The "Green Shoots" of Culture Change at DelDOT

A few short years ago, those of us asking for bicycle safety improvements were laughed at by Delaware's cycling community, dismissing DelDOT as lacking compassion and unresponsive. With individual success stories from Bike Delaware members, and a watchful eye on their "Issues" page, we are putting the past behind us. In advance of a state-wide Complete Streets policy due in September, our efforts to work alongside DelDOT - individually and organizationally - is bearing fruit. Here is a recent example:

There are multiple ways to raise awareness and draw attention to a local problem, and spur DelDOT to action (or at least a response if cost constrained). If you believe something can be resolved as seen on our "Success" page, you can get started here:

- Contact DelDOT, Report a Road Conditon HERE
- Join, email your state advocacy organization HERE (include photo)
- Email Anthony Aglio, DelDOT's bike/ped coordinator HERE

Delaware has much to be proud of, including a League of American Bicyclist's top 10 ranking for pending legislation and planning. But long term success will depend on us working with our DOT on matters of bicycle safety and oversight. Please consider a more active role in advocacy today - only then can we achieve the longer term goal of making the 1st state the best state for cycling!

Urban Bike Heroes

Did anyone else see the Tuesday's article in the News Journal that profiled the Urban Bike Project?

This group had a table at last year's Bike Summit. They set up inside the foyer, to the right as people walked in.

In short, these volunteers have a free and open shop where people can come in and have their bikes fixed. The volunteers help the riders and show them how to fix stuff on their own. What is great is that they focus on low-income neighborhoods, where kids are more likely to be riding on unsafe bikes.

In addition, the volunteers take discarded bikes and, using donated equipment, make the bikes ridable again. Then, they give those bikes away to needy kids.

While I sit here and create this blog, plan meetings and timelines, these young people from Urban Bike Engineers are on the ground making a tremendous difference.

If you have a moment, read the article, then contact Urban Bike Project to donate tools, equipment, money or time to the organization.

Making the Blog

I have spent all day today working on a template of the blog for the Delaware Bicycle Council, and it's almost not work.

That I am doing it is evidence that the process is idiot proof.

Jim