Coons Asks U.S. for Help with Deadly Delaware Problem
Speaking at a hearing in Washington DC on Wednesday, Senator Chris Coons asked United States Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx for help.
“Delaware actually happens to be one of the deadliest states in America for pedestrians,” Senator Coons told* Secretary Foxx. “It was #1 in the country in 2012 and 2013…and #3 in 2014, 2015.”
Senator Coons accurately and concisely explained to Secretary Foxx that “for us [pedestrian fatalities are] really a suburban problem, not an urban problem. It’s a challenge of high-speed, multi-lane suburban commercial corridors.”
When Senator Coons asked if he could help “help start a dialogue” between DelDOT and advocates for pedestrian safety and USDOT, Secretary Foxx replied “Absolutely.”
“We sincerely thank Senator Coons for his interest in and advocacy for pedestrian safety,” said Bike Delaware Executive Director James Wilson. “We would be delighted to have all the help we can get to solve this extremely difficult problem in Delaware. We will definitely follow up with Secretary Foxx and see where that goes.”
The 2016 Walkable Bikeable Delaware Summit will be focused this year on Delaware’s tragic pedestrian fatality problem. If you would like to be part of the solution, please register now to attend.
(* Senator Coons’ exchange with Secretary Foxx starts at about 2:30 in the video above.)
Photo courtesy of Daniel Sato/THE NEWS JOURNAL
RELATED:
• Register for the 2016 Walkable Bikeable Delaware Summit
• Delaware is America’s Deadliest State for Pedestrians (News Journal)
• Senator Coons and Representative Carney Will Co-Sponsor the Bicycle and Pedestrian Road Safety Act
128 Responses
you can’t fix STUPID
http://www.bikede.org/2015/10/19/delaware-pedestrians/
You’re saying it can’t be fixed, and you give up? That’s stupid. We need ped x-ings, rules enforced, drunk drivers off the roads, and safety info for folks using the roads.
U need people that use common sense! crossing for people that won’t use them side walks people don’t use. People run across philly pike wearing all black not using the cross walks!!!
Kathy Goode More than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians, This short (4 minute) video give us a pretty good snapshot of why:http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
Kathy Goode More than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians, This short (4 minute) video give us a pretty good snapshot of why:http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
Again I believe people will cross wherever the feel like it I have seen it not only on kirkwood hwy. on philly pike I don’t drive on the pike at night kids n Adults wearing dark clothes run across the road people don’t use sidewalks
It’s very human to want to take the shortest path to your destination. Combine that with other factors (it’s late, it’s dark, it’s raining, you’re hungry, your kids are home alone, you’re just plain tired) and it should be easy for people to empathize with decisions by pedestrians to cross roads where they are no crosswalks when that is the most convenient option.
then they should be wearing bright colors rather then dark
Maybe employers along Dupont Highway (and Kirkwood Highway, Pulaski Highway) should make reflective clothing available to any employee who works along those roads and who doesn’t have a car?
Why should it be an employer’s responsibility to provide employees with reflective clothing if they don’t have a car? If I were an employer, that would discourage me from hiring people who don’t own cars.
or use reflective tape
Regulate, Chokulate, Control
democrats already have stop signs or red lights on every corner, horrendous camera lights to tax, tax, tax…
Get a grip senator
10 months of Krazy to go!
Each traffic fatality costs Delaware millions in police and emergency services time, investigations, future lost wages and disrupted families, not to mention just the sheer unbearable grief. We ought to do what we can – using the taxes that we already collect – to prevent as much of this human, social and economic carnage as we can.
Pathetic response
Absolutely Rediclious
How did you guys ever get into power?
Jack Gaynor Bike Delaware is a private, member-supported non-profit organization. We are not part of government. But we do try to encourage government officials to make decisions that will improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Our organizational mission is to “make cycling and walking safe, convenient and fun transportation options in Delaware.”
I know, I am thankful for your efforts
I know, I am thankful for your efforts
heres help ride in the park stay off the roads
More than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians, This short (4 minute) video give us a pretty good snapshot of why: http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
More than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians, This short (4 minute) video give us a pretty good snapshot of why: http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
look both ways before crossing
Rick Eller Did you know that medians (places where pedestrians can stop in the middle of a road crossing) have been shown to reduce car-pedestrian crashes? http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/medians_brochure/
Delaware drivers are uniquely inconsiderate and dangerous when riding around bicycles, it is not surprising that the collision and injury rate is so high. Vehicles will often pass within 2 feet without slowing down! I came from Texas and I guarantee they don’t drive like that there!
Your not safe in a car, let alone on a bike. Sad but true.
