Neighboring Elkton MD to pursue bicycle plan, requests help

The Town of Elkton, in conjunction with WILMAPCO, is working to develop a bicycle plan which will include a bicycle route network that will link to and coordinate with other modes of transportation in and around Elkton. The (plan) will expand the existing transportation system and will support economic activity and growth by integrating land use and transportation planning through coordinated bike routes. You are invited to join the advisory committee of which the first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 1pm, Elkton Municipal Building (map). During this initial meeting we will discuss the plan's vision, scope of work, schedule, and other items such as the role and responsibilities of the advisory committee. To RSVP, contact Dave Gula, Project Manager at dgula@wilmapco.orgor 302-737-6205 ext. 122 by Monday, November 30th. If you would like to participate but can not make this date, please let them know.

Don't let federal Complete Streets legislation get run over

With a grossly disproportionate number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed every month in America, the desperate need for safe, "Complete Streets" in our communities is abundantly clear. In response to your emails and our advocacy, the Obama Administration is taking notice of the bike/ped safety crisis, but many in Congress have yet to make a stand on the issue. We need to demand safer streets from leaders in Washington. New roads should be built for all the people who use our streets - motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists - of every age and ability. Help make safer streets the law nationwide: Ask your representatives and senators to get vocal in support of the Complete Streets Act of 2009.

Please use this convenient, pre-written letter automatically configured when you add your name and email address - there is no obligation except you consider informing others.

Secretary LaHood receives your message loud and clear, responds in kind

After Dangerous by Design was released last Monday, we asked for your help sending a strong message to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that safer, complete streets must be a priority at USDOT. The response was fantastic. In just five days, Transportation for America received more than 4,100 signatures from people in 47 U.S. states on a petition to Secretary LaHood. He responded with resounding support, saying "the right of way doesn’t just belong to cars - it belongs to pedestrians and bicyclists as well" and added "the DOT Safety Council is going to look at this report and work with advocacy groups to ensure our streets are as safe as possible". More . . .

Post-Summit Progress: Update from Anthony Aglio

Since the 1st Annual Bike Summit, we have seen Newark, Lewes, and the Greater Dover Region initiate or rekindle a bicycle committee, a bicycle plan or a bike friendly application. We have put a Complete Streets Policy on the Governor’s desk, campaigned to get a bike lane on the St. Georges Bridge (ongoing), are seeing progress in regard to getting better information into the drivers manual, have taught over 100 students safe cycling, have created a safe passing distance bill which looks promising, and persuaded DelDOT to develop a design guidance memorandum for pork chop islands. And we have much more to come with your help. This is a huge start if the governing bodies agree with the concept to make their communities more bike friendly. The City of Wilmington is still in limbo about the usefulness of bicycles, they need our encouragement.

I believe that we are building momentum, and it is fine to be disgruntled or upset but don’t let it kill the momentum. We need to expand our partnerships and strengthen our commitment positively and persistently. Keep requesting facilities to be part of the process, advocate to your elected officials. There is room in the process for everyone. We need participation in cycling education programs for both cyclists and motorists, citizens to be involved with planning and zoning to require bicycle facilities and amenities, and of course involvement in the CTP, TIP and public meetings for road projects. It is the development of a different mindset and culture change, and active involvement by the cycling community is imperative.

Contact Anthony Aglio, DelDOT's Bicycle Coordinator at: Anthony.Aglio@state.de.us

Report - Dangerous By Design

In the last 15 years, more than 90,000 Americans have been killed while biking or walking along a street in their community. More than 50,000 Americans – including almost 5,000 children under 16 – have been killed this decade alone. This is the equivalent of a jumbo jet going down roughly every month, yet it receives nothing like the kind of attention that would surely follow such a disaster.

Children, the elderly, and ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in this figure, but people of all ages and all walks of life have been struck down in the simple act of walking. These deaths typically are labeled “accidents,” and attributed to error on the part of motorist or pedestrian. In fact, however, an overwhelming proportion share a similar factor: They occurred along roadways that were dangerous by design, streets that were engineered for speeding cars and made little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs or on a bicycle.

Download the full report (pdf)

Tell Transportation Secretary LaHood and the U.S. DOT to make pedestrian safety a priority. Pedestrian deaths are preventable, and we demand safer streets!

13YO Bicyclist Killed in Christiana

From the Wilmington News Journal

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091110/NEWS/911100347

13-year-old bicyclist killed in crash is ID'd

By IRA PORTER
The News Journal

A 13-year-old bicyclist was killed Monday when he was struck by a minivan while crossing Del. 273 in Christiana, state police said.

The victim was identified this afternoon as John B. Sullivan.

The boy was riding across the road about 4:50 p.m. at the intersection near W. Main Street, near the entrance to Christiana Town Center, when he was struck by an eastbound 2002 Dodge Caravan.

The driver of the Caravan was a 79-year-old Newark woman, identified as Ruth Fisher.

She had a green light, said police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh.

Fisher was not injured, he said.

A 2007 Toyota Yaris, driven by Rodney Kim, 27, of Wilmington, was stopped in the left turn lane of Del. 273, Whitmarsh said. After colliding with the van, Sullivan was thrown forward and struck the Toyota, he said.

The boy was not wearing a helmet, Whitmarsh said.

Delaware State Police are still investigating the crash.

No charges have been filed.

Traffic in the eastbound lanes of Del. 273 - the Christiana Bypass - was shut down for about two hours.


View DE Bicycle Crashes and Incidents in a larger map

Survey results are in! See what almost 50 Delaware cyclists had to say

The simple 12 question, multiple-choice survey told us a lot about the opinions and experiences of Delaware cyclists who participated. Everything from deficient infrastructure and lack of facilities to motorist attitudes and behavior. And to those who were wondering, we are indeed reviewing all the comments very carefully, and they will be submitted to DelDOT and/or used for supporting data when advocating on our behalf. Full results HERE in pdf format.

Among the most compelling, a strong majority indicated that bicycle facilities would bring them in greater compliance with traffic laws where now they may be unlikely. This falls in line with other national surveys and FHA studies indicating bicyclists prefer marked on-street bicycle lanes or sharrows. In addition, several real-time studies (where cyclists of varying abilities and backgrounds ride and assess actual routes and street conditions) have found that cyclists are more comfortable and assess a street as having a better level of service for them where such facilities are present. A reduction in scofflaw behavior would be a natural byproduct.

Wilmington takes the lead - cell phone ban starts January 1, 2010

Effective January 1, 2010, the City of Wilmington's law banning the use of hand-held cell phone takes effect. Legislation passed by City Council on August 20, 2009 establishes a $50.00 penalty for a violation of the ban. A violation shall constitute a civil penalty. Mobile telephone use while operating a moving motor vehicle or riding a bicycle will only be allowed when equipped with built-in speakers or a hands-free accessory. The ban also prohibits placing or receiving text messages, sending or receiving emails on mobile telephones or other electronic devices. It establishes a penalty for this civil violation with a $50.00 assessment. See the legislation in writing HERE (pdf).

Talking on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving drunk. Texting while driving is at least twice as dangerous. Source: New York Times. As of today, Delaware's best hope (statewide) is HB-40, a toothless bill aimed at texting as a non-primary offense. Contact the sponsoring legislators and let them know your feelings on this subject.