate Evans, of Bike Maryland, Greg Hinchliffe, of Bikemore, and Jeff Hulting, Palermo’s brother-in-law, who talked about Palermo’s passion for cycling.

Hulting said that with two young kids, a full-time job, as well as his small custom bike building business, his brother-in-law hadn’t had been able to ride as much as he’d like in recent years.

“Last Saturday was a beautiful day and Rachel [Palermo’s wife], realizing how busy they had been, suggested to Tom that he do what he loved and and go out for a ride,” Hulting said.

Per tradition in the cycling community, a white-painted “ghost bike” was chained to a pole by a local bicyclist, with flowers and candles placed around the memorial.

“[Hopefully], the awareness caused by this horrible event will ultimately result in the saving of tens, if not hundreds, of cyclists’ lives in the future,” said Hulting.

“For the cycling community, this is kind of part of our grieving process,” said Evans. “It gives us a chance to get out and celebrate a cyclist’s life. In this case, it’s Tom.”

Although police have not yet identified the driver, according to numerous media reports, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, emailed clergy members Saturday, acknowledging the diocese’s second-ranking official, Bishop Suffragan Heather Elizabeth Cook, as the driver that killed Palermo.

Sutton also confirmed that Cook, who has been placed on administrative leave, “did leave the scene initially,” returning 20 minutes later “to take responsibility for her actions.” Also, according to several reports, at least one bicyclist followed Cook’s car as it left the Roland Avenue area, attempting to identify the vehicle.

Cook pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland subsequently posted a statement on its search process that led to Cook’s appointment, saying that it was aware of her 2010 DUI, determining that “this one mistake should not bar her for consideration as a leader” and citing “forgiveness” as core Christian value.

Palermo was alive when police arrived and was taken to Sinai Hospital where he later died. No charges have been filed at this time and friends of Palermo’s have created a Facebook page seeking criminal charges for Cook.

A memorial mass for Palermo will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Towson Saturday at 10 a.m. His family will receive friends at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home today from 4 p.m. to to 7 p.m.

Extended family of Palermo’s have set up an educational trust fund for his 4 and 6-year-old children.

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Katie Pohler, 23, was seriously injured in late June—flown to Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center—when a car struck her and her boyfriend while they were riding on the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail along Rt. 450. (Her boyfriend’s injuries were not as bad.)

Out of the hospital but still recovering, the Anne Arundel bicycle police paid Katie a visit last week, delivering a “feel-better” pizza in the process. The crash was one of five crashes involving cars and bicyclists over a five-day period in Anne Arundel County.

The Anne Arundel bicycle police and the Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) held a joint press conference following the string of crashes.

Police said alcohol was a factor in the crash involving Pohler, and Bike Maryland, the state’s nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization, reported the driver was later arrested on 11 charges including second-degree assault, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and negligent driving.

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The project first took a hit at the start of this year when Bixi, the Canadian company contracted to supply the bicycles and equipment, filed for bankruptcy. Fear not, city officials said at the time, funding for the project remained in place and a new supplier would be found. 

A month after Bixi’s bankruptcy filing—not completely unexpected—Robinson, at Bike Maryland’s annual state symposium in Annapolis, said Social Bikes, a New York-based company bicycle supplier (above photo), had been selected to replace Bixi. Although a contract hadn’t been signed yet, Robinson noted at the time, Social Bikes was partnering with Portland-based Alta, the company that will operate Charm City Bikeshare, in other cities and that he expected the deal to be finalized soon.

That’s not going to happen now. At least not right away.

Robinson said the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) had been working on the assumption after Bixi’s bankruptcy filing that the State Highway Administration and Maryland Department of Transportation would not require the city’s DOT to put out another Request for Proposal (RFP) before identifying a substitute bicycle supplier. That turned out not to be the case, Robinson said, adding that he expects the new RFP to be finalized this summer. The start up cost of Charm City Bikeshare is being funded through the state’s Cycle Maryland initiative.

The projected launch of Charm City Bikeshare is now June/July 2015.

Robinson said Social Bikes still remains, along Bixi, recently purchased by Quebec businessman Bruno Rodi, B Cycle, whose previous attempt to bring bike sharing to Baltimore never came to fruition, and the new Bicycle Transit Systems, among the handful of companies likely to respond to the RFP. “It’s not like there are a lot of companies out there that do this,” Robinson said.

Phase I of the Charm City Bikeshare project calls for 250 bikes at the 25 stations. Phase II, which would double the size of Charm City Bikeshare, doesn’t have a firm timetable, Robinson said, adding that the city needs to find a lead sponsor, or several sponsors, to support the project before it can move forward with Phase II.

Capital Bikeshare, also operated by Alta, now has more than 300 bicycle docking stations in Washington, D.C. and surrounding metro area, with 2,600 bikes, 24,000 members—and 6.1 million trips under its belt since launching more than four years ago. According to Bikeshare.com, almost 50 U.S. cities now have bike-sharing systems, with more than two dozen, including Baltimore, in the works. New York City’s new bike-sharing program, Citi Bike, already has surpassed 7 million rides and has more than 100,000 members.

A Google map of bike-sharing programs around the world can be found here.

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Maryland scored high marks in encouragement and legislation—creating a 3-foot passing law and toughening distracted driving penalties (Jake’s Law) in recent years—as well as education and encouragement. The state also received kudos for new polices that include bicycle education for police and an emphasis on bike safety in its strategic highway plan.

Maryland also received shout-outs for its active state advocacy group, Bike Maryland, as well as its “Complete Streets” policy, “Share the Road” campaign, and commitment to state funding. The state’s report card can be found here.

