Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Newark Bike to Work Day Wrap-up

A huge tip of the helmet goes to Mark Deshon and the Newark Bicycle Committee for another superb Bike to Work Day in Newark on May 14th. On a 36F morning under sunny skies, dozens of bicyclists converged on the Trabant Center to watch as University, City, and State DOT officials renewed their commitment to active transportation infrastructure, safety improvements, education, and encouragement. With a much improved BFC (Bicycle-Friendly Community) renewal application being prepared for 2014, the future of bicycling in the City just keeps getting brighter!

Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt addresses the crowd about bicycling improvements in Newark, and how Delaware made the top 5 most bike-friendly states in the nation. His leadership has opened the door to different transportation options - a virtual sea change at DelDOT with respect to policies, guidelines, and funding for multi-modal projects.

L-R: Mike Fortner (Principle Planner, Newark), Mayor Vance Funk, Angela Connolly (NBP), Dennis Davis (NBP), and Frank Warnock accept an Award for Niki Suto, founder of the Newark Bike Project. The City awarded its first "Bicycle Friendly Community Leader Award" to the Newark Bike Project founder and chair-person "for making Newark a more bicycle friendly place by establishing the Newark Bike Project".

Angela, with the award closer up. Click to enlarge.

Dennis (L) and Angela (R) oversee NBP's busy table adjacent to College Ave.

Again, a hearty round of kudos for the Newark Bicycle Committee for coordinating the event. The event Tee shirts provided by DelDOT's Dan LaCombe and Anthony Aglio also deserve our full appreciation. It was DelDOT's cooperation with the City that expedited the recent sharrow implementation on Main Street, at a much reduced cost from oroginal projections.
Very important: Please check out the Newark Bicycle Plan, and submit your comments and suggestions.

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