Transportation Trust Fund Task Force Issues Report

Press Release

Dover -- Created under Legislative directive via the Fiscal Year 2011 Bond Bill, with members appointed in October 2010, the Transportation Trust Fund Task Force has concluded its five month review of examining and evaluating the funding sources required to sustain and support the Delaware Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The TTF is the primary funding source for the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to provide public transportation, construct and maintain roads and bridges, and to provide motor vehicle related services to Delaware residents.

Ted C. Williams, Task Force Chairman, stated, "The Task Force was very diligent in reviewing the problem and identified an all encompassing list of options that we believe could be implemented as a means of closing the gap between revenues and the capital programs that are essential to not only the citizens of Delaware but also the efforts to attract new business and jobs to Delaware".

The Task Force was composed of 24 members representing the Delaware General Assembly, various state agencies and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors. With technical assistance from DelDOT, a comprehensive review was done of transportation demands, and the funds (both short and long term) available and required to meet those stated needs. The Task Force studied the entire transportation program for the period Fiscal Year 2012 - 2023. It was concluded that total spending for transportation expenses over the period can reasonably be estimated to total $12.4 billion and that current TTF revenue streams will support only 70% of those needs.

The result of that imbalance, if not corrected, will be either the elimination of all new capital projects by 2017 or severe reductions in DelDOT's Core Program resulting in an accelerated deterioration of Delaware's transportation infrastructure. In fiscal year 2012 alone the additional need is $169.1 million, which means that there are no funds available for 100% state-funded projects. [Continued ...]

Cool

2011 Delaware Tour de Cure

Bike Delaware welcomes the American Diabetes Association as our latest constituent!

Register today to Take the Ride of Your Life! The Tour de Cure features routes of different lengths for riders of all skill levels. There's something for everyone from a leisurely short distance to a more challenging length. Either way, Tour de Cure is a ride, not a race, so take it at your own speed and enjoy the journey. All Tour de Cure routes are safe and fully supported with route marshals, SAG vehicles, mechanical support, and rest stops stocked with hydration and a variety of snacks to keep you fueled. At the finish, you will be welcomed with cheering volunteers, great food and more.

Tour de Cure is marking its 20th Anniversary this year. In twenty years it's raised millions of dollars to fund research, provide services, and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Much has been accompished, but as the number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes continues to rise, the mission of the American Diabetes Association becomes even more critical. Every dollar you raise and every mile you ride helps the ADA in the effort to Stop Diabetes.

May 14, 2011
Start Location: Newark, Delaware
Event Manager: Carl Colantuono
Email: ccolantuono@diabetes.org
For more information, call 1-888-DIABETES, x4651 or Contact Us.
Event website HERE. Pre-register on Active.com HERE.

"Share The Road"?

A bit of Tuesday morning contrarianism from our friends down in Baltimore:

Abandon 'Share The Road'

...The “Share the Road” message doesn’t work. It’s time to abandon it....[in favor of the "Bike May Use Full Lane" sign]...

And this is not a unique complaint. Other folks have also complained that the "Share The Road' sign is too vague, is easily misinterpreted and "Bike May Use Full Lane" is much better. But maybe the problem is not with the words; maybe the problem is the situation:

Cyclists Shouldn’t ‘Share The Road,’ They Should Have Their Own

...As long as we continue to allow our streets to be dominated by cars, we need to go the extra mile -- or thousand miles -- to ensure that everyone who isn't in a motor vehicle at any given time is still able to move freely around the city. Separated infrastructure, like sidewalks and cycle tracks, are necessary if a car-oriented city is to be navigable by unarmored humans. Some day, I hope we don't need them. Until then, I hope we build them as well as possible.

Read more>>

Sometimes words - even really good ones - just aren't enough.

WCBC's Icycle Metric Century wrap-up

Despite frigid temps to start, the 2011 Icycle Metric Century held on March 26 was very successful with close to 400 participants. Event director Ted Ryser tapped Nancy Waddell for her expertise, and the two put together an excellent new route that - in the words of past president Jeff Butcher - "respected the legacy of previous editions of the event".

