Shore Fire Century sees record attendance

The Shore Fire Century on Saturday, August 28 was a fabulous success. Thanks to publicity in Bicycling magazine and other media sources, combined with great weather, the White Clay Bicycle Club had a record turnout - more than 850 riders. Some came from as far away as Florida and Michigan. This broke the event's previous mark by over 200!

Bike Delaware's all new "Commuter Spotlight" page!

Are you a bicycle commuter in Delaware, or know someone who is? Email us a photo, and answers to the following 10 questions:

1) Name
2) Make/model of Bike
3) How many miles round trip each day?
4) Where to - from?
5) Avg. number of days per week you commute
6) How many years commuting?
7) What I like most about my commute
8) What I least enjoy about my commute
9) Does your job have secure bike parking?

We'll put this individual in the spotlight for least 2 weeks on Bike Delaware's all new "Commuter Spotlight" page. There is no specific criteria other than they bike for transportation at least occasionally.

Photo(s) can be downsized as low as 800x600 to be usable on our website. All entrants will be published in the order they are received, so there may be a delay period. Email us today at advo_info@bikede.org with your pick for Delaware's Commuter Spotlight!

Northern Delaware Greenway Trail Dedication

Wilmington News Journal -- On Thursday, Aug. 26, state officials announced that the major missing links along the Northern Delaware Greenway have been coupled and bikers, hikers and pedestrians can now travel the 9.5 miles from Brandywine Park through Bellevue State Park. The trail has also been improved with signage so that people always know where they are on the trail.

The last link was a stretch of less than a mile of difficult terrain between Brandywine and Alapocas Run parks, said Mark Chura, executive director of Delaware Greenways. He said it took time to negotiate with landowners and get easements.

There is one remaining obstacle, at the east end of the trail, where Governor Printz Boulevard, I-495 and Amtrak railroad lines block easy passage to Fox Point State Park along the Delaware River. Read on . . .

Dedication of Bikes Lanes over the St. Georges Bridge

Governor Jack Markell and Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks were joined today by Federal and state officials, and bicycle advocates at a ceremony to recognize the newly completed bike lanes on the St. Georges Bridge across the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. Governor Markell led the excited group of cyclists on the 2.5 mile ride over the bridge and back.

Senator Thomas R. Carper, Congressman Michael N. Castle, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Commander, Lt. Philip Secrist, and Amy Wilburn, Chair of the Delaware Bicycle Council took part in the event on the grounds of the Commodore MacDonough School, where they discussed why it is so vital to provide infrastructure for more than just cars.

"These bike lanes are a testament to the power of the community to work together with state and federal government to find practical solutions", Governor Markell explained. "Enabling cyclists to cross this bridge safely helps promote public health, protect our environment, and improve quality of life to make Delaware more attractive to employers".

DelDOT press release HERE. Enjoy 22 photos, with slide show feature HERE.

Public Workshop: Foulk-Wilson-Murphy Roads Intersection

Foulk Road and Murphy/Wilson Road Intersection Safety Improvements

The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is holding a Public Workshop to obtain opinions and insight from surrounding businesses and the general public for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project at the intersection of Foulk Road and Murphy/Wilson Road. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at Concord Presbyterian Church, 1800 Fairfax Boulevard in Wilmington. The public is invited to attend. There will be a formal presentation at 6:00 p.m. followed by breakout groups for questions and answers until 9:00 p.m.

This project was identified as an HSIP project location in 2003. This project includes the rehabilitation and reconfiguring of the intersection at Foulk Road and Murphy/Wilson Road. Modifications are proposed to the entrances of the businesses located at the intersection and the entrance to Fairfax Blvd on Foulk Road to reduce the number of accidents associated with those entrances. Pedestrian improvements will also be made within the project limits. Public notice, including project description, workshop time and location, is found HERE.

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It should be noted bicycle safety is not mentioned in the description. If you feel there are bicycle-related issues and potential for improvement at this intersection, please attend the workshop and let DelDOT know.


