Bike Delaware Annual Meeting - Feb 1, 2011

Weather permitting, Bike Delaware's Annual Meeting will be Tuesday night, Feb 1, at 6 pm at Wilmapco on Library Ave in Newark. After the business portion of the meeting, we will feature our 2010 Year in Review presentation. Then we will hear from Anthony Aglio, who will speak to us regarding the new Proposed AASHTO Guidance, the guide that DOT planners and engineers are normally commanded to follow. Among the topics covered will be the benefits of having municipalities take ownership of their Main Streets, which could allow many more options for providing bike facilities.

Please stay tuned between now and mid-day 2/1 for updates and/or postponement info should the weather dictate.

Agenda as follows:

6:00 Treasurer's report

• Introduce new treasurer
  

6:05 Board slate for re-election

6:10 Review 2011 goals

6:20 Project updates

• Maps (Caroline, anything you want us to report on)

• New website update

• Executive Director interviews
  

6:40 Membership fees

6:50 Year in review presentation

7:00 Guest speaker – Anthony Aglio

7:25 Old Business/New Business

7:30 Meeting adjourned

Meeting Location
WILMAPCO (Map) 850 Library Ave, Suite 100, Newark, DE.

Final Elkton Bicycle Plan Released

Neighboring Elkton, MD is now set to go bike friendly - it's just a matter of when.

The Elkton Bicycle Plan is a proposed coordinated bicycle network, which will connect residents with surrounding neighborhoods, the downtown central business district, and other key destinations, along with improvements for bike facilities such as bike racks and signage. It was developed with the participation of an advisory committee comprised of Town, County and State officials, and the general public.

The Elkton Bicycle Plan includes:

• Recommendations for a coordinated bicycle network
• Improved links to other modes of transportation
• Provisions for bicycle facilities and safety measures
• A plan for implementation

See the complete plan in pdf HERE. Go the to the project page on Wilmapco's website HERE.

Will Delaware City Pursue a Bicycle Friendly Communities Award?

Most bicyclists view Delaware City as a great destination town; a place to relax near the water, eat lunch on the deck at Crabby Dicks, have dessert at the Ice Cream Parlor. It's also a great place to enjoy multiple annual events, including Delaware City Day, the Music in the Park Series, and Canal Fest. Looking to 2011, Main Street Delaware City has hired Delaware Greenways under the direction of Mark Chura to serve as Program Manager. With his assistance, they are planning to make 2011 a "year of action", including:

• Being an integral part of the "Scenic Route 9" plan, including an eco-tourism initiative.

• Finishing the Sterling Building, and filling it with a new restaurant, store, gallery, museum or other use.
  

• Efforts to bring new businesses into town, and laying out plans to enhance the downtown with planters and banners.

Bike Delaware can't help wondering - why not make a Bicycle Friendly Communities award the centerpiece of Delaware City's eco-tourism campaign? Imagine the benefits, including national recognition in LAB's "Bicyclist" magazine, which grabs the attention of millions across the U.S.

What does the town currently have going for it?

• A Master Plan (pdf), which includes a coordinated effort to make Delaware City more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly, including the establishment of bike routes on underutilized rights-of-way and an assessment of the city’s existing crosswalks and sidewalks.
  

• The Canal Promenade, a bicycle/pedestrian path along the Branch Canal with a planned connection to the C&D Canal path (started in 2008), which is 50% complete.

• Plenty of downtown green space, with an existing network of multi-use pathways, restrooms (Fort Delaware), and off street bike parking that already has Delaware City on its way toward bike-friendliness.
  

• Township roads that are lightly traveled, plenty wide, and readily adaptable to biking and walking.

• Clinton Avenue, the town’s Main Street, is perfectly suited for Sharrows.

The Bicycle Friendly Communities Program (BFC) provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation. We hope Delaware City considers this prestigious award designation. View an overview presentation of the program. Read the BFA 2010 report. Current Bicycle Friendly Community Master List (PDF). See the list of communities that received Honorable Mentions in 2010 and 2009.

A completed section of the the Canal Promenade, at Route 9, just north of the Reedy Point Bridge. This multi-use path will eventually tie in with the future C&D Canal Path.