More than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians, This short (4 minute) video give us a pretty good snapshot of why: http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
More than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians, This short (4 minute) video give us a pretty good snapshot of why: http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
I fine drivers are in too much of a hurry I drive 495 people think that is a race track I still say people will not use crossovers or sidewalk n foe bicycle riders I notice some drivers slow down n move out when possible
Is pedestrian safety really a problem for the Federal Government? Washington, leave us alone, we don’t need you to tell us how to cross a street.
Delaware is the deadliest state in America for pedestrians. We kill more pedestrians per capita than any other state in America. Perhaps we don’t need the federal government to tell us what we should do. But we clearly need *somebody* to because the numbers don’t lie that we need help.
OK but NO Federal Government unless you want a bike tax and more deaths. Why don’t Delawareans just be more careful. Leave all government out of it. Next we will need the government to help us cross the street or brush our teeth.
OK but NO Federal Government unless you want a bike tax and more deaths. Why don’t Delawareans just be more careful. Leave all government out of it. Next we will need the government to help us cross the street or brush our teeth.
The roads where most of Delaware’s pedestrians are being killed are not private roads. They are public (i.e. state government owned and controlled) roads (e.g. Dupont Highway, Kirkwood Highway, Pulaski Highway etc.). One unit of government created these roads. Another unit of government zoned the parcels alongside them which are now generating pedestrian trips across them. But even though governments created this problem it’s hard to see how it gets solved without government leadership. And remember “government” is just people. The people who made the bad decisions that got us into this situation are mostly gone. New people in government may be able to make better decisions. Not will. But “may.”
seriously? I’m pretty sure the Senator has 19 trillion other things he should be doing.
seriously? I’m pretty sure the Senator has 19 trillion other things he should be doing.
Matt Scott: 35 Delawareans were killed last year while walking. Delaware is the deadliest state in America for pedestrians. Over a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians. You don’t think any of that warrants a few minutes of Senator Coons’ time? We do, and we’re glad he’s looking for ways that he can help us here in Delaware as our senator in DC.
I agree, as a pedestrian and cyclist. This is a perfectly useful thing for Senator Coons to be engaged in. I hope numerous other elected official follow his example of doing useful work, and taking action to improve situarions.
Lock up all stupid people so they don’t do dumb stuff, problem solved
William W Betts Jr.http://www.bikede.org/2015/10/19/delaware-pedestrians/
William W Betts Jr.Also: http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
6 million dollars built a bike/walking trail along the c&d canal but bicyclists insist on riding rt.9,brackenville rd. and Smiths Bridge rd..Maybe if they road in designated areas cyclist fatalities would drop.Seems like common sense,not federal government issues!
my friends and I biked the c&d canal this year we are biking to the other side
Tony Oakman, if you are trying to get home on Brackenville Road, the C&D Canal pathway is 20 miles away….A pathway is only useful if it gets you closer to your destination. Someone might ride a 1/4 mile or a 1/2 mile or even – maybe – a mile out of their way to access a pathway that gets them closer to their destination. But if you are (for example) in Hockessin riding to another destination in Hockessin you’re not going to ride to Bear! John Hannagan , Kathy Goode
My bad,I was refering to people who ride bikes recreationally and the designated areas for it,not people who use it as a means of daily transportation who put themselves and others at risk by choosing some of the worst roads to traverse.
Tony Oakman If someone doesn’t can’t afford a car and uses a bicycle to get to work, is that person at fault if they are hit by a car because they chose the “wrong” (whatever that means) road? What if the cyclist was cycling in a legal way? What if they were lit up like a Christmas tree? What if the motorist was speeding? You sound like you want to blame the cyclist no matter what the facts might be if it’s a “worst road”.The logical implication would seem to be to ban cyclists from certain roads. But if you do that how do you expect those people to get to work? Some sort of government mandated, free transit service?
Thought we were discussing walking darting running across the roads?? Not cyclists
I DO NOT THINK SENATOR COONS IS ABOUT SAFTEY. IF HE WAS HE OR OTHER POLITIANS WOULD TAKE A HIKE DOWN BAY RD.TO THOMPSONVILLE RD.TURN EAST AND HE WILL FIND A SIGN SAYING (WHICH I WOULD BET HE NEVER HEARD OF???? AND HE WOULD A RD. WITH WATER ON IT ALL THE TIME WHICH SAYS YOU CANNOT RIDE A BICYLE ON IT OR EVEN A CAR. HE IS LIKE ALL THE OTHER POLITICIANS THAT YOU ONLY SEE ONCE A YR.AND NEVER TRAVELS WHERE HE I NEEDED THE MOST.I AM 88 YRS.OLD–VETRAN OF WW2 .SERVE
D IN THE SUBMARINE SERVICE AND FEEL MORE ISOLATED NOW!! THEN I DID THEN. I CANNOT GO IN OR OUT WHEN I WANT TO,DO NOT RECEIVE MAIL REGULARLY,CANNOT KEEP MY APPOINTMENTS AT THE WILMINGTON VA.CANNOT HAVE MY CHILDREN VISIT (BECAUSE OF ROAD) HAD A MISERABLE THANKSGIVING AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE SAME AT XMAS,ALL BECAUSE THESE POLITIANS WANT BICLE PATHS,DOGGY PARKS SO THEY CAN MAKE A BUCK ON VISITORS. DEL-DOT CANNOT EVEN TAKE CARE OF ONE MILE OF ROAD OR AT LEAST CLEAN OUT THE DITCHES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MAINTAINED IN 30 YRS.YOU TALK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR BIKE RIDING HOW ABOUT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AT SO.BOWERS BEACH.COME DN.AND SEE ME (DUH) AND I WILL SHOW U WHAT I MEAN. DO NOT GET THE IDEA THIS IS GLOBAL WARMING OR SEA RISE IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR 40YRS DO TO NO MAINTENCE. I DO NOT THINK YOU WILL COME DN,BUT IF YOU WANT DIRECTIONS E MAIL ME AT gengeorge@aol.com
‘
Totally agree. Every time I see someone cycling on Brackenville Road, I want to scream. So many other safe roads, but they insist on riding there because they’re allowed to. Well, I’m allowed to walk there, but I wouldn’t because it would be stupid to do so.
