Yesterday, Baltimore hosted its first Sunday Streets event. The southbound half of Roland Avenue, a divided boulevard, was closed for just over one mile through the wealthy Roland Park neighborhood. Baltimore City’s bicycle program, the Roland Park Civic League, and One Less Car had tables with information in front of the local library, and a local bike shops set up quick repair stations along the route. Sunny, mild weather helped drive turnout, even if promotion of the event was low-key. The result was a friendly neighborhood feeling dominated by some distinct user groups: area residents walking their dogs, avid cyclists, and families with small children on bicycles or drawing with chalk in the street.

The event cost $4,125, mostly for police details to close the road and direct traffic, paid for by the Roland Park Civic League, Roland Park Community Foundation and Roland Park Roads and Maintenance Corporation.

The Civic League is already receiving positive emails from neighbors. One resident called it “one of my favorite days since we came to this community.” They plan to compile a report to evaluate the event, including input from local businesses. Official numbers are not yet in, but a coffee shop along the route saw a significant increase in business compared to an average Sunday. Sunday Streets proponents in Baltimore hope that costs can be reduced for future Sunday Streets events and that, as a result, neighborhoods across the city will be able to host their own version of the event.

Meanwhile, DC’s Sunday Streets initiative goes into hibernation for the winter after producing “Feet in the Street” in Fort Dupont Park in August. Hosting an event on a major road through a well-populated neighborhood will improve attendance and attract potential customers for businesses that rely on foot traffic. In addition, the livable streets message of these events, which emphasizes the value of taking a place usually dedicated to automobiles and handing it over to vulnerable road users like kids learning to ride bikes, will have a stronger impact when hosted in a high-profile location such as a major urban road. Feet in the Street was a nice start, but it fell short of its full potential. Hopefully DC can learn a thing or two from Baltimore before next summer.