Major new bicycle funding passed by Delaware Senate

10:42PM: Senate passes Senate Bill 130, which includes $5 million in new bicycle funding

3 Foot Law awaits Governor Markell's signature

*** Major victory for bicycle safety and protection in Delaware *** 

By Amy Wilburn, Chair, Delaware Bicycle Council 

On Tuesday June 28, 2011, the Delaware House unanimously passed SB 38, the state’s “three foot passing” law.  The bill now moves to Governor Jack Markell, a cyclist and supporter of green transportation, to be signed into law.  With the passage of this bill, Delaware becomes the nineteenth state to have a passing law to protect cyclists.  Other states, including Pennsylvania, are currently working on similar legislation.  For the full text of the bill, with amendment, as well as the legislative history of the bill, please visit HERE.

The Delaware Bicycle Council wishes to thank Senator Dave Sokola for sponsoring this bill and for working with the Council, the Delaware State Police and DelDOT to ensure that the bill addresses the needs of cyclists.  The Council also wishes to express appreciation to Senator Sokola’s legislative aide, Glenn Shipley, for his efforts, to Representative Valerie Longhurst and her legislative assistant, Melissa Hopkins, for spearheading the effort in the House, and to the following other cosponsors: Representatives Schooley, Hudson, Keeley, B. Short and Senator Cloutier.

UD Police seek help in identifying bike theft suspect

University of Delaware Police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a man wanted for questioning in connection with recent bike thefts on the Newark campus.

One bike was stolen from a bike rack at Kirkbride Hall on Friday, June 24, and about five others were taken from the West Campus between Thursday, June 23, and Sunday, June 26.

Surveillance video captured the man pictured above on June 24, and police say he appeared to be riding through campus, looking for suitable bikes to steal. He is described as 30 to 40 years old, heavy set, with tan skin, dark hair and facial hair.

Members of the University community are reminded to report any suspicious activity to police immediately. "Timely reporting decreases crimes and increases the likelihood of identifying the suspect and preventing other similar incidents from occurring," UD Police Chief Patrick Ogden said.

Anyone with information about the recent bike thefts is asked to contact UD Police at (302) 831-2222

Read it on UDaily HERE.

The Future?

Will chains and oil and messy cleaning become a thing of the past? Also check out several photos of this belt driven, internally geared system found on Flickr:

:

Left: The author's own commuting bike, a Cannondale Scalpel, new in 2003. The derailleur system was removed (whew!) and replaced with a 14 speed, internally geared system known as the "Rohloff Speedhub", and is now closing in on 43,000 trouble free miles. Advantages include 14 discrete gears in a single twist grip, all ratios split evenly by 13%, shifting at any time (under load or at a standstill), a much stronger straight laced wheel, very low maintenance, easy adjustment, and outstanding reliability. Only real disadvantage is net weight gained - about 1.5 lbs - in a swap with an average derailleur system.

The goal is to convert this system to a belt drive someday, if the upgrade becomes available. It should be noted that the Speedhub is the only multi-gear hub available with a quick release axle.

Check out this really neat web page showing the internal workings of a Sturmey Archer 3 speed, the original foundation for all multi-gear hubs. Then, check out this You Tube Video of a cut away Speedhub in action!

Bike Right - Registration deadline near

July 6 is the deadline to register for the LAB bike commuter course on the evening of Thursday July 14 at the Bellevue Corporate Center.  Don’t forget to sign up!

3 hour League of American Bicyclists (LAB) course:

Classroom Instruction and night ride. Will include route selection, bicycle safety, clothing, how to carry gear, etc.

WHERE: Bellevue Corporate Center, Bldg. 200, Suite 250

(Ameriprise Financial)

WHEN: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 6:00 – 9:00 PM (come at 5:30 PM with dinner, get acquainted, sign in, etc.)

WHO: Registered Participants. To register contact The McCormicks: j.c.mccormick@verizon.net, 302-761-9066

Registration deadline: July 6th.

COST: $20.00 per participant. Payable when signing in on July 14th.

PRESENTERS: John & Cecilia McCormick, Paul Hess
- WCBC (White Clay Bicycle Club) Members
- LCI (League Cycling Instructors)

View the course flyer in pdf HERE. Hope to see you there!

NY Times: Car Clash - Europe vs. the U.S.

Cross-posted from the New York Times

Europeans are doing all they can to discourage people from driving and parking their cars in and around cities. When European planners say that their aims are the opposite of American ones, it sounds like a boast, if not a fact, and starts a vigorous debate

Why has urban planning in the U.S. taken a different course? How should Americans view the anti-driving campaigns in Europe?

Among the commentaries, this from Ellen Dunham-Jones:

"Top of the list of unloved, underperforming and ubiquitous places, they were engineered for the single purpose of swiftly moving cars. But overzoned for commercial uses, they are now clogged with cars on both local and through trips. They provide access to cheaper land and “drive till you qualify” affordable housing – but then eat up the savings as transportation costs have risen to 20 to 40 percent of household budgets. They are aging with little prospect of funding for maintenance. And their high vacancy rates just add to the dispiritedness of a failed public realm.