It takes more police to stop out of control drivers. Also, DE needs more sidewalks. Pedestrians needs to better account for their surroundings too.
If our country is broke, don’t you think it’s probably pretty important.. Yeah it is.
I’m a biker myself but come on. Do your real job
Bike Delaware Coons and every other sleaze bag senator would serve their state better if they would stay home and never go to work. I would rather have my tax dollars pay them to do nothing; stay in bed.
Bike Delaware Coons and every other sleaze bag senator would serve their state better if they would stay home and never go to work. I would rather have my tax dollars pay them to do nothing; stay in bed.
John Hannagan , there are plenty of examples – plenty – of government doing dumb things. But it’s our job to help government make better decisions. Democracy doesn’t work if our only engagement with government is to vote once every 2 years. Imagine if you were a businessperson and only heard back from your customers once every 2 years!
Maybe we need an overthrow to get our democracy back. Even Thomas Jefferson advocated a revolution every generation. If any body is stupid enough to ride a bike on the back roads of Delaware, it is their own fault if they get run over. Delaware roads, for better or worse, were made for automobiles and there is no more tax money to make them bike friendly. So, bikers be extra careful, and btw, lose your stupid looking helmets and outfits.
John Hannagan No comment on whether a revolution would be a good idea in America in 2016 or not but it’s important to remember that we are not actually talking about cyclist fatalities here. We are talking about pedestrian fatalities (there are 10 times as many pedestrian fatalities in Delaware as cyclist fatalities). And these pedestrian fatalities are not talking place on back roads. Most of them are happening on commercial highways (e.g. Dupont Highway, Kirkwood Highway, Pulaski Highway, etc.) To get a bit of mental picture of what that looks like, check out this short 4 minute video: http://www.bikede.org/2015/11/21/why-are-delaware-roads-so-deadly-for-pedestrians/
Senator Coons, the pedestrian fatality rate is appalling. In fairness, I leave off of Route 13. And EVERY single night I pass people in the median or walking along Route 13. Almost all are dressed in dark clothing. Couples with children, etc. I wish I knew how to fix it. I am hypervigilant, but the next driver to hit some hapless person might be me! Scares me to death!
Senator Coons, the pedestrian fatality rate is appalling. In fairness, I leave off of Route 13. And EVERY single night I pass people in the median or walking along Route 13. Almost all are dressed in dark clothing. Couples with children, etc. I wish I knew how to fix it. I am hypervigilant, but the next driver to hit some hapless person might be me! Scares me to death!
Grown adults, who can’t figure out how to cross the street, without getting hit, is absolutely pathetic.
And, the fact that people are asking the fedeal government to get involved, is mind boggling.
It’s not surprising our taxes are sky high, we are trillions of dollars in debt, and the government thinks It has the night to interfere, in every aspect of our lives, when there are people who think it’s perfecty acceptable, to get a state agency, a federal agency, a U.S.Senator and a United States Department of Transportation Secretary involved, because you can’t look both ways, and cross at the light.
Grow up and take responsibility for yourself.
for people to grow up.
Mr. Dougherty,
It’s very human to want to take the shortest path to your destination, especially if it’s late, it’s dark, it’s raining, you’re kids are home alone and they haven’t had dinner and if you miss your bus the next one won’t be along for another hour….
It’s also very human to make misjudgements, e.g. about how fast cars are really going on high-speed roads and how much of a “gap” in traffic there really is.
