It's time to take back the streets in Wilmington

Better Block Wilmington brings new life to Union Street

Cross-posted from Bike Delaware -- For three days last month, the 600 block of Union Street in West Side Wilmington looked a bit different than usual. For these three days (August 11-13), one lane of traffic was closed to vehicles and converted into a lively, vibrant public space where residents could sit, eat, relax, listen to music, and enjoy the re-purposing of an otherwise abrasive environment. This temporary transformation was the doing of Better Block Wilmington, Delaware’s first incarnation of the Better Block Project.

The Better Block Project is a nationally-recognized demonstration tool in which residents temporarily modify the looks and functionality of a small part of their neighborhood. Better Block Projects aim to identify and offer solutions to community concerns of pedestrian safety, livability, and aesthetics. Exhibited over a short period of time and organized with a minimal budget, these projects show how small changes can yield large impacts for businesses, individuals and the community as a whole. [Full article ...]

In other news, it appears that Wilmington's Transportation Enhancements Grant has finally been approved. With it, Bike Wilmington (WBAC) will successfully attain $200,000 to implement bike infrastructure improvements within the City. The effort will address four (4) primary corridors that will serve to connect the City’s neighborhoods to the downtown commercial district. Additionally, the Committee will be working with its consultant McCormick Taylor, DART, Wilmington Initiatives and the Challenge Program to develop a cutting edge, multi-modal bus shelter prototype that will serve the needs of transit riders and bicyclists.

The above improvements were criticized by Bike Delaware, and slow to gain traction within City government. However, Wilmapco Council voted on May 8th to give these improvements the highest priority in the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan).

The use of sharrows and signage isn’t perfect, but the City will get miles of visible routes on a very small budget, providing for an excellent start. It is important to note that the project was developed and supported by the community itself. You can also visit Wilmington's Bicycle Plan, developed in conjunction with Wilmapco.

The City of Wilmington has an awful lot going for it, including a spectacular Grand Prix every May. Don't miss it in 2015! Visit the event website for details.

In addition, Bike Wilmington has been coordinating and assisting the Department of Public Works to determine logical and safe locations for bike parking (racks) throughout the City. Phase I of a City-wide rack install effort is complete; phase II is under research and development; and a final phase is set to occur next Spring. Sharrows have already been installed on Market Street with the above mentioned sharrows to follow in the near future. If you are aware of a location that is in need of bike parking, please contact Leah Kacanda at lvkacanda@WilmingtonDE.gov.

Randy Inglis, Delaware's bicycling pioneer and leader

Cross-posted from Bike Delaware's website

By Carol Ireland -- The local bicycling community was shocked last week to learn of the death of Randy Inglis, a leader in Delaware’s cycling community.

Randy was the general manager of The Bike Boutique (TBB) in Wilmington, which is where I first met him. When TBB was in its original location in downtown Wilmington I asked Randy if Bike Delaware could put some Bike Delaware cards in his shop. He readily agreed and we discussed some of the biking issues and recent biking successes in the area.

Randy was a pioneer in locating the bike shop downtown and creating a partnership with a nearby fitness center so bike commuters could store their bikes and get a shower before heading to work (dubbed “bike-lodging”).  But the poor economy and too small a customer base in that location led to TBB moving out to the Trolley Square area.  [Full story ...]

Wilmington Bicycle Facility Improvements Move Forward

Area bicyclists are encouraged at every opportunity to talk up Wilmington’s planned bike routes that will be funded by a Transportation Enhancements (TE) grant. The plan has been criticized by Bike Delaware, and slow to gain traction with City government. However, Wilmapco Council voted on May 8th to give these improvements the highest priority in the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan).

The use of sharrows and signage isn’t perfect, but the City can get miles of visible routes on a very small budget, and that is an excellent start. It is important to note that this project was developed and supported by the community itself.

We are asking our readers to talk it up in active circles. Post comments here on Delaware Bikes and any other organizations that are willing to listen. Post comments whenever you see a good opportunity on Bike Delaware's website and Facebook page. Wilmington is far behind many other cities of similar size when it comes to infrastructure and the implementation of bicycle safety improvements, and we need to get this moving.

A bicyclist enjoys a freshly applied Sharrow on Market Street in Wilmington (photo courtesy of David Blankenship)

Wilmington Bike to Work Day & Grand Prix, May 16-18

Visit the event website and pre-register today!

For the seventh straight year, Delaware’s premier cycling competition has been certified as a National Calendar event by USA Cycling, putting this year’s Wilmington Grand Prix among the nation’s most prestigious races, the Delaware Sports Commission announced today.

Top professional racers are expected to gather in Wilmington May 16-18 for three days of events that pass through some of the state’s most scenic byways, attracting cycling fans from across the region and pumping thousands of dollars into the state’s economy, according to David Arthur, executive director of the Delaware Sports Commission, which has the mission of bringing national sporting events like the Wilmington Grand Prix to Delaware. [Visit the event website ...]

Introducing the Newark to Wilmington Bikeway Proposal

 

Laura Wilburn biked XC in 2012

Introduced at the Delaware Walk-Bike Summit, the Newark to Wilmington Bikeway is a collaborative effort between the Delaware Bicycle Council, Delaware Bikes, and Laura Wilburn of the Urban Bike Project (Laura is car-free and bike/bus commutes daily between the 2 cities). Two route concepts begin on Route 4 in Newark by the entrance to Tubby Raymond Field. The center of Newark can be accessed several ways, including via Route 72, Wyoming Road, the Hall Trail, etc.