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Beyond Paint 3: Davis, California

"My kids have asked me before what those big yellow things are... normally we'd call them school buses. We don't have them here in Davis."
- Kelly Stachowicz, Davis Deputy City Manager

Delaware Trail Summit to be held in Rehoboth

October 14, 2010
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

A unique gathering of the trail community, the Trail Summit is your best opportunity to network with the trail users, organizations, managers, planners, landscape architects, and engineers. Learn state of the art trail planning, promotion, and management techniques. Gain useful insights about other trail users. Hear about a decade of trail accomplishments as well as results from an online trail survey.

Hosted by the Delaware Recreation & Parks Society, the Trail Summit features educational sessions, exhibits and round table discussions. Keynote speaker, Mark Fenton, will inspire the audience to shape and plan for future trails. Your participation will help build livable communities, plan for a statewide system of trails, and foster trail advocacy.

Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. For more information and to register, visit on line HERE.

Shhh! (New Castle County's Secret Bike Path)

Unless you happen to live right next to it, you've probably never even heard of (let alone biked) New Castle County's Lewden Green County Park and James Corcoran Greenway. But it's an 8 foot wide, 1.9 mile long paved path traversing multiple bridges and offering tranquil scenery along the Christina River. That's longer than the Hall Trail in Newark.

It's a lovely path which, unfortunately, seems to be used only by residents in adjacent subdivisions, as it is highly isolated. Reaching it on a bike from other parts of New Castle County requires skillful on-road riding, but even advanced cyclists will find a purposeful alternative to Rt.273, connecting bike lanes on Airport Road to Main Street in Christiana.

Western-most trail head off Main Street in Christiana.

Plenty wide, well constructed wooden bridge under Route 1

Despite a few setbacks with vandalism and occasional graffiti, the Corcoran Greenway serves a valuable need as both a connector, and a safe haven for those unwilling or unable to bike on Delaware's roads.

SR 273 Appleby to Airport Road Public Workshop: Comments Needed

Improvements are proposed along approximately one half mile section of SR273 between Appleby and Airport Roads, as well as the approaches to SR273 from both. These intersections were identified as a high accident corridor through the Department's Hazard Elimination Program (HEP). Existing issues include capacity, safety, and complete streets implementation.

There are 3 proposed alternatives that will include pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and can be reviewed on these boards and displays (pdf). In the interest of safety, Bike Delaware members are strongly encouraged to choose which one they feel best suits the needs of non-motorized users, and provide comments. You can use this form in xls HERE, which includes a mailing address, or simply email your comments to DelDOT PR at: dotpr@state.de.us

A public workshop was held on August 4, 2010, however, failed to make Bike Delaware News as an action item. Virtually no one from the public showed, so this is our chance to influence the final decision making process for this project.


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Help Bike Delaware thank our Legislators, DelDOT

A huge amount of progress has taken place in a relatively short period of time. Delaware is clobbering other states left and right; a cell phone/texting ban, a vulnerable road users law, bike lanes across a major bridge span, a statewide Complete Streets policy officially in effect as of July, etc - these successes are seeing Delaware move well up into LAB's Bicycle-Friendly States (BFC) Top 10. None of this would have been possible without key legislators, advocates, and the Delaware Bicycle Council, who support our mission and the concept of livable communities and safe streets for everyone to enjoy. It's one thing that we push for change, but once achieved, it is equally important to recognize those who answer the call and get the job done. Please take a moment to thank those responsible, and consider getting involved at some level:

Ban on cell phones, handheld devices while driving, thank:
Sen. Karen.Peterson@state.de.us
Sen. David.Sokola@state.de.us
Rep. joseph.miro@state.de.us
Rep. john.kowalko@state.de.us
Rep. john.l.mitchell@state.de.us

