Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Delaware's BEST: September Update

The B.E.S.T. (Bringing Education and Safety Together) Group was started last year because people from various organizations wanted to share information and accelerate efforts on active transportation being pursued in Delaware. In addition to networking, we have been developing a curriculum that supports Delaware State Standards for Physical Education.
 
There are six Physical Education Standards for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12.  The following is from a draft version of our Lifetime Fitness Program Outline and addresses motor skills and movement patterns (Standard 1):
  • Kindergarten-2nd Grade: Decision-making – when to run, walk, stop, start (pedestrians)
  • Grades 3-5: On-bike Skills – start, stop, adjust speed
  • Grades 6-8: Pre-driving Skills – travel on right, respond to traffic signs/signals (on bicycles)
  • Grades 9-12: Life Long Health – slow race, relay race, sprint, distance/endurance  (on bicycles)
If you would like to become a part of this effort, please contact Ceci & John McCormick at johnandcecimcc@gmail.com

BEST Vision Statement: Promote bicycling, walking, and public transportation in a way that engages the talents, energies and influence of the various advocacy groups and local, county & state resources, so that our collective efforts are aligned and coordinated, and Delaware’s active transportation initiatives are recognized nationally as a model program.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Governor Jack Markell's 7th Annual Tour of Delaware Announced

HERE is the link for the route in Google Maps for this year’s Annual Bike Tour with Governor Markell on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4th.

Please note that the Tour will kick off at 9:00am in Middletown and is anticipated to end at 3:00pm in Dover.

If you are planning on participating, you must confirm with an email to Mr Corey Marshall-Steele, Governor Jack's Administrator. You will also need to include an emergency contact phone number, as well as your own contact information: 

Corey.Marshall-Steele@state.de.us

Among other things, the confirmation is necessary to ensure they have enough transportation back to the start of the route. So don't hesitate; RSVP today!

This ride has become an annual tradition in Delaware, as you meet, greet, and ride with one of the most, if not the most bike-friendly governors in the nation.

Governor Jack, 2nd from right, at the Delaware City rest stop during the 1st edition of the ride in 2007

Saturday, September 21, 2013

A Warm Welcome for a Bike Rack

By Amy Wilburn -- Once upon a time, there was one small wheelbender rack in the parking garage shared by the Carvel State Building and the Redding City/County Building in Wilmington. Bicycles were crowded together, and some unfortunate souls were turned away for lack of space. The wheelbender rack supported the bicycles only by the front or back wheels, which risked deforming their lovely round shape. U-locks were useless. The bicycles were sad. But in August of 2013, the little wheelbender rack was joined by a brand new modern bike rack.


Wow! The new bike rack supports the bicycles by the frames instead of the wheels, and makes it possible to lock up both the frame and the wheels with a U-lock or a cable lock.

 

But not to worry. The little wheelbender rack is never lonely because it still has one loyal adherent. Lets just hope no one knocks it over!


 

Amy Wilburn is Chair of the Delaware Bicycle Council




Saturday, September 14, 2013

Exciting new event Oct. 5 celebrates River Towns

From the event website -

River Towns Ride & Festival

Celebrating historic New Castle & Delaware City

The first annual River Towns Ride & Festival is a one-day event that is the first joint festival held between the two historic Delaware waterfront towns of New Castle and Delaware City. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, from noon-5pm.

The two towns are 10 miles apart and connected by the bike-friendly corridor of Route 9. Therefore, the event will feature a bicycling component that will have riders cycling between the two destinations. Competitive cyclists will be encouraged to participate in the River Towns Time Trial for cash and prizes while recreational cyclists can pick their distance and ride for fun or to earn a distance medal

While cyclists traverse between the two towns, festivals will be held in each town’s main square: The Green in Historic New Castle and Battery Park in Historic Delaware City. Activities include live music, rides, attractions, games, tours, vendors, food and drink.

A highlight of the event will be a craft beer festival held at Battery Park in Delaware City from 1-5pm. More than a dozen craft breweries will be participating. Those same craft beers will also be available at the restaurants located in Historic New Castle. Program, registration info, etc HERE.

Poster's note: This section of the Route 9 corridor does contain generously wide shoulders and few turn lanes for most of its length, and is thus seen as bike-friendly. However, conditions are in significant disrepair just south of Old New Castle. Unless this stretch has been repaved or repaired recently, expect a temporary loss of shoulder, cracks and potholes, debris, etc for about a 1 mile stretch.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Come visit, volunteer with NBP at Newark's Community Day

Newark Community Day is Sunday, September 15 from 11am to 4pm on the University of Delaware’s Green. The Newark Bike Project has space number 1542 which is immediately adjacent to Delaware Ave next to Sharp Hall (see map below). If you are available to volunteer or stop by the event, please do so and help spread the word about NBP!


If the weather looks questionable, you can call the Leisure Time Hotline at (302) 366-7147 to check if the event has been cancelled (Rain date next Sunday). Hope to see you there!

Angela Connolly tabling at the Trabant Center during Earth Week, April 2013.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Upcoming Education and Awareness Opportunities

Bicycle Safety Checks have been a big part of our bicycle safety outreach, especially to UD students, to provide safety information, free bike lights and helmets when warranted, and minor bicycle repairs. It also gives us an opportunity to preach a bit about the importance of riding with the direction of traffic, not wearing headphones while riding, etc.

This year the event has been expanded to four (4) dates!  East at a different locations to reach a board range of riders on campus.  See the dates/times/locations below and please volunteer to come out when you can!
  • Weds, Sept 4th,  9 - 12,  Delaware Ave at the Mall
  • Mon, Sept 9th,  1 - 4,  bridge to north campus
  • Thurs, Sept 19th, 9 - 12, underpass to Rodney dorms
  • Tues, Sept 24th, 11 - 2, Del Ave at the Mall
For further information, email Mike Fortner, Newark's Principal Planner at: MFortner@Newark.de.us
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Newark Bicycle Project Mechanics Classes - next round will begin Monday, Sept 9th, from 6:30-8:30. Tentative Mechanics Class schedule as follows:
  • Monday, Sept 9th: Basics (beginner)
  • Monday, Sept 16th: Wheels + Brakes (intermediate)
  • Monday, Sept 23rd: Drivetrains (intermediate)
  • Monday, Sept 30th: Bearings + Bottom Brackets (intermediate)
Classes are $10 each, and do not need to be taken in order (although we strongly recommend that the basics class is taken before any of the intermediate level classes if you are new to bikes). The Park Tools "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair" will also be available for purchase for $20. TO REGISTER: Please e-mail training@newarkbikeproject.org with your name, phone number, and which class(es) you plan to attend. Spaces are limited, so make sure to sign up soon!