Between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. on May 18, bicycle commuters throughout the Baltimore region will converge on four locations:

• -War Memorial Plaza, Baltimore
• -City Dock, Annapolis
• -County Office Building, Bel Air
• -Courthouse Square, Towson

Registered participants will receive an event t-shirt, an on-the-go snack with java, and the chance to win bike accessories.

Bike to Work Day promotes a “clean commute” and kicks off Clean Commute Month in the Baltimore region. May is the beginning of the ground-level ozone season, when we hear about Code Red and Orange Ozone Action Days. On those days, the air is dangerous to breathe – especially for the young and for the elderly. Single occupancy vehicles produce 20% of the dangerous ozone-emission pollution in the Baltimore area. Bike commuting can improve the air we breathe.

On July 15, the day after Bastille Day, Parisians will wake up to discover thousands of low-cost rental bikes at hundreds of high-tech bicycle stations scattered throughout the city, an ambitious program to cut traffic, reduce pollution, improve parking and enhance the city's image as a greener, quieter, more relaxed place.

By the end of the year, organizers and city officials say, there should be 20,600 bikes at 1,450 stations -- or about one station every 250 yards across the entire city. Based on experience elsewhere -- particularly in Lyon, France's third-largest city, which launched a similar system two years ago -- regular users of the bikes will ride them almost for free.

"It has completely transformed the landscape of Lyon - - everywhere you see people on the bikes," said Jean- Louis Touraine, the city's Deputy Mayor. The program was meant "not just to modify the equilibrium between the modes of transportation and reduce air pollution, but also to modify the image of the city and to have a city where humans occupy a larger space..."

On May 16, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. In the Baltimore region, a 10-mile ride on the NCR trail will honor Tom Bruni - a renowned bike-builder and local rider who died in a bicycle crash. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is no brochure, no sponsors, no registration fees and no t-shirt. The ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.

Come to the charming Eastern Shore of Maryland for three days of scenic bicycle tours, nature experiences, programs and fun! The 18th annual Cycle Across Maryland will be held from July 12 – 15, 2007, based at University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne.

Cycle Across Maryland is presented with DLITE (Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences) to spotlight the Eastern Shore’s natural resources and beauty. Cycle Across Maryland is proud to partner with Food & Friends for their Team Food & Friends fundraising ride. Cycle Across Maryland supports One Less Car, Maryland’s campaign for bicycling and walking. Learn more about One Less Car’s work to make Maryland a great place to bike and walk.

Participants will enjoy:

• -Three days of supported rides with cue sheets and marked routes
• One day of unsupported rides with cue sheets and marked routes
• Commemorative short-sleeved t-shirt
• Free camping along with bathroom facilities
• Evening entertainment, including ice cream socials and special dessert events
• Well-stocked rest stops
• Bike mechanics (extra cost may apply)
• Programs, movies and trainings
• Opportunity to register for optional nature tours
• A great weekend of bicycling and fun!

An amendment to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board's bylaws which proposes to change the meeting policy is open for review. The changes, if implemented, would increase the number of meetings with empowered representatives to a minimum of eleven per year and reduce the number of meetings with elected officials to at least one per year. The public review period will be held from February 7, 2007 through April 5, 2007. The public is invited to review and comment on proposed changes to the BRTB bylaws.

e-mail: jbridges@baltometro.org

phone: 410-732-0500 Ext. 1053

web: http://www.baltometro.org