[BALTIMORESUN] More than 40 bicycles belonging to Baltimore's Recreation and Parks department for a bike-share program were stolen this week, and the activity has been suspended indefinitely, city officials said.The bikes, which included children's bikes and adult-size blue beach cruisers, were stolen on Monday during the city's Ride Around the Reservoir program in Druid Hill Park. Recreation and Parks spokeswoman Gwendolyn Chambers said staff had set up the bikes to lend out when a large group of youths began stealing them. One staffer was kicked by a youth, though the injury was not serious, Chambers said.
"We don't want our staff in harm's way so we don't engage in fights with them," Chambers said.
Under the Ride Around program, which began in 2006 and expanded from one day a week to four days a week, people can borrow the bikes and helmets and ride through Druid Hill Park. Similar programs also operate in Carroll Park, Lake Montebello and at City Hall for employees during lunchtime. The program is also part of the city's Camp Baltimore summer camp. All of those programs, which serve about 3,000 people each summer, will be affected by the loss of the bikes, Chambers said.
The city is asking for the public's help to recover the bikes, and residents are asked to call 911 if they spot one of them. Officials said the bikes can also be dropped off at any city recreation center or at Recreation and Parks headquarters at 2600 Madison Ave. with no questions asked.