"Can they be retrofitted into attractive, transit boulevards lined with trees, sidewalks and affordable housing and anchored by mixed-use centers with a public life to be proud of? June Williamson and I are tracking over 35 North American corridors that are being redesigned not to make driving miserable, but to recognize the multiple social, environmental, economic and transportation purposes that great streets serve. Their integration was highlighted in the grassroots-led temporary re-striping of Ross Avenue as “Ross Ramblas” in Dallas this week at Build a Better Boulevard. Participants employed several techniques of Tactical Urbanism, including pop-up shops, chairbombing and dumpster pools."

"Aiding these efforts is the new street design manual for walkable urban thoroughfares. It is the first officially recommended practice that does not refer to sidewalks as “vehicle recovery zones”! El Paso recently adopted the manual to connect its implementation of Bus Rapid Transit with redevelopment of outdated properties along five major corridors. Imagine if all 50 DOTs followed suit and revised their Level of Service Standards accordingly! We might see more transformations of urban highways to boulevards and Complete Streets."

and this from Laurie Volk and Todd Zimmerman:

"The reversal of our national misallocation of infrastructure — significant increases of transportation alternatives and housing options in our urban centers — will be a long and challenging task, one that many of our current leaders simply lack the courage and stature to face. Witness the recent short-sighted pandering and grandstanding by governors rejecting transportation investments, like commuter tunnels and rail projects, that would ultimately yield permanent economic, fiscal and social benefits."

Read on ...

Remarks by Executive Director James Wilson

Walkable, Bikeable Delaware

One hundred years ago, Delaware families spent nearly their entire household budgets on just three things: food, clothing and shelter. Today, however, the 2nd largest expense Delaware families face is transportation. We spend more on transportation than entertainment, clothing, food, and even health care! More than $8,000 on average per year. The only place we spend more money than for transportation, is for housing.

How did we get in this position? 100 years ago, transportation (in urban areas, anyway) was practically free. Unless you kept a horse, all you needed were shoes or a bicycle. But in the 21st century, we have made it inconvenient, difficult and even dangerous to get where you want to go without a car. 16% of all traffic fatalities in Delaware are pedestrians and bicyclists, even though pedestrians and bicyclists together account for far less than 16% of the total miles traveled. Virtually all of us use a car for every routine travel need, even if it is a short trip of just a few miles.

The direct economic cost is not the only cost we pay for our complete dependence on the automobile. One hundred years ago, Delawareans got plenty of exercise everyday. They didn't have to schedule time with their personal trainer, it was built in to their routine travel: to work, to school, to the store. In the 21st century, we have replaced routine travel by foot and bicycle with travel by car, and we have become a sedentary people. Today, two-thirds of adults and 40% of Delawareans are classified as overweight or obese; and rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases associated with being overweight are exploding.

Last month, the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Concurrent Resolution #13 (SCR13) which said that we need transportation that is not just fast and efficient, but also cost-effective and healthy for families. SCR13 directs the state to identify new funds for direct and strategic investments in closing the worst and most dangerous gaps that keep people from choosing walking and bicycling as safe, convenient and even fun ways of getting to where they want to go.

Today, the General Assembly votes on Senate Bill #130 to fund capital improvements in our state. This is where we find out whether the promise of SCR13 will be fulfilled. Come join us in Dover and see for yourself. You may have an opportunity to see our elected officials do something extraordinary.

Bikes and Small Cars

Crazy Mini-Cooper Drivers
 
Pucher and Dijkstra have calculated that the bicyclist fatality rate in the United States was about 10 times (1000%) the fatality rate for the occupants of cars and small trucks per mile (or kilometer) traveled (1995). We summarized their work in a recent post (where we delved into the statistics a little more deeply).

But why should this be? After the death of a bicyclist, the comments usually come fast and furious that the bicyclist must somehow have been at fault...and if the news story happened to mention that the victim wasn't wearing a helmet: forget about it! For many people that's the entire story. Any bicyclist not wearing a helmet is, by definition, crazy and reckless. There is no need for any additional thinking! (Phew.)

But if bicyclists, as a class, are responsible (because of their crazy and reckless bicycling ways) for their own disproportionate tendency to die in traffic, then what are we to make of the statistics that the drivers of the smallest cars are about 3 times (300%) as likely to die in a crash as the drivers of the largest cars? Well, we have a series of plausible explanations that we can analogize from conveniently. One very likely explanation: drivers of small cars are 300% more likely to drive the wrong way. No? OK: drivers of small cars drive defensively and therefore are less visible than larger cars. (Small cars need to learn how to "take the lane".) That's probably true, but, if it isn't, this surely is: the drivers of small cars are 300% more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol. I've known lots of mini-cooper drivers and they have all had drinking problems, with one or two exceptions. And not only do they drink, the drivers of small cars are also lazy! I don't have any doubt that they are 300% more likely to drive without the appropriate personal protective equipment.

What do you think?

Mia Birk: Fear of Cycling

by Mia Birk

“I’d like to bike, but…” says the woman in front of me, a Toronto Councilwoman, at a recent forum.

This is a phrase I hear all the time in my work creating bicycle-friendly communities. “But I’m afraid to…”

She’s in good company! More than 60% of the population is interested in cycling but afraid. (See Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 and Calgary Cycling Strategy.)

“My friend’s 25-year old kid got killed last year,” she explains, adding that it was his fault because he didn’t stop at a signal.

What can I say in response? I hear you, but don’t be afraid?....Telling her to not be afraid is like telling her not to breathe.

