Win a Bike Delaware Jersey or Windbreaker: Be the First to Answer This Question
*** UPDATE: Congratulations to Nancy Mikkelsen for guessing the correct answer. We’ll publish her answer tomorrow! ***
Every journey, no matter how long, begins with a single step.
Just a few years ago, Delaware was ranked in the 30s for bicycle-friendliness among other states by the League of American Bicyclists. Over the last five years, however, we have advanced farther and faster than any other state ever in the League’s rankings, to #18, then to #10, then to #5, then to #4 and, this year, to #3, behind only two other states in America.
But to paraphrase Governor Jack Markell, Delaware is not the Third State. We’re the First State. We’re proud to be the #3 most Bicycle Friendly State in America. But that’s not good enough for us. We want Delaware to be he #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America (with all the cycling awesomeness that that entails).
How do we make Delaware the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America? It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. It’s probably going to be harder to get from #3 to #1 than it was to go from the 30s to #3. But one thing is for sure. If we are going to have any chance, we’ll need a lot of help.
Do you want to help? The first step in helping to make Delaware literally the most Bicycle Friendly State in America is both easy and simple. Have you already done this? Do you know what it is?
What is
- completely free,
- takes less than 5 minutes to do and
- is the single most important first step that most Delawareans can do to help make Delaware the most Bicycle Friendly State In America?
Reluctantly, we will give one hint. The answer involves finding out – and remembering – four words. (These words will generally be different for different people in Delaware.)
Be the first person to answer this question and we’ll send you a Bike Delaware jersey (or windbreaker) because you are awesome.
Give your answer below or on Facebook!
What is the most important first step that most Delawareans can do to make Delaware the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America? No, the answer is not “join Bike Delaware“! (Though that is something that would also really help!)
83 Responses
Follow all the bike safety rules while riding a bike!!!
That’s something you should do every time you ride and helps keep you safe. But the answer we’re looking for is something you only have to do once, takes less than 5 minutes and can help not just you but everyone who rides in Delaware.
Ride a bike. The more people that ride would lead to bigger public support for infrastructure development, greater awareness of bike safety, and a healthier Delaware.
That takes more than 5 minutes and is something you should do (a lot) more than once! The answer we’re looking for is something you only have to do once and takes less than 5 minutes. But it’s an important first step for things like helping to bring more infrastructure development to Delaware.
Wear a helmet & bike safely!
Michelle Parent, that’s something you should do every time you ride and helps keep you safe. But the answer we’re looking for is something you only have to do once, takes less than 5 minutes and can help not just you but everyone who rides in Delaware in the future.
Read the bike safety hand book.
That will definitely take more than 5 minutes to do (especially if you are hoping to remembers what you read)!
The answer we’re looking for only involves remembering 4 words. (That’s a pretty big hint!)
Ride your bike & be safe!
Safety check your unit.
Inform our elected officials to support infrastructure for safe biking?
This is one of the most important things we can do to push for Delaware to be #1! But it’s not the 1st step. Who would you inform?
Jack Jack Markell ?? He’s an awesome biker!
Vote vote vote
Susan Bachtle, here are a few things you might not know about Governor Jack Markell.
Susan Bachtle In 2010, he was the first-ever sitting United States governor to address the National Bike Summit in Washington DC.
Susan Bachtle 5 years later, Governor Markell is still the ONLY United States governor to ever address the National Bike Summit.
He is (as far as we know) the only governor in America to talk about cycling in his most important annual speech (the “State of the State”). Not just once! Three times! http://www.bikede.org/2013/01/21/two-state-of-the-state-speeches-in-a-row/
Susan Bachtle: Governor Jack Markell is the most bicycle-friendly governor in America! He is one of the most important reasons why Delaware has advanced to #3.
Here’s our picture with Ed Kee at the breakwater junction opening! We ❤️ Jack Markell
Susan Bachtle We never forget how fortunate we have been to have Governor Markell in our corner. What will we do in January of 2017? http://www.bikede.org/2015/05/13/top-8-reasons/
Susan Bachtle We don’t need to tell Governor Markell how important cycling is…But is there anybody else who might not be so well informed?
League of American bicyclist
Nope. Much more important than LAB.
Uncle… Just gonna keep riding my bike! Thanks for all you do to keep us safe & moving!
The 2 bike trails at the beach have united Lewes and Rehoboth like no 2 other beach towns on the east coast
Staff commented on Bike Delaware Inc.:
That takes more than 5 minutes and is something you should do (a lot) more than once! The answer we’re looking for is something you only have to do once and takes less than 5 minutes. But it’s an important first step – a crucial first step – for most Delawareans if we are going to make Delaware the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America.
Vote to make us #1??
Vote
Who would you vote for (or against)?
Write a letter to the politicians
Which ones?
