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Posted 12/31/24 on Facebook by the Coalition for Safer North Bethany Beach
Alleluia! So nice to see DelDOT has started construction on Fresh Pond State Park RRFB which will be 1 of 6 safe crossing spots for bikers and pedestrians. Traffic calming in North Bethany has finally begun and speed limit reductions happening soon. Monitor the DelDOT / Coalition for a Safer North Bethany website for updates. There will be another workshop this summer to discuss the plan for seperate low stress bike/pedestrian paths as well. https://publicinput.com/nbethanycorridor
Photo from the Cape Gazette by Ellen McIntyre December 23, 2024
Standing in front of Delmarva Central train 1555 at DelDOT’s groundbreaking ceremony are members of the Sussex Cyclists, alongside (l-r) FHWA Regional Director Doug Atkin; DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski; Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, R-Georgetown; Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; and Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Long Neck.
Read the full article >
Walt Bryan hopes to get plans for a bicycle and walking trail connecting The Glade community outside Rehoboth Beach to the Junction & Breakwater Trail rolling after decades of discussion that has not found a solution.
Bryan, the Sussex County representative on the Delaware Bicycle Council, remotely joined the panel’s meeting Dec. 4, at the Delaware Department of Transportation offices in Dover.
He said he would approach Sussex County Council members, including the three newly elected ones who begin their terms in January, to discuss options.
“I think the county could carry this whole ball,” Bryan said.
There has been a growing interest in a trail among residents in housing developments in The Glade area in Rehoboth Beach, where Holland Glade Road, the only access road, is narrow with no shoulders, making it hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians, council members said.
“It’s a miracle that nobody’s been hit or killed,” Bryan said. “There’s a lot of bike activity in and out of The Glade."
Resident Maureen Cassidy said there have been serious crashes on a half-mile stretch of narrow roadways in the area of The Glade, one involving a cyclist.
Routes for a trail have been discussed as far back as a couple of decades but no plan has been pursued, council members said. Possible routes would pass through farmland or forest land, some of it owned by the state.
Mike Krumrine, a representative from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control who serves on the council, said he would look into rights of way that would be needed to create a trail.
Also at the Dec. 4 meeting, Bill Weller, advocacy director of Sussex Cyclists, noted a deficiency in the design of some sensors at intersections controlled by traffic signals. They do not detect bicycles in bicycle lanes, he said.
Weller suggested the council ask DelDOT to create a policy requiring adequate sensors in bicycle lanes for all new road construction or road upgrades at intersections that have traffic signals. The council is gathering information before deciding how to proceed with the request, said John Fiori, bicycle coordinator for DelDOT. If a recommendation is made, it would be reviewed by the agency’s traffic section, Fiori said.
The council also discussed roundabout design options to consider for future state design guidelines suggested by James Wilson, a New Castle County representative to the council.
The state recently approved revisions for roundabout design guidelines, based on federal highway and other standards, Fiori said.
Wilson said roundabouts that have a sharp, roughly 90-degree turn for vehicles to enter and exit are more safe for pedestrians and bicyclists because the driver must slow to nearly a stop.
Roundabouts designed with entrances that allow vehicles to smoothly and quickly enter and exit at less of an angle are more dangerous because drivers commonly do not yield the right of way to pedestrians or cyclists trying to cross, Wilson said.
Peter Haag, a chief traffic engineer for the state, said other traffic-calming design elements that slow traffic before it reaches the roundabout help to make even those designs safer.
The state is working on revising its traffic-calming manual, said Haag, who noted the design of each roundabout is considered independently, based on conditions at the site.
“There’s no safe way to design a roundabout,” Bryan added. “People go in there like a raceway.”
Bryan also suggested the county add a sealed tube tunnel under Route 9 for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross on the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail.
Wilson said a sealed tube tunnel would be confining and unpopular among users. He suggested a tunnel that included an opening to the sky at points where possible would make it more pleasant to use.
Marty Lessner of the Council on Transportation said he worried that if costs for designing a crossing are exorbitant, they will never be pursued.
Fiori said the state has installed a signal at Route 9 and Fisher Road to make it easier for cyclists to cross Route 9, and there are no plans for additional action by the state.
From the Cape Gazette:
The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommended the city ban parking on a part of Savannah Road that includes the Lewes Brewing Company.
READ MORE...