What if I told her that cities like Copenhagen, Vancouver, Portland, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago have all found that as bicycling and walking trips rise, crash rates fall dramatically? Or that bicycle transportation is actually quite safe relative to other activities? A recent Oregon study found that if we commute by bike to work six miles (approx. 10 km) a day, we’ll experience a minor mishap once every four years. Not bad, especially when compared to other injury inducing activities, like sports, cooking (burns, sliced fingers), and encountering dangerous dogs. In other words, people living physically active lives suffer injuries, with bicycle commuting no worse an activity than anything else. And, of course, the health benefits far outweigh the risks.

“But the roads are unsafe,” says the Councilwoman.

Sure, if your main method of transportation is the car, then naturally you envision that bicycling means sharing space on the roads on which you currently drive. Doubtful that these have bike lanes. Even if they do, those bike lanes might look pretty scary if you haven’t regularly used them. This is why we are working to create networks of low-stress bikeways, either by separating cyclists from motorists on major roads, developing off-road paths, or reducing the speed differential between motorists and cyclists on shared spaces. Watch this 7-minute Streetsfilm video about Portland’s new neighborhood greenways, and feel your safety concerns dissipate like the sun beaming on the school-bound bike “train.”

Read the rest of Mia's post on bicycling fear HERE.

Mia Birk is the former bicycle coordinator in Portland.

Radio Bikes and Bubbles

A "Tom Thumb" Bike Radio mounted on the handlebars of Felix Cartagena's Trek Cruiser!

Felix replaced the innards (tubes) in favor of a small media player which can play hundreds of songs, while still maintaining use of the front end controls.

Felix is a regular MacGyver when it comes to bikes and balloons, and was an active events coordinator and volunteer with the White Clay Bicycle  club for a number of years.  

Felix founded the Delaware Double Cross (coming up this July 4th weekend) and can usually be seen cruising around at events such as the Wilmington Grand Prix and Newark Night. The latter he was a huge help in getting Bike Delaware's tent and promotion table set up out front of the Galleria on Main Street on June 4th.

In addition to bicycling, Felix loves making bubbles, and flying kites. He is quoted in his  "Bubble Manifesto" as saying "I see bubble making as performance art, but as one step removed. It is not the making of the bubbles but the bubbles themselves that is the performance."

"By creating the apparatus that makes the bubbles, there is no artist per se... the machine and the vagaries of the wind create the art." Visit his website, which includes a biography HERE.

Above: The legendary "balloon tire" Huffy Radio Bike. Could this be what Felix had in mind?

Te Rewa Rewa Bridge

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The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is an 80 meter long bridge for pedestrian and bicycle users spanning the Waiwhakaiho River in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

New Plymouth was chosen as one of two walking & bicycling "Model Communities" by the New Zealand national government in 2010.

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Coincidentally, 80 meters is about the same distance we need to cross the Cristina River in order to complete the Wilmington-to-New Castle Bicycle Highway.

Bicycling While Female

15% of Delaware Commuter Bicyclists are Women

OK, so it's not in quite in the same category as "driving while black", but it's nonetheless irritating to hear this story about a Dutch visitor (photo right) getting warned by NYC police that she is a traffic hazard....because she's wearing a skirt.

We're pretty sure that this is not what the League of American Bicyclists has in mind when it talks about enforcement. (Streetsblog's earlier story on the incident was titled "Saudi Arabia on the Hudson.")

What makes this misogyny particularly inept is that bicycling in the U.S. has a gigantic problem: most utility bicycle users are men. According to the Census Bureau, for example, only 1 in 7 (~ 15%) of commuter bicycle users in Delaware were women during 2006-2008.

The problem is not unique to Delaware. In fact, this pattern is characteristic of bicycling in the United States. The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals conducted an online survey of women and bicyclists to try to gain greater insight into the disparity. You can read the analysis of the survey HERE.

Reflection on Bike-to-Work Day in Newark

By Mark Deshon, Newark Bicycle Committee

On Biking to Work 

Having had the privilege of biking to my job at the University of Delaware for the better part of three decades, I consider myself blessed.  Every now and then, I remind myself that there are several reasons why I do this, even through the cold of winter.  For me, each of these reasons is personal and stands quite well on its own as an improvement over driving a car.

Biking to work is…

• Good for Your Bank Account – You save gas, parking costs, wear and tear on your car, and (in many cases) lower your vehicle insurance.

• Good for the Earth – When you’re biking, you’re reducing your carbon footprint (i.e., you’re not polluting the atmosphere).

• Good for Your Body – Keeping your leg muscles, heart, and lungs working helps maintain your health.

• Good for Your Senses – You not only see but hear and feel things that you don’t experience from inside a vehicle.

• Good for Your Soul – It makes you feel good and is a great wake-up substitute for coffee in the morning.

Bike-to-Work Day Celebration in Newark
Last year I decided I needed to become more of an advocate for bike commuting and bicycling in general.  So after chatting with Frank Warnock at the 2010 Delaware Bike Summit, I decided I would talk with Jeff Riegner and see if I could become a member of the Newark Bicycle Committee (NBC).

Not only were NBC’s members very open to a “newbie,” but they risked allowing me to make an initial contribution by trusting me with the coordination of Newark’s Bike-to-Work Day event in 2011.  Yikes!  Nothing like jumping in with both feet.