Delaware is literally the deadliest state in America for pedestrians. Over a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians (most being hit and killed while crossing one or another of our commercial highways). Is this something that state and federal transportation agencies should be trying to solve? Well, if road safety shouldn’t be their #1 priority, what do you think should be?
you are a jerk who has never lossed a child from this problem
I ride a bicycle I wear a helmet reflective gear everything September 26th 2012 I was attacked by a pitbull and I crashed into a pickup truck and broke my right arm so guess what now I carry a firearm
Are the bikes registered? Are they insured? Then they shouldn’t be on public road ways ment for motor vehicles. Each one should be fined accordingly. The issue of people on foot getting hit, well, that’s just natural selection taking its course. If your to stupid to safely cross a road then maybe you shouldn’t be near one…
Dan Crossan, http://www.bikede.org/2015/10/19/delaware-pedestrians/
Dan Crossan, It’s very human to want to take the shortest path to your destination, especially if it’s late, it’s dark, it’s raining, you’re kids are home alone and they haven’t had dinner and if you miss your bus the next one won’t be along for another hour….
It’s also very human to make misjudgements, e.g. about how fast cars are really going on high-speed roads and how much of a “gap” in traffic there really is.
Do you make mistakes? Do you think we are all better off (“natural selection”) if people are punished by death for making mistakes?
All retoric BS. You can’t legislate away stupidity. You can’t protect all people from themselves nor should you try. The more you make others rely on you the less they are able to do for themselves. Like think. I’m not wishing death on anyone, but in not ever going to agree that letting government get more involved in my life is a good thing and a solid use to tax dollars. Name one thing the government has their hand in that runs like a well manicured business? People are already to dumb as a whole, don’t enable this slope to complete stupidity. Getting home 3 minutes sooner is never worth risking your life. If you can’t realize that then you need to reprioritize your life.
So how about registering and insuring these bikes in the road that I was talking about earlier?
Your regurgitating the same response you gave others. Stop dodging questions like a politician. You shouldn’t be judging traffic as then you are actually jay walking or not crossing when/where you should be. There are laws already in place for this stuff. Follow them instead of needing more, that will ultimately not be followed.
Dan Crossan RE: “You can’t legislate away stupidity”. If you recall, Senator Coons’ exchange last week was with USDOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. Mr. Foxx is not a legislator, he is the administrator of a large government agency. Many – if not most – of the people who work for him are engineers and planners. Can those people help us with our pedestrian fatality problem in Delaware? Well, it has never been safer in America to be the occupant of a motor vehicle. The number of vehicle occupant fatalities per mile driven has never been lower. Is that because motorists are smarter than they were 50 years ago? Or because we have better laws? There is zero evidence of either of those things. What we do know is that both cars and roads have been extensively redesigned. Nearly every car on the road has seat belts, air bags and “crumple zones” designed to absorb the energy of crash impacts. Roads now have deceleration lanes (to prevent rear-end crashes) and rumble strips (to prevent run-off-road crashes). Is there some reason why the same ingenuity that has made it so much safer to drive in America can’t now be applied to saving the lives of people who are not in cars but who – just like motorists – are just trying to get where they need to go? We think that’s a great question for Secretary Anthony Foxx and we’re appreciative that Senator Coons asked it.
All I know is if you step out in moving traffic and get hit, it’s probably not the cars fault. While mr. Fox might not be a legislator, coons is. And the best response they come up with is more laws. Instead of reading into something thas as shallow as “don’t play in traffic” why not spend the effort on something more necessary… Which could be just about anything.
Again, you ignored my question about registering and insuring bicycles. They are using our motor way aren’t they? They do seem to ignore traffic laws more often then a motorist. (Blowing red lights ect). I’m sure if we pitched this to the state, they would love it. Think of all the revenue it could generate. I do believe that’s the language of politicians…
Dan Crossan, there are ten times as many pedestrian fatalities in Delaware as cyclist fatalities. So it’s important to not lose sight of that problem here. Keeping that focus on pedestrians, then, it’s unfair to accuse Senator Coons of wanting to pass “more laws” when what he actually did last week was ask Secretary Foxx (who is not a legislator) for help. You can see the actual exchange in the video (it starts about 2:30). Have you, by the way, ever taken a bus to a destination anywhere on either Kirkwood Highway, Dupont Highway or Pulaski Highway?
Then maybe once the idiots stop stepping out into traffic those stats will change. And yes, back in the day before I had a car I had used dart to get places. I also got off at a step on the same side of the road as my destination was. It’s pretty easy as all bus routes are pretty much loops (except for the one way streets obviously).
And again, your ignoring the topic of registering and insuring bicycles that want to ride on motorways…
To: Dan Crossan, re: “registering and insuring bicycles”. These are two different topics. With regard to the first, “registering” bicycles would depend on the policy goal you have in mind. If it’s to raise revenue to maintain roads, all road users should pay their fair share proportional to the damage they cause to roadways. Research indicates that road pavement damage is a steeply increasing exponential function of axle load. That in turn implies that if cars are paying ~$30 for tags a bicycle would be on the hook for much less than a penny. HOWEVER if bicycle trips are replacing car trips, bicycles actually end up extending road life, which in turn would mean that it would be financially beneficial to subsidize bikes. You’d spend money on bikes but you would end up coming out ahead because you would spend less on road repairs.