WCBC to feature Keith Laughlin at February Banquet

Keith Laughlin, President of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) will be speaking at White Clay Bicycle Club's 2011 banquet. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. There are more than 150,000 members and supporters. It has been instrumental in the establishment of the 19,000 miles of rail-trails currently in existence in the US. They are currently working on the remaining 9,000 miles of potential rail-trails that could be built.

On February 1, 1986 when the Conservancy was organized, there were fewer than 200 rail-trails. Today, there are more than 1,600. The organization has four field offices and a staff of about 50. The current Rail-Trails form the backbone of a growing trail system that spans communities, regions, states and, indeed, the entire country. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is committed to enhancing the health of America's environment, transportation, economy, neighborhoods and people - ensuring a better future made possible by trails and the connections they inspire.

Keith has worked at the RTC since February 2001 and has guided the organization's effort to become a national leader in the trails and greenways movement. He regularly testifies before Congress on important trail-related issues, develops RTC partnerships, campaigns and programmatic direction and spearheads RTC's effort to ensure a meaningful use and growth of the Transportation Enhancements program - the primary source of funding for trails, walking and biking.

Event is potluck and pre-registration (free) is requested. Go to the event webpage for details.

What is a "bikeway"?

A bikeway is a route, way or path which in some manner is specifically designed and /or designated for bicycle travel.

Examples: bike lane, rail trail, sharrows, bicycle boulevard, etc.

Its Time to Take a Stand for Bicycling

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The new Congress is now in session and now is the time to pledge your support for bicycling. The Federal Transportation Legislation is being voted on in Late February and with recommendations for drastic cuts in funding.

People for Bikes is asking everyone to send a short email today to your U.S. Representative that affirms your interest in safe and convenient bicycling, and asks your member of Congress to support ongoing funding for bike projects and crucial programs such as Safe Routes to School. As of Friday more than 12,500 supporters of bicycling have sent messages but we need many more to speak up.

Maryland Revised Rumble Strip Guidelines - Thank You SHA

Bike Delaware, our constituent organizations, and bicyclists all over Delaware thank Tom Hicks (above, left), P.E. Director of SHA's Office of Traffic and Safety, for revising Maryland State Highway Administration’s rumblestrip placement guidelines. Kudos as well to Michael Jackson (above, right), MD's Department of Transportation's Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access, for answering the call and shuttling this request along.

Bike Delaware first met with MDOT's District Office on January 22nd 2009, out on Route 273 to investigate first hand what went wrong. Others working in MD bike/ped safety themselves brought bicycles along, to verify that this application (pictured left) did not meet bicycle-friendly guidelines. Today, we can proudly say the manuals have been revised. We are relieved to know that the rumblestrips applied along Route 273 in Cecil County, which prompted our concern as well as those of local racing teams and recreational clubs, will not be repeated on MD roads and highways where bicycling is permitted.

We commend SHA for recognizing this design as problematic in that it created conflicts between drivers and cyclists. Switching to the guidelines accepted as bicycle-friendly according to the AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Bicycle Facilities will encourage bicyclists to ride in the correct position on the shoulder and facilitate cooperation between all user groups. Further, it will allow bicyclists to ride behind the rumble strips instead of at the white line, as well as move safely into the lane when cars are turning in front of them or to avoid debris.

This will make cyclists safer and lower the stress level of all road users.

(pictured left: Frank Warnock, Maria Wilburn, Stephanie Yanovitz , and Mary Davidson join MDOT District Officials on Jan. 22, 2009, at the Highs on Route 273. Jeff Butcher was also present)


View the letter to Mr Hicks in pdf HERE.
See the revised guidelines, including a letter to Bike Delaware in pdf HERE.
Timeline for this issue on Bike Delaware News HERE.

Shakeup at DelDOT - and what it could mean for bicycle advocacy

According to recent headlines in the Wilmington News Journal, the Delaware Department of Transportation will be undergoing reforms, including staff changes at the director level. As our members and constituents may or may not know, DelDOT Planning is our closest partner in all matters of bicycling and advocacy. Our statewide Bicycle Coordinator and main contact, Anthony Aglio, is an employee in this department. Ralph Reeb, Director, has also been very supportive of our cause, including help in getting the New Castle Industrial Track Rail Trail off the ground.