Washington, Minnesota, and Wisconsin made the podium in the rankings, coming in at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, respectively. Delaware ranked fourth, with nearby Virginia and Pennsylvania at No. 18 and No. 19, respectively.

In a statement, Gov. Martin O’Malley highlighted the passage of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 as key in supporting alternative transportation efforts, including bicycling projects. Maryland will dedicate nearly $210 million over the next six years to programs that support alternative transportation projects, including bike lanes and trails. In 2011, O’Malley launched the Cycle Maryland initiative to promote cycling and increase funding to expand bicycling opportunities.

“To build a modern transportation system that supports the needs of all Marylanders, we have to invest in alternative forms of travel like bicycling,” said O’Malley. “We are honored that the League of American Bicyclists recognizes Maryland as a leader in making bicycling a true transportation alternative. Beyond the health benefits, expanding cycling and walking opportunities are fundamental to our ongoing efforts to foster sustainable land-use, protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better connect our communities.”

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May 3 – 16^th Annual Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race: Opening ceremonies and LeMans start at the American Visionary Arts Museum from 9:30 – 10 a.m. There’s even a handy spectator’s guide.

May 4 – Monument to Monument: Informal 97-mile round trip from Baltimore’s Washington Monument to Washington’s Washington Monument on lightly trafficked roads. Slow and steady pace, “enjoying the company of fellow riders and the excitement of arriving in another city by bike.”

May 7 – B’more Green Ride to Loch Raven Falls: Casual, zero-emissions weekly, Wednesday morning ride leaving from Bonjour at 6070 Falls Road for eventual mountain biking jaunt. More info on the Bikemore calendar.

May 11 – Union Bridge Pancake Ride: Baltimore Bicycle Club’s final “pancake ride” of the season until October. Leaves from South Carroll High School at 9 a.m. with 36 and 42-mile routes available. Bring a few bucks for breakfast.

May 16 – 17^th Annual Bike to Work Day: Sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, more than 20 bicycle commuter events are scheduled around the area, including 13 in Baltimore City, four in Baltimore County, and three in Annapolis.

May 17 – Chesapeake Bay Tour de Cure: Easton charity ride with 10, 31, 62 and 100-mile routes from the Talbot County Community Center. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. All cyclists must meet the $200 fundraising minimum in addition to the registration fee.

May 18 – Bike Jam 14: Patterson Park. Kelly Cup racing for all ages and abilities, family activities, plus The Gathering food truck festival and live music from June Star.

May 18 – Bike Maryland Rec Ride: Patterson Park, 8 a.m. Two routes,12 and 30 miles, for rides through Charm City. Both routes provide a tour for all levels of bicyclists. Registration and fee required.

May 21– Baltimore’s Ride of Silence: Leaving City Hall at 7 p.m. to raise awareness and honor all cyclists that have been injured or killed by motorists.

May 23-26 – 32^nd Annual Kent County Spring Fling. Baltimore Bicycling Club event, offering four days of cycling the lightly traveled roads of the Eastern Shore. Registration and fee required.

May 30 – Baltimore Bike Party: Last Friday of every month awesome, costumed-themed celebration of bicycling, including fun-paced trek through city neighborhoods and after-party.

May 31-June 1 – Bike MS Chesapeake Challenge. Easton charity ride, offering 34, 68 and 100-mile routes on Saturday; 30 and 50 miles on Sunday. Rides from Talbot County Community Center and take cyclists through waterfront communities of Tilghman Island, Oxford, St. Michaels and Trappe. Sponsored by the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter. Registration fee and fundraising required.

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Here’s a short list
of 10 upcoming events in the next couple of weeks. Maybe they’ll serve
as motivation to get back in the saddle now that the days are getting
longer, too. The Bikemore calendar, Baltimore Bicycle Club website, and Biking in B’more Meetup page are good ongoing resources, especially for local group rides.

Jan. 18: Jones Falls Trail Family Bike Party: Meets at 9:30 a.m. at Baltimore Bicycle Works on Falls Road.

Jan. 20: Crank Mavens Ladies’ Night Ride: All women ride through Baltimore, starts at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: Winter Bike Sweats:
The antidote for spin class boredom. Ongoing Wednesday night 7:30 p.m.
rides, either sprints around Lake Montebello or climbs up Roland Park
hill.

Jan. 31: Baltimore Bike Party:
Ongoing last Friday of every month recreational urban trek and
after-party. This month’s theme: Hipsters vs. Lumberjacks. Meets at 7
p.m. at St. Mary’s Park.

Feb. 2: Pancake Ride:
First Sundays through April, leaving from South Carroll High School for
26 or 42 mile ride—with flapjack breakfast stop along the way.

Feb. 3 Six-Week Bike Maintenance Class:
Baltimore Bicycle Works mechanics teach the ins and outs of maintenance
and repair on Monday nights at 6 p.m. (There is a fee for the classes.)

Feb. 4: Downtown Baltimore Bicycle Network Public Meeting: 5 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Free Library to discuss plans for the downtown bicycle network.

Feb. 7 & 8: Canton Club’s 24-Hour Pedal for Patterson Park: 6th Annual indoor cycle-thon to benefit Patterson Park.

Feb. 9: 17^th Annual Bicycle Stop, Swap, and Save: Carroll County Agricultural Center.

Feb. 11: The 17^th Annual Maryland Bicycle Symposium: Presented by Bike Maryland at the Miller Senate Office Building in Annapolis.

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