A warm thanks to all Delaware (and beyond) bicyclists who came out and supported the event and their local bicycle club on this Winter-like day. View the day's pictures on Picasa HERE.

Fighting for Danny Sheftal

Approximately 10% of Delawareans cannot afford and/or do not own a car. Bike Delaware is fighting to make it safe for people like Danny Sheftal to use a bike for their routine travel needs.

Bike Delaware's "Cycling Season Opener"

Bike Delaware's first ever (and 1st Annual!) membership drive and gala proved very successful on Tuesday night, March 22. Over 60 people came out to show their support for Bike Delaware and its mission to "make bicycling a safe, fun, and convenient transportation option by working in partnership with local government agencies, businesses, and community groups."

Generous sponsorship from the White Clay Bicycle Club and our founding members will support a growing organization and an expanded and aggressive advocacy agenda.

Plenty of time to schmooze!

James Wilson, Bike Delaware Executor Director, addresses the crowd on recent advocacy developments.

A huge tip of the helmet to volunteer Ed Weirauch, for creating and directing this event from the ground up! A full charter members listing will be featured in an upcoming news flash. See on-line photo album HERE.

Bike Lane Working Group scheduled for April 14

A Bike Lane Working Group meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, April 14th at 6 pm.

The Bike Lane Working Group is a mix of professionals and citizen cyclists. It is an ad hoc collaboration that offers an opportunity for informal discussion and sharing of knowledge, perspectives and experiences related to bike lanes. The focus of the April 14 meeting will be right turn only lanes (RTOLs) and the challenge they present to bicycling on road shoulders. Mark Luszcz, DelDOT's Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer, will attend and answer questions regarding DelDOT's formal response to Bike Lanes at Intersections with Right Turn-Only Lanes. The Working Group will attemp to identify a path forward on the issue of bicyclist safety when riding through RTOLs.

All are welcome. If you represent a bicycle club or have an interest otherwise, you are strongly urged to participate.

Start time will be 6 pm, WILMAPCO, 850 Library Ave Suite 100, Newark, DE (map). Location information can also be found HERE. As always, pizza and refreshments provided!

Route 52/82 Intersection Safety Improvements Workshop

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces a public workshop for proposed safety improvements to the Route 52 & Route 82 intersection. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the A.I. duPont High School, 50 Hillside Road, Greenville. The public is invited to attend any time between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

There are currently two project alternatives; both include a separate left turn lane to address the high number of rear end accidents. The proposed improvements have been refined since the original public workshop on February 24, 2009, through input of stakeholders in the area, including consistency with scenic byway goals and guidelines. Attendees will be able to view and discuss the two alternate intersection improvements at Route 52 & Route 82.


View Larger Map

Full details on DelDOT's website HERE.

Failed bike lane symbols in Newark will be replaced under warranty

For those who have been asking and wondering, failed bicycle symbols installed in the Newark vicinity last Fall will be replaced under warranty. DelDOT has acknowledged the error, has notified the contractor, and promises to follow through on replacement markings. Typically, on all "short line" applications - which also includes turn arrows, crosswalks, stop lines, etc - the finished product should last at least 3-5 years.

A tip of the helmet to Anthony Aglio for a timely response, and taking immediate action as always.

Learn all about road surface markings, including a complete history on Wikipedia HERE.

"For the equivalent cost of a single mile of freeway, we have a bike infrastructure."

PolitiFact Examines Portland Mayor's Claim

Portland mayor Sam Adams recently claimed that, for all the value that Portland's bike infrastructure had brought to Portland, the entire cost of building all of this bicycle infrastructure in Portland was equivalent to the cost of a single mile of highway.

That startling claim aroused the interest of the good folks at PolitiFact, the non-partisan fact-checker:

Portland’s biking infrastructure is the stuff of legends. For the people who support it, we’re Biketown U.S.A. -- the city that boasts (at least among medium and large cities) the highest bike commuter rate. For those who are less into that title, our investments in cycling paths and signs are monetary drains on the city budget.