What this means for Bike Delaware is uncertain at this time. We do not believe there will be much impact beyond losing a friend and ally in a key position. To that end, we strongly urge DelDOT to embrace the seriousness of non-motorized transportation in the interviewing and hiring of replacement personnel for those that are let go.

While some very unpopular decisions were made in the area of real estate acquisition - the cause of the shakeup - we can still thank Ralph for many years of support in walking and bicycling projects. We wish his department the best in these difficult times, and hope they emerge stronger and more capable than ever.

Speed Bumps and LEDs: Engineering a Road Crossing for Walking and Bicycling

Some innovative engineering to make road crossings for walking and bicycling safer. Note the combination of speed bumps and LEDs:

Cadence Cycling Foundation Joins Bike Delaware - Seeks Youth Cycling Coach

The Cadence Cycling Foundation has come to Delaware!

CCF, a non-profit 501 C(3) organization, was formed in 2007 with the mission to "Help Kids Create Opportunities through Cycling." The goal of the CCF, which is the only grass roots cycling and triathlon program of its kind in the United States, is to not only expose Philadelphia-area youth to the lifetime sport of cycling and triathlons, but to help instill discipline, commitment, confidence, goal setting – all through competitive cycling and triathlons. Then, transfer all those characteristics learned from the CCF programming and apply them to the college planning, preparation, and application process. CCF has introduced the healthy lifestyle of cycling to over 125 youth in Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington Delaware. To that end, we enthusiastically welcome Cadence to Bike Delaware's growing list of constituents!

The Cadence Foundation is seeking motivated bike racers to coach their spring/summer cycling program. Use your racing experience to teach Philadelphia youth between the ages of 9-18 how to ride and race bicycles. Teams are located in all areas of the city, and the majority of teams will train from April until September. This is a great part-time job!

Visit their website HERE. View the complete job description in pdf HERE. For more information, contact Ryan Oelkers at: roelkers@cadencefoundation.org

Bike Delaware Executive Director Role and Responsibilities

Bike Delaware, a small non-profit organization that advocates for safe bicycling, is seeking a part-time executive director to build our funds, the size of the organization, and public awareness of how safe cycling can impact and improve the quality of life within our community. First and foremost, the director must be an ardent cyclist who can translate that passion into fund-raising to help support this position. Reporting to the board of directors, the Executive Director will be an advocate who must interact effectively with legislators, state agencies, and other volunteer groups. To do this well, the executive director must have proven leadership skills in coalition-building and in mobilizing people, as well as effective written and verbal communication skills.

To apply for this position, send a letter of interest and your resume to bikedepres@gmail.com.

Case Study: Restoring the Delaware Avenue Bike Lane in Newark

An occasional problem for years in Delaware has been the sudden loss of bike lanes or other facilities with construction projects. Fortunately, this is largely relegated to the past now for several great reasons:

• A statewide Bicycle Policy

• A statewide Complete Streets Policy

• Ordinances requiring bike lanes (and parking) with new construction in New Castle County

• Our friends and allies at DelDOT - those like Anthony Aglio, Mark Luszcz, & Steve Treut - who answer the call on our behalf.

Few, if any other state's advocacy groups have this kind of support infrastructure, or can make this claim. And, as one such organization, Bike Delaware has very much to be thankful for.

Delaware Avenue in Newark, between Chapel Street and Tyre Ave, however, remains one of our few connections to this bygone era. Trevor Booz, Graduate Research Assistant with the University of Delaware's Civil Engineering Department, put together this superb presentation on how DelDOT and the City of Newark can restore a lost and dangerous bike lane - and thus greatly increase bicycle safety - at minimal cost.


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A virtual tour of Delaware Ave. The images were taken before the installation of a new, much larger pork chop at Chapel Street SE corner, however, the invitation for drivers to "right hook" a bicyclist into the Courtyard Apartments is quite obvious. Marked bike lanes at one time extended through Chapel Street and this portion of Delaware Avenue.