Policy? No. If my motorcycle is registered, so should your bicycle. If weight was a factor in cost then we are being over charged for our motorcycles. So they pay the same as everyone else. And need to be inspected like everyone else. With the same safety requirements as everyone else (this is the point at which legislators get involved and royally screw the bicycle riders… And you get my motorcycle costs down to the percentage you would have bicycles we can take about saving money on road repairs. And for the record, I’m assuming you’re not in Delaware, because tags haven’t been $30 a year for a long time…
Dan Crossan We all live in Delaware! But since we bike how would we know how much car tags are? Are motorcycle tags less than car tags? From a road maintenance point-of-view, they should be…As for inspections, isn’t that all about air pollution? (Bike: no air pollution even when 20 years old!)
Motorcycles cost the same as cars. I have a vanity tag so I pay double on top of that. $160 for 2 years. No emissions checks for motorcycles. Cars and motorbikes both get safety checks. And you have to own a car, how else would you get outside of you’re local area? Sheltered life I see.
Dan Crossan Have you ever heard of “trains”, “buses”, “Zip Car” or “Uber”?
Dan Crossan But to the extent you are correct – that not living a “sheltered life” requires a car, think about that. AAA calculates that the annual cost of owning, insuring, maintaining and fueling a car is almost $9,000! At the same, most Americans have less than $1,000 in savings. Think about that: in order to not live a “sheltered life” requires a *majority of Americans* to spend – every year – almost 10 times their total savings! If we want folks to be able invest in their kids or in job training or education or in creating a new business, we’re certainly not making it easy for them.
Dan Crossan Here’s the AAA reference: http://newsroom.aaa.com/2015/04/annual-cost-operate-vehicle-falls-8698-finds-aaa/
I’m a mechanic at Dart. I’m to familiar with the buses. Trains might not go anywhere near where you want, never heard of zip car and why would you use uber after that dude went on a killing spree between pick ups? I don’t like people as a whole so I sure as hell won’t use public transportation, you’re relieing to much on someone instead of yourself to get some where on time. people only have $1000 in saving because they are spending their money in their car, kids ect(and it’s the American way to live at the extent of your means, not well with in them). Hell, between my girl and I we have 6 cars and 2 motorcycles. 2 of my cars got about 4 miles to the gallon in the highway. And when I say sheltered life, I mean, when was the last time you rode out to the pinnacle in Pa for the view? Your not getting there and back on a bicycle, not in a day where you have other things to do.
Dan Crossan Beautiful pic! But hold on! Let’s leave aside the two motorcycles. Why in the world do you have 6 cars? Are you a collector of antique cars or something?
Nope, 2 fairly high horsepower cars for the street, my lowered truck for back road enjoyment, Subaru for all year daily driving. No car payments. She has her Camaro SS and a all wheel drive suv for all year daily driving.
Fossil fuels are yummy
Dan Crossan Even the most “green” cyclist can agree with you there. There’s nothing like a cheesesteak fried in sweet Brent crude oil or a nice bowl of spaghetti sprinkled with pulverized coal. There’s nothing like a healthy hydrocarbon breakfast to give us the energy we need for a day in the saddle. Oh, wait…we might be confusing hydrocarbons with carbohydrates. We can never keep those straight.
Dan Crossan Even the most “green” cyclist can agree with you there. There’s nothing like a cheesesteak fried in sweet Brent crude oil or a nice bowl of spaghetti sprinkled with pulverized coal. There’s nothing like a healthy hydrocarbon breakfast to give us the energy we need for a day in the saddle. Oh, wait…we might be confusing hydrocarbons with carbohydrates. We can never keep those straight.
My toys can consume either…
My toys can consume either…
Dan Crossan Your cars can run on spaghetti?