You’d think, then, given the strong feelings, that Portland has made significant investments to get a significant infrastructure.

But something Mayor Sam Adams said recently caught our attention. In a video on Streetfilms.org, Adams touts our biking culture while adding that we built our bike network for about the same amount of cash that a mile of highway would set us back.

"You know in 1993 we weren't the bicycling capital of America," he says. "Seventeen years later, for the equivalent cost of a single mile of freeway, we have a bike infrastructure."

Could that be true? We checked it out.

Read more>>

Biking Through Right Turn Only Lanes - DelDOT Responds

Bike Lane Working Group Will Meet April 14 in Newark

Bike Delaware has received an official response from DelDOT concerning the issue of bicycle safety through intersections with right turn only lanes (RTOLs). In most cases where RTOLs exist, there is insufficient width in the right of way (ROW) to provide a delineated bike lane. Previous work by a Bike Delaware bike lane working group suggested some possible approaches to this difficult problem, including "pocket" bike lanes.

Though DelDOT has not embraced our earlier suggestions, we are encouraged that they acknowledge the problem that the RTOL presents for bicycling in Delaware. The Traffic Department has offered to collaborate with us to find a solution, one that will improve bicyclist safety and facilitate our use of the current road system.

We consider this a historic opportunity for a few reasons:

1) It is the first time DelDOT has offered treatments "outside the box". In other words, they are reaching out to us by offering to work toward a solution that is not specifically addressed in the MUTCD or AASHTO bicycle facilities guide, but offered in others such as NACTO.

2) There could be national significance. Few, if any states have addressed this issue outside the urban environment. It will be a pioneering effort, another "First" for the 1st State.

3) Our ranking as a Bicycle Friendly State will likely improve.

Most importantly, it would put a be a hugely valuable tool for Anthony Aglio, (DelDOT's Bicycle Coordinator): the ability to add bike lanes and safety enhancements where currently they are refused due to lane width restrictions. A recent example is Polly Drummond Road, a high bike/ped volume corridor.

Please consider joining us at our April 14 Bike Lane Working Group meeting, at 6PM at WILMAPCO, 850 Library Avenue in Newark. Mark Luszcz, DelDOT Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer, will speak to us and take questions so we can begin a path forward. As always, pizza and refreshments provided!

Above: A sharrow (aka "share arrow"), used here within a right turn-only lane, is one idea. However, their use is limited to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Other possibilities can be explored.

Ali vs Duran?

Original post date: 3/9/11

Here at Bike Delaware World Headquarters, we have been concerned about the absence of boxing metaphors on the blog. To address this issue we are inspired to ask, "Why didn't Muhammad Ali fight Roberto Duran?"

Ali and Duran are often ranked among the greatest boxers of all time. Moreover, they were both at the height of their careers at the same time. Ali was the heavyweight champion during some of the same years (1974-78) that Duran was the reigning lightweight champion (1972-1979).

Why didn't they fight each other?

Basically, because it wouldn't have been a fair fight. Boxing weight classes were established in the late 19th century so that boxers would only be able to fight other boxers of similar size and weight. The idea, which has governed the sport ever since at both the amateur and professional levels, was to reduce the number of lopsided (and, consequently, boring) fights and to prevent large boxers from picking on smaller opponents.

Can you see where we're going with this? Years ago, DelDOT had what they called a bike/ped "pool". This was an upfront reservation of capital funds for bike/ped projects. All the potential bike/ped projects had to compete against each other on their merits for these limited funds. But they did not also have to compete directly against highways, bridges and roads. Then, at some point, DelDOT decided that a bike/ped "pool" wasn't that great an idea and that all projects should compete against each another in a single, totally objective, prioritization process.

Well, why not? And why shouldn't boxing get rid of weight classes, too? Why shouldn't Duran have been required to fight Ali to keep his title? Wouldn't a true champion fight all comers? And why shouldn't bike/ped have to compete directly against road projects in a completely objective process?