All in all, I would characterize the event as a “good start” for this bronze-level “Bicycle Friendly” city.

I had participated in Bike-to-Work Day in years past, back when TMA Delaware was very involved and the University of Delaware organized the Newark event. I knew that NBC wanted this event to be resuscitated in a grand way.  Working through my connections at the University and the City of Newark (perhaps Newark’s two largest employers), we were able to build some momentum, as we did whatever we could think of to publicize the event. We found out early on that we would need a group inside the University to arrange for the event site (Trabant Center patio) without cost; the UD Cycling Club came through for us in that regard.

Of course, I got a lot of help:

• Heather Dunigan (WILMAPCO) was instrumental in helping develop printed material and pushing things out on the NBC website.

• Frank Warnock (Bike Delaware) helped get the word out through his channels.

• Mike Fortner (City of Newark) was a great help with the business community and even went “door-to-door” with me to seek sponsorships as the event grew near. 

• Anthony Aglio coordinated his efforts as DelDOT’s bike/ped advocate with NBC and those groups organizing similar events throughout the state.

• NBC president Jeff Riegner consulted with me on a basic site plan for the event and sent letters out to the event sponsors, thanking them for their support.

• Dan LaCombe came and set up DelDOT’s tent in the light rain on the morning of May 20 and brought lots of transportation-related goodies.

• George Stanko (Newark Police) and Jim Grimes (UD Public Safety) coordinated public safety coverage for the event.

• DelDOT Community Affairs Officer James Westhoff stayed in constant touch with me during the final couple weeks and brought a portable podium and sound equipment to the event.

• Newark’s Community Affairs Officer Dana Johnston helped publicize the event among City of Newark employees.

• The local bike shops and the Univesity of Delaware’s Wellness Program posted advertising at their locations.

• Several others offered help and encouragement, which I greatly appreciated.

Event sponsors included BikeLine, Wooden Wheels, Fusion Fitness, Newark Natural Foods, Bing’s Bakery, and The Ski Bum.  Breakfast items were either donated or paid for by these sponsors.

The University of Delaware Office of Communications & Marketing provided staff photographer Ambre Alexander to cover the event.

In addition to a brief welcome message from UD Provost Tom Apple (on behalf of the University) and closing words from Newark Mayor Vance Funk, we were lucky to have had Cleon Cauley, Delaware’s Acting Secretary of Transportation and a proven bicycling advocate, come and give a substantive address in support of the future of bicycle transportation in Delaware.

Though the early rain and the threat of more, in all probability, limited the number of bike commuters at this year’s event, the nearly 30 participants seemed genuinely happy to have stopped by on their way to work.  Everyone had something to eat and drink and an opportunity to socialize a bit.

Some things might have been done differently, and we should look to get the word out earlier next spring and hope for better weather. However, things did come together nicely - the rain pretty much stopping on cue at 7:30 - leaving NBC members with some “good vibes” about what we had accomplished together.

Thanks again to all who helped make Bike-to-Work Day a success!

Stoltz defeat a victory for bikeability, livability in Delaware

Planning board votes against Stoltz

Wilmington News Journal -- The New Castle County Planning Board voted to recommend denial of a rezoning requested by a Pennsylvania developer that is needed to build a large shopping center at the Barley Mill Plaza office complex in Greenville.

While the county Land Use Department voted to recommend the plan to County Council on Tuesday night, the planning board's decision, in a 5-2 vote with two members abstaining, shows that the project isn't guaranteed to be approved by County Council when it votes in October. [Full article]

Bike Delaware's Executive Director James Wilson sent the following letter on June 10:

Dear Chairman Singer and Members of the Planning Board,

In his introduction to the County's 2007 Comprehensive Plan, County Executive Chris Coons wrote that "[o]ur 2007 Comprehensive Development Plan envisions a future for New Castle County that more closely reflects the county many of us experienced as children: a place where children grow up and play in safety, where neighbors know each other and feel connected, and where schools, stores, community centers and houses of worship are accessible to many on foot or by bicycle, as well as by car or transit."

We were astonished at the unsupported claim by the representative of the Stoltz group at Tuesday's Planning Board hearing (June 7) that their request for a rezoning of Barley Mill Plaza to Commercial Regional is consistent with the County's Comprehensive Plan. County Executive Coons' point about pedestrian and bicyclist accessibility comes at the very beginning of that document (4th paragraph in Section I). It is a central goal of the Comprehensive Plan. Commercial Regional zoning is not consistent with either pedestrian or bicyclist accessibility. Indeed, far from up-zoning parcels to Commercial Regional, the County should instead be vigilantly attempting the opposite: looking for opportunities to down-zone parcels from Commercial Regional to zoning that is more consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and the desires of County residents.

We urge you to reject the application of the developer for Commercial Regional re-zoning of (part of) the Barley Mill Plaza parcel because of its inconsistency with the County's Comprehensive Plan.

Sincerely,
James Wilson
Executive Director
BIKE DELAWARE

Where does all this come from?

I95 across New Castle County has few truly safe bicycle crossings. For most folks, Otts Chapel Road would not be considered one of them due to high speeds - however, it does have reasonable shoulders and no highway on and off ramps. It is also a common commuter route between Newark and points south.