Vulnerable Road Users Law, thank:
Sen. David.Sokola@state.de.us
Sen. George.Bunting@state.de.us
Rep. joseph.miro@state.de.us
Rep. michael.barbieri@state.de.us
Rep. bradford.bennett@state.de.us
Rep. william.carson@state.de.us
Rep. Deborah.Hudson@state.de.us
Rep. earl.jaques@state.de.us
Rep. Terry.Schooley@state.de.us
Rep. Daniel.Short@state.de.us
Rep. Robert.Walls@state.de.us
Rep. gerald.brady@state.de.us

Bike Lanes over the Saint Georges Bridge:
Attend the ceremonial ride across the bridge with Governor Markell, scheduled on Aug. 26th! Write a letter (or email: letters@delawareonline.com) to the Wilmington News Journal in support of the new bike lanes, and counter those in opposition. Write an email of thanks to Carol Ann Wicks, DelDOT Secretary, at: Carolann.Wicks@state.de.us

Complete Streets:
Thank Governor Jack Markell HERE. Thanks, comments, & encouragement go to Anthony Aglio, DelDOT Bicycle Coordinator at: Anthony.Aglio@state.de.us
Attend a Bike Delaware meeting, participate, volunteer for oversight HERE.

Governor Jack's Saint Georges Bridge Celebration Ride!

Join Governor Markell and other officials in celebrating the new shoulders on the St. Georges Bridge which provide a safe canal crossing for bicyclists. The Thursday, Aug. 26 ceremony will start at 2:00 at Commodore MacDonough School, 1701 S Dupont Hwy Saint Georges, DE 19733. The governor will then lead cyclists on a ride across the bridge and back again.

A large cyclist turnout is important if we're to demonstrate our need for this facility. Please join us if your schedule allows.

NBC Special Meeting Program: White Clay Creek Trail Plan

The Newark Bicycle Committee's August meeting will be held at WILMAPCO, 4 pm on Thursday, 8/19. 850 Library Ave, Newark, DE (map). There will be a special presentation by Susan Moerschel of Delaware State Parks on the White Clay Creek Trail Plan (pdf), a document that’s very important to bicycling in Newark.

Thanks to Charlie Emerson, Newark Parks and Recreation Director, for arranging this program.

It's Official: Delaware 2nd state to pass Vulnerable Road Users Law

From LAB. On August 12, Delaware's Governor Markell signed SB 269 into law. The bill, modeled after an Oregon law, enhances the penalty for drivers convicted of careless or inattentive driving who cause serious physical injury to cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. The new law includes sentencing guidelines such as:

• Completion of a traffic safety course
• Perform up to 100 hours of community service related to driver improvement and providing public education on traffic safety
• Fines up to $550
• Suspension of driving privileges

In response to the bill signing, League President Andy Clarke said "We’re excited that Delaware is becoming the third state in the nation to pass such a Vulnerable Road Users law that offers additional protection to cyclists and other non-motorized users of our shared roadways. It is this sort of leadership that has propelled them to 10^th in our annual state rankings and garnered them a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly State designation. We look forward to Delaware’s continued progressing in making their state a great place for bicyclists". Cont . . .

Story and video on Delaware's own WDEL Radio HERE.

Many thanks to the bill's sponsors - Delaware State Senator Sokola and Representative Barbieri, along with Co-sponsors Sen. Bunting and Reps. Bennett, Carson, Hudson, Jaques, Miro, Schooley, D. Short, Walls & Brady. Look them up HERE and send emails of thanks.

DelDOT acknowledges benefits of transit oriented communities, smart growth

Press Release - August 11, 2010.

Residents Who Live Near Public Transportation Live Healthier, Study Finds.

Wilmington - A new report, released by the American Public Transportation Association on August 8, 2010, which surveys current research has found that people who live in communities with high-quality public transportation drive less, exercise more, live longer, and are generally healthier than residents of communities that lack quality public transit.

Evaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits, a study conducted for APTA by Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute aggregates the findings of several recent studies and concludes that people living in transit-oriented smart growth communities enjoy several health benefits, not seen in other communities, including residents drive less, exposing them to a lower risk of fatal vehicle accidents.

