1st State Bikes Year In Review for 2017

Amy Wilburn, left, dictates terms to James Wilson of Bike DE

Our Top 10 articles for 2017:

• Justice prevails: Alternative 3 for Elkton Road Reconstruction Project
• Public Workshops: Main St Newark, Red Mill Rd, S. College Ave/I95
• Bike Delaware Quashes Pedestrian Safety Bill
• "Bicycle-Friendly Delaware Act" passes, rightly scrutinized
• DelDOT's 2018 Pave & Rehab list available for comment
• DelDOT moves ahead with progressive crosswalk signage
• Delaware slips to #7 in Bicycle Friendly States ranking
• DelDOT touts success of Shared Right Turn-Only Lane treatments
• Battle for open space, and to bring Ogletown/S. Newark its own regional park and trail system
• Push for bike/ped facilities with the SR896 (S. College Ave) I95 Interchange Project begins
• Bicycle-Friendly Delaware Act weakens 3' Passing Law
• Recognizing Amy Wilburn for 8 magnificent years as Chair of the DBC, in the State's absence. Since they won't do it, WE will:

1st State Bikes set to expand in 2018

At 1st State Bikes, we are looking to increase our scope of influence in 2018, and hope you will join us! Among our goals will be the appointment of a min. 7 member advisory committee, the crafting of a mission statement, the improvement of marketing strategies, and to strengthen our existing watchdog efforts. Below is a sampling of what our organization commits to:

• The support the ABEA's sixth "E", which surpasses the League of American Bicyclists (LAB's) five with the addition of "Equality". That is, bicycles are considered and treated as equals with all other road users in traffic laws and policies.
• To serve in the role of parity to Bike Delaware's segregationist views, that bicyclists must ride apart from cars (and thus roads in general) to be safe, driven by the fear factor.
• To promote Complete Streets, in the form of planning, engineering and infrastructure that facilitates the laws of movement.
• To monitor DelDOT projects, attend workshops, and rally comments on their annual Pave & Rehab (road resurfacing) list summary.
• To advocate for safer roads in terms of increased education and law enforcement, that will better protect vulnerable road users.
• To resist mandatory use laws, though still supporting dedicated bicycle facilities -- on and off the road -- that are designed to best practices.
• To be the voice of safety for everyone who bikes and walks, from the indigent to the commuter to the recreational, that depend on today's built environment.
• To fight for transparency with any organization that purports to represent the interests of everyone in the bicycling community.

We are not a 501(c)3 organization, and have no reason to be. Meetings will be held quarterly if necessary. If you would like to contact us for an advisory position on 1st State Bikes, email: angela@1stbikes.org

Below: Bike Maryland is an exemplary organization in terms of balance and transparency, and working to represent all advocates and organizations that have a stake in bicycle safety and encouragement. All sources of funding, including charitable giving are strictly accounted for. When an organization fails in these capacities as Bike Delaware (with LAB's backing) surely has, it becomes necessary for independent oversight.

The California Bicycle Coalition, below, is completely on top of what's going on through all facets of advocacy, and monitors everything. They, like any model advocacy org, are not the least bit apprehensive about sharing proposed legislation, policy additions and changes.

1st State Bikes to introduce USB UPS system for bicycles

1st State Bikes is working overtime to produce an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system for bicycles. We have prototypes undergoing real time testing as we write. It is designed to work with bicycle generator systems that include front hub, sidewall (tire), bottom bracket, or any other dynamo types that produce 6 Volts AC. The device will convert that output to a clean and reliable 5 Volts DC, suitable for any USB charging or power connection. But that's not all; when you stop for any reason, e.g. at a red light, power remains on for 10+ minutes, usually more depending on how many devices are connected.

Suitable devices include Smart Phones, GPS units, Video Cameras, or anything else that accepts the standard micro-USB connection. Adapters can be used to convert to mini-USB. A 3-way toggle switch allows for the connection of a Dynamo-compatible head/tail lamp. The beautifully wood finished console clamps on to your handlebar next to the stem, and positions below the plain of the bar and out of the way as seen in the photos. Buyers must specify standard or over-sized bar clamp diameter.

