B'more Involved promotes civic engagement in local and regional transportation, planning and equity. This important information - also posted on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) - is a great way for you to learn more, stay up-to-date on important events and news, and let you know how you can B'more Involved! 

In this issue: 

• Take A Survey To Help Improve Housing In The Metro Area!
• BRTB Seeks New Members For Transportation CORE
• BRTB Reviewed Comments, Voted On $4.5 Billion Transportation Program. How Did We Do?
• August Is Climate Resilience Month - Check Out These MDP Webinars 
• Help Create Better Transit Connections In Catonsville
• Baltimore City To Launch Bike Baltimore Electric Pilot Voucher Program 
• Be The Driver Who Saves Lives  
• Our Meetings Are Open To All - Join Online Or Watch The Recordings 
• Sign Up For Text Alerts    

TAKE A SURVEY TO HELP IMPROVE HOUSING IN THE METRO AREA!

The BMC, assisting local governments and public housing authorities (PHAs), is conducting a survey to understand residents' experiences in finding quality, affordable housing. The survey is confidential and will help create better housing programs. It takes about 10 minutes, and you could win a $100 gift card for participating!

Take the survey here:

• English: surveymonkey.com/r/BaltimoreFH24  
• Español: surveymonkey.com/r/BaltimoreFH24?lang=es

Participation is optional and won't affect your housing status or assistance. If you have a housing voucher and are willing to share more about your housing search, email hello@rootpolicy.com to join a virtual focus group.

Please share this survey with others in your community! Everyone who completes it can enter the gift card drawing. 
 

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR VIRTUAL TRANSPORTATION CORE

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is looking for volunteers to join the Transportation CORE (Community Outreach and Regional Engagement).

This virtual group of people from all over the region come together to provide feedback on transportation and planning activities in the Baltimore region. 

We need residents, business owners, transportation advocates, non-profit leaders, and other key stakeholders from the city of Annapolis, as well as Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Anne’s Counties. 

Interested? Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.

 Apply today for the Transportation CORE
 

BRTB REVIEWED COMMENTS, VOTED ON $4.5 BILLION TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

In May, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) released a $4.52 billion draft transportation program for the next 4 years. This short-range program includes 162 bicycle, transit, bridge, highway, pedestrian, and freight projects.  

Nearly 210 people shared 69 comments on the draft, and another 180 transportation project ideas or transportation needs. 

The three main themes of feedback were:   

• Reduce Highway Expansion and Shift Funding to Transit 
• Increase Transit Capacity and Bike/Pedestrian Projects
• Improve Road Safety and Reduce Fatalities 

The BRTB and BMC staff reviewed the comments and shared responses in mid-July. The BRTB voted to approve the final TIP and air quality report on July 23rd. 

Visit publicinput.com/BRTB-TIP to see results
 

How Did We Do? 
Take Our Community Engagement Survey! 

As part of our process, we would like your opinion on our community engagement efforts for this project. Your feedback will help us make improvements in how we work with communities in the future.

Let us know how we did at publicinput.com/25-28TIPengagement

AUGUST IS CLIMATE RESILIENCE MONTH - CHECK OUT THESE MDP WEBINARS 

Unprecedented heat waves, storms of the century, and devastating fires are impacting communities across the country. While large-scale interventions in policy and technology are necessary to preserve the planet, the most impactful adaptation solutions often originate at the local level. However, with something as large as the climate crisis, it can be hard for local communities to know where to begin.

Join the Maryland Department of Planning for these webinars on how you can get involved: 

• Community Action for Climate Change
  Tuesday, August 6 at 1 p.m.  |  Free   |   Online 
  
  Learn how to boost your community’s climate resilience and move the needle toward environmental justice. Featured speakers are Cate Mingoya, Author of Climate Action for Busy People, and Mara Parker, Montgomery County, MD Climate Adaptation Program Manager. Register
   
• Viewing Resilience Planning Through an Equity Lens
  Tuesday, August 13 at 1 p.m.  |  Free   |   Online 
   
  Equitable resilience describes the capacity to withstand, respond, adapt, and transform in the face of climate change and disasters in ways that are culturally appropriate, participatory, and enhance the resilience of the community, not just individuals. The EPA has developed an Equitable Resilience Builder (ERB) application to support communities in resilience planning with a focus on equity. The tool provides a guide to inclusively assess local hazards, equity, and the resilience of the built, natural, and social environment systems. Register 
   

HELP CREATE BETTER TRANSIT CONNECTIONS IN CATONSVILLE

The MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and Baltimore County want to know how they can make the bus stop at Rolling Road and US 40 (near Giant Food and Walmart) better for riders. They are looking for suggestions to make it more comfortable for people switching between bus routes, safer for those walking or biking to the stop, or any other ideas to improve your experience.

Take the survey

Para realizar esta encuesta en español, utilice el menú desplegable en la esquina superior derecha de esta página.

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BALTIMORE CITY TO LAUNCH  BIKE BALTIMORE ELECTRIC PILOT VOUCHER PROGRAM 

Baltimore City is introducing a pilot initiative to help Baltimore City residents buy electric bicycles.

Once the application period opens in September 2024, anyone who is a Baltimore City resident* at the time of application can apply for a voucher to purchase e-bikes from approved vendors.

A cornerstone of the program is breaking down financial barriers to e-bike access. By providing financial support, especially for income-qualified individuals, it will make e-biking an affordable and sustainable transportation option for more residents.

The e-bike voucher pilot program also aims to advance environmental sustainability by encouraging the adoption of e-bikes as a green transportation option. Baltimore City's key goals in achieving environmental targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and alleviating traffic congestion.

Learn more at streetsofbaltimore.com/bikeelectric

BE THE DRIVER THAT SAVES LIVES: KEEPING KIDS SAFE AS THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL 

It’s August and that means kids and families around the region are planning for back to school. We all play a part in helping ensure that all children make it to school safely.

Check out these driver safety tips:  

• Stay alert while driving, especially near schools and bus stops. 
• Watch for kids walking or biking to school.
• Children move unpredictably and may not know traffic rules. You do.
• Don't assume children see or hear your car. Give them the right of way if you see them.
• Do not try to pass a school bus. A child might be getting on or off the bus. Also, it’s the law to stop for a bus with flashing lights.  

Teach children these safety tips to stay safe on their way to and from school:

• Use crosswalks and signals. Follow traffic lights and crossing guards for safety.
• Before crossing the street, make sure it's clear. Look left, then right, then left again. Wait until it’s safe to cross. 
• Make sure car and bus drivers see you - make eye contact. 
• Stay away from the road. Use sidewalks and wait for the bus at least five giant steps back from the curb.
• Always cross in front where drivers can see you. Never walk behind the bus or car.

Learn more at zerodeathsmd.gov
 

OUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL - JOIN ONLINE OR WATCH THE RECORDINGS 

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board and its subcommittees meet regularly to plan for the future of transportation in our region.  

These meetings are open to the public. Some meetings are held in person at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, located at 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230. All meetings are live streamed online via Zoom for your convenience.  

Check out our calendar at baltometro.org

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BMC also shares information on different projects and plans throughout the year.  Visit our engagement hub to check out what's going on or sign up for alerts.