The new pork chop at the SE corner of Chapel. Sitting right in the former bike lane, the white shoulder line is faintly visible at the left edge.

Update: Bike Delaware Board of Directors for 2011

Gail E. Robillard is a 58 year young single (that has never been married-lol) who will be joining Bike Delaware's Board of Directors as Treasurer for 2011. Gail worked in the commercial/residential construction industry, as well as property management, doing cost accounting for most of her career. Currently, Gail is working in property management, in conjunction with her own massage business. For the past ten years she has been nationally and state certified as a therapeutic massage therapist. Gail bought her first bike, a hybrid Fugi-Supreme in June 2005 when her boss suggested she should get a bike and start riding. Needless to say she fell in love.

Gail started attending every riding event she could find. The following year she graduated to her road bike, a Cannondale 6-13 with clipless pedals. Her 3rd time out on the bike she fell and broke her hand, wrist, and elbow but that did not stop her from riding. She went back to riding the hybrid; fondly know as the Silver Fox, for the season. The following year (2008) Gail hooked up with the White Clay Bicycle Club weekly rides and improved her endurance greatly. After such a successful year she wanted to give something back so Gail became a member of WCBC. Soon after that she became a rider leader and starting leading rides for beginners in North Wilmington on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. It was at the WCBC Banquet that she learned about Bike DE and the work they were doing. Her passion is safety education not only for motorist but also for the cyclist so she jumped aboard to help. Two other areas that she will be focusing on is the 3’ passing law and getting bike racks in as many retail locations as possible.

Currently Gail is sitting on the board for Heathergreen Commons Condominiums, is a Trail Steward for Delaware Greenways, and is active with WCBC as a Ride Leader and Registration volunteer for all their events. Last, but not least, her current steed is a custom Gunnar Roadie!

To make room for Gail, Carol Ireland will be leaving Treasurer and moving over to Secretary, a position previously held by Maria Ruocco for 2 years (2009-10). We extend a warm round of kudos to Carol for a superb job in the role as Bike Delaware's budget keeper over the last 2 years, as well as leading fundraising efforts.

Best wishes to both in their new role on Bike Delaware's board of Directors for 2011!

14th Annual Bike Maryland Bicycle Symposium

14th Annual Bike Maryland Bicycle Symposium

Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 8:30am to 4:00pm
Location: 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
East Miller Office Building in the President's Conference Center

Register Here: http://bikemd.org/page.php?id=375

The Symposium brings together advocates, industry leaders, on and off-road recreational cyclists and commuters, and public and non-profit sector leaders from the Tri-State Region.

You won't want to miss this event! The Symposium will educate and empower advocates and attendees, identify common issues in our local communities, set priorities for improving the future of bicycling, and demonstrate the economic impact of our state's bicycling community.

Who should attend? If you are interested in better bicycling this Symposium is for you! Attendees include people with interests in job creation, tourism growth, transportation planning, trails and land preservation, investments in bicycling, health and wellness, and the environment.

Keynote Speaker: Andy Clarke, the President of the League of American Bicyclists. This is a spectacular opportunity to learn how to make your business, university and community bike friendly.

The agenda will be chock-full of renowned presenters and educational topics. Exhibits will be open all day. The Symposium Agenda will be posted mid-January.

For additional information – www.bikemaryland.org


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We can (and should) combine bicycle lanes with right turn-only lanes

After an exhaustive input and review process, Bike Delaware has officially submitted their position statement "Bike Lanes at Intersections with Right Turn-Only Lanes" to DelDOT for review and consideration in Delaware’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). It is no secret that this provision, requiring little more than a striping alteration, increases safety and comfort levels for both bicyclists and motorists. It allows for correct positioning at both intersections and side streets, and increases the likelihood riders will obey the law. It reduces the threat of "right hooking", cited as a serious safety threat in a recent survey. It also provides legal and defensible space, since bicyclists are routinely forced to use right turn-only lanes (RTOLs) as shoulders. The question now is, will DelDOT adopt this design guidance – or a similar remedy - in the spirit of Complete Streets and/or Routine Accommodation? Several other states, including neighboring MD (below), already have.

