Partnering for Pedals

It was one of the first things that caught my eye in Hyde Park, London (along with the cranks on the soapbox and the lovely landscaping.)  Under the shade of an aged sycamore there was a horizonal kiosk.  At first glance, it looks like an industrial strength bike rack, but you'll notice that all the bikes look alike.

That's because they're rental models, available for hire by the hour or day. Just a convenient swipe of your credit card, then pedal off.

The vending machine in Hyde Park was tourist-oriented, with a map showing various routes around the park and estimated times of each.  However, it also explained the bikes could be taken out of the park and returned at other kiosks located around the City, like the one pictured in a popular commercial district.

The enterprise was sponsored by Barclay, the banking giant also attached to the Premiere League.  Barclay gets around -- literally.

Thinking this was the coolest, neatest idea yet (and seeing the practical application it could have in our parks and promenades) I contacted Nate Evans, Baltimore City's bicycle guru, and asked if he knew about it.

Of course, Nate is at least two years ahead of me in all things bicycle.  He gave me the good news that this has been under consideration for some time and, by a remarkable coincidence, a similar program was now out for bid with hopes it can be operational next year.

In fact, Nate informed me, it has already proved very popular in Washington, where the program is sponsored by Clear Channel.

The concept is called "Bike Share" and it is focused as much on commuters and part time recreational riders as it is on tourists.  It is not unlike the ZipCar principle of "wheels when you need them."

As Baltimore (and much of Maryland for that matter) becomes more cycle-centric, with legislation protecting the rights of riders, new off-road trails in design and under construction, and more facilities to accommodate patrons (including those at Camden Yards,) now might be a good time to take another look at the Bicycle Map of Baltimore that Nate keeps updated.  You'll note how many new segments have either come online or provide links to existing trails and public transportation stops.

Among the staunchest bicycle advocates statewide are college towns, where cycling is frequently the transportation of choice to and around campus.  College Park has a very active advocacy group.  They connect to Paint Branch, Greenbelt and hope to reach the Anacostia Trail into DC via Bladensburg.  Prince George's County has done a wonderful job with their connectors.  Thanks to a recent $110,000 state grant from Community Legacy Program,  Hyattsville will be creating safe passages to their two Metro Stations.

This is a good time to evaluate the progress Maryland continues to make with cycling routes, because it is a huge deal to Europeans.  Should the USA be fortunate enough to win the 2022 World Cup, the focus turns to which of the 18 sites has the best public and alternative transportation resources, which ones are the most environmentally sensitive.  (No kidding -- these factors are among the foremost considerations.  You thought it was only the June temperature?)

I'm off to Camden Yards now, to take pictures of the gathering throngs for the Annual Report.  Hopefully, this time I'll catch some of those cycling fans on their way to the game.  They move much faster than the buses, cars, pedestrians and my shutter finger.  Which is one more good reason (other than free secure storage) why it's worth pedaling to the park.