We are also working on a non-dynamo, rechargeable Lithium battery system -- similar in appearance to the dynamo -- that will keep the power on long after a device's internal batteries drain down. A package that includes a mini video camera is also in the works. Watch for future announcements.

1st State Bikes has you covered, not only with balanced bicycle advocacy, but keeping the power on! Production is pending. If you are interested in these products, or would like updates on our upcoming Lithium system, email us today at: info@1stbikes.org and we will place you on our first notification list.

1st State Bikes followers demand update. We deliver.

Seasons Greetings, Delaware Street Bicyclists, and Happy New Year 2017!

In the face of popular demand, it has been decided that we should add a post that reflects our ongoing bicycling and pedestrian (and more recently, land use) advocacy in the Greater Newark area since early 2015. It's been a busy and productive time! Here are the projects that we at 1st State BIKES have taken active leads on, along with an update on their status.

• The Shared Right Turn-Only (RTO) Lane treatment is finally approved and being implemented. First was Limestone Rd through Pike Creek, followed by Kirkwood Hwy between Red Mill Rd and Saint James Church. The most recent is Route 4 between Newark and Stanton. These improvements are by no means a panacea, but they do increase safety and comfort for riders today that have no choice but to ride on arterial roads. They tell motorists to expect bicyclists on the roadway, and encourage respect and safer positioning when overtaking on the approach to intersections. Upon the request of advocates, DelDOT has agreed to use the treatment during pavement & rehabilitation projects, but also agreed to "retrofit" one existing corridor (not in need of repave) per year. Route 4 above was for 2016. You can read past posts giving a history of the shared RTO treatment HERE.

• The Multi-Use Pathway running parallel to Route 72 (S. Chapel St) south from Newark will, apparently, be repaved/reconstructed sometime in 2017. We only learned of this recently from the Newark Bicycle Committee's newsletter "Mailbag". Since 2003, rehab of this facility between Route 4 and Old Baltimore Pike was my personal priority, as evidenced by continuous postings in this blog. It began with DelDOT's Bicycle Coordinator Dave Petroski, followed by Joe Cantalupo, and lastly Anthony Aglio. For whatever reason, the last - despite many years working closely together - didn't see it fit to inform us, assuming it's true.

• We were caught completely off guard with a lane expansion project on eastbound Route 4, just east of Harmony Road in Ogletown. To the chagrin of motorists, thru-moving bicyclists must control of the inside of two RTO lanes before picking up the shoulder again east of Samoset Dr. A well designed parallel MUP was also included in the project, but cannot be reached without leaving the street and changing to a pedestrian. We continue to ask DelDOT to apply Sharrows in the inside RTO lane, or provide easy on/easy off ramp access to the MUP immediately east of Harmony Rd (at the onset of the outside RTO lane). As it stands now, this approx two block stretch is a bicyclist's worst nightmare.

• Based on a DelDOT working group's recommendation, they are planning to go ahead with lane expansion (3 lanes in each direction between Otts Chapel and Christina Pkwy) for the Elkton Rd Reconstruction Project, Phase 2. This, in addition to double RTO lanes at Christina Pkway. We do not believe that bike/ped/quality of life advocates were fairly represented in the group. The project does include a parallel MUP and bike lanes, but we are opposing the added 3rd lane. We simply can't solve congestion problems by turning every road into a Route 13 and every intersection into a Hares Corner. That is what our future could hold if DelDOT continues on its current trajectory. There is also induced demand, but most damning is the fact that a significant amount of Elkton Rd traffic is from motorists evading the I95 toll. Projected demand out to 2030 supposedly calls for the added lanes, but we have strongly urged DelDOT - with Wilmapco in CC - not to spend the additional $5M added cost until studies have been conducted. We already know that the police stake out the area, and routinely prosecute commercial vehicles for toll evasion.