Hydrocarbons and carbohydrates… I try not to put spaghetti in the tank. The OC rating is to low…
Dan Crossan I’m already way over-subsidizing your driving in a 99.9% autocentric transportation system. Bicyclists do not cause crashes that maim people and destroy property. They do not kill 30+ thousand people a year (think healthcare, etc) on the highways. They do not account for the deaths of 50+ thou more, from respiratory disease and illness from particulate matter, ozone, etc. They do not inflict wear and tear on the infrastructure. Yet, who do you think is still obligated to pay equal share for all the police and civil services charged with regulating traffic, and enforcing laws designed to save people from the ravages of motoring, in its harm to the environment and our quality of life? All of us, including non-motorists, who account for about 1/3 of the population. So yes, since I ride my bicycle and do not drive, I am already paying a far disproportionate share to support your driving habit, to the tune of owning 6 cars no less. Much of it through general taxation, as well as increased healthcare premiums for a society so lazy and obese that walking 2 blocks to the store is a herculean task. If this is your “legacy”, and one you feel is just for our children and future generations, I deeply pity you. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/21/global-warming-taking-place-at-an-alarming-rate-un-climate-body-warns
Dan Crossan re: “registering and insuring bicycles”. These are two different topics. With regard to the first, “registering” bicycles would depend on the policy goal you have in mind. If it’s to raise revenue to maintain roads, all road users should pay their fair share proportional to the damage they cause to roadways. Research indicates that road pavement damage is a steeply increasing exponential function of axle load. That in turn implies that if cars are paying ~$30 for tags a bicycle would be on the hook for much less than a penny. HOWEVER if bicycle trips are replacing car trips, bicycles actually end up extending road life, which in turn would mean that it would be financially beneficial to subsidize bikes. You’d spend money on bikes but you would end up coming out ahead because you would spend less on road repairs. (Can we get you on board with a scheme to directly subsidize bikes to save money on road maintenance?)
Policy? No. If my motorcycle is registered, so should your bicycle. If weight was a factor in cost then we are being over charged for our motorcycles. So they pay the same as everyone else. And need to be inspected like everyone else. With the same safety requirements as everyone else (this is the point at which legislators get involved and royally screw the bicycle riders… And you get my motorcycle costs down to the percentage you would have bicycles we can take about saving money on road repairs. And for the record, I’m assuming you’re not in Delaware, because tags haven’t been $30 a year for a long time…
I ride a bicycle I do it for exercise I wear a helmet reflective gear September 26th 2012 I was attacked by a pitbull 830 at night coming home I crash into a pickup truck and broke my right arm but nothing is done about these people to leave these dogs running around guess what now I carry a firearm
Let me just say this while I have you on the phone. Take the time to rethink where school children are dropped off by their school buses in Delaware. In particular the bridge in Elsmere near the Fram Community Ctr. I’ve seen kids dropped off on this two way bridge and the children dart across dodging oncoming traffic to get across. Insanely unsafe.
Diana Casalino Bus stop location is one of the most important issues wrt to improving pedestrian safety: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped_transit/ped_transguide/ch1.cfm
How about people don’t walk in the middle of the street, look before you step out in the road, and don’t stand in the middle of the Cross walk waiting for a gap in traffic, stay on the sidewalk until it’s clear…….living off of rt40, and working in Wilmington I see all of these multiple times every single day and don’t wonder even the slightest why so many pedestrians in Delaware get hit……
It’s very human to want to take the shortest path to your destination. Combine that with other factors (it’s late, it’s dark, it’s raining, you’re hungry, your kids are home alone, you’re just plain tired)….Many people blame pedestrians who are hit. But it just takes a slight change in perspective to blame the context instead. And it certainly helps to spend a few months as a pedestrian (rather than just always seeing these roads from behind the wheel of a car) to start to have a little shift in perspective. Maybe it’s not all that helpful to blame the victims of these tragedies? Maybe we can change the context so that small errors in judgment don’t have such tragic consequences?
I’ve been a pedestrian most of my life. Taking 2 dart busses to and from work daily. Grocery shopping, ect, ect. Riding bike to classes because of the routing system it was quicker. Sometimes walking, taking short cuts. (Not even counting the times I was homeless). Never once in my 32 years have I come even close to being hit by a car.
What I find ammusing is you’re judging me while telling me not to judge. Some people have worn both shoes and believe highly in personal responsibility. I have to avoid hitting pedestrians standing in the middle of the street (or even casually walking, sometimes in crowds) every single day.
Jeremy Malin Delaware has the highest pedestrian fatality rate in America. Do you think that is because Delaware has the most irresponsible pedestrians in America?
Jeremy Malin Delaware has the highest pedestrian fatality rate in America. Do you think that is because Delaware has the most irresponsible pedestrians in America?
Have you driven in Wilmington? Get out of the road you won’t get hit. It’s simple logic.
Have you driven in Wilmington? Get out of the road you won’t get hit. It’s simple logic.
Jeremy Malin Just a note on the “per capita pedestrian fatality” statistic. Delaware’s high number is not a statistical artifact of our small size. We were #1 in 2012, #1 in 2013 and #3 in 2014. In other words, we are not “spiking” because of our small size. We are consistently at or near the top of the per capita ranking. We really are one of the – if not the – most deadly state in American for pedestrians. That’s not a conservative or liberal thing. It’s just an awful fact.
Just a note. Drivers dont drive on sidewalks.