Such communities also have less pollution, because public transportation produces far less emissions per passenger mile than private automobiles. In addition, people who live near quality public transit are more likely to undertake regular physical activity than residents of automobile-dependent communities.

Read on . . .

Featured Issue - Reducing or Eliminating Punctures

Delaware's roads are full of sharps - glass shards, nails, screws, crash debris, staples, it's all out there just waiting to penetrate your tires and tubes. During the winter, what's worse than a puncture when the temperatures are barely above the freezing mark? This one issue alone keeps many potential commuters from bicycling as a transportation means. Here are some tips on how to reduce or even eliminate this problem:

• Tire liners (aka "Tuffy Strips") can drastically increase a tires puncture resistance. Be sure to purchase the correct diameter and width for your rim size, and cut the strip down in length to minimize overlap inside the tire. Once inserted between tire and tube and remounted, “seat” the liner by inflating to only 1-2 lbs PSI, then roll a few full rotations on the floor pushing down flat. Then inflate to maximum PSI.
  

• Slime tubes very effectively self-seal punctures and cuts up to 1/8” long. Often, you will not know you even had one until you take the tire apart for some other reason. You may even find several.
  

For the last 7 years, the author has combined both tire liners and slime filled tubes in 26x1.5" tires, and has not since been left at the roadside. Even here, when an object did manage to pierce the tire casing AND the "Mr Tuffy" liner, it was not discovered until months later when the tire was removed for a different reason.

And this is why: Upon removal of the slime tube from the tire, a self-sealed puncture emerged. Check out the slime "bleed" (red arrow).

• Tires using Air Free technology completely eliminates the possibility of flat tires. The ride is somewhat harsher, however, the ability to ride through anything - even razor blades - make these tires a preferred option for some.

Increased maintenance would also help. DelDOT sweeps most Delaware roads 3 times per year, with additional sweeps upon request. Be sure to inform them of any chronic debris problems along your commute by using their on-line form.

Built Environment and Policy Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting

The initial meeting for the Delaware HEAL (Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition) Built Environment and Policy ad-hoc committee will take place on August 23, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Nemours Health and Prevention Services in Newark, Delaware. This meeting will include a presentation by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration. They will present assessment tools for community walkability and comprehensive plans targeted to municipalities, planners, and others involved with community and built environment development. This will be an interactive meeting requiring input from you on how to continue the momentum of the committee, as well as next-steps moving forward.

You must RSVP by August 17^th for this meeting. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. For those unable to attend in person, you can still participate via teleconference. Please RSVP by sending an email to sagray@nemours.org or dgriffin@nemours.org stating whether you will participate in person or via teleconference. For teleconference participants a dial-in number and access code will be provided prior to the meeting.

Bike Delaware Aug. 3 Meeting Wrap-up

The WILMAPCO conference room was jam-packed last week with attendees of our general meeting hoping to gain information about DelDOT's Complete Streets Policy from DelDOT representatives Anthony Aglio (DelDOT Bicycle Coordinator), Bobbi Geier (DelDOT Planning Supervisor) and Mark Luszcz (DelDOT Traffic Systems Manager). In addition to talking at length about DelDOT's new "Complete Streets" policy, the three also fielded a variety of questions from a large room full of interested folks about problems on specific roads, design, infrastructure, maintenance and funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. The meeting, which was originally scheduled for 1 hour and 15 minutes, lasted for almost 2 hours.

A few highlights from the meeting:

• Both Bobbi Geier and Mark Luszcz emphasized that DelDOT's "Complete Streets" policy was not a radical break from DelDOT's past, but rather a confirmation of an internal trend at DelDOT to give greater consideration to pedestrians and bicyclists in its road projects that has been growing over a number of years. Rather than a new chapter at DelDOT, the "Complete Streets" policy is more properly seen as an official ratification of something that was already happening at DelDOT unofficially. Over the last 10 years, DelDOT has increasingly been implementing bicycling and walking components in most major road projects. The "Complete Streets" policy simply formalizes a commitment to do this.