The reason (one of the reasons, anyway) is that the result is boring. Duran, despite his tremendous skill, would not have been competitive with Ali in the ring. And, in Delaware, almost every last cent of DelDOT's capital budget now goes to heavyweight projects like the Delaware Turnpike, US40 or Indian River Inlet Bridge. Lightweight bike/ped projects have almost completely disappeared from DelDOT's capital budget.

There are other arguments for re-establishing a bike/ped "pool" at DelDOT, including cost-effectiveness, safety (16% of traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians or bicyclists), public health (over a quarter of all Delawareans are obese and almost 10% have been diagnosed with diabetes), air quality, energy independence, climate change, etc....Bike Delaware usually talks about those. But, really, boring may be the best argument. While the public supports spending on non-motorized transportation options, in practice these small, lightweight projects have been unable to compete with the big boys in DelDOT's capital budget prioritization process. So, year after year, we get wider, smoother, straighter and faster roads;and the expensive, unsafe, unhealthy and boring status quo continues.

It's time for bike/ped to have its own weight class at DelDOT. Delaware will get more interesting.

Upcoming Events

April 14: Bike Lane Working Group
A Bike Lane Working Group will meet on Thursday, April 14th at 6 pm at WILMAPCO, 850 Library Avenue in Newark (map), to discuss the challenge that right turn-only lanes present to bicycling. DelDOT recently made a formal response to Bike Lanes at Intersections with Right Turn-Only Lanes (which was produced with the help of an earlier Working Group). The Bike Lane Working Group is a mix of professionals and citizen cyclists. It is an ad hoc collaboration that offers an opportunity for informal discussion and sharing of knowledge, perspectives and experiences related to bike lanes.

Bike Delaware's 1st Annual "Cycling Season Opener" is our founding membership drive and gala. (Anyone who attends on March 22 is a founding member of Bike Delaware.) Admission is $30 at the door. Join us as we kick off the 2011 Cycling Season in style. Takes place Tuesday, March 22, 5:30 - 8pm, at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, 1810 N. DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 (map). If riding in, convenient bike parking is available but do bring a lock. Plenty of car parking also available nearby. Full details HERE!

DelDOT Bicycle Maps special meeting

By Jeff Riegner

As DelDOT is preparing minor updates of its bike maps this spring, Delaware bicyclists were asked to provide comments on what should be changed. Many of you responded; thank you! As DelDOT has reviewed the comments, there are a few questions about how specific areas should be handled, so we would like to ask for your input one more time.

We will hold a meeting on Monday, March 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at WILMAPCO, 850 Library Avenue in Newark (directions). The purpose of this meeting will be to present the received comments to date on the New Castle County map and ask for your help in resolving issues we are struggling with resulting from these comments. Most of the New Castle County comments we received were for the Newark area, so that will form the bulk of the discussion. A couple of ground rules will be in place: namely, the general format of the maps will remain as-is, and we’re not soliciting additional comments. We just want to make sure that in the areas/routes where we have received comments and are considering changes, all questions are addressed.

Please consider attending this meeting so we can have a good turnout. DelDOT plans to have new bike maps printed before Memorial Day.

Thanks for your support for bicycling in Delaware!

Jeffrey R. Riegner
Chair, Newark Bicycle Committee
VP, Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP

Vehicular Cycling

Some of the annoying things we have to put up with:

Cycling Century

Not 100 miles. 100 years.

"Pedestrianisation" coming to Academy Street in Newark?

Academy Street in Newark, facing south. Pedestrians almost always outnumber cars.

Pedestrian zones (also known as auto-free zones and car-free zones) are areas of a city or town reserved for non-motorized use, in which some or all automobile traffic may be prohibited. They are instituted by communities who feel that it is desirable to have pedestrian and bicycle-only areas. Converting a street or an area to such use is sometimes referred to as "pedestrianisation".