Option #1 utilizes both Route 4 and Kirkwood Highway, before bypassing areas around Price’s Corner. The second route spends more time on Route 4. Route 4 has wide shoulders all the way between Newark and Limestone Road, and a sidepath along much of the route. After Stanton Road, it turns to 4 lanes with intermittent shoulders, making it difficult to use Route 4 all the way into Wilmington.

Option #2 spends more time on Route 4. Route 4 has wide shoulders all the way between Newark and Limestone Road, and a sidepath along much of the route. After Stanton Road, it turns to 4 lanes with intermittent shoulders, making it difficult to use Route 4 all the way into Wilmington.

We will be collecting feedback from our readers as we gather support and present this proposal to DelDOT. You can click on each of the options above to view close-up segments, or view Option #1 in Google Maps.

DO: Urban Bike Project gets new home in Wilmington

Cross-posted from Delaware Online

After searching for a new home for six months, the Urban Bike Project is moving into new space in a historic city-owned building that once housed Wilmington’s police horses.

The 6,440-square-foot location at 1500 N. Walnut St. will give the group more space and greater visibility in the community, while not straying far from its 3-year-old home off North Market near East 19th and Race streets, leaders said.

“The building we’re currently in didn’t pass inspection, and it’s slated for demolition. We started looking in the spring of this year when we learned we’d need to move,” Executive Director Laura Wilburn said.

The opportunity to lease the Walnut Street building came out of discussions with the city, which had last leased the space to the now-inactive Urban Environmental Center, said Michael Leventry, a planner for the city and co-chair of the group Bike Wilmington.

“We’re excited about having a much larger space, so that we can have more flexibility in how we use the space and in how many people we are able to serve,” Wilburn said. The fenced-in property also offers “lots of possibilities for programming and events that utilize the outdoor space, once the weather gets nice.”

The Urban Bike Project began six years ago and now serves roughly 500 people a year, providing educational programming and mechanical assistance to city residents and youth.  [Full article ...]

Urban Bike Project Moves to a New Location

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Cross-posted from their website

The Urban Bike Project is pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement with the City of Wilmington to occupy 1500 North Walnut Street, a building on the National Register of Historic Places that once served as the City’s horse stables. Their current location is slated for demolition and they have been looking for a new home for about six months.

See the press release for more information.

An open house event and fundraiser is slated for January 10, 2014. Details and further information to come.

Please see important information about what services will and will not be offered by the Urban Bike Project while they move to the new space. 

Poster's note: What fantastic news this is! Newark Bike Project is also in the hunt for Shop 4.0. Hopefully, it won't be too long before both Projects find a permanent home.

Up and coming Urban Bike Project 2.0

Urban Bike Project 1.0 - where it all began (not including Brian's house ;-)

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

Public Workshop: City of Wilmington Bike Facility Improvements

By Tamika Graham -- The City of Wilmington and its Bicycle Advisory Committee is aiming to capitalize on its past success of promoting bicycling with budget-friendly safety improvements. On November 2010, Wilmington successfully installed sharrow lane markings along Market Street in the downtown area - the first installation in the state of Delaware. Sharrow lane markings help convey to motorists and bicyclists that they must share the roads, and indicate a preferred path of travel and positioning for bicyclists relative to parked motor vehicles. This marking was formally introduced through the 2009 version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which provides standards for traffic control devices, and has become very popular among states and cities aiming to encourage the safe coexistence of bicyclists and motorists. Wilmington bicyclists have noted the visible improvements in the downtown area and are often seen positioning themselves along the markings.

An application was submitted through the former Transportation Enhancements program (presently known as Transportation Alternative Program) for a variety of improvements citywide.  Using 80% of federal funds through this source will help the City leverage its limited resources.  Members of the public are invited to comment on a proposed north-south, east-west bicycle route that will consist of sharrow lane markings and bicycle directional signage through several neighborhoods across the City. This proposed project will implement recommendations from the adopted Wilmington Bicycle Plan to promote bicycle usage and safety. An open house public workshop will be held on Thursday, August 22nd, anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the main lobby of the Louis Redding City/County Building, 800 N French Street, Wilmington, 19801. Staff from the City of Wilmington, DelDOT consultants, and WILMAPCO will be present to answer questions. For more information, visit us on line HERE.

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Scenes, coverage from the Wilmington Grand Prix

WILMINGTON — The United Healthcare Pro Cycling team threw its weight around in the final stages of the 2013 Bank of America Wilmington Grand Prix on Saturday to help member Luke Keough take first place in the 35-mile race.

United Healthcare set the pace for the peloton during the final laps, creating a wall of riders the field had to get through for the final sprint. Keough was the main beneficiary, besting teammate Hilton Clarke by 0.36 seconds.

“Awesome,” Keough said of the win. “Obviously, the guys rode really well and came together at the end. We got the win and second, as well. You can’t beat that. You can’t do this without teammates. Luckily, I had the strongest guys helping me out. We’ve been racing together week after week. ... It works out really well when it comes down to the end.”  [full article ...]