I also find amusing is you can tell me I can’t blame pedestrians while you blame drivers
http://scienceblogs.com/worldsciencefestival/2010/08/05/85-of-statistics-are-false-or/
Jeremy Malin That’s the difference between lawyers and engineers. Lawyers want to know who to blame. Engineers just want to know how to fix the problem….We are not lawyers. We aren’t very interested in the question of who should be blamed. We just want to know how to fix the problem. Are you more interested in the who-is-at-fault question? Or are you more “this-is-not-really-a-problem” at all (because statistics lie)?
maybe just maybe bike delaware, you should check the areas and the related demographics of who is being killed or injured. many places are attractive nuisances in areas of high traffic. just park around the 13/40 split and watch. co worker just witnessed a woman and 2 small children scramble across 13 right in front of DSP. glad that trooper stopped them for jaywalking. should have charged her with endangering the welfare of a child twice.
they about knocked down the whole front of this house
As you not only blame drivers, but advocate to criminalize them with more senseless laws and regulations……why don’t you use these efforts to educate people to stay out of the road? Most other states have much higher speed limits than we do
As you not only blame drivers, but advocate to criminalize them with more senseless laws and regulations……why don’t you use these efforts to educate people to stay out of the road? Most other states have much higher speed limits than we do
Jeremy Malin We have not ever advocated for harsher penalties for drivers who injure or kill pedestrians. We have refrained from such advocacy not for ideological reasons but simply because we have not seen evidence that such additional laws and regulations would reduce the number of pedestrians that are hit and killed. Instead we are inspired by the progress that has been made with regard to motor vehicle occupant fatalities. It has never been safer in America to be the occupant of a motor vehicle. The number of vehicle occupant fatalities per mile driven has never been lower. Is that because of harsher and/or more strictly enforced laws? Or because of more education? Maybe, although (with the possible exception of seat belt education) there isn’t much evidence for that. What we do know, though, is that both cars and roads have been extensively redesigned. Nearly every car on the road has seat belts, air bags and “crumple zones” designed to absorb the energy of crash impacts. Roads now have deceleration lanes (to prevent rear-end crashes) and rumble strips (to prevent run-off-road crashes). Is there some reason why the same ingenuity that has made it so much safer to drive in America can’t now be applied to saving the lives of people who are not in cars but who – just like motorists – are just trying to get where they need to go? Without any “more senseless laws and regulations”? Jeremy Malin, is this an approach that makes sense to you?
No. I’m sick of baby proofing everything. If they’re too stupid to get out of the road than they need to encounter natural selection.
This is the major problem with liberals, they don’t believe in personal responsibility. They want everything baby proofed and the general population has become too stupid to cross the street by themselves (mindless sheep, liberal America’s dream)………there are lights, crosswalks, lines, walls, sidewalks , ect ect already. Comparing a seat belt to a cross walk is asinine…you want to just bubble wrap the damn world, there comes a point when people have to take personal responsibility or face the consequences.
Your “idea’ s” always result in higher fines, stricter penalties, lower speed limits, and more lights and restrictions. Especially when involving legislation.
Government is a poison masqueradeing as it’s own cure. I choose freedom over safety.
I cannot believe we are turning to the federal government to offer assistance with an issue that can be resolved with simple common sense. Have we lost all respect for taxpayers?
As the mother of a daughter who was killed crossing Kirkwood Highway, I can tell you unequivocally that her death could only have been prevented if SHE had made better decisions that night. She was wearing a dark clothing, she did not cross at an intersection, and she crossed against a light. How exactly are you suggesting that any level of government could have prevented her death?
Sometimes tragedies happen because people make bad decisions. Sometimes even if something is legal (like riding a bike on Brackenville Road, especially at night), common sense should intervene and prevent you from doing it. It’s not the government’s responsibility to protect us from making bad decisions.
Donna Vadala Marshall, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are not alone. Kirkwood Highway is one of the most deadly roads in Delaware for pedestrians. As you note, most pedestrian fatalities usually involve some sort of misjudgement by the pedestrian. But the same is true of motor vehicle occupant fatalities and for those fatalities we have made remarkable progress. It has never been safer in America to be the occupant of a motor vehicle. The number of vehicle occupant fatalities per mile driven has never been lower. Is that because motorists are smarter than they were 50 years ago? Or because we have better laws? There is zero evidence of either of those things. What we do know is that both cars and roads have been extensively redesigned. Nearly every car on the road has seat belts, air bags and “crumple zones” designed to absorb the energy of crash impacts. Roads now have deceleration lanes (to prevent rear-end crashes) and rumble strips (to prevent run-off-road crashes). Is there some reason why the same ingenuity that has made it so much safer to drive in America can’t now be applied to saving the lives of people who are not in cars but who – just like motorists – are just trying to get where they need to go?
Cars and roads are objects that can be modified to safer and/or be able to absorb more of an impact. Human beings cannot be modified to make better decisions.
Short of prohibiting pedestrians from walking along busy roads and cyclists from riding on back roads (especially at night), how are you suggesting that the government cure this problem?