Is Academy Street in Newark (above) one such candidate? According to unnamed sources, the University of Delaware has expressed interest in closing the Courtney Street to Lovett Ave section to automobile through traffic. Too anyone familiar with the area, especially during weekdays, foot and bicycle traffic far outnumber automobiles. Such a plan can greatly enhance safety and actually improve the flow of city traffic, according to NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan:



And, the New York Times had this to say, in this article dated Sept. 5, 2010:

Excerpts:
The changes - perhaps the swiftest re-engineering of a major New York roadway ever - have made the street [Broadway] more palatable to pedestrians and bicyclists, making it a microcosm of a broader plan by the city to reallocate road space traditionally used by cars. Transportation officials say that accidents have decreased and nearby avenues in Midtown are less backed up.

"It’s like a green ribbon that goes from 59th Street down to 14th Street now," Janette Sadik-Khan, the city’s transportation commissioner, said of the new Broadway. "Traffic is better, injuries are way down. We are accommodating thousands of more pedestrians."

Much of the public attention to the changes on Broadway has focused on one element: the pedestrian plazas that banned cars entirely from parts of Times and Herald Squares, creating open-air concrete parks in the center of Manhattan, complete with brightly hued beach furniture.

The section of Academy Street mentioned is in red. It's an even split between S. Chapel and S. College Ave. Students both cross and travel this corridor in droves. Many drivers try and avoid it at all cost due to foot congestion.

While Newark is no NYC in terms of size and population, Academy Street is one of roughly 10% of roads in Delaware belonging to a city or township, not DelDOT. Newark is responsible for pave & rehab, line striping, and most other treatments. The surface has fallen into serious disrepair, and gives quite a bumpy ride for students and area bicyclists who've come to rely on it for cross-town transportation.

The bike lane striping and arrow symbols that still exist were actually hand painted by City workers themselves, and are seldom maintained. And with several construction projects going on in the immediate area, it isn't hard to understand the city's reluctance to move on any kind of rehab activity. Trucks and other heavy equipment would surely damage or prematurely wear fresh paint and blacktop. But when these projects are over, it's difficult not to imagine a beautifully re-paved Academy Street with a cycletrack down one side, and the rest teaming with pedestrians who no longer feel threatened by speeding and aggressive drivers.

Will this concept become reality someday in Newark, perhaps on Academy Street? Nobody knows right now, but do drop by for a meeting of the Newark Bicycle Committee on the third Thursday of every month. They need your help, which includes the prioritization of bicycle and pedestrian elements in the city's latest Transportation Plan.

Come be a part of these very exciting times for bicycling (and walking) in the City of Newark!

"Four Solid Uses For Sharrows"

Last year, Delaware got a tiny taste of the new, MUTCD-approved "sharrow" marking. In 2011, however, we hope to see sharrows sprouting like mushrooms in more places, including the rest of Market Street in Wilmington and on Main Street in Newark.

But not everywhere. The sharrow marking tells both bicyclists and motorists that it is permissible for cyclists to "take the lane". But it is important to keep in mind that the Delaware General Code also requires (except in special circumstances) that any "person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway." Thus, there is a presumption in Delaware law that sharrows should not be used where bicyclists can not, or are unlikely to, travel at the normal speed of motorized vehicles.

But that's the law. There is also a far more important common-sense restriction on placing sharrows on, for example, major arterial roads where cyclists will almost never bike in a travel lane, no matter how many sharrows tell them that it's legal for them to do so. This kind of inappropriate application of the sharrow will bring the marking into contempt and degrade its usefulness in places where we really want to use it.

So, where should we use sharrows? The MUTCD guidance is notably unhelpful but, fortunately, Mia Birk (the former bicycle coordinator in Portland) has given some much more specific and helpful guidance. Specifically, she recommends these four uses for this new tool:

1) Gap closure between other bikeway infrastructure, where the gap is no more than 1/2 mile

2) To mark bicycle boulevards (great video of how they do this in Portland HERE)

3) On a street going downhill, where a bike lane on the other side going uphill exists

4) Streets where cyclists can keep up with traffic (rule of thumb: 15 mph speed limit or less)

If all you have is a hammer, then every problem can start to look like a nail. The sharrow is a great new tool, but it should be used intelligently. We should be prudent about using this new option so that it continues to be a sharp tool in our bikeway toolbox.

