6th Annual Bike to Work Day Events Kick Off Clean Commute Month

BALTIMORE, MD (May 6, 2005) – In an effort to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) and Clean Commute Partnership are encouraging commuters to try alternatives to driving alone during the month of May. Today, hundreds of local bicycle commuters will kick off Clean Commute Month at Bike to Work Day rallies at the City Dock in Annapolis, HarborPlace Amphitheatre in Baltimore City, Harford County Government Complex in Bel Air, and Court House Square in Towson.
 
“By carpooling, biking, walking, or taking public transit for our daily commutes we can each help to improve the quality of life in Baltimore,” said Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr., the BMC Chair. “Bike to Work Day introduces commuters to a way to achieve better health and a cleaner environment. Riding a bike is great exercise, and produces zero pollution.”

More than 3.8 million people commute to work each day in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan region. More than 71 percent of them drive alone. Motor vehicles account for about 30-40 percent of the pollutants which can cause poor air quality and increase the number of Code Red air pollution days in the region.

May marks the beginning of ozone season in Maryland, when pollutants cook in the hot sun to create potentially harmful levels of ground-level ozone. In addition, fine particle pollution can occur at any time of the year. While ground-level ozone primarily affects the lungs, particle pollution can cause serious damage to the cardio-vascular system.

Weather forecasts often include information about air quality. It’s important for at-risk individuals to be aware of air quality, especially on Code Orange and Code Red days, and take protective actions. Clean Air Partners, a private-public partnership working to improve air quality in the Baltimore-Washington region, also promotes pollution prevention measures through its Air Quality Action Days (AQAD) program.
 
“There are several easy and effective voluntary actions that individuals and employers can take to reduce the production of and exposure to air pollution,” said Harriet West, Managing Director of Clean Air Partners. “In addition to making clean commute choices, residents can take action at home on poor air quality days by avoiding the use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment, oil-based paints and aerosol products, and refueling cars after dark. Businesses may also be able to defer some activities that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.”

Bike to Work Day is an initiative of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, in cooperation with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and the Maryland Departments of the Environment and Transportation. Sponsors include City of Baltimore, Baltimore County Government, Harford County Government, Clean Commute Partnership, Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association (ARTMA,) Clean Commute Annapolis, Clean Air Partners, Maryland Department . of Planning, Mayor’s Bike Advisory Group, One Less Car, Baltimore Bicycling Club, Caribou Coffee, Whole Foods, Light Street Bicycles, REI, On Guard Locks, and Fleet Street Cycles.

The Clean Commute Partnership is a coalition of public and private entities united together with the common goal of promoting clean commuting options in the Baltimore region. The Partnership recognizes the benefits of clean commuting for the air and for the quality of life of our citizens.



Links within this web site:

Press Releases

Last Updated: 12/17/2008