Bike Infrastructure Funding Raided to Fund Baltimore's Complete Streets Program

Robbing Peter to pay Paul.

1 minute read

January 25, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bike Lane

Albert Pego / Shutterstock

Emily Ranson reports on the stalled progress of the city of Baltimore's planned protected bike lanes.

"Last week the city released its new budget, but to the chagrin of bicycle advocates, it didn't include funding for the next phase of its separated bike network," according to Ranson. "Instead, it funnels money into another program and re-proposes projects that should have already been completed."

The $1 million originally intended for protected bike lanes will instead fund the city's Complete Streets program, approved in October 2018.

As a bicycle advocate, Ranson is disappointed with the change: "Transferring funds to Complete Streets might not seem like a bad thing, but the proposed bike projects list includes projects that should have already been completed and others that have already been counted in the 2017-2019 plan. Effectively, the city is adding $0 to its new budget for bicycles."

In fact, reports Ranson, all funding for Citywide Bike Infrastructure has been eliminated from the city's budget. With so many projects pushed back and currently lacking any funding, Ranson fears that the projects will never reach completion.

Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

15 minutes ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

1 hour ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

2 hours ago - CNU Public Square

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.