As the state's advocacy organization, we receive calls and emails asking us why the shoulders fill with sand and gravel within weeks or a month after being swept by DelDOT, which typically has them on a 6 month schedule. As heard so often, and seen recently in a letter to the Wilmington News Journal, motorists fail to recognize these dangers from inside a car. They question cyclist's motives for riding out from the shoulder, on the white line or in the lane - all the while it's debris originating from cars and trucks that cause this conflict. Using the lane is also what we are legally required to do - especially when it is unsafe along the right side of the road.

Since most shoulders do stay relatively clean, and every 6 months is probably adequate, what would it take to get just the most chronic sections put on a more frequent sweeping schedule?

Screwed! Mario Nappa suffered this puncture one day commuting to work over the Tyler McConnell Bridge. A closer look in the sand and gravel reveals much more, including nails, staples, and other construction materials.

Bike Delaware a finalist for Advocacy Advance matching grant

By Gail Robillard, Treasurer, Bike Delaware

Advocacy Advance (AA), a partnership of the the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking, supports local and state bicycle and pedestrian advocacy efforts.  By tracking the performance of bike advocacy groups throughout the county, AA identifies winning strategies and best practices and shares the resulting knowledge with local and state groups.  In it's Capacity Building grant application process, AA looks to identify those local and state advocacy groups who, with a little support, could make a quantum leap in their advocacy initiatives.

Out of a large pool of applicants from throughout the United States, the partnership selects just two or three grantees each year.  This year, Bike Delaware along with 7 other groups, was picked to compete in a final grant round.  Our selection was based on an initial application which described Bike Delaware's current advocacy campaigns to

• secure increased capital investments in walking and bicycling, and

• identify and implement a statewide bicycle facility retrofit for right-turn only lanes

Since submitting our initial application to AA, Bike Delaware has already

• helped secure the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution # 13, which directs DelDOT to increase funding for bikeway networks

• obtained agreement from DelDOT to pursue a new traffic control device and submitted three "right-turn auxiliary lane marking" designs for human factors testing and evaluation.

As supporters of bicycling in Delaware, we ask for your help in raising the necessary matching funds should Bike Delaware be awarded an Advocacy Advance partnership grant.

Sincerely,

Gail Robillard, Treasurer

BIKE DELAWARE

722-4591, ext. 4

"Bikeway networks that everyone can use to get where they want to go on a bike." Visit us at http://www.bikede.org/

Help IMBA Urge Senator Carper to Support Funding for Biking Programs

-- By Kristy Kibler

International Mountain Bicycling Association Government Affairs Coordinator

Funding for trails, walking and bicycling in America is in serious jeopardy.

As Congress ramps up efforts to pass a national transportation bill, some senators and representatives are pushing to eliminate the dedicated federal programs that support our nation's trail, walking and bicycling infrastructure. These programs currently receive less than two cents of every transportation dollar, yet have tremendous impacts on their communities.

Make no mistake: If we lose this battle, communities all around the country will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to build the trail systems they need.

Senator Carper of Delaware is on the Environment and Public Works Committee and has made clear that he supports trails, walking and bicycling. Now, his constituents—namely, you—must encourage him to take the next step.

Please sign your name HERE to the below constituent letter.

---

Dear Sen. Carper,

Thank you for demonstrating your recognition of the tremendous value that federal programs that support trails, walking and bicycling have in my community and others around our state.

I understand that the Environment and Public Works Committee is negotiating a transportation bill right now. We very much need you to communicate to Chairman Boxer that one of the top transportation priorities for you and your constituents is to uphold core federal programs dedicated to building trail, walking and bicycling infrastructure—in particular, Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program. These programs save us money, make our communities safer, reduce congestion and improve health.

Thank You,

---

This is one of the biggest fights we have had in years. Your signature is absolutely critical to our success.

22 Iowa Miles in 2 Minutes

And a 13 story high bridge

News Journal: Lighting pedestrians' way to safe crossing

Improvements on US 13 aim to cut deaths

by Adam Taylor
Published June 20, 2011 in the News Journal

The Delaware Department of Transportation has spent $500,000 to install 115 streetlights to try to reduce the number of pedestrians killed while trying to cross U.S. 13 between Hares Corner and the 13/40 split.

Read entire article HERE.

Father's Day

The Zen of Roundabout Engineering

Two Approaches to Intersection Design

New York City:


Netherlands:

The grand tour: How bike tourism helps local economies

Cross-posted from Grist

Bike-friendly cities, off-road paths, and scenic country roads where cyclists can spin along in comfort aren't just good for the people who live in those places. They also attract tourists. And tourists mean money for the local economy.

Tourism is one of the U.S.'s largest industries and biggest employers, creating millions of jobs and bringing in hundreds of billions of dollars each year (not to mention the tax benefits).

Bicycle touring has long had an honored place in the tourism economy and culture. This doesn't go unrecognized: In Wisconsin, bike tourism is estimated to contribute $1.5 billion to the state's economy every year.

It's not just about paths or trails, though the measurable impacts these facilities have on local economies are a big deal. Bicycle transportation may not yet be mainstream in the U.S., but recreational bicycling is. More people ride bikes than ski, and more bikes than cars are bought here every year -- presumably for the purpose of family rides along the riverside trail and the like.

For communities looking to up the ante, in adventure or economic development, there are many enticing opportunities for bicycle touring beyond a short jaunt on the rail trail . . .

Read entire article HERE.