• Last year, Delaware was #1 in the nation for per-capita pedestrian fatalities, and to that end, an attempt is underway to reform Delaware's vehicle code. Known as the "Pedestrian Bill", it would be modeled after other progressive States such as WA, MA, OR, etc, bringing it up to date with modern times. As ours stands now, the language is almost totally car-centric, placing most of the onus on pedestrians not to get killed. It actually requires peds to be in the crosswalk before a yield is legally required, whereas other States only require intent to cross as a trigger. There are other issues as well, including an antiquated reference to Father's Day somehow influencing the law's enforcement. An upgrade here would be a monumental step in the right direction, and give pedestrians the confidence they need to use proper crosswalks where available. As members and constituents of the NCC Civic League, we will be looking to them for its first endorsement. A huge tip of the helmet goes to Amy Wilburn for spearheading this effort.

• 1st State Bikes is working with the region's first Lidl grocery store (expected construction in 2018) to become the model for bike/ped/transit-friendliness. Angela Connolly proudly accepted a position in their Community Working Group as an active transportation advocate. Originally, the company had committed to maintaining 70% of the property (now a 3-hole golf course) as dedicated open space. That could drop to 50% if the company decides to include a coffee shop and/or bakery (think Panera) in tandem with the grocery store. But no less than 50% will be set aside regardless. Angela is working very hard to ensure that both have state of the art (apbp approved) bike parking, an outdoor cafe', and site pathways and other important features centered around community building and place-making. Do you live in the area? Have your say with this quick 5-question project survey. A tip of the helmet to Angela for taking this on, and pursuing only the best for current and future Ogletown residents!

• We have repeatedly asked DelDOT to lower the speed limit on Route 4 through Ogletown. Currently, it is 50 mph, with many driving well in excess. Sympathetic to our cause, Senator Karen Peterson requested that a  speed study be conducted and the corridor be re-evaluated from a safety standpoint. It was found that the average speed was 53 mph. Considering the stop and go nature of Route 4, it takes many folks far exceeding the speed limit to create said average, and it shows. Unfortunately, to the average person, 3 mph over doesn't sound so bad. Unfortunately, despite several schools - including one for the deaf (where students can be seen walking the a adjacent pathway and crosswalks) - and multiple intersections and retail centers rich with bike/ped activity, DelDOT refuses to budge on this one - not even a drop to 45 mph. At issue is the "85th Percentile" , a method used to determine speed limits that is actually based on the assumption that most motorists are law abiding citizens (good drivers).

• 
  A major housing development is planned for one of the last remaining significant tracts open space in the greater Newark area. Comprised largely of forests and wetlands - including a few vernal pools - clearing and paving over these natural areas will have major repercussions for threatened and endangered wildlife species. It will also add to existing flood problems, and substantially increase traffic in neighborhood communities and on Route 4. This will have serious
  
  consequences for bike/ped/transit users as well. Our vision is for the State and New Castle County to buy most of the property and add it to the park system. To that end, we created the community Facebook page "Save Ogletown Pond", with nearly 800 genuine likes and dedicated followers. Progress is at a standstill for now, given the holidays, but we expect the good news to come sometime in early 2017 (we hope). A park here would be the region's first, possibly modeled after Glasgow Park with all its amenities (pathways, pavilions, courts, bike parking, etc).

• 
  November, two advocates from 1st State Bikes accepted positions on the Executive Board of the Coalition for Natural Stream Valleys. If you haven't already heard of this org, the CFNSV was the main advocacy force behind White Clay Creek SP, Middle Run Valley, the recently State acquired Deerfield Golf and Country club, etc. It consists of several legendary land use advocates, including Arabella Bianco, Richard DuPont and Donald Sharpe. The hope is to strengthen our alliances in the face of non-support from other bicycling-related orgs. We also see this as an opportunity to better position ourselves in the fight to Save Ogletown Pond (orphanage property). We already joined forces with the CFNSV back in April, in an unsuccessful attempt to have open space funding (originally legislated at $10M for farmland and $9M for open space) reinstated in the bond bill. We also worked hard to convince the Democratic Party to include open space as a plank in their campaign platform, and are still waiting for their decision. If led, please visit and like their Facebook page!