Chapter 1 of DelDOT’s current Road Design Manual makes the case for flexibility, and “sound engineering judgment” as long as documentation is thorough. Clearly, DelDOT engineers are given the green light to call on a host of different manuals and resources when unique circumstances call for it. Indeed, there are a few examples already where engineers went “outside the box”, successfully sharing of the shoulder as both a bike and right turn lane.


Our most famous example of a shared bike lane/right turn lane is down south on Route 1 in Rehoboth, which also includes buses in a 3-way share mix. As a result, it went from having the highest bicycle fatality rate in the state to zero.

Old Baltimore Pike between Rt.72 and Rt.273, is a “minor arterial” included in Wilmapco’s Congestion Management System. The goal of the CMS is a “systems” approach to identifying and addressing congestion in our region, and this road – as well as Red Mill and Polly Drummond Hill Roads, is included as in need of mitigation. According to the last available data (2004-2006), Old Baltimore Pike came in at 0.59 crashes per million vehicles entering its intersections, while Red Mill Rd/Polly Drummond Hill Roads – with shoulders sacrificed for right turn-only lanes and no bike lane treatments - came in at 0.64. While these numbers are relatively close, we believe this (and other similar examples found in Delaware) provides the evidence that bike lanes can and should exist in a share of open right turn lanes. There is no data that suggests such a design increases crash rates or in any way endangers road users. According to multiple studies on bike lanes in general, the opposite is true; crash rates, even for pedestrians, are greatly reduced.

We realize DelDOT’s commitment to facilitate alternate modes of transportation, in this case bicycling. They have held steadfastly to the state’s Bicycle Policy, maintained right of way for bicycles in lane expansion projects, and altered guidelines to ensure channelizing islands no longer encroach on shoulders through intersections. For these we are very grateful. The missing piece of the puzzle, however, is defining this space. This includes shared bike and right turn-only lanes available to engineers and planners in the Delaware MUTCD. It is entirely possible to define safe entry and delineation where traditional bike lanes cannot be installed due to lane width restrictions. We also ask that it be included in DelDOT’s Road Design Manual, or ultimately, in a dedicated Delaware Bicycle Design Manual unique to our state.

More pictures HERE.

Land use in New Castle County - Help shape the 5 year plan

With regard to New Castle County’s 5 year Comprehensive Development Plan, Bike Delaware is working to mitigate the impacts of future development on non-motorized users of our transportation system. Endless sprawl (as opposed to planned communities kept within the limits of our resources) forces DelDOT to continue ‘upgrading’ our minor roadways and connectors. These in turn can become arterial highways, which are inherently unsafe regardless of our Complete Streets Policy. The bottom line is, we should not be allowing development that exceeds the carrying capacity of the current infrastructure, which should be serving all modes of transportation.

Bike Delaware advocates for land use decisions that favor denser development on part of the property with the majority of acreage left as open space, development in designated zones to avoid sprawl, the inclusion of bike paths and bike lanes in the property, improvements to surrounding roads and intersections to favor walking and biking, and connections to neighboring developments and commercial centers.

Meetings will be scheduled throughout 2011, with the final plan adopted on December 31. Bike Delaware members are strongly encouraged to attend and demand that safe bicycle facilities be included in all land use decisions and planning.

Schedule:
Thursday, December 2, 2010 - Kickoff meeting
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - Land Use
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - Mobility & Transportation
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - Water and Sewer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - Conservation and Natural Resources
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - Historic Preservation and Housing
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - Economic Development
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - Community Design
Wednesday, May 11, 2011- Inter-governmental Coordination
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - Inter-governmental Coordination
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - Future Land Use and Implementation Strategies

All meetings are to be held from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at the New Castle County Government Center - Gillian Building, 77 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720 (see below map).

Dates and/or topics are subject to change. This schedule will be updated on the project web site HERE. Interested persons may sign up at this web site for automatic updates and newsletters to receive the fastest updates, including any last minute meeting changes which may occur due to weather emergencies.

Questions may be sent by email to: CompPlan12@nccde.org


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