Chris coon, Bhatt
Sign up for Motivate the First State?
We love Motivate the First State. But there is something you can do that is even more important…(Hint: You may have already done it. But most Delawareans haven’t.)
Register your bicycle online.
Great idea that may help you get your bike back if it is stolen! But not the answer we’re looking for can help everyone in Delaware and is a first step to making the state as whole more bicycle-friendly.
Susan Bachtle He has fought for, and won, millions of dollars to improve cycling in Delaware: http://www.bikede.org/2014/06/20/state-budget-committee-backs-markell-on-cycling/
Slow down when you see bikes!!
Heike Kuehn Sweeney, we love you! Thank you for this suggestion. But slowing down for cyclists is something motorists should do every time they drive near bikes. The answer we’re looking for is a one-time thing. (That takes less than 5 minutes and is completely free.)
:Bike Delaware) I’m stumped! Time for coffee
It will seem obvious once somebody says what the answer is…but most people just don’t think about how important this is.
Learn the proper rules and riding etiquette of the roadways (as a driver or a cyclist), practice them every time you ride.
That doesn’t take a lot of time to learn. But it definitely takes more than 5 minutes!
First:Answer the question and LIKE Bike Delaware!
Liking Bike Delaware’s Facebook page takes less than 5 SECONDS. But the answer we’re looking for takes just a little bit longer than that. Hint: It involves finding out and remembering 4 words.
‘Ask the right questions’ …..how to improve your states ranking article!
There are four words every Delawarean who cares about making Delaware the greatest state for cycling should know. It only takes a few minutes to search for these words online…Hint: These words are generally different for different Delawareans…
Share the road together!
You only have to do this once and it takes less than 5 minutes.
Ask for bicycle lanes.
Who would you ask?
Wear reflective clothing.
Judy Benedict Pantalino, that’s something you might do every time you ride to be more visible. But the answer we’re looking for is something you only have to do once, takes less than 5 minutes and can help not just you but everyone who rides in Delaware in the future.
Bike Friendly America Program!
Nope! The answer has to do with what we can do in Delaware!
Safety check your unit.
That’s something you should do more than once. The answer – learn and remember 4 words – iis something you might only need to do once.
Contact your state representative.
So what are the four words that every Delawarean should know?
The inland bays bike trail?
Some people know this information already. But most don’t! For those who don’t know these 4 words, it takes just a few minutes of searching to find them online. But it’s the information everyone who wants to start helping to make Delaware the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America needs as a starting point.
Maybe a bike bridge over love creek to old landing road
Nancy Mikkelsen was the first to guess (just now).
Think before you ride!
Email your state representative
Do you know his or her name?
Stephen T. Smyk and Ernie Lopez
Nancy Freeman Mikkelsen THANK YOU!!! The answer to the question “What is completely free, takes less than 5 minutes to do, you only have to do once and is the single most important first step that most Delawareans can do to help make Delaware the most Bicycle Friendly State In America?” is “Know the names of your Delaware State Senator and Delaware State Representative”. Your State Senator and State Representative are the two people in state government whose jobs are to represent *your* interests. When they (and all their colleagues in the Delaware General Assembly) know how important cycling is to their constituents, they will support the changes we need to make Delaware the most Bicycle Friendly State in America.
Can we send you a Bike Delaware jersey or windbreaker for being the first to guess the answer?
Nancy Freeman Mikkelsen , please let us know your size and where to send: http://www.bikede.org/contact-us/
Sure…ill pm you my particulars! And everyone should do it!!! All the contact info is easily available!
Everyone should! But it’s shocking how few people in Delaware even know the names of their state senator and state representative. We’re going to write a follow-up article tomorrow explaining how important it is for everyone to know these names as a first step. (The next steps are to contact them in ways that are productive and focused. That’s where Bike Delaware can really, really help!) PS Don’t forget to tell us your size and whether you would prefer a jersey or windbreaker.
Make your voice heard!
Some people already know this information. But most don’t. For those who don’t know these 4 words, it takes just a few minutes of searching to find it online. But it’s the information everyone who wants to start helping to make Delaware the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America needs as a starting point.
John carney, Carper, Coons
That’s a really good guess! But Carney, Carper and Coons represent Delaware in Washington DC. They help decide big issues like Social Security and whether America should go to war. They actually have very little to do with the sorts of decisions that affect how safe, convenient and fun it is to ride a bike back here in Delaware. Those decisions are made by other people….people who work right here in Delaware, not in Washington DC.
Tell Your State Representatives.
Do you know their names? (PS Nancy Mikkelsen just guessed the right answer.)
Schwartzkopf and Lopez.
Write to your Congressmen.
Very, very close. Nancy Mikkelsen just guessed the right answer.
UPDATE: Congratulations to Nancy Freeman Mikkelsen for guessing the correct answer!