• In response to a number of questions about specific problems and safety issues, Bobbi Geier emphasized the enormous and continuing importance of funding. The new "Complete Streets" policy applies only to new road projects and does not have anything to do with funding stand-alone bicycle and pedestrian projects.

• In response to a question about how DelDOT intended to implement its "Complete Streets" policy throughout DelDOT, Anthony Aglio said that an outside consultant has been hired to interview the various DelDOT departments about their implementation ideas.

Read the complete meeting minutes in pdf HERE,including questions answered regarding our ARSI (Design of Arterial Road Signalized Intersections for Improved Non-Motorized Safety and Mobility) study.

Car-nage - Cyclists Assigned Blame In 3 Bike Car Crashes

8-1 Bicyclist dies on US 9 near Laurel - The News Journal and Delmarva Now report that 52-year-old Jose Aurturo Moscoso of Laurel was killed after being struck by an SUV on Sunday night.

According to investigators, Moscoso, a native of Guatemala who had only been in the United States for about a year, was headed east on the shoulder of U.S. 9 near Dukes Farm Road around 9 p.m. Sunday when he veered into the path of a 2003 GMC Envoy driven by Mary Ann Bailey, 39, of Milton. Police suspect that the cyclist was driving under the influence of alcohol. The article does not mention whether the victim was actually tested or not.

8-3 22 YO Bicyclist Struck by Jolly Trolley in Dewey Beach - A Kevin Green 22 of Olney MD, was severely injured at the intersection of King Charles and Chicago St in Dewey Beach after being hit by a Jolly Trolley shuttle bus. Police believe that the cyclist ran the stop sign on Chicago. At last report he was in stable condition at Christiana Hospital. The report from WGMD includes an interesting statement from the Jolly Trolley.

8-4 14 YO Cited after being hit by car while crossing Route 40 - From Delmarva Now
The victim, Kevin Brown was struck by a vehicle while crossing Route 40 at Salem Church Rd in Bear. Brown was charged with improper operation of a bicycle, according to the Delaware State Police. According to the report on WDEL the teen was crossing on the red light. The victim suffered from non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is less than two miles from another serious crash at Route 40 and Governors Square in July.

The press couldn't help themselves by playing the blame the victim game. especially in the Laurel crash. "Not wearing a helmet" was cited in all three cases, it's unlikely a helmet would have saved Mr. Moscoso's life, who was hit at a high rate of speed. One article even questioned his immigration status, as if that changes the value of one's life.

Rest in Peace Jose.


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Delaware Capital Transportation Program Public Hearings

Public Hearing
Delaware Capital Transportation Program

Interested persons are encouraged to participate in the development of the state's future transportation program by attending public hearings to be held in late summer. The hearings are jointly sponsored by the Council on Transportation, the Dover Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO), Sussex County, and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT).

The hearings provide an opportunity to review current and suggested transportation projects. Also, the public will have a chance to view the reductions to the DelDOT work program as a result of decreased revenues coming into the Transportation Trust Fund.

Hearings are being held as follows:

Monday, August 30, 2010, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM WILMAPCO offices, 850 Library Ave, Newark (info)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM DelDOT Administration Building, 800 Bay Road, Dover (info)

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM South District Administration Building, 23697 DuPont Boulevard, Georgetown (info)

Interested persons are also encouraged to submit written comments during the public hearing process. Full information, including a link to the event flyer, can be found HERE.

The HAWK Has Come to Delaware!

DelDOT Prepares to Premier New Type of Traffic Signal

Newark -- As summer begins to draw to a close and classes are just around the corner for students at the University of Delaware in Newark, those taking agricultural classes on the Webb Farm will return to the campus to find a new kind of traffic signal. One meant to make it easier and safer for students, faculty members, and visitors to cross Route 72 at Farm/Webb Lane. The signal is a High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) and is being installed as a joint partnership between the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the University of Delaware's College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The location is the first in the state to be outfitted with this new type of signal. Read the press release HERE.

Here is a instructional video of a Hawk Signal in Tempe AZ.