Catching the 2017 Legislator's Ride in Ogletown

May 10th was the Legislators Bike to Work Ride, starting at the Polly Drummond Hill Shopping Center en-route to Dover. This was an event that was started in May 1990, with State Representative Roger Roy leading bicycling enthusiasts to the steps of the State Capitol. In that first year, bicyclists witnessed the signing of the bill that created the Delaware Bicycle Council. Since then, it has become an annual event lead by Senator Dave Sokola to promote bicycling during national bicycling month.

As luck would have it, I encountered the "Peloton" on my own commute to work, catching and then filming them from behind as they biked through Ogletown on Route 4.

Dover Bike and Pedestrian Plan Workshop set for January 20

The Dover/Kent County MPO and the City of Dover will hold a public workshop from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20 for people to view and discuss the final drafts of Dover’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan updates. The workshop will take place at the John W. Pitts Center at Schutte Park in Dover off of Hazlettville Road.

For more information, call the Dover Parks and Recreation office at (302) 736-7050. Stop by and visit the event webpage HERE.

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Survey: Is Route 13 in Dover safer with Bike Lanes?

AASHTO compliant bike lanes were installed on Route 13 in Dover over a year ago. DelDOT rightfully included the non-motorized in the Pave & Rehab process, as a steady stream of bicycle commuters pedal daily (and take transit) on what most consider Delaware's most popular Main Street. Now is the time for us to give DelDOT some basic feedback, and let them know whether or not the addition of bike lanes has helped safety along this busy corridor.

You can click on the survey image below to open up a printable version, or simply fill out an on-line version HERE.

Please help distribute this survey, by liberally forwarding or cross-posting this link to those you know who might bike - or has biked on Route 13 since the bike lanes were installed. Route 13 is anything but hospitable to non-motorized road users, but as one respondent commented, "It's a start, but a slow one". Few will disagree that adding bike facilities with lane reshuffling and delineation is a cost effective way to get the ball rolling in terms of Complete Streets implementation. And the streets are all we have, and will have for generations to come, in nearly every corner of Delaware.

Above: An artist's rendition of Route 13/DuPont Highway, as it was originally planned in the 1800s. Imagine what might have been, had we chosen a balanced approach to transportation planning, as it is throughout most of Europe.

LAB Traffic Skills 101 Course: Dover

On Saturday, July 13th, Paul Hess, along with Ceci & John McCormick will teach a Traffic Skills 101 Course for bicyclists at the DelDOT Administration Building in Dover.

This one day class is designed to increase your confidence while cycling on the road. Classroom instruction and skill drills will be followed by a group ride to practice what you've learned.

To register or ask questions, email the McCormicks at: johnandcecimcc@gmail.com or call 302-528-1773 or 302-668-8749.