City Officials Propose A Bike Friendly Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Every year there are more than 750 crashes a year involving cyclists in Maryland-- the majority happening in urban areas.
The City of Baltimore is now working on a new bike master plan to make the roads safer for cyclists.
Tracey Leong explains how it will work.
Now this plan won't happen overnight, the goal is to implement it over the next 15 years.
In December, father and cyclist Tom Palermo was fatally struck by a car while riding in Roland Park.
Police say the driver, Baltimore's first episcopal female Bishop Heather Cook was drunk and texting behind the wheel.
Palermo's death bringing cyclists together to fight for justice.
In a WJZ investigation, Mary Bubala speaks to cyclists affected by Palermo's story--who were nearly killed while riding on the road.
Bubala: "You could have died."
"Yeah absolutely," said Jimmy Mudgett.
Bubala: "That big of an impact."
"I remember saying to myself I just got hit by a car," Mudgett said.
An issue Baltimore's mayor is taking action on.
"The city of Baltimore is making great progress in its commitment to becoming a more bike friendly city," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The city's plan includes adding more than 100 miles of bike lanes, improving current ones and creating more protected lanes. City officials say the plan will encourage cycling and help to make it safer for everyone on the road.
While cyclists are excited about the new improvements they say it's going to take more than just designated bike lanes to make the roads safer.
"The other part is driver awareness and cyclist awareness," said Tommy Bullough.
Tommy Bullough the sales manager for bike shop Twenty 20 Cycling is also an advocate for cyclists' rights.
"A lot of its going to come to educating people on the rules of the road," Bullough said.
Reminding people to share the road as Baltimore cycles towards its new vision.
The master plan will be presented on Thursday to the planning commission where they are hoping it will be approved.
Funding for the plan will come from federal allocation and the Department of Transportation budget.