Both the Lewes-Georgetown Route and the Wilmington-New Castle Route projects have strong support from local tourism officials. Tourism at Delaware's beaches in Sussex County is already a $1B industry in Delaware. A safe bicycle route from Lewes-Georgetown would probably be worth 10s of millions of dollars in new tourism dollars every year to Sussex. And a Wilmington-New Castle route could be the missing piece that finally brings a national park to Delaware.

Lewes to Georgetown Route

Overdue


Anthony (Tony) Pezone, President, Sussex Cyclists: “As president of the Sussex Cyclists Cycling club I wish to strongly support the rail to trail or rail with trail from Lewes to Georgetown. As the traffic builds in Sussex County due to the influx of tourists and the growth of the population existing roads become more congested and safe cycling roads become scarcer causing fewer people to think of cycling for recreation or as a means of transportation. A paved safe cycling trail connecting the existing Junction Breakwater trail from Rehoboth to Lewes with a safe trail to Georgetown would be a major attraction and encourage more people to leave their cars and get on their bikes.”

Scott Thomas, Executive Director, Southern Delaware Tourism: “Sussex County’s natural assets are the primary reasons 7 million people visit the county each year and spend close to $1 billion dollars while they are here. Our visitors want to take full advantage of these natural assets and scenic, open surroundings by biking, paddling and boating. In fact, the Breakwater – Junction Trail connecting the towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach is one of the most talked about local travel corridors due to its scenic and bike-friendly nature. Greenways and Blueways will play a big part in attracting future residents and visitors to Sussex County as quality of life becomes a larger factor in economic development strategy. Having groundwork laid for the proposed Half-Moon Trail connecting the towns of Lewes and Georgetown is one of the next big opportunities for alternative transportation in Sussex County.”

Michael Tyler, Chairman, Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: “As chairman of the Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee I can speak for our committee to endorse moving forward on the design and development of a rail trail or rail-with-trail from Lewes to Georgetown.

"Having been involved with the birth of the Junction and Breakwater Trail I know that residents in Lewes and Rehoboth were acutely interested in seeing the completion of this beautiful trail. Today commuters and recreational cyclists as well as runners and walkers use the trail daily. In the summer it is used heavily by commuters as well. The Lewes Bike/Ped Advisory Committee wholeheartedly supports any effort to move this project forward."

"Route 141...is simply a death wish"

By Tom Gears
Wilmington

I am writing this letter in strong support of pushing forward with the planning, engineering, and construction of the Wilmington to New Castle Bicycle Highway. The man-made obstacles of I-95 and I-495 have created a nearly impassable barrier for pedestrian/bicycle traffic to safely move from Wilmington and areas West of Wilmington. From the Prices Corner area a bicyclist has the option of riding into the city on either Kirkwood Highway or Maryland Ave and then out to New Castle on New Castle Ave or risking life and limb by cycling on Route 141 which is simply a death wish. The completed bicycle highway will provide a long awaited safe route for cyclists to travel between the two cities. If the taxpayers can fund roads to every corner of the state it is only fair that we can provide at least a few bicycle routes

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Phase 1 of the Wilmington-to-New Castle Bicycle Highway

Read more about the Wilmington-to-New Castle Bicycle Highway HERE.

Bike Parking, View from Orbit

A commenter on a recent post asked where the picture of bike parking seen here

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was taken. If you look closely at the picture, you can see the name of the school in the background: "Vincent Van Gogh". It turns out that there aren't actually any schools named "Vincent Van Gogh" in the U.S., but a quick Google search reveals that there is one in the small (population: ~ 65,000) city of Assen in the Netherlands.

But is Assen really where this picture was taken? We used Google Maps to confirm. It took a little while, but we finally found the Vincent Van Gogh school in Assen. Here's the satellite picture:

Click to expand (+):

The school has two parking lots, side by side, one for cars and another for bikes. The bike parking lot is slightly smaller, but has many more bikes than the car parking lot has cars.

Enforcement

Senate Confirms Governor's Transportation Secretary Nominee

Shailen Bhatt, Associate Federal Highway Administrator, to become Delaware's Ninth Transportation Secretary DelDOT Press Release -- June 9, 2011 Dover -- Governor Jack Markell's nominee for Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, Shailen Bhatt (pronounced "SHAY-Linn BAT"), was confirmed by the Delaware Senate this afternoon. "I would like to thank the members of the Delaware Senate, including the Executive Committee, for their confidence in Shailen to lead the Department of Transportation," said Governor Markell. "Transportation plays a part in the lives of all Delawareans, and DelDOT plays an important role in the vitality of our state. Shailen understands the opportunities that await him - and he has the experience, intelligence, energy and integrity to move DelDOT forward." "Every Delawarean depends on a well-managed transportation system that moves people and goods efficiently and safely as they go about their daily lives. They also want a system that is accountable, transparent and managed with adherence to the highest ethical standards. As Secretary, I will bring about greater collaboration between the residents of Delaware and our excellent staff in meeting these standards and addressing our state's varied transportation needs," said Mr. Bhatt, who has served in senior transportation posts at the local, state and federal levels. Mr. Bhatt currently serves as Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of Transportation. Through the Federal Aid Highway Program, the FHWA supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the nation's highway system. For the last two years, Mr. Bhatt has been responsible for setting policy and managing relationships with members of Congress and has been leading FHWA's efforts in re-authorizing the nation's surface transportation legislation. He also played a key role in establishing the Federal Highway Administration's signature initiative on accelerated project delivery, called Every Day Counts (EDC). Before joining FHWA, Mr. Bhatt served as a Deputy Executive Director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Prior to that, he was Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County, Kentucky Metropolitan Planning Organization. He holds a degree in Economics from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Bhatt intends to reside in Delaware with his wife, Neelam.