Cars and roads are objects that can be modified to safer and/or be able to absorb more of an impact. Human beings cannot be modified to make better decisions.
Short of prohibiting pedestrians from walking along busy roads and cyclists from riding on back roads (especially at night), how are you suggesting that the government cure this problem?
Donna Vadala Marshall There are a variety of proven pedestrian safety countermeasures: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/
In addition, we are looking around the country for successful examples of improving pedestrian safety and are hosting a pedestrian safety summit in May to try to get folks focused on thinking creatively about this problem: http://www.bikede.org/summit/
Donna Vadala Marshall We need to stop blaming pedestrians or motorists and start thinking systematically about the real reasons that Delaware is literally the deadliest state in America for pedestrians. It’s not because we have the most careless pedestrians or the most reckless drivers. It’s not because the police aren’t doing their jobs or we need harsher laws. It is, at a very fundamental level, because roads like Dupont Highway, Pulaski Highway and Kirkwood Highway are fundamentally dangerous for pedestrians.
I think there’s enough blame to go around, including pedestrians and cyclists making bad decisions, the police not enforcing existing laws, and repeated county council and executives who have allowed rampant overdevelopment without ensuring the infrastructure to support it.
It’s ironic to me that you would turn to one of the early architects of NCC’s horrific sprawl during his time as NCC President and Executive for help in resolving it.
I’ve perused the links you provided, and it appears that an extraordinary amount of taxpayer money has been spent on studies. I am not, however, seeing any realistic suggestions on how the government can realistically improve the situation. Can you point me to the specific page that outlines those suggestions?
This page alone made me insane. It’s maddening to think about the amount of time and money that has gone into compiling this information, which, as far as I can tell, offers no solutions:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pssp/fhwasa10035/
Donna Vadala Marshall This doesn’t address the development issue you raised but here are suggestions specifically for improving Kirkwood Highway for pedestrians: http://www.deldot.gov/information/community_programs_and_services/DSHSP/pdf/PedBike_Safety_Study_FINAL.pdf
Page 51 of that report suggests adding crosswalks. Aren’t most pedestrian fatalities the result of pedestrians not crossing at intersections? How would adding crosswalks prevent that from happening?
Drivers’ eyes are trained to look for cars and trucks. It’s the reason so many motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are injured and killed every day. It’s not a callous disregard for their lives, as is often suggested by the cycling community; it’s simply defensive driving and instinct. Adding lighting to high-risk highways may help drivers see pedestrians, especially if they’re dressed in dark clothing, but it will do little to prevent them from getting hit if the car is traveling 45+ mph and the pedestrian is not crossing at an intersection and/or against a light.
I know your hearts are in the right place. I truly do appreciate that. Unfortunately, the community has allowed those in power to create a problem that does not have a viable governmental solution, short of banning pedestrians and bicyclists from high traffic areas. The most we can do at this point is to contain the number of fatalities by doing whatever is in our power to prevent further development, which seems to show absolutely no signs of slowing.
Donna Vadala Marshall Let’s take these one at a time. First: crosswalks. Imagine you are a pedestrian who needs to cross an arterial road (i.e. to catch a bus) but the nearest crosswalk is 1/4 miles (~2 city blocks) away. Literally no one will walk 1/4 mile away to access a crosswalk if their destination is right across the road. When pedestrians are crossing roads at a certain location (e.g. to access a bus stop or for some other reason) where there is no crosswalk, we can provide an engineered (i.e. signalized) crosswalk at that location so that those pedestrians have a safe way to cross.
Donna Vadala Marshall Second: lighting. The research is unambiguous. Roadway lighting reduces pedestrian crashes. This is true at crosswalks (crosswalks should of course be well-lit) but it’s also true even where there are no crosswalks.
Donna Vadala Marshall Third: development. When “Kirkwood Highway” was built, it was mostly farms and pedestrian safety was more-or-less a non-issue. You are absolutely correct that it is all the development along Kirkwood Highway (and Dupont Highway and Pulaski Highway and Concord Pike…) which has created a pedestrian safety issue. But the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is silent about this issue, as is the DelDOT report.
How about the bike riders obey the same rules the drivers do? I’ve seen many that think laws don’t apply to them and that they can block cars traveling on back roads.
Debby Oldaker Urbanski, normally a motorist has to exit her travel lane in order to pass a cyclist cycling in a regular travel lane. That’s not a cyclist “blocking” you. That’s just a cyclist cycling (if there isn’t a shoulder or bike lane). Check out this short article which explains why that is in a little more detail. http://www.bikede.org/2014/01/27/delaware-cyclist-ticketed-for-riding-his-bike/
Dennis Patrick come join rhe bike committee @ Newark NAACP. Text me back!!!
Piss on coons he refused to enforce laws against illegal shits their families anchor babies always backing Obamas un just laws refuse to help American people our veterans.
IS this a joke?