Delaware 2013 Bicycle Friendly State “Report Card”
Between May of 1997 and March of 2008 (over 10 years), Delaware’s unemployment rate was between 3 and 4%. But for the last four years, unemployment has stubbornly...
We know what we want. And it all comes back to the “Bike and Pedestrian Improvements” program authorization for the Delaware Department of Transportation. We...
by Melissa Nann Burke The News Journal February 15, 2013 Relatively few Delaware workers commute by bike, but they might reconsider when cyclists are whizzing...
By Amy Wilburn, Chair, Delaware Bicycle Council
On Monday 7/25/2011, Governor Markell signed SB 38, Delaware’s “three foot passing” bill. With the signing of this bill, Delaware becomes the nineteenth state to have a passing law to protect cyclists. The law not only provides additional legal protection, it provides an important educational opportunity.
The Delaware Bicycle Council again wishes to thank Senator Dave Sokola for sponsoring this bill and for working with the Council, the Delaware State Police and DelDOT to ensure that the bill addresses the needs of cyclists. The Council also wishes to express appreciation to Senator Sokola’s legislative aide, Glenn Shipley, for his efforts, to Representative Valerie Longhurst and her legislative assistant, Melissa Hopkins, for spearheading the effort in the House, and to the following other cosponsors: Representatives Schooley, Hudson, Keeley, B. Short and Senator Cloutier.
Recent Articles
“When I first saw the headline, I figured either LAB had gone crazy or else I had.” – recent comment by Bike Delaware reader Just a few...
The City of Wilmington, Bike Wilmington and its supporters/sponsors are proud to hold the third annual Bike-to-Work Day (May 17th). Bike-to-Work Day is a National...
Cross-posted from Systemic Failure Each year there are tens of thousands of fatalities on the nation’s highways. A disproportionate [number] of those...
On May 15, 2013 at 7:00 PM, the northern Delaware 10 mile Ride of Silence will begin at the Ed Oliver Golf Club in Wilmington. Cyclists will take to the roads...
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4 Comments
Great law, nice to see politicians caring about the safety of cyclists.
I like the "move over a lane" language on multi-lane roadways. This was something I wanted put into our proposal in New Jersey but was immediately shot down. I'm glad you have it in your new LAW for us to emulate.
Still, I can't stand that "3-feet" has become the standard minimum safe distance to pass a cyclist. I'm concerned these laws will cause drivers who give us 5, 10 and even more feet of clearance when they pass, the notion that they shouldn't be giving us that amount and will then pass closer. 3-feet is in my opinion NEVER an adequate passing distance. 5-feet is a minimum in my book and just a minimum.
I agree, Andy. You can almost reach out and touch a car passing 3' away. Maybe we can view this as a start, and amend the law to 4' (commonly found bike lane width) someday.
I'm not as worried about drivers moving in on us. I think most who pass at greater distances now do it out of common courtesy anyway. The 3' is the stated minimum. Let's hope this is true, anyway.
In New Hampshire it's 3' for 30mph and below, an additional 1' for every 10mph above 30mph.