FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Four New Commissioners Appointed to the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission

Baltimore MD – The Baltimore Department of Transportation (BCDOT) is pleased to welcome four new commissioners, appointed by Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, to the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission.  Two fill existing slots and two fill new slots created by the Mayor to further broaden community representation and to increase inclusion on the commission.  The Mayor’s order also reauthorizes the commission under the current mayoral administration.

The members of the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission (MBAC) are volunteers appointed by the Mayor, as well as representatives of City entities whose work directly affects bicycle-related projects: The Mayor’s Office, City Council, Department of Transportation, Baltimore Police Department, Department of Planning, and Department of Recreation and Parks. The commission advises on bicycling and multi-modal transportation in the City and advocates for capital and operating funding for bicycle facilities.  It is also charged with coordinating City agency implementation of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan.

The new commissioners are:

• as a community representative, LaKeisha Henderson, founder of Bike & Brunch Tours, which gives riders the opportunity to share the history and culture of Baltimore communities;
• as a public health community representative, Daniel Knopp, senior research analyst at the National Study Center for Trauma & EMS at the University of Maryland School of Medicine;
• as a representative of underserved communities, Jasper Barnes, an educator and youth advocate who also serves as the Executive Director of the BYKE Collective, which promotes personal and professional development for young people (ages 10-17) through learning bicycle mechanics and safe ridership; and
• as a bicycle community representative, Penny Troutner, a longtime bicycle advocate, bike shop owner, and founder of Baltimore’s famous Tour Dem Parks ride.

“It is my pleasure to appoint these talented Baltimoreans to the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission,” said Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young.  “Their passion, expertise, and skills will help us accelerate progress on installing bicycle facilities and expanding opportunities for multi-modal transit in Baltimore.”

“The Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission will help us reach a better transportation future for Baltimore” said Director Steve Sharkey.  “As an agency that focuses on improving our transportation network for all users, we look forward to continued work with the commission on creating a robust, accessible, and equitable transportation system.”

Jon Laria, an attorney who will continue as Chair of the commission, said “I’m grateful to Mayor Young for recognizing the importance of bicycle facilities as part of a complete transit system badly in need of improvement.  We look forward to welcoming the new commissioners and to continuing our work.”

A copy of the Mayor’s Executive Order is available on our website.