Crossover: Our New Report on Walking and Biking Across the Delaware

General Washington and bicyclists have (at least) one thing in common: difficulty in crossing the Delaware. After examining twelve bridges that connect New Jersey and Pennsylvania at or near Philadelphia, we are releasing a new report that reveals how poorly the Delaware River bridges provide bicycle and pedestrian accessibility.

"Washington Crossing The Delaware [Because There Were No Bridges With Pedestrian/Bicycle Access]" by Emanuel Leutze

The report, “Crossover: Bridge Ahead Impassible” finds that only five of the twelve bridges studied allow access to bicycles or pedestrians, and even then, the limited access provided by those five bridges is restricted further by regulations. The report lays out specific short-term recommendations for each bridge to improve access for bicycles and pedestrians. “Crossover” then provides longer-term solutions and identifies the regional agencies who would be responsible for, and capable of, implementing those changes.

PA and NJ Hold Strong, DE Leaps Ahead Among Bicycle-Friendly States

Today the League of American Bicyclists announced their Bicycle Friendly States ranking for 2013.  Pennsylvania ranked 15th, unchanged from 2012. New Jersey ranked 7th, also the same ranking from 2012. Delaware took a leap, moving up from 10th to 5th.  Congrats to the First State and Bike Delaware!

The LAB "Report Card" for PA contains many good recommendations for how Pennsylvania could improve its ranking. The top three are similar to what we have been asking the legislature to address as it moves forward on a state level transportation bill.

1. Create an adequately staffed Bike/Ped Office or Program within PennDOT to administer a competitive grant fund program and coordinate implementation of bike/ped programs within PennDOT and its district offices .
2. Establish a competitive grant program and bicycle/pedestrian maintenance fund with an annual appropriation of $20 million from the motor vehicle license fund .
3. Repeal the policy requiring municipalities to accept maintenance and liability responsibilities for bicycle facilities that are placed on state roads within their jurisdictions.
4. Adopt a vulnerable road user law that increases penalties for a motorist that injures or kills a bicyclist or pedestrian.

5. Adopt a statewide, all-ages cell phone ban to combat distracted driving and increase safety for everyone. 
6. Collect data regarding enforcement actions against motorists based on incidents with bicycles, such as traffic tickets issued, prosecutions, or convictions. 
7. Adopt performance measures, such as mode shift or a low percentage of exempted projects, to better track and support Bike Accommodation Policy compliance. 
8. Revamp the Complete Streets checklist into an authentic Complete Streets policy that is transparent and accountable.
9. Conduct a share the road campaign creatively addressing the issues specific to your state. 
10. Conduct a bicycle economic benefit study to showcase the positive impacts of bicycling for health costs, economic development, job creation, and transportation return on investment.

The LAB press release is here.

Atta'state Delaware! Delaware Allocates $13 Million for Bikes and Pedestrians

Hooray for Delaware!

Hours after Congress diluted dedicated bicycle and pedestrian funds, the Delaware Legislature approved $13.25 million dollars for the planning and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This money, for the 2013 fiscal year, represents a 90% increase in state funding.


The political lift to accomplish this task was not a light one, but a supportive governor, a forward-thinking DOT secretary, key legislators, a state bicycle advisory committee, and an advocacy group that kept on message all made this bold leap forward possible. This May the League of American Bicyclists ranked Delaware as the 10th most bike friendly state and this timely injection of funding could help propel the state to the top of the Bike Friendly State rankings in 2013.

Show DRPA That You Support The Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway Ramp Project

The days of cursing the three flights of stairs on the Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway could soon be over, but we need to your help to make that a reality.

The Delaware River Port Authority will be presenting their 2011 Capital Program at the Wednesday December 1st Board Meeting. DRPA CEO John Mattheussen has been quoted in the Camden Courier Post and the >Philadelphia Inquirer that he will ask the DRPA Board to include $100,000 to begin designing the walkway ramp in time to construct the walkway in 2012.

We do not know if CEO Mattheussen's verbal promise means that the money for design is included in the final budget. We want to make sure that DRPA Board members hear that there is strong public support for starting the design work in 2011. Please come to the Dec. 1 meeting to speak at the public comment period about why you want the walkway design to begin in 2011.


View Larger Map

One Port Center is across from the Camden Children's Garden on the Camden Waterfront.

Delaware Governor Issues Complete Streets Directive At State Bike Summit

With 280 attendees and an all star list of speakers the Delaware Bike Summit held at the DelTech Terry Campus in Dover was an overwhelming success. Speakers included Governor Jack Markell, Bicycle and Pedestrian Guru Michael Ronkin, LAB Executive Director Andy Clarke, Delaware Senator Tom Carper and Congressman Mike Castle. (Delaware Online Report)

The big news is that Gov. Markell announced an executive order creating a complete streets policy for the State of Delaware. Also Congressman Castle gave a presentation on the C&D Canal recreation path that included an anouncement that final design for the multi-use path will be complete in May and that construction could begin as early as the end of the year.

Many thanks to the Executive team of Bike Delaware, Jennifer Baldwin at DelDOT and Amy Wilburn of the Delaware Bicycle Council for pulling off a great event, everyone is already talking about next year. Bravo.

Weekend Escape 1 - Cape May to Rehoboth Beach

On June 4 2007 a 30 year dream came true that changed the dynamics of recreational cycling at the Delaware Beaches. The Junction and Breakwater Trail linked the quaint City of Lewes (pr. lewis) with busy Rehoboth Beach with a fine gravel trail.
















Wolfe Glade - Junction and Breakwater Trail

Connecting the Dots

Cape May of course is known globally for its architecture and famous BnB's. The loop ride goes out out to Cape May Point. It's a small town with a lighthouse and quiet beaches. Cape May Point is the end of the road and has very little automobile traffic but lots of bicycles. It feels like you are closer to Nantucket than Atlantic City here.

Adjacent to the Delaware Ferry Terminal is Cape Henlopen State Park. Accessible from the terminal via bike lanes is a paved path that winds past sand dunes, WWII lookout towers and Fort Miles. In the southern section of the park lies Gordon's Pond, which is inaccessible from the main section of the Park because a large segment of the park is set aside as a nesting area for Piping Plovers and Terns. The Junction and Breakwater Trail which is a part of Cape Henlopen SP serves as the missing link between the north and south sections of the park.

Getting There By Transit
NJ TRANSIT route 316 runs every 90 minutes or so during the summer from the Greyhound Terminal at to Cape May. Travel time is about 3 hours. If you're adventurous you can return from Delaware on DART to Wilmington then connect with SEPTA back to Philadelphia, note that there is no Sunday SEPTA service from Wilmington and weekday connections involve 2 transfers via Georgetown and Dover. During the off season the only reliable way to Cape May is via NJ TRANSIT's Route 552 bus which connects to Philly bound trains and buses in Atlantic City.

More Information
For th Cape May Region go to http://www.njcapemay.com/
For the Delaware Beaches go to http://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/
For the Cape May Lewes Ferry go to http://capemaylewesferry.com