• 
  An opportunity to eliminate a dangerous crosswalk design with a pave & rehab project in Glasgow (across Route 896 at the jct of GBC Dr) appears to be lost. DART Bus Route 55 drops Siemens Healthcare transit commuters at a bus stop just north of the intersection. The existing crosswalk (to nowhere) crosses on the south side, and sees virtually no users because of the added time and steps involved. Rather than cross two legs of crosswalk and back again without one (3 legs total), commuters find it much simpler to run across 896 either from the bus stop or on the non-crosswalk side. Unfortunately, it wasn't until after the concrete was laid did we realize that no redesign was in the works. We informed both DelDOT and DART officials, and informed them of this rare opportunity to right a potentially deadly design flaw. DelDOT claims that they reached out to DART without a response, and DART claims no such actions were taken. It is not clear if DelDOT will consider moving the crosswalk to the north side - where it belongs - at this late stage of the rehab. We are still waiting for a formal decision one way or the other.
• 
  As always, we continue to monitor pave & rehab projects for opportunities to improve multi-modal safety. We asked for and won bike pocket lanes on Elkton Rd (between Newark and the MD line) with a recently completed interim repave project. We have asked for shared RTO treatments (first item above) on Route 72/Sunset Lake Rd south of Newark, and believe DelDOT will come through for us with a repaving next year. Each year, more and more opportunities arise, within the confines of what can be achieved with a basic pave & rehab project (beyond that, it becomes capital reconstruction) and re-striping. It is up to road safety advocates to take the lead on this, in the face of refusal by our State's LAB sanctioned advocacy org.

• Finally, it is critically important that we monitor all car-bicycle crashes, and rally to the cause of bicycle safety. Only this way can we make the Vulnerable Road Users law an established penalty by the court, and draw attention to the price we all pay for reckless, aggressive, and or distracted driving. Sadly, again, our State's nationally sanctioned (and hugely popular) advocacy org had this to say regarding a high profile case in 2015: "We will announce the sentencing dates for [name withheld] but not actively promote "packing" the courtroom. Our position is that it's up to each cyclist to decide about the value of them personally attending".
  
  "Packing the Courtroom" is a strategy that has been used with much success elsewhere. Even a few cyclists helps, as it is unusual for people who did not know a victim to attend hearings or write impact statements; the more the better. Yet, though said org was the lone recipient of memorial funds, they went on to ignore an advocate's request to post the date of the sentencing and encourage attendance (they also refused to support the 3' passing law PR campaign, but that's another story). This is unacceptable. The first thought should be getting bicyclists to the courthouse that day, after having written even the simplest of impact statements beforehand. The following excerpt from Bicycling Magazine makes an excellent case. Excerpt:
  
  
  
  A lawyer named Oren Noah, one of the group's founding members, proposed a campaign similar to one that had been waged five years earlier in Marin County, after a rider named Cecily Krone—an occupational therapist who worked with handicapped children—was killed at 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday by a drunk driver searching for a cigarette. Cyclists packed county courtrooms at every hearing related to the case, and the driver was sentenced to six years in jail for vehicular manslaughter. Noah now suggested that Sonoma cyclists follow that example, not only to draw the attention of judges and the media, but also to show the perpetrators themselves "that they killed humans with friends and robbed from the community.... [and to] maintain the focus where it should be: on the drunk killers"
  
  That's all for now, folks. This article does not signify a return to regular blogging, however, occasional updates on the efforts listed above, or the addition of new ones may appear from time to time. And as always, we at 1st State BIKES will continue to advocate for safer facilities for all bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as advocating for land conservation/preservation and responsible land development where necessary.  -FW-

The Last Post (for now)

1st State BIKES was started by the need for on-road safety and advocacy in Delaware, and to support the Delaware Bicycle Council. In doing so, it filled an obvious void left by Bike Delaware, the State's League of American Bicyclists supported bicycling advocacy organization. In nearly two years, 400 articles were written or cross-posted, that run the gamut of bicycle advocacy as described in the LAB's 5 Es. These included Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation, mostly as they pertain to riding on our public roads. Missing from LAB's equation, however, is a 6th "E" that was somehow forgotten: Equality. As described by the American Bicyclist Education Association, it stands for the following:

Equal Level of Service is a critical part
of bicycle advocacy.