1st Annual Newark Bike Swap exceeds expectations

The first annual Newark Bike Swap, organized by Dustin Burchnall and the Delaware Trail Spinners, produced a mob scene on Sunday March 13 at the Aetna Fire Hall in Newark. Individuals, bike shops, and organizations from all over the region came to sell new and used bike goodies - some as far as South Jersey - to eager shoppers, also from far and wide. Already seen as having outgrown its venue, this could easily expand each year and may require a larger facility with additional parking. Regardless, it adds another great cycling event to the Newark area and shows the city is on course to become Delaware's premier bicycle friendly community (BFC) and trail town.

We thank the organizers for allowing Bike Delaware the opportunity to set up an advocacy display table encouraging folks to join as founding members. We look forward to participating in next year's event!

The day in pictures HERE.

Still Needed: Newark Urban Bike Project or Co-op

Many folks who ride a bicycle for transportation face disproportionate challenges to biking, including:

• Limited knowledge of cyclists' rights due to lacking advocacy involvement;
• Sub-standard bicycles and safety equipment;
• Limited transportation options due to price and/or proximity;
• Dangerous streets with fewer provisions for safe bicycling;
• Increased likelihood of bicycle theft and robbery due to limited parking;
  
• Lack of health insurance.
  

These factors make cycling policy and outreach an important issue that has long-been ignored. Job access for many residents (not all lower income) is a function of their access to public transit, and communities are often far from public transportation. This not only increases transportation costs for those that must have cars, but helps keep poor areas poor.

This is why an organization like the Urban Bike Project is such a huge and worthy cause. And why we need one in Newark and other towns and cities in Delaware. After waking up this morning and finding this -

the author decided to join UBP's Board of Directors at today's Newark Bike Swap. The author will be advocating for a similar organization in Newark. What you see above has been a regular occurrence since the author left his garage door open too long one day a few years ago, and word spread about the neighborhood bike mechanic/nut.

A closer-up view of the work order. I think it was "Steve", 8 houses down on the right.

The typical bicycle cooperative is a city or on-campus bicycle repair shop servicing riders of all types in the bicycle community, particularly those who rely on a bicycle for transportation and may not drive. There are far more of these folks than most people realize. The focus is to teach basic bicycle repair and maintenance techniques that will help keep rider and bicycle on the road. Typically, these shops are a "do-it-yourself" environment where the necessary tools, resources, and instruction are provided to enable the rider to maintain his/her own bicycle. They sometimes include a small retail area as well, where you can purchase the necessary parts to repair your bike and essential accessories to make your commute both safe and comfortable. And, it's not unusual that they provide pay-for-service repairs by trained staff, for those who may not have the time to do their own maintenance.

An "invisible rider", as they are often referred to, heading for the I95 overpass.

Let's hope this concept becomes a reality one day in the Newark area. Link to Wilmington’s Urban Bike Project HERE.

2011 National Bike Summit Review

Bike Delaware's Frank Warnock attended the full League of American Bicyclists (LAB) 2011 National Bike Summit from March 8-10. Anthony Aglio, Delaware Department of Transportation’s (DelDOT) Bicycle Coordinator was also in attendance, invited by the League as a panelist for the breakout session “Follow the Money – Fundamentals of current Transportation Financing”. In what appears to be a growing pattern, this year’s summit set the mark in overall attendance, with approximately 700 taking part at Washington D.C.’s Grand Hyatt (Metro Center). Featured speakers included NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, among others.

Frank with Mia Birk - author, professor, planner, and advocate originally from Dallas, TX and major player in bike friendly Portland Oregon.

Our very own bicycle coordinator, DelDOT's Anthony Aglio leads the discussion on Safe Routes to School during an early breakout session. Way to go, Anthony!

The 1st State's lone flag bearer. Our state was given a front row seat for the State Delegation Coordination wrap-up.