New DelDOT Head Confirmed by Delaware Senate

By Doug Denison, Dover Post.com

Dover, Del. —The Delaware Senate today confirmed Gov. Jack Markell’s nominee to head the state’s embattled transportation agency.

New DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt is expected to be sworn in some time in the coming weeks. In the meantime he said he’ll be tying up loose ends at his current job with the Federal Highway Administration.

Read more>>

Maintenance Alert: Barley Mill to Tyler McConnell Bridge

Several DuPont employees have told Bike Delaware that conditions along the Route 141 shoulder from Barley Mill to the Tyler McConnell Bridge have become hazardous for bike commuters who must use it. According to Mario Nappa, "it's almost enough to make me not want to ride to work, as I don't have a lot of options without adding a boat load of miles."

Bike Delaware asks that DelDOT please tend to this issue asap, and perform necessary repairs to enable safe passage on the shoulder of Rt.141 in this area.

On line maintenance notifications have been submitted but more are welcome. Use this simple on-line form so DelDOT crews can be alerted of the problem.

Recent Progress - Thank you DelDOT

Back in December, Bike Delaware learned of pave & rehab activity on Limestone Road (SR7) and requested that DelDOT consider adding shoulder space on the uphill side, roughly between Lantana Square and Sheringham Drive. We just found recently that the lanes were indeed adjusted to provide a steady 3'- 4' along the guardrail, giving much needed relief to bicyclists, who must use this stretch as a connection between Hockessin and points south toward Newark. A tip of the helmet to Mark Luszcz of DelDOT Traffic for answering the call and providing this much needed safety improvement.

Before, with almost no shoulder.

After, with a narrow (but effective) shoulder added with bicycle safety in mind.

In early May, the Route 72/S. Chapel multi-use path under I95 suffered a mudslide from heavy Spring rains. Use of DelDOT's "Report a Road Condition" on line form resulted in crews cleaning up the mess, which not only filthied bikes but could easily cause loss of control or a crash.

 Before

 

 

After

In addition to Mark Luszcz above, Jim Westhoff often takes DelDOT's maintenance requests and sees them through, so we thank him as well.

Upcoming Event Rides in Delaware

Delaware Double Cross and Metric Century

Sunday, July 3, 2011 -- Many bicycle rides cross states that are measured in hundreds of miles and many days. The White Clay Bicycle Club offers an alternative that is modest in time, effort and stamina (a bicycle ride nearly anyone can do) that crosses and “doublecrosses” an entire state in only 31 total miles over flat terrain. In addition to the traditional route, we offer a 62-mile (metric century) route for those who would like a longer ride. The 31-mile loop includes a food stop. The 62-mile loop includes three food stops. Visit the event website for more.

The Fair Hill Classic (MTB)

Sunday, July 10, 2011 -- The Fair Hill Classic is one of the most popular cross-country mountain bike races on the East Coast. The 16th Annual Fair Hill Classic is scheduled for Sunday, July 10 and will be part of the Mid-Atlantic Super Series (MASS). The 2011 course has no laps - just miles and miles of beautiful singletrack in the 5,600-acre Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area near Newark, Delaware. [Full Details]

4th Annual Mike Clark Memorial Ride

Saturday, August 13th, 2011 -- the Mike Clark Legacy Foundation will be sponsoring our 4th Annual Mike Clark Memorial Ride. Please check back for further details and a digital save the date. We expect this year's ride to be the best yet. With your help and donations, we can make this event be the best in the area. [Details] 

Shore Fire Century

Saturday, August 27, 2011 -- Ride beautiful, scenic routes (35, 65, and 100 miles) taking you through flat to gently rolling farmland in central Delaware. All routes will be marked with support (until 5:00 p.m.). A wide array of bicycle friendly food will be available at rest stops at regular intervals (five on the century). This year features partial re-routing of the century loop, and a stepped up effort to coordinate tar & chip maintenance with DelDOT. Visit the event website for more.

25th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour

The state's largest and most established cycling event -- will be Saturday, September 10, starting at 411 Legislative Avenue in historic Dover, Delaware. Last year, 1,400 cyclists from a 14-state region participated in Delaware's longest-running and largest bike tour event. Register online or register by mail now to save time and money. If you register early, you save $15, plus time it takes to register day of the event. Teams of 10 or more, when registering together, can save $20 per person. Visit their event webpage for more.

Savage Century

Saturday, October 15, 2011 -- Come out and join the “fun” as the White Clay Bicycle Club hosts the 32nd annual Savage Century ride, one of the most scenic and challenging rides in our area (especially if you choose one of the longer routes). Select a route – 40 or 60 miles, or, 75 or 100 miles (if you’re ready to really put your training to the test) – and enjoy one of the premier rides in the mid-Atlantic region with the support of the White Clay Bicycle Club. The 40- and 60-mile loops have a few shorter climbs (to keep those cyclists honest!), while the major hills are only on the 75- and 100-mile loops, which will make you glad you came to ride the Savage. Visit the event website for more.