• Uniformity: Ensuring uniform laws throughout a state to protect against access, movement, and equipment ordinances that discriminate against cyclists.
• Access: Affirming the legal rights of bicyclists to use all highways, and all parts and features of those highways, particularly the roadway itself (i.e. the part designated for driving of vehicles, excluding shoulders, sidewalks, etc.), except possibly for controlled access freeways for which sound and reasonable alternatives are available.
• Movement: Affirming that the default behavior for motorists, lane control on laned roadways, is also the default behavior for bicyclists. This means no bicyclist (class) specific movement rules that prohibit lane control or restrict turning movements or the use of turn lanes. Also unacceptable are any laws that prevent cyclists from making the same movements as other drivers or subject them to more restrictive lane usage rules than other drivers. This equal legal roadway movement status does not prevent or inhibit bicyclists from using special facilities, which serve as options for bicycle travel.
• Equipment: Ensuring that minimum bike propulsion, fit, braking and lighting requirements are adequate for effective operation and precluding restrictions unrelated to safety or effective operation.

Due to our high percentage of arterial roads, however, equality is not always safe, easy, or desirable. Geographically, only a small percentage of Delaware is truly urbanized or early 20th century suburban where bicycle driving (aka "vehicular cycling") can be effective. For those wishing to ride away from the road for transportation, very few rail trail or other right of way (row) possibilities exist. As a result, shoulder and bike lane riding with high speed traffic is very common here compared to many other States. It is for this reason that we have advocated for well designed infrastructure treatments that define a bicyclist's safest position on the roadway, especially leading up to and through intersections. We also worked with DelDOT to improve our warning signs for bicyclists, and offered to help with the targeted removal of generic (symbol only) signs over time. Known in the manuals as the W11-1, this sign is no longer applicable in most locations, since Bike Delaware campaigned to eliminate "Share the Road" from DelDOT's manuals based on a technicality. Another notable success was bicycle-friendly rumble strips - not only in Delaware, but in Maryland as well (though in recent applications, some important specs have been ignored, hence the need for continued advocacy).

Jennifer Wallace stresses the importance of non-profit accountability
during the 2015 Delaware Environmental Summit in Dover. Transparency
is a foreign concept to some bicycling organizations in Delaware,
including co-ops.

With the LAB refusing to help our cause, having stated as much in writing, we have little choice but to accept the fact that separated infrastructure (sidepaths and off-alignment trails) is the first choice among Delaware's bicyclists. As a result, riding for transportation and recreation in the built environment - at least for those that appreciate leaving from home - will remain a huge uphill battle. Bicyclists are a virtual no-show for even the simplest of action items that could positively impact bicycle-friendliness in the 1st State. They seldom show up at DelDOT public workshops, or sign petitions regardless of how well publicized. Progress will be difficult, as long as Delaware's bicycling community - including its cooperatives and mountain bicyclists - refuse to unite in a single front that works together for its own common good.

There needs to be one large tent that all of us can work under, as seen in other bicycle-friendly States. The approach needs to be holistic, and all-inclusive. Unfortunately, even Delaware's most committed road bicyclists are content to follow the lead of an organization with a very small tent - akin to a Chinese cocktail umbrella - that lobbies exclusively for separated facilities. In doing so, they are undermining the efforts of those that do advocate for on-road safety and infrastructure. Further, the State's recreational clubs continue with monetary support of said organization, despite the lack of an annual report, and the lowest level of transparency and accountability for a non-profit. No one even questions the acceptance of charitable donations collected on behalf of the Phillip Bishop tragedy, and why at least some of it wasn't allocated for PSA campaigns like this one.

