This week, in the spirit of Bike to Work Day on May 19, On the Record with Sheilah Kast featured two biking projects started by OSI-Baltimore Community Fellows. First, she spoke to Liz Cornish, executive director of Bikemore, which was founded by 2012 Fellow, Chris Merriam, about the bikeability of Baltimore and what challenges cycling advocates face when trying to improve biking conditions in the city. Merriam founded Bikemore in order to build a healthier Baltimore by promoting cycling and advocating for cyclists’ rights.
Kast also spoke to Chavi Rhodes, a 2015 Community Fellow who founded Baltimore Youth Kinetic Energy Collective (BYKE), an organization dedicated to giving young people a safe place to learn bicycle mechanics, practice respectful safe ridership and build community. Rhodes was joined by BYKE mechanics mentor, Lee Peterson, who teaches the basics on what to do and what not to do when repairing a bike. Since its inception, the organization has increased its focus on workforce development. Young people also get guidance – not only on bike mechanics, but also conflict resolution and responsibility. Currently, BYKE is working on a violence prevention curriculum for young people.