3 more advocates from 2 other bicycling organizations joined Frank on Thursday, March 10 for meetings with our 3 Congressmen. Delaware's final delegation included Ceci McCormick, White Clay Bicycle Club (WCBC), John McCormick (Past President, WCBC), Frank Warnock (PR Chair, Bike Delaware) and Amy Wilburn, (Chair, Delaware Bicycle Council).

Delaware advocates meet with Representative John Carney at his office in the Longworth House. See our meeting and award ceremony with Senator Carper HERE.

This day is often referred to as "Lobbying Day", but because we are not licensed as such - and are non-profit - "Advocacy Day" is a better description of this mission. Given our current economic situation, and the major shift in political climate on Capitol Hill, LAB strongly advised advocates to play a defensive role. This included the preservation of current bicycle and pedestrian funding in the next national transportation bill, and laying low on asks for additional spending. Since our "3 Cs" (Congressmen Carney-Carper-Coons) are given high marks already in past voting records, we did feel comfortable in raising the issue of extra funding for the C&D Recreation Trail and the Industrial Track Rail Trail, both enviro-economic windfalls to our economy and quality of life.

In summary, the 2011 National Bike Summit was a huge success for Delaware advocates, and our compatriots from all 50 states trying to achieve a shift away from automobile dependency and a better quality of life for everyone.

Full picture set HERE.

Senator Tom Carper receives LAB's National Leadership Award

Bike Delaware was proud to present the League of American Bicyclists' National Leadership Award to Senator Tom Carper on March 10 in Washington, DC for his work on behalf of a more livable Delaware: Enhancing bicycling and pedestrian safety, protecting the environment, and creating sound and economically thriving local economies.

Pictured left to right: Amy Wilburn (Chair, Delaware Bicycle Council), Frank Warnock (PR, Bike Delaware), Senator Tom Carper, John McCormick (Past President, White Clay Bicycle Club), Ceci McCormick (White Clay Bicycle Club).

Transportation Enhancements (TE) currently provides funding for about 75% of the bicycling and walking facilities that are built in the U.S., so eliminating that funding would be disastrous. Well, bicyclists and pedestrians alike in Delaware can breath a huge sigh of relief, knowing our own Senator (and former governor) Tom Carper not just supports these projects, but is easily among the top 3 or 4 stalwarts in Congress to defend them. He also stands firmly behind Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and the Regional Trails Program (RTP), among others. And it is for this reason he was chosen to receive the League of American Bicyclist’s 2011 National Leadership Award at this year's National Bike Summit, in Washington, D.C.

We already know that bicycling and walking is in fact the most cost-effective way to spend transportation money. With Senator Carper’s leadership, we will have the chance to move forward with some of Delaware’s most economically enriching active transportation and recreation projects. These include the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Recreation Trail as well as the Wilmington-to-New Castle Bicycle Highway between Old New Castle and Wilmington’s Riverfront. Not only are these projects a boon to the local economies they connect, they offer countless environmental and health benefits as well. The C&D project will span 17 Miles between Delaware City DE and Chesapeake City MD, and as one of only a few cross-state trails in the United States, will draw visitors from around country. The Industrial Track will serve a similar purpose, opening up the Riverfront to non-motorized visitors from far and wide. Additionally, both will serve as non-motorized "bicycle highways" through the region, providing many residents with clean, safe, and healthful transportation alternatives.

Preparing for High Gas Prices

by Sarah Buttner

Recent events in the Middle East remind us of our vulnerability to increases in oil prices. Creditable sources believe the world is at, near, or past its maximum flow rate of oil production; some predict a global shortfall in oil supply of about 10% as soon as 2015.

As fossil fuels become more scarce and expensive, it will be ever more critical for citizens to be able to use bicycles for transport. The total amount of vehicle miles driven in Delaware is likely to fall as fuel prices increase, and need for safe walking and bicycling routes will increase in importance. The more we prepare for non fossil fuel based transportation ahead of the price increases, the less traumatic the impact of price increases will be.

I fully support proposals to allocate 3% of Delaware's transportation dollars for walking and bicycling.

Sarah Buttner
Energy Transition Consultant
Member, White Clay Bicycle Club

Janette Sadik-Khan - Going Rogue!