Here is a sampling of the issues, where said organization (Bike Delaware) has damaged the cause of road bicycling:

• Absent on anything to do with the Vulnerable Road Users Law. Never supported the Delaware Bicycle Council on matters of legislation, i.e. Refused to "babysit" the 3' passing law by attending its hearing, and only agreed with it in principle.
• Hijacked the LAB's Bicycle Friendly State's year to year rankings, providing instead what appeared a linear climb to the top for Delaware. Has everyone believing that our Top 5 ranking is based almost exclusively on pathway funding, when in fact it was also due to State legislation and policy changes/additions that address bicycle safety (the work of others).
• Undermined a bus PSA banner that read "Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights", to where DelDOT replaced it with "Safety Begins With Sharing".
• In a negative letter giving borderline support, the E.D. almost undermined AASHTO standard bike lanes on Rt.13 in Dover, which have since improved the safety of hundreds of commuters including migrant workers along the corridor.
• Did not support a joint survey with RideShare Delaware, aimed at the users of the Rt.13 bike lanes, to find out whether or not they felt safer as a result.
• Publicly stated that bike pocket lanes are "human meat grinders".
• Despite initial support, and DelDOT's requesting it, the E.D. steadfastly maintained that SB-120 (a law to provide legal protections for bicyclists using a dedicated right turn-only lane as a continuation of a bike lane) wasn't necessary.
• Pushed for the removal of our widespread (on most major roads) Share the Road signs, but did not support the efforts of others to redesign and replace them with something better (i.e. Bicycles "In Lane").
• Has never once supported the application of Complete Streets during a Pave & Rehab project. Unfortunately, most often, these are the only chance we have at improvements.
• Did not support an on-line petition for the enforcement of bicycle parking ordinances in New Castle County, given how often they are waived.
• Did not support an on-line petition for the creation of an on-road Wilmington to Newark marked route, one that DelDOT would watch for enhanced safety improvements.
• Never rallies attention to DelDOT public workshops unless it's for a separated facility or pathways project. It was the work of other advocates that drew attention to and won bicycle accommodations through Delaware's first "Diverging Diamond" Rt.1 overpass on Rt.72, coming next year.
• Does little to memorialize bicycling fatalities, unless it benefits their agenda or bottom line. Did nothing to rally bicyclists to attend the Eloy Sandoval and Phillip Bishop vehicular manslaughter hearings, despite the proven advantages of doing so. For the latter, a Bike Delaware board member did attend and actually said that "it could've been any one of us" when referring to the defendant's horrific crime.

As of April 1, 2015 1st State Bikes is discontinued. We urge those of you that are following us until now (if you support road bicycling safety) to rethink your membership with the League of American Bicyclists, and instead support the American Bicyclists Education Association. This is an organization that, much to the chagrin of the LAB, is trying to address the needs of today's bicyclists in the built environment (an environment that won't be changing much for most Americans, for many generations to come) in the form of education, enforcement, and correctly designed infrastructure. This blog, as you see it now, will remain on-line indefinitely as an archive for those who might stumble upon it for the first time, and wish to read about our former projects and/or progress.

Pedestrian Channelizing Islands, aka "Pork Chops", are an ongoing problem in Delaware. In 2009, DelDOT committed in writing to maintain 5 feet of offset for bike lanes through intersections and side streets. This requirement is also in their Bicycle Policy. In the May 2013 picture above, a bicyclist is unnecessarily forced out into the lane of high speed traffic to continue in a bike lane. Without continued oversight, guidelines such as these will continue to be ignored or forgotten.

The future? Delaware bicyclists show overwhelming support for facilities that remove them from public roads, and thus, sacrifices their legal rights as vehicles. As very few actually use these facilities, they fall into serious disrepair, and are left to abandonment by DelDOT or adjacent landowners who are supposedly responsible for their maintenance.

