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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:
Bike DE members inquire: Is national advocacy worth the effort? In the current political environment, where partisanship takes precedence over right or wrong, we will forge ahead and continue to ask Bike Delaware members to support national advocacy action alerts and letter writing campaigns. Most items we push on (ACT or Complete Streets for example) are 'marker bills' - that is, they are really not written or intended to pass. The authors hope to spend a few weeks or months or longer ginning up support for the bill and the principles in it, so when a more comprehensive piece of legislation is being drafted (like the full transportation re-authorization bill), the 'marker' will be one of the bills or laws that gets folded into the broader piece of legislation. Complete Streets, for example, is not really created to serve as a standalone bill; it's an overall principle that needs to inform the broader transportation bill and how we spend all federal money. Read on . . . DelDOT preparing signs for the East Coast Greenway DelDOT, in coordination with WILMAPCO and the East Coast Greenway Alliance, is preparing to erect signs marking the ECG route in Delaware. A particular MUTCD design, known as "M1-8a", is approved for use along its interim on-road sections, resembling those used for numbered bike routes such as Bike Route 1. Another design, by DelDOT in conjunction with the ECGA, will be used on the ECG's completed off-road sections. Examples can already be found in some areas, including the James F. Hall Trail in Newark. Details HERE. An early peek at Delaware's newest rail trail Paving of Delaware's newest rail trail, the "Industrial Track" (formerly Penn Central RR) is well under way. Phase 1 of the project, pictured here, runs almost 2 miles from Delaware Street in Old New Castle to just beyond Boulden Blvd to the north. Beautiful wooden bollards, lining the trail in spots, serve as stabilizers to the old railroad bed. Decorative rest areas, including park benches, bike racks, and kiosks are found at regular intervals. Phase 2 construction will resume heading north of Boulden Blvd and continue on to the Christina River, with future plans to connect Wilmington's Waterfront. Check in with Bike Delaware News for all the latest news and events around Delaware. Join our News Feed. Take Action!
Support the Livable Communities Act! Right now Congress is working on the Livable Communities Act, which would help communities like these all across America plan for and create better and more affordable places to live, work, and raise families. The bill would provide more than $4 billion in resources for local governments to shape their development through smart planning for the placement of transportation, homes, and businesses. The Act gives communities the tools to help residents avoid congestion, reduce emissions and gasoline consumption, protect green spaces, revitalize Main Streets, and create more affordable housing. We can preserve the unique character and quality of life of our communities - but lawmakers won't act unless they know this is a priority. Write to Congress today to tell them to support the Livable Communities Act! White Clay Creek State ParkTrail Plan Comments and Suggestions Read the comments (pdf) offered to Delaware State Parks by representatives of the mountain biking user group in northern Delaware and Maryland. In addition to members of the Delaware Trail Spinners, comments were solicited from local mountain bikers, regional trail maintenance volunteers, local bicycling industry representatives and the International Mountain Biking Association. 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: 7/10 "Highways, and not wars, have become the largest arenas of violence in the world" ~ Nigel Turner Featured Issue:
National Advocacy News:
LaHood trumpets US Bike Route System Transportation Secretary Ray LaHaood's remarkable streak of promoting bicycling and walking continues today in anticipation of this Fourth of July holiday weekend. The secretary writes on his blog about the US Bicycle Route System, which our friends at the Adventure Cycling Association have been working on with the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) since 2005. The planned nationwide network of routes and trails will connect communities all over the country, creating alternatives to car travel and countless recreational opportunities. States can apply to incorporate their trail network into the Route System. The secretary reports that 19 states have already begun planning and implementation. Read on . . . American Power Act endorses expansion of clean transportation options Transportation for America, the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform, expressed support for key provisions of the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act as a major endorsement of clean transportation options to spur energy independence and climate protection. "On top of a number of other issues, our coalition has been working since day one to stress the essential need to connect America's climate and energy goals with a renewed national vision for transportation that lessens our dependence on oil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and expands safe, clean and affordable transportation options for everyone", said Transportation for America Director James Corless. "The American Power Act represents a key step towards creating a long-term policy that will meet our country's future climate, energy and transportation goals". Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (I-CT), with key support from Senator Carper (D-DE), made clear the critical connection between clean transportation and the environment by including necessary provisions that will ensure that revenues generated from the transportation sector go towards meeting the growing demand for more, better and cleaner transportation options, reduce oil consumption and decrease emissions. More . . .
Featured Link(s):
St. Charles County, MO bans bicycles
Has Black Hawk, CO set a dangerous precedent? This proposal from a local politician in St. Charles, Missouri, is being touted as a safety measure: Shoulderless rural highways in St. Charles are too narrow for anything but cars. So rather than figure out a way to accommodate bicyclists and improve safety, Councilmember Joe Brazil wants an outright ban. American Conservative magazine "rails against the machine," promotes alternatives to the automobile It seems like everything in Washington these days is politically charged - economic recovery, health care and Wall Street reform, to name a few. Unfortunately and often without good reason, transportation becomes one of them. Bicycle Highways There is hardly a major city in the world that is not trying to get more people on bikes - ridership is up in cities ranging from Paris to New York - and city planners the world over envision ever greater numbers of people on bicycles in their long-term projections. 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, August 3, 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:
Conquer The Hills Cycling Event
Saturday, August 14, 2010. Proceeds benefit the Mike Clark Legacy Foundation (MCLF). The Foundation primarily benefits the Fast Cats Track Club of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, and promotes self-worth in youth through a union of education, health and fitness that will enable them to make positive choices in their lives. Full details HERE. Shore Fire Century Saturday, August 28, 2010. Ride beautiful, scenic routes (35, 65, and 100 miles) taking you through flat to gently rolling farmland in central Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore. All routes will be marked with support (until 5:00 p.m.). A wide array of bicycle friendly food will be available at rest stops at regular intervals (five on the century). Full event details, including registration info 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:
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. 2010 Ride of Silence, Newark A record field participates in the 2010 edition of the Ride of Silence, held on May 21 in Newark. 2010 Delaware Bike Summit Rolling Press Conference On April 30, riders concluded 4 days on the road in Delaware, bringing the following message to numerous cities and towns along the way: The Delaware Bike Summit is coming, and so is a bike-friendly Delaware! See photos on the final day, Newark to Wilmington, HERE. 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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