NY Times, March 4, 2011 -- Excellent article on NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Kahn, titled For City’s Transportation Chief, Kudos and Criticism.

Excerpts:

DEVOTEES refer to her as “J. S. K.” and lionize her as the brave and forward-thinking city planner who ushered in a golden age for bicyclists, pedestrians and environmentalists. Two-wheeled ridership has doubled during her tenure; European-style rapid-transit buses now ply exclusive, camera-enforced lanes; and fewer people have been killed in traffic accidents on New York’s streets than at any time in the past century, according to city records.
“When I become mayor, you know what I’m going to spend my first year doing?” Mr. [Anthony D.] Weiner [Queens Democrat] said to Mr. Bloomberg, as tablemates listened. “I’m going to have a bunch of ribbon-cuttings tearing out your [expletive] bike lanes.”

Another high-ranking official, fearful that being named could get him fired, recalled a heated conversation that culminated in Ms. Sadik-Khan’s announcing that she planned to remake New York City’s streets, “and people are going to have to get used to it.”

Now THAT is getting things done. Let's hope Governor Jack's new appointee for DelDOT Secretary shares at least some of these qualities, shall we?

New York City Bike Lanes

An Unusual Commute

You can do a lot with plywood.

"When I tell people that I used to race bicycles, they sometimes confuse that with racing mountain bikes. No, I gently explain, mountain bike races are very different than road races. What I mean to say is that road racers are a little crazy, mountain bike racers are just plain crazy, then there are downhill mountain bike racers. To help explain, please view the attached video of a downhill mountain bike race." ~ Jim Westhoff

Two Leaders Who Made a Difference for Delaware

Governor Markell pays tribute to two great Delawareans, Muriel Gilman and former Governor Russ Peterson, "one of our nation’s great environmental heroes":

Upcoming March Events

Dine In for UBP at Union City Grille
Join the Urban Bike Project at Union City Grille on Monday, March 7 anytime from 4:30-10:00PM! 12% of the night's proceeds, including the bar, go to UBP! All you have to do is mention Urban Bike Project when you get there. Reservations are a good idea if you want to eat dinner, and please mention UBP when calling it in. See the event on Facebook HERE.

Trailspinners Bike Swap
Got a garage full of spare bike parts? Sick and tired of buying bike parts site-unseen online and paying to have them shipped to you? Your prayers have been answered! For the first time, the Delaware Trail Spinners are hosting a LOCAL BIKE SWAP! Join us Sunday March 13th for our first annual bike swap at the Aetna Fire Hall, located at the intersection of Rt. 273 and Kirkwood Highway in Newark DE, directly across from the Newark Post Office. We’ll be featuring independent and commercial (bike shops, etc.) vendors selling bikes of all kinds, parts, accessories, clothing and more, as well as food and raffle/door prizes. Urban Bike Project will also be in attendance with some of the unique stuff that has piled up at the shop. Event info HERE.

Bike Delaware's 1st Annual Membership Event
Bike Delaware's "Cycling Season Opener" marks our opening membership drive and first annual fundraising event. Join us as we kick off the 2011 Cycling Season in style. Tuesday, March 22, 5:30 - 8 pm at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, 1810 N. DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. Plenty of parking available nearby. Full details HERE.

Safe Kids Day 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011, 10:00am – 1:00pm. There's no doubt that kids will be ready to play outside after this long winter. Help them stay safe while having fun. Bring the whole family to Safe Kids Day at Bellevue State Park on Saturday, April 16. This free event will teach kids about safety and injury prevention with hands on activities and giveaways. There will be a Bike Rodeo, where kids will learn the "rules of the road" when riding their bike and the importance of wearing their helmet correctly. Remember to bring your bikes and helmets. Parents can have their car seat checked for proper installation. Be sure to bring your car, your child, and the car seat. The check takes about 30 minutes. Takes place at Bellevue State Park, Figure 8 Barn, I-95 and Carr Road, Wilmington, DE. Safe Kids Day website HERE.