Vote for 1st State BIKES as North Delaware's 2015 Best!

How much do you enjoy reading 1st State BIKES? Do we have what it takes for North Delaware's Best? If you think so, VOTE for us! It's as east as selecting us from a list and entering an email address, as seen below!

We believe 1st State BIKES could easily win such a contest. Much to our disadvantage, however, blogs are not judged by a committee; it depends more on follower turnout. But imagine the statement we could make as bicyclists if an on-road advocacy blog was to win such a contest. Regardless, cast your vote today! Click the image below for a direct link.

Gatehouse Media partners with 1st State BIKES

1st State BIKES is proud to announce a new partnership with Gatehouse Media. Publications that include the Dover Post, Smyrna/Clayton Sun-Times, Middletown Transcript, Hockessin Community News, Milford Beacon and the Sussex Countian are now carrying select news items and events cross-posted from our website. For example, visit the Dover Post on-line to see our blog feed displayed under their Latest Blogs/Community column on the right.

A big tip of the helmet goes to Carlene Cox, Content Team Manager with Gatehouse, and Sundra Hominik of the Dover Post for pulling it all together! Below is a clip from the January 18th edition:

UPDATE! And please invite your friends to follow 1st State BIKES

What has made 1st State BIKES so successful in its first full year of existence? Our loyal followers have played a huge part. But we need more of you, in order to mature and become a true force in Delaware bicycle advocacy. And really, we shouldn't have any trouble at all, considering the popularity of bicycling and that we're not even looking for paid members. Supporting 1st State BIKES is absolutely free! And always will be.

We launched 3 petitions in 2014. The first, advocating for a Newark to Wilmington on-road bikeway did quite well, clearing well over 200 signatures. As a result, several cyclists and three key folks from DelDOT rode the route. They took notes on the various obstacles, and many of the fixes involve some traffic signals, parking, and striping. Remediation could begin as early as Spring. Look for updates on this project as we get further into 2015.

The other two petitions, not so well. We collected just over 30 for the Bicycle Warning Sign "In Lane" enhancement, and are still struggling below 15 for enforcement of New Castle County's Unified Development Code where bicycle parking is concerned. The latter is a truly dismal showing, and very discouraging when considering it involves equal level of service. Folks, we have to do better. Signing these petitions truly means something. The signatures are real, and collected in a printable form, and submitted to those in charge. Simply put, projects like this will fail if the bicycling community doesn't support them in the simplest terms.

A huge barrier to gaining support is Bike Delaware. The State's #1 advocacy organization (according to the League of American Bicyclists) is not only ignoring our petitions, and not cross-posting our action alerts, but some of us are even blocked from posting on their Facebook page. This, despite us promoting Bike Delaware's projects and programs. So we definitely have our work cut out for us, in gaining the support we need to not only defend current policies and legislation, but improve or add to what we already have.

So please everyone, spread the word! Tell your friends to stop by and check out 1st State BIKES. Likes tell us lots about how we are doing, and we urge you to please invite your friends - via your own page - to like our page. We prefer to grow organically, as opposed to paying Facebook to grow fake numbers for us.

1st State BIKES Transition Follow-up

We're almost there!

Below are some important tips that will help our followers make a seamless transition to 1st State BIKES. As of today, our official web address is http://www.1stbikes.org

• For a period yet to be determined, http://www.delawarebikes.org will re-direct.
• If you follow us on Facebook, you will need to open our new page and LIKE us. Our original page will be off-line soon, so try not to delay.
• If you follow our posts via RSS Feed, you may need to re-subscribe, or click HERE.
• Twitter followers should remain unaffected.
• If you check in with our primary blog, please update your bookmarks (or create new) to reflect our new web address at: http://www.1stbikes.org

Thanks for your patience!

 

1st State BIKES 2014 Year In Review

2014 was the first full year of 1st State BIKES (formerly known as Delaware Bikes) existence. It was a year full of challenges, and hard earned successes. Much work remains to be done; 2015 promises at least as much, if not more action. Below we highlight the highs - and a few lows - of the past year in bicycle advocacy. Some are joint projects with the Delaware Bicycle Council and the White Clay Bicycle Club.