From Coast TV website (also featured on their TV news coverage)
GEORGETOWN, Del. - Bikers and hikers will soon be able to enjoy a fully completed Georgetown-Lewes trail.
On Wednesday, DelDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate their ninth and final phase of their 17-mile long-project. This stretch of road--from Airport Road to Fisher Road-- will begin Spring 2025.
Cyclists hopped on their bikes to head down the trail as the ceremony came to an end. Outdoor enthusiasts shared they are excited to celebrate the beginning of the final phase.
Danton Sherwood is a member of the Sussex Cyclists and he knows first hand how important this project is.
"Well, you're asking the right person. My wife, Terry Martin, was hit by a truck on Gravel Hill Road almost exactly a month ago, and she's still in intensive care in Christiana," Sherwood shared.
Through a planning study, DelDOT started looking at creating this path back in 2012. By 2016, phase one of nine was open to the public. Now, there's just one last stretch of path to pave.
Nicole Majeski, Cabinet Secretary for DelDOT, was emotional. She fought through tears as she thanked everyone involved, calling it a win for the whole state.
"The fact that we have a separated, dedicated, protected bike lane now for our cyclists, for those that are walking is huge to separate the modes of transportation to provide that safety element for people. This trail will save lives," said Majeski.
Sherwood feels the same way.
"This makes a huge personal and group impact, huge. I can't tell you how much, the difference between life an death almost."
Those responsible for bringing this path to fruition say it's about safely connecting communities. The project is slightly delayed compared to DelDOT's original estimate of a Fall 2025 completion. The Assistant Director or DelDOT's Planning Division says we can expect this to be completed by mid summer of 2026.
Originally posted on Facebook by Denny Shook
Today was the groundbreaking event for the final phase of the Georgetown-Lewes trail. Once completed this 37 mile trail will be the longest bike trail in Delaware. Sussex Cyclist was very well represented!
From the Cape Gazette - December 13, 2024
--- READ THE ARTICLE
What great support for today’s Terri Martin Support ride with over 50 members showing their support for Terri and all members who were part of the ride when Terri was injured and still feeling the effects. I’ve never been more proud to be a member of this club. - Denny Shook
Thank you, Denny Shook, for organizing the ride, and Michele Williams and Denny for posting the videos and photos below on Facebook. - Sussex Cyclists
Posted previously:
On November 19, long time club member Terry Martin was involved in a terrible accident while riding in a club ride. She is currently in serious condition at Christiana hospital.
On Sunday, December 8, 2024 there will be a ride to show our support for Terry. The ride will start at the Lewes Library at 10 AM and use the Georgetown Lewes trail. We hope to have as many riders as possible to show our support for Terry.
Georgetown / Lewes Trail Update
WHAT'S HAPPENING? The groundbreaking for the FINAL phase of the trail!
WHEN? Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 1:00 PM EST
WHERE? 194 Airport Road, Georgetown, DE - adjacent to Sussex Academy
WHO'S INVITED? Y'all - the more the merrier - Let's show the community our Sussex Cyclists pride.
WHEN WILL IT BE DONE? I get this question all the time. DELDOT expects it to be complete in 2026 but a lot of work will be completed in 2025.
WHO HAS HELPED GET THIS DONE? There are a lot of cooks in this kitchen but I can tell y'all DELDOT, Bike Delaware, and Delaware Greenways have played, and continue to play, a significant role. Let's not forget US! Our voice is being heard and we are fortunate.
Happy Holidays,
Bob Browne - opabob1962@gmail.com
Sussex Cyclists and Bike DE
Our thoughts are with Terri as she and her family navigate this challenging time. Out of respect for her privacy, we have decided not to share updates on her condition on our website, as it is public and accessible beyond our members.
As a reminder, we’re holding an informal gathering after this Monday’s ride at Dewey Beer Company in Milton. This is an opportunity to come together, share your thoughts, or simply be among friends as we support Terri and one another.
11/20/24 update:
There no new information to report at this time on Terri. We've been in touch with her husband and will provide more information when available.
11/19/24 1pm update:
Terri is being flown to the trauma center at Christiana for treatment of her injuries.
11/19/24 12:30 pm
An incident occurred during our ride this morning. Terri Martin was struck by a car and was taken by ambulance to Beebe Hospital in serious condition.
Our thoughts are with Terri and her family during this difficult time. We will provide updates as we receive more information from her husband. Please check back for updates.
Thank you for your understanding and support for our fellow members.
Sincerely,
Allen Segal
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