Mountain Biking 101
The Trail Spinners of Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania would like to introduce you to mountain biking on local trails in White Clay Creek and Lums Pond State Parks in Delaware, and Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Maryland.  This is a free program open to anyone over 10 years old. The goal is to teach riders how to safely ride off road and enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails nearby. [Details]

Barley Mill Plaza - Say NO to CR Rezoning!

Urgent notice from Save Our County and the New Castle County Civic League

Planning Board Hearing
June 7, 2011 at  7:00 p.m.

The Stoltz Co. will present their application to rezone the Barley Mill Plaza property at DE 141 and Lancaster Pike from its current zoning of Office Regional to COMMERCIAL REGIONAL. If they are successful, the results will impact the area for decades, adding another big box mall amounting to little more than a sea of asphalt and congestion accessible only by car. It will forever change the character of the area, and will add additional traffic to surrounding roads that are now relatively safe for bicycling and walking.

If you object to this proposal, please send a letter today to NCC Land Use objecting to the rezoning of BMP. Details HERE or simply email: LandUse@nccde.org

Then come to the hearing to show your objection. Save Our County is driving the effort, and it should be noted they are not against development at BMP. The owner/developer has many options to further develop BMP without rezoning. The first application submitted to develop BMP was OR. The second application that is now before the county to rezone is a trade-off result of Stoltz agreeing not to erect a potential 11 story building at Greenville Center  -- a completely different property one mile away from BMP.

SOC is against this rezoning. The Land Use Department of New Castle County and County Council are not parties to that agreement and should not be led to believe that most residents in the area are in favor of it. They should be encouraged not to pass the rezoning application to Commercial Regional.

Attend Tuesday's hearing to show your objection and send your opinion to New Castle County Land Use Department and the Planning Board today:

Hearing location and time:
7:00 p.m. at 77 Reads Way, in the All Purpose Room, Gilliam Building  (behind County Government Building off Commons Blvd.) - see it on Google Maps.


View Larger Map
  
Save Our County is an informal group of citizens and neighborhoods concerned with and opposed to the application to rezone Barley Mill Plaza.

Bike Delaware News Special Interview: Iron Man Jim Eads

Bike Delaware News recently caught up with the man everyone in the tri-state area knows as Iron Man Jim Eads. Special reporter Rachel Anderson, famous in her own right as Delaware Today's top model, landed the interview. Here are several notable excerpts:

Rachel: When did you get your first bike?

Jim: On Friday, Sept. 14, 1945 when I was 9 years old. It was a balloon tire bike.

Rachel: Over your lifetime, what do you feel is your "crowning achievement" on the bike?

Jim: Winning the Pennsylvania Road Race Championship on Sunday, June 29, 1969, and winning the Governor's Award for riding over 20,000 miles in one year.

Rachel: What was your hardest ride ever?

Jim: The "24 Hour Record" on Columbus Day, 1973. I couldn't stay awake, and almost crashed - repeatedly. I came in 4th place.

Rachel: How many times have you been hit by a car or truck, and what were the injuries?

Jim: 6. They were:

Oct. 26, 1972 - Broken collar bone

July 22, 1974 - Lacerations, road rash, 3 broken ribs, 50 stitches

July 19, 1987 - Bruised shoulder

Nov. 11, 1995 - Bruised knee

March 4, 2005 - 8 broken ribs, smashed left arm requiring titanium rod

April 10, 2010 - Broken neck requiring steel plates and screws

Rachel: What are some of your fondest moments riding in Delaware?

Jim: Completing the Delaware Double [Century] 13 times, as well as the Rehoboth Twin Centuries.

Rachel: You are planning to ride the entire Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, and then home starting in less than a week. When was the first time you rode the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Jim: August, 1977. I rode the Parkway to Cherokee and then over Newfound Gap to Knoxville, TN planning to take the train home. But, it turned out that there had been no passenger train service in Knoxville for several years. So I went to the bus terminal, but they wouldn't transport my bike unless it was boxed. So, I phoned a bike shop a few miles away and asked them for a box. The shop was closing, but left a box outside for me. To get the box from the bike shop to the bus depot, I placed one end of the box on my rear rack, and held the other end over my head and rode through town. I had to stop every few blocks to rest my arm. Eventually I made it to the bus depot and was able to take the bus back to Philadelphia.

Rachel: What was your most recent experience on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Jim: In 2008 I was riding north on the Parkway and stopped at Big Meadows for lunch. After lunch I picked up some snacks to take along at the adjoining gift shop. I tried to pay for the snack and the lunch at the same cash register, but the cashier wouldn't let me pay for the lunch at that register. The register at the lunch counter had a long line, so I just threw the lunch bill on the floor and left. As I was descending the next hill, two police cars chased after me and stopped me. One car took me back to Big Meadows to pay the bill while the other car stayed with my bike. Then I was brought back to my bike and given some cookies and sent on my way.

Jim, through the years ~

Rachel spends time at home with Jim on the Tour of West Virginia in 2008.

2002: Jim takes on the role of General, and commanded 4 battalions of light infantry at the Battle of West Point. He later went on to lead the Bicycle Corps against fierce resistance on Storm King Mountain. Casualties were light.

On his final day of the Tour of New England in June, 1999. Jim takes time for a photo op along Old Mine Road, in NJ's Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.