January-March:

• DelDOT Pave & Rehab Projects opened for comment
• Who is advocating for on-road safety in Delaware (series)
• Building the case for the Newark to Wilmington Bikeway Proposal

April:

• Bicycle-unfriendly rumble strips first brought to DelDOT's attention
• Bike Delaware hires attorney, demands Delaware Bikes forfeit name and domain
• SUCCESS: Promoted Cycle for Cecil for land conservation in neighboring Cecil County
• Building the case against bicycle-unfriendly rumble strips

May:

• Building the case for updating the penalty for failure to yield in a crosswalk
• SUCCESS: New crosswalk and bike lane added at key Ogletown intersection
• Petitioned DelDOT to Save Our Shoulders (cease adding rumble strips) 

July-August:

• Petitioned DelDOT to create a Newark to Wilmington on-road bikeway
• Building the case for updating the penalty for failure to yield in a crosswalk
• Survey: Is Route 13 in Dover safer with Bike Lanes?
• SUCCESS: DelDOT sweeping reform comes to fruition
• Building the case for complete crosswalks at Elkton Road/Christina Parkway

September:

• New DelDOT rumble strip design opened for comment  
• SUCCESS: First bicycle-friendly rumble strips installed south of Middletown
• Building the case for bollards instead of gates in New Castle County

October:

• Building the case for Share the Road signs on Route 896 in Cecil County
• EZ Roller Rides introduced
• SUCCESS: Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs to be installed on Route 896 in Cecil County

November:

• Petitioned DelDOT to upgrade bicycle warning sign to include "On Roadway"
• SUCCESS: Inaugural EZ Roller Ride
• Building the case for bike lanes with the next Elkton Road resurfacing project

December:

• Building the case for safe bicycle facilities with the Route 72 widening project
• FAIL: Too late to add 4th crosswalk at Elkton Rd/Christina Parkway 
• Building the case against bicycle parking waivers in New Castle County
• Petitioning New Castle County to enforce APBP compliant bicycle parking in the UDC
• SUCCESS: Test sites for bicycle warning signs, to include "In Lane" goes forward

Want to know more? 1st State BIKES is a committee made up of advocates from different organizations that believe in on-road infrastructure and safety. In the quest for a balanced network of bicycle facilities, our advocates also support the surveys, petitions, and projects from trails and pathways organizations such as Bike Delaware, Delaware Greenways, Trailspinners, etc. We also support education, including B.E.S.T. (Bringing Education and Safety Together).

New for 2015! Delaware Bikes is now 1st State BIKES

For reasons we cannot disclose at this time, Delaware Bikes will be changing to 1st State BIKES as of 2015. We urge our followers to make changes ASAP in order to continue supporting our mission. We strive to be your 1-stop shop for all things bicycling advocacy in Delaware, which includes both on and off-road infrastructure and safety. There is no paid membership required to join with us, and participate in advocacy projects and action alerts that cover the 6 Es of bicycle advocacy.

For now, please check in with our new Facebook page, and LIKE us. All future posts will be re-directed here, but still cross-posted to the original page as well for a limited time.

If you are subscribed via email, please check our blog periodically for the next few weeks to ensure you don't miss anything.

More updates will follow. Please bear with us through this difficult time.

Follow Delaware Bikes by liking us on Facebook

Check out Delaware Bikes Facebook page and consider liking us. And please invite others to join as well. Here, you will find Greater Newark's #1 source for bicycling news and advocacy.

Our goal is to offer a balanced approach to bicycle advocacy. Trails and pathways will play an integral role in Delaware's bicycling network, and it would be foolish not to cover some events and news about these facilities. However, road bicycling will still take center stage, as we must rely on our built environment for many years, maybe generations to come. In the meantime, we must strive for bicycling to become a truly accepted and respected part of our current transportation system.

In the meantime, follow us, and enjoy the ride!