Why attend Walkable Bikeable Delaware?
Do you live in a development with one entrance? Does your child have a friend in a neighboring development? Do you have to drive your child to her friend’s house, because there are no sidewalks between the developments? If this is something you have experienced then you need to be in Dover on May 1.
Do you live close to a grocery store in a strip mall? Would you like to ride your bike or walk there, but feel like you can’t because the only way to get there is a 4 lane road full of trucks and SUVs that should be labeled a highway? If this is something you have experienced then you need to be in Dover on May 1.
Bike Delaware strives to create a state in which active transportation is not a fringe way of life, but rather a viable option. We are fortunate on two fronts. First we as Delawareans have elected an amazing set of elected officials who understand these issues and are not afraid to take action. Second we have a smart and politically savvy cycling community. That combination is beginning to pay solid dividends. Last year, out of every state in the country, the Alliance for Biking and Walking identified Delaware as having the “Winning Campaign of the Year.” And the League of American Bicyclists moved Delaware up 8 places in its ranking of bicycle friendly states, the biggest jump of any state in the country.
But “beginning” is the key word! The last several years have seen millions sent towards Bikeable and Walkable projects. But in the current proposed state capital budget for the next fiscal year shows that we must keep the pressure up. There is a grand total of $0 for Bike and Pedestrian Improvements in that proposed budget! Z – E – R – O !
We need to keep the pipeline of funding full to keep the momentum up rather than letting it come in drips and drabs. Over the next few months the budget for the next fiscal year is coming under scrutiny. Now is the time to come out in force and establish that there is a gigantic community these projects! A major showing at this event could be the difference between continued support and funding this next fiscal year OR not.
We’ll see you there!
Bob Ruddy is a volunteer for Bike Delaware.
RELATED:
• Walkable Bikeable Delaware Wins National Recognition
• Delaware Jumps Into Top 10 Nationally In Ranking of Bicycle-Friendly States
• Will the Delaware General Assembly Vote For Bike and Pedestrian Improvements This Year?
• Governor Jack Markell to Speak at Walkable Bikeable Delaware 2013 Summit
• Senator Carper to Open Walkable Bikeable Delaware 2013 Summit
• Representative Valerie Longhurst at Walkable Bikeable Delaware 2013 Summit
11 Responses
Yes. Also, fear of bike theft while at the store.
That is a beautiful photo of Bob and his lovely little daughter! I remember that day very well – Frank and I were on Main Street, Newark (where the photo was taken) and we were trying to coax Bob to come into Panera for a cup of tea with us, but alas, there was no bike parking available on Main Street for his wonderful cargo bike 🙁 Best wishes to Bike Delaware for a successful event.
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Anyone who thinks this utopian idea has any real chance of happening is a dreamer. To connect our communities, houses in each would have to be bought by the state and demolished, making way for a pathway (or narrow road, for emergency use only – might be a better selling point). Then there is the NIMBY factor on both sides of said property, unless somehow they come out in favor (fat chance). The very prospect of doing this is daunting, at best, if not impossible. The county blew its chances a long time ago, when sensible land use practices could have required such connections with new developments. Unless you live in a city with older neighborhoods, the only way out for most DE residents is on to an arterial highway, and the best hope is converting those to “starterials” (street arterials, i.e. Route 4 in Ogletown-Newark). It sux, but thinking it can be done any other way is delusional, at best.
“Do you live in a development with one entrance? Does your child have a friend in a neighboring development? Do you have to drive your child to her friend’s house, because there are no sidewalks between the developments? ”
Anyone who thinks this utopian idea has any real chance of happening is a dreamer. To connect our communities, houses in each would have to be bought by the state and demolished, making way for a pathway (or narrow road, for emergency use only – might be a better selling point). Then there is the NIMBY factor on both sides of said property, unless somehow they come out in favor (fat chance). The very prospect of doing this is daunting, at best, if not impossible. The county blew its chances a long time ago, when sensible land use practices could have required such connections with new developments. Unless you live in a city with older neighborhoods, the only way out for most DE residents is on to an arterial highway, and the best hope is converting those to “starterials” (street arterials, i.e. Route 4 in Ogletown-Newark). It sux, but thinking it can be done any other way is delusional, at best.
That was a perfect day to get out although it really wasn’t the lack of bike parking. That was the end of our ride and Elie was ready to be heading back home at that point. She has now worked up to about 12 miles now. Back then she had about a 6 mile limit.
Its really unfortunate that you feel this way. I agree that it can be really difficult to keep steady pressure against the large mass that is car culture, but over time that steady pressure will change that direction.
We are at a key shift. The last shift we saw like this was in the late 40s to early 50s as the post-war era’s massive factories re-tooled for consumer products including cars. My parents have told me stories about growing up with just one car, then it was a big deal to get a second car. This shift to car/suburban life style took 20 years to really take hold. Then another 30 years to become entrenched. We are in the midst of changing the direction of this behemoth of a culture. Its going to take another 10 years for cycling to be considered a viable option for much of the US, but it will come. It will come if we continue to apply the pressure and keep the momentum moving.
We are lucky to have an organization such as Bike DE to do the heavy lifting on this front, but without constituants backing Bike DE up its an empty push.
It sounds like you have the desire and passion for change. Therefore I hope you are able to join us and show your elected officials that their constituants demand change.
The worst thing we could do now is nothing.
I don’t think anyone is saying do nothing. Some improvements are possible. It just won’t be this Utopian fantasy about off-alignment trails and pathways from doorstep to every destination. I agree about the ’40s and ’50s – but everything was simpler back then. There was room for change, for expansion. The further back you go, the easier change was, even on a grand scale; nothing was built yet. Now we live in a “built environment” where even the simplest projects take at least 10 years to complete. The Pomeroy Trail is one such example, and it had most – if not all – of its ROW in tact. I give at least 10 more for the full Industrial Track, and at least 20 for the Newark-Wilmington connection, if it’s even possible (Markell will be long gone, as will federal subsidies/funding). The fact is, we’re stuck with using roads whether we like it or not, and call me a pessimist, but I don’t see that changing in my lifetime.
If I was Bike Delaware, I would put at least some energy into a Newark-Wilmington on-road connection now, not just advocate for a pathway for the next 20+ years. It might not bring out the masses, but every improvement is a small piece of the pie and helps increase mode share, or if nothing else, creates a safer environment for those of us already out there (indigent and all). I would also advocate to bring texting in line with DUI, and a 5 year DMV re-test so prospective new riders (and pedestrians) aren’t as afraid of being run over, even in the shoulder. To that end, where legislation is concerned, the Delaware Bicycle Council would be a willing and able partner. Until Bike Delaware embraces these other aspects of bicycle advocacy, support among the current cycling public (both volunteer and member) will remain a struggle, and even decline in the years ahead.
May 1 will soon be here. As you may very well have noticed, this year, the Legislator’s Ride is on the same day as the Walkable Bikeable Delaware 2013 Summit, which gives you the opportunity to attend both. These are two separate events, however, so if you plan to attend both, it’s important that you sign up for each one separately. Just as Bike Delaware is providing logistical support for the WBD event, the Delaware Bicycle Council is responsible for the logistics of the Legislator’s Ride. We need to know whether you need transportation back to the start and when you need to return as well as your t-shirt size! So if you will be participating in the Legislator’s Ride, take this as a friendly reminder to please make sure to register by going to http://www.deldot.gov/information/community_programs_and_services/bike/