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Bike Delaware is a coalition of like minded citizens and organizations that promote bicycling as a healthy alternative to driving and advocate safe provisions within our transportation system.
Our Mission: Identify, prioritize and address local bicycle issues - Protect the rights and legal status of bicyclists - Greatly enhance Delaware as a bicycle friendly state.
Latest News:
Shore Fire Century sees record attendance The Shore Fire Century on Saturday, August 28 was a fabulous success. Thanks to publicity in Bicycling magazine and other media sources, combined with great weather, the White Clay Bicycle Club had a record turnout - more than 850 riders. Some came from as far away as Florida and Michigan. This broke the event's previous mark by over 200! Full story HERE. Dedication of Bikes Lanes over the St. Georges Bridge Governor Jack Markell and Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks were joined today by Federal and state officials, and bicycle advocates at a ceremony to recognize the newly completed bike lanes on the St. Georges Bridge across the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. Governor Markell led the excited group of cyclists on the 2.5 mile ride over the bridge and back. Senator Thomas R. Carper, Congressman Michael N. Castle, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Commander, Lt. Philip Secrist, and Amy Wilburn, Chair of the Delaware Bicycle Council took part in the event on the grounds of the Commodore MacDonough School, where they discussed why it is so vital to provide infrastructure for more than just cars. "These bike lanes are a testament to the power of the community to work together with state and federal government to find practical solutions", Governor Markell explained. "Enabling cyclists to cross this bridge safely helps promote public health, protect our environment, and improve quality of life to make Delaware more attractive to employers". DelDOT press release HERE. Enjoy 22 photos, including slide show feature HERE. Check in with Bike Delaware News for all the latest news and events around Delaware. Join our News Feed. Take Action!
Public Workshop: Foulk-Wilson-Murphy Roads Intersection The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is holding a Public Workshop to obtain opinions and insight from surrounding businesses and the general public for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project at the intersection of Foulk Road and Murphy/Wilson Road. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at Concord Presbyterian Church, 1800 Fairfax Boulevard in Wilmington. The public is invited to attend. There will be a formal presentation at 6:00 p.m. followed by breakout groups for questions and answers until 9:00 p.m. More, full event details and interactive streetview. SR 273 Appleby to Airport Road Public Workshop: Comments Needed Improvements are proposed along approximately one half mile section of SR273 between Appleby and Airport Roads, as well as the approaches to SR273 from both. These intersections were identified as a high accident corridor through the Department's Hazard Elimination Program (HEP). Existing issues include capacity, safety, and complete streets implementation. There are 3 proposed alternatives that will include pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and can be reviewed on these boards and displays (pdf). In the interest of safety, Bike Delaware members are strongly encouraged to choose which one they feel best suits the needs of non-motorized users, and provide comments. You can use this form in xls HERE, which includes a mailing address, or simply email your comments to DelDOT PR at: dotpr@state.de.us. See it on Bike Delaware News, including interactive Google streetview HERE. Head to our Take Action page for more action items.
Most Recent Progress:
Newark Bicycle Committee:
Newark achieves a Bronze BFC designation - join NBC and go for Silver! How many bicycles can you count on Main Street sidewalks during a typical weekday afternoon? Bronze is only the beginning, as Newark looks to achieve Silver (and beyond) in LAB's Bicycle-Friendly Communities awards program. Much work remains, including the completion of a safe on and off-road bicycle transportation network throughout the city.
Quote of the Month: 9/10 "I have always thought that the substitution of the internal combustion machine for the horse marked a very gloomy milestone in the progress of mankind" ~ Winston Churchill Commuter Spotlight! Jim Shaw commutes round trip between Newark and Stanton every day unless 40% or more chance of rain. Join us for a Q&A session with Jim on our Commuter Spotlight page HERE! Featured Issue:
National Advocacy News:
Momentum grows for federal policy breakthrough that would fast-track bikeway innovations According to Mike Wetter, the Senior Advisor to Metro Council President David Bragdon, the U.S. Department of Transportation is on the verge of a decision that could rapidly speed up the use of innovative bikeway treatments across America. Among supporters of a change to the policy is a national association of city transportation planners and U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Currently, due to outdated federal standards, many bikeway designs that are common in Europe and Canada -- like bike boxes, colored pavement markings, bike-only signals, and buffered bike lanes -- are still considered "experimental" in the U.S.. This lack of official endorsement by the FHWA means city planners cannot use federal funds to install them and they encounter a host of significant barriers when trying to implement them. Wetter, along with transportation planners at PBOT and cities across the country, think current policies are unfair to urban jurisdictions and they might finally be close to changing them. Cont . . . Senate Committee approves forward-looking Livable Communities Act The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs today approved Chairman Christopher Dodd's (D-CT) Livable Communities Act, S. 1619. The Act would take unprecedented steps to help communities deal with a range of critical issues, from traffic congestion to housing affordability to neighborhood stability. "We applaud the Committee for taking this major step forward on behalf of communities both small and large, and for American families looking for affordable homes in healthy neighborhoods with reliable transportation options," said Transportation for America Director James Corless. More . . .
Featured Link(s):
(Road) Dieting is good for you
A recent study "Evaluation of Lane Reduction "Road Diet" Measures on Crashes" released by the Federal Highway Administration offers more evidence that rechannelizing four-lane streets to two lanes with a center turn lane can reduce collision rates without worsening congestion. Video: Adventures in a Platinum Bike City, Davis California "My kids have asked me before what those big yellow things are ... normally we'd call them school buses. We don't have them here in Davis" ~ Kelly Stachowicz, Davis Deputy City Manager See our Resources page for more . . . Did you know . . .
Even in Portland Oregon, a judge ruled in favor of a motorist who right hooked and seriously injured a cyclist riding in a bike lane, just because of a striping break through the intersection. Imagine the case in Delaware, given few bike or shared lane facilities to begin with.
A complete study on the safety benefits of bike lanes conducted in Cambridge Massachusetts HERE. See our Resources page for more. Next Bike Delaware Meeting:
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 6pm Included on the agenda: Complete Streets implementation, Active Transportation, 3' passing law, identifying and attending/tabling events, etc. Come join us! WILMAPCO, 850 Library Ave, Suite 100, Newark, DE. (map) Check out our Participation page for links to minutes and agendas, past and present. What is a "Ducky"? A "Ducky" is a small surface mounted flexible post, similar to a bollard, but significantly smaller. Little information can be found on the internet about Duckies, however, they are found in increasing numbers in Delaware. It appears they are used as a traffic calming device, to channelize traffic away from shoulders, pedestrian refuge areas, and other no-traffic zones.
Upcoming Events:
Delaware's 24th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour and Race
Saturday, September 11, 2010. Join 1,500 cyclists for the 24th annual Amish Country Bike Tour in Dover, Delaware. Great for all ages and abilities through the flatlands of Delaware's Amish countryside. Loops include 15, 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles, plus a 25-mile competitive race on a separate loop. Bike Tour entry fee includes food stops including the famous Amish pie stop at the Amish Schoolhouse. After-tour party with live band and catered picnic lunch. Tentatively planned for this year is a patriotic bike parade to honor 9/11. This event is sponsored by Kent County Tourism. Proceeds from the bike tour are also shared with the Central Delaware YMCA and the Amish Schoolhouse Education Program. For more information or to register, visit us on-line or call 800-233-5368. Bike Philly: Celebrate Bicycling on Car-Free Philadelphia Streets! Sunday, September 12, 2010. Bike Philly is a morning of relaxed biking on certified car-free Philadelphia streets. Bring friends to celebrate with thousands of bicyclists of all ages. This once a year event is family-friendly, featuring a car-free 10 and 20 mile loop and a challenging 35 mile option on shared roads. Enjoy the historic beauty of Philadelphia on two wheels and support the Bicycle Coalition's efforts to make the city more livable and sustainable. Make it a weekend of bicycling with the Scenic Schuylkill Century on September 11, an event of the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia. Bicyclists of all skill levels are welcome. Bike Philly rolls rain or shine. LAST MINUTE REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL September 11th, so come join us! Event webpage HERE. Check in with Bike Delaware's Events page for more, including submission guidelines. Other Cities and States . . .
Check in with Bike Delaware News for all the latest news and events around Delaware, as well as nationally. Join our News Feed. Recommended Reading: Why we drive the way we doThere aren't many opportunities to bicycle to places we would like to go to without, at some point, venturing out on to roads with high speed motorized traffic. When we negotiate our way on these roads - unprotected by thousands of pounds of metal, seat belts or high tech air bags - it is important that we understand the behavior of motorists, especially in places where bicyclists are rarely present and drivers are not expecting us. There is no better way to do that than by reading the book "Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do", by Tom Vanderbilt. It's time to celebrate Complete Streets in Delaware
Bike Delaware on-line photos:
St. Georges Bridge Bike Lanes Dedication Ceremony Governor Jack Markell, Sen. Tom Carper, Rep. Mike Castle, and Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks were joined on Aug. 26 by Federal and state officials, and bicycle advocates at a ceremony to recognize the newly completed bike lanes on the St. Georges Bridge. 2010 Hall Trail Designation, Newark Night Saturday, June 5 saw the National Park Service designate the James F. Hall Trail in Newark as a National Recreation Trail. Later, Bike Delaware, Newark Bicycle Committee, Delaware Bicycle Council, and Delaware Greenways hit Main Street for Newark Night! 2010 Delaware Bike Summit and Wilmington Grand Prix Quite possibly the greatest 2 days of cycling - on and off the bike - in First State history. Join our growing list of constituents. Email us for more information.
Check in with Transportation for America, Bike Delaware's national partner
Bike Delaware has joined over 350 national, regional and state organizations, calling for a bold new vision on the national transportation front. We encourage our constituents to do the same. Read all about it HERE. Full partner list with links HERE. "Where the roads are dominated by the automobile, it is because they have been usurped. Many motorists - specifically, those who refuse to share the roads - mistakenly believe that their possession of a driver's license gives them a superior claim to the road. These are the motorists who exclaim that, "Until cyclists are licensed and insured, they don't have a right to the road". In fact, the right to travel is an ancient right, now recognized as one of our constitutional rights, and the roads are the commons, open to all for travel and other uses. Rather than signifying a superior claim to the road, a driver's license merely grants the holder the revocable privilege of operating a motor vehicle on the commons. Because other road users are not required to be licensed (and that tacitly means this right cannot be revoked) their right to use the roads is in fact superior to that of the motorist" ~ Bob Mionske
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