12 Research of Bicycle Advocates Community
The research of bicycle advocacy analyzes alternative forms of transportation for citizens. My research consists of qualitative methods in engaging with the community. Bicycle advocates are leading the charge in the Baltimore city government. Elected city officials have initiated plans to implement bike lane infrastructure in Baltimore. I serve as a Baltimore City government intern for the ADA. The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) is creating new programs for pedestrian travel. I accompany the ADA group in creating strategies for bicycle advocacy in our city.
Baltimore City is plagued with street infrastructure problems for pedestrian travel; Baltimore City government is pushing for an increase in street infrastructure budgeting. I analyzed alternative methods of research for bicycle advocates. Bicycle advocates have found benefits in pedestrian bicycle travel. My research consisted of asking bicycle advocates questions in Baltimore.
I asked multiple bicycle advocates about their motives for spreading awareness for the cause. First, I asked a bicycle advocate from the University of Baltimore. The University of Baltimore student addressed environmental health concerns. Cities such as Baltimore deal with high volumes of traffic: vehicle gas spreads harmful toxins such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and benzene. Climate change is a problem that plagues our world. Pedestrians traveling by bicycle will lessen environmental health concerns. Second, I asked a Hampden, Baltimore resident who is a bicycle advocate. The advocate said bicycling became important once she faced health concerns. Bicycling can be used as a healthy form of transportation: citizens who travel by bicycle can potentially improve their health conditions. Bicycle advocates have promoted the beneficial reasons to bike.
Community advocates have rallied together for implementation of bike lane infrastructure.
Baltimore City has dealt with ongoing bike lane friction for years. I found an article exposing the minimization of bicycle lane importance. The West Baltimore community argued for a bike lane removal due to traffic: a half-mile bike lane on Monroe street was causing friction for residents. Citizens’ inability to respect bike lane traffic was causing safety concerns for pedestrians. The bike lane infrastructure was noted as poorly designed by civil engineers. The bicycle community rallied together to challenge the department of transportation decision. The community felt residents should be notified of sudden changes. Community president William Brewer said, “Anger in the community arose… because nobody was ever warned or educated about the change. We were shocked. The city department of transportation (DOT) came in and did what they wanted to do without consulting us” (Shen).
The conflict between cyclists and drivers should be highlighted in this research. Bicycle lane infrastructure has been put on the backburner by government officials. Bicycle advocates have argued for equality amongst drivers. Mayor Brandon Scott has initiated plans for bike lane infrastructure within the next five years. I interviewed a government employee who serves on the ADA team board. Z is a government analyst who creates solutions for bike lane infrastructure. While interviewing Z I learned of ongoing issues in the bicycle lane advocate community.
My Interview with Z
Question 1: What are emerging problems for the Baltimore Bike community?
Answer 1: The bike community has problems grabbing the attention of the public. The increasing number of cyclists will draw attention to city government. Bicycling exposes pedestrians to potential harmful risks. City drivers are prone to not value cyclists the same as drivers.
Question 2: What can Baltimore City residents do due to aid bike lane infrastructure?
Answer 2: Bring awareness to the Baltimore City government on the importance of bike lane travel.
Question 3: What are misconceptions about bike lane infrastructure?
Answer 3: Bike lane infrastructure is looked at as a sign of gentrification. We want all communities to have access to bike lanes. Baltimore city residents should value development of bike lane infrastructure across the city.
References
Creswell, J. W., 8 amp; Creswell, J.D.(2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications, Inc.
Shen, Fern.(2011). Battle over a west Baltimore bike